Alumni 2010 – 2019

"Although my friends and even my classmates from the time I studied in the UK work in different sectors, the experience of interacting and developing group work in multicultural environments is part of my everyday work nowadays".

Tania Marín experience during her master's degree years between 2011 and 2012 at the University of Leeds made it possible for her to develop a set of skills that are still applied in her work today. Experiences in the UK reaffirmed her desire to continue working in International Health. Experienced in Brazil, Central America and Mexico, Tania has coordinated humanitarian programs focused on migrant and maternal health, gender-based violence, and other types of violence. Currently, Tania is the Medical Coordinator for Médecins du Monde in Mexico, overseeing the quality of health interventions, developing medical strategy, and overseeing the management of medicines and medical supplies. Their work enables people's access to primary health care, sexual and reproductive health, and the immigrants ‘right to health. 

“Getting a master's degree in the UK was key to my career’s transition from marketing to sustainability. I can confidently say that pursuing the master's degree was a crucial watershed for my professional trajectory.”

Sofia Diaz is Danone's Head of Sustainability in Mexico and is at the forefront of the water, CO2, regenerative agriculture and circular economy agendas, which activities include transitioning to 100% recyclable packaging, reducing the use of virgin plastic, carbon and methane emissions, for example. A master's student at Strathclyde University, she was in the UK between 2011 and 2012 and stresses the importance of maintaining contact with the network. According to her, these connections provided diverse perspectives and valuable critical insights: “These connections can be super helpful and fun throughout your career. Also, don't forget to use the critical thinking skills you got in the UK. They'll help you tackle challenges and make smart decisions in your professional life.”

Daniela Klebis is SBPC’s Communication Coordinator, leading the development and implementation of strategic communication initiatives on various platforms, seeking to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible content, promoting public engagement and collaboration among various sectors, ensuring that science remains at the centre of public discourse and policy development. 

She participated in the creation and organization of the Carolina Bori "Science & Women" Award [Prêmio Carolina Bori “Ciência e Mulheres”], which celebrates the achievements of scientists and encourages young women to pursue careers in all scientific fields. Between 2011 and 2012, she was a master’s student at the London School of Economics and considers that the experience was transformative, providing academic rigor and contact with the perspectives of students and teachers from all over the world: “Having studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), I gained a profound foundation that has shaped every step of my professional journey. The program provided me with not only a comprehensive understanding of public communication and policy frameworks but also sharpened essential skills such as critical thinking, analytical rigor, and effective communication”. 

In the experience of the founder of NexVitro Biologics, education was a path that changed his trajectory: “I believe that my story can inspire many young Brazilians who, like me, come from less favoured areas and dream of transforming their realities through education and entrepreneurship”.

A PhD in Biosciences and Technology from UNICAMP [University of Campinas], Robson is revolutionizing molecular diagnostics in South America. The startup seeks diagnostic solutions in different fields, from agriculture to health care, with an emphasis on harnessing biodiversity and regional resources for sustainable bioeconomic growth. Winner of the British Council's Study UK Alumni Brazil 2024 award and finalist of the global Alumni Awards 2024 in the Business and Innovation.

“My education in the UK made me what I am today. If I could go back in time to do my master’s and my PhD again, I would. The experience of studying in the UK is really life changing. I can openly say that those years have been some of the best in my life!”

Oscar is a speaker, researcher, author, consultant and lecturer on international and national security issues, focusing on war, defence, terrorism and organized crime. He has written on insurgency, terrorism, and crime in Colombia and discusses issues of global terrorism, transnational crime, and the impact of AI and social media. Experienced as a National Army Officer, he maintains collaboration with the Armed Forces in several projects. In addition, with more than 10 years as a university professor, he has impacted several generations of students and professionals, making complex security and geopolitical issues more accessible to the public. His postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, throughout 2013, were transformative, broadening his vision on the topics he studies professionally. He highlights the importance of networking, both in building his career and for the advancement of his projects and cultural plurality among students in the UK.

Lucas Chung Man Leung is responsible for the go-to-market strategy of Oracle’s technology products in Latin America, such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Services, Databases, Analytics, Blockchain, Multicloud, Cybersecurity, among others. In addition, he has created two successful programs: the Oracle Next Education, focused on education and social impact for more than 100,000 low-income students in 4 countries, and GenO (Generation One), an innovative internship platform that seeks talent based on its purposes, replicated in the Europe, Middle East, Africa, Japan and Asia Pacific regions. 

Between 2013 and 2014, Lucas was in the UK getting his degree at Sheffield Hallam University and defines his experience as: “I could possibly say that it was the best year of my life. In that year, I had the opportunity to work on myself and my self-knowledge, to improve my language skills but also my perspective on the world and their cultures”. When he came back from the UK, he won the British Embassy Contest for SwB UK Ambassador 2015 and in 2016 he was one of the bearers of the Olympic Torch in Rio’s Olympic Games. 

"I use my research experience from environmental fields to tackle some of the most challenging problems in environmental management".

Andréa Puzzi is a Geospatial Data Scientist with the Spatial Informatics Group mainly supporting geospatial activities for the NASA SERVIR – Amazonia hub, where she works with technical support in the development of geospatial tools and services. She conducted several training workshops focused on Google Earth Engine and Collect Earth Online for Latin America and Asia. 

Puzzi works collaboratively with international institutions, government agencies, universities and Civil Society Organizations to utilize satellite data and the power of geospatial analysis to address critical challenges in developing countries. She was at the University of Greenwich throughout 2014, during her graduation, and for Puzzi, the experience in the United Kingdom provided more security for the labour market, at the same time that the professionals with whom she worked with began to rely more on her professional skills. 

“First, be proud of your achievement. Second, apply the knowledge and don't be ashamed of failing (it is an important part of innovation). Third, keep in contact with alumni and expand your network (don't undervalue the power of it)”. 

Paulo Brunet was a graduate student at the London School of Economics between 2015 and 2020. In these years he understood the importance of being proactive and purposeful to achieve protagonism. He highlights the cultural plurality of studying at a university in the UK, the challenges and considers that getting a UK degree has opened doors, enabling him to access a new level of responsibilities and confidence to conduct projects. Paulo is currently general manager at ANESP, where he manages strategic projects and processes, in addition to providing consultancy to the association’s Board of Directors and producing institutional documents on topics such as management, advocacy, governance and communication.

“Studying in the War Studies Department at KCL has deeply influenced my life”.

One of Montserrat's proudest achievements was to have developed guidelines for the Mexican financial system to detect illicit fund flows that could be linked to human trafficking. Master's degree from King's College London, he studied in the War Studies Department between 2017 and 2019. After that, he worked for 5 years at HSBC, where he worked with intelligence, investigating the main financial crimes in Latin America. 

Montserrat highlights the importance of networking for professional development: “I got my job at HSBC by networking with other Mexicans who had studied in the UK”. He is currently a Compliance Program Manager at Amazon, developing the Financial Crime Compliance Program for 13 of the company's entities operating the financial industry worldwide. 

“Getting my PhD in the UK has opened my eyes to different ways of working, new cultures and how research is done in a completely different environment.”

Currently, Betsabe de la Barreda Bautista works on the Integrated ClimAte Resilience UnderStanding (ICARUS) Belize project, which aims to develop an integrated approach to climate resilience by analysing past and present climate impacts. Her research focuses on assessing the effects of extreme weather events on Belize's environment and agricultural systems, using historical, satellite, and field information at different temporal and spatial scales. In addition, her work addresses the impact of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems, using new methodologies to generate innovative knowledge and contribute to sustainable adaptation strategies and environmental resilience.

Her experience in the UK, during her PhD as a student at the University of Nottingham, was transformative. Betsabe encountered new cultures and different ways of working and research, as well as having access to academic resources and learning opportunities that strengthened her career. During her stay in the UK, she built an international network and developed collaborations with researchers from Mexico and other regions.

Carlos Moreno is an associate professor and coordinator of research programs in the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology at Robert Gordon University, Scotland. He teaches subjects such as Advanced Data Science, Data Visualisation and Computer Vision for the Energy Sector. He conducts research in the areas of artificial intelligence, computer vision, pattern recognition and data science, applied to the industrial and medical sectors, with an interest also in sustainable AI.

In 2017, he arrived in the UK to undertake a postdoctoral project at Robert Gordon University and in 2018 he became a lecturer. During his career, he completed a PgCert in Education, which allowed him to learn new skills, such as engagement with the industry, critical thinking in research and innovative educational techniques. He points out that his career was only possible thanks to the education he got in the United Kingdom. In addition, his experiences helped him establish valuable connections, essential to secure funding and enhance his academic performance. According to him, the UK is a place that prepares individuals to follow their dreams, wherever they are. Today, he also dedicates efforts to promote sustainable practices in teaching and research.

“The UK helps you discover what you really like and how to achieve it. You don't necessarily have to chase your dreams in the same city or even in the same country, so be open to search for future opportunities in many places around the world. The UK will prepare you for that!”

Tania is the Director and CEO of Lentes Púrpura, which seeks to prevent and combat gender-based violence in Mexico. From creating educational, cultural and business spaces with a gender perspective, the aim is to raise awareness of daily gender-based violence against girls, women, the LGBTQI+ community and vulnerable individuals, to building a more just society where people do not miss opportunities due to inequality. Through job creation and education on gender, diversity and mental health issues, Lentes Púrpura has impacted more than 20,000 people and created a safety net for victims of gender-based violence. 

A master's student at the University of Sussex in 2018, Tania says that in the UK she has made great friends, connected with key people in her work and developed a good perspective on her industry.

“It was an experience that changed my life, from the social to the professional and academic aspects. My career definitely wouldn't be where it is without my time in the UK”.

“Stay connected with alumni groups, teachers, and professional networks to explore career opportunities. When returning home or moving abroad, highlight UK education to excel in the job market”.

Astrid Karam was a master’s student at the University of Aberdeen and is the Vice President of Marine Cargo and Logistics at Marsh, working in the area of risk consulting and insurance for the marine, logistics and port industries. Studying at a UK university was a remarkable experience for her. The challenging but welcoming academic environment with excellent resources and a multicultural perspective helped her develop independence and critical thinking skills. This experience significantly impacted her career, strengthening her analytical skills and improving her communication and adaptability, essential in the global market. In her current work, she applies these skills to mitigate financial risks and support global trade, promoting stability and resilience.

"Take time to travel while young, or embrace the connections provided by your time at University and step into the world of work”.

A graduate student at Oxford University, Luke Harris was in the UK between 2018 and 2022. Currently, in Mexico, he is a consultant in the areas of media, public relations and investor relations. In his spare time, he curates contemporary art exhibitions and writes about art, supporting a creative environment in the arts in Mexico and contributing to the country’s cultural growth. His time at Oxford University provided a wealth of work opportunities and valuable connections.