Luis is completing his Ph.D. in Information Science at the University at Albany. His research is focused on the process of designing information technologies in organizational and interorganizacional settings, particularly in the collaboration processes across functional or organizational areas that occur during the design process. He does that by creating system dynamics models, which are simulation models of either technical or socio-technical systems. The simulation models allow groups or individuals to learn about complex phenomena through simulation experiments as an alternative to direct experimentation with a system.

Before coming to the United States, I was a staff member at the Universidad de las Americas in Mexico. There I was a professor in the University's business school. While I was in Mexico I was given the opportunity to expand my studies and attend the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany. It was through this program that I first became affiliated with CTG. And now, in fact my dissertation uses CTG research data.

Although I was not formally involved with CTG until January 2003, I have been working closely with the staff there for much longer. In the beginning phases of my Ph.D. my advisor David Andersen started the exploration of an innovative project idea with CTG Deputy Directors Tony Cresswell and Theresa Pardo. At that time, CTG was working on a research project that looked into information sharing among different groups and networks of people. Some of the learning from the research team was related to the observation of some dynamic elements in the cases that could involve rich feedback explanations. David Andersen suggested using system dynamics to create models about the theories developed by CTG with the purpose of extending the already rich set of insights and theoretical statements. I was part of the system dynamics team that began exploring trade theories in 2001. Since that time, I have worked closely with the CTG staff, who are an exciting mix of highly professional and reflective practitioners and researchers.

My involvement at CTG has already produced 6 different papers, 3 of them presented at the International System Dynamics Conference, and 3 of them at the Hawaiian International Conference in System Sciences. I am currently involved in 4 other writing projects associated with this initiative.

Although I have been away for many years, I still have my job at the university in Mexico. In fact, I plan to return to it when my Ph.D. is completed in June. My primary focus will be on teaching and research in the area of management information systems and operations management at the business school.

One of the more important lessons I have learned while at CTG is that people matter. Originally, I cared more about numbers than stories, now it is the other way around. My thinking originally was more like that of an engineer than a social scientist. Being here has made me realize that developing information systems is not only a technical challenge, but also a social process.

I love music and am an avid guitar player as well as a Mexican folk singer.