Emilio Estrada Palomo
Industrial Biotechnology Engineering student from Guatemala interested in understanding how biological systems work, how people interact with them, and how engineering can protect, restore, and learn from them.
This digital field station documents that journey.
// Explorer Profile
Curiosity
Exploration
Documentation
Teaching
Leadership
// The Origin Story
"Long before biotechnology, I was fascinated by connections. Choir breathing techniques helped me before athletic competitions. Traditional herbal remedies sparked curiosity about medicinal plants. That curiosity eventually led me to herbariums, biodiversity collections, and scientific research."
// Herbarium Collection
Fagaceae · UVAL
Achimenes longiflora
Collections Exhibition · Depto. Biología UVG
Herbaria are libraries of biodiversity. Through the UVAL Herbarium: specimen preparation, curation, digitization using Darwin Core, and public outreach — preserving biodiversity information for future generations.
// Orchids & Field Work
Jardin Botánico
Field Work
// Quercus Restoration
Quercus spp. · Highland Forests
Oak forests are among the most important ecosystems in Guatemala. Research on native Quercus species germination — exploring how native trees contribute to ecological restoration of degraded highland forests.
Field Note #002 · UVAL Herbarium
"Every specimen was once alive somewhere."
// Species Database
Some species become milestones.
3 / 7 discovered
Cultural Performance
Traditional Foods
Community Event
Textiles & Jade
The connection between biological knowledge and cultural tradition runs deep in Guatemala. Biodiversity and humanity are not separate. Ethnobiology explores this relationship — how communities have always known what science is still learning.
// Engineering Life
"Scaling a process changes the way you think. Pilot plants sit between laboratory experiments and industrial implementation."
20L
lab scale
——>
50 gal
pilot plant
Glycerin Reactor Scale-Up · Biorefinery Process
// Projects
Pilot Plant — Glycerin purification scale-up. Process optimization, reactor systems, flow diagrams.
Fermentation — Saccharomyces cerevisiae evaporation studies and process optimization.
Analytical Chemistry — Water characterization, avocado oil saponification, concentration verification. AAS, spectrophotometry, titrations.
MICROALGAS UVG
Largest student-led biotech initiative at UVG
50+Researchers
10Majors
3Faculties
6Divisions
// Tap a division to explore
// Observation
"Scientific ecosystems are just as important as scientific discoveries."
Growth, not credentials. Tap any node to read its story.
// Instructions
Tap any node to read its story.
// Building ecosystems, not just startups
ASES Summit · Golden Gate
Stanford · Hoover Tower
// by the numbers
40+
Students
100%
IGER grad rate
2×
iGEM TA
These are not projects. These are expeditions. Each one: a region explored, a question pursued.
// Not every observation becomes a research project.
UVG · Distinctions
// Not trophies. Milestones.
EMILIO ESTRADA
Industrial Biotechnology Engineer
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
🟢 ONLINE · Mission: Still Exploring
If you'd like to discuss biodiversity, biotechnology, conservation, education, or collaborative projects — reach out.