Colombian Quantum Alliance members

Dr. Esteban Hernández

Dr. Esteban Hernández is a Computer Engineer and holds a Ph.D. in Engineering with a specialization in High-Performance Computing (HPC). He also holds a Master’s degree in HPC, a postgraduate specialization in Applied Mathematics, and an additional specialization in Software Design for Networks. With over 23 years of professional experience, Dr. Hernández has held key roles at Amazon Web Services, Mercado Libre, and several startups, working in areas such as Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence, and Numerical Simulation. He is the founding member of CyberColombia, an interdisciplinary community dedicated to advancing HPC, AI, and Scientific Computing across Colombia and the wider Latin American region. During 2025 he served as the Executive Director of SCALAC – the Advanced Computing System for Latin America and the Caribbean – which led initiatives to develop and promote HPC capacity across the region. Currently lead the Colombian Quantum Alliance. Dr. Hernández is also co-author of the book “Parallel Heterogeneous Computing for Accelerating Weather Forecasting”, and he actively advises organizations on accelerating compute-intensive workloads, including several Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models in high-performance environments. LinkedIn

Jhon Dario Medina

Engineer Jhon Dario Medina is a Systems Engineer with 42 years of professional experience most of them working for EPM - Empresas Públicas de Medellín - (“The best company of the Colombia Country during the XX Century”, Portafolio award), from where he retired in October 2024. During his last years with EPM, Engineer Medina worked in the IT Strategy and Architecture area, helping to implement de major enterprise packages such as CRM and in the adoption of Microsoft Azure cloud computing, being the principal architect of the “Azure Integration Services” platform, wich has specialized cloud tools for integration and interoperability between systems. At EPM, he was the first leader of the quantum computing research group until the time of his retirement and has continued in this field of research. Currently, he teaches an introductory course on quantum computing aimed at large companies, and the first of his clients in this course was EPM itself. One of the research fields is dedicated to Microsoft’s strategy in Quantum Computing and its quantum software platforms, such as Microsoft Quantum Development Kit -MKDK.

He has also been a university professor and an entrepreneur in the field of software package development, mainly for the garment sector. LinkedIn

Dr. Luis Eduardo Seijas

Luis Eduardo Seijas Ruiz is a Professor at the School of Science and Engineering of Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia. He is a researcher and scientist whose research interests focus on Computational Chemistry, Molecular Modeling, and Machine Learning methods applied to chemical systems. His work is directed towards the utilization of molecular dynamics simulations, structure-based virtual screening, and advanced computational strategies to resolve complex atomistic and chemical problems. Driven by the increasing demand for precision in electronic structure calculations and predictive molecular behavior, his current academic interest focuses on the intersection of computational chemistry with Quantum Computing. He is focused on studying how quantum algorithms can be designed and adapted to quantum chemistry calculations, seeking ways to map molecular Hamiltonians and optimize chemical problems that transcend the boundaries of classical scientific computing. With an established background in evaluating molecular interactions, simulation protocols, and the integration of data-driven approaches in exact sciences, Professor Seijas is dedicated to advancing the development of quantum-related initiatives within the academic community. His vision encompasses collaborating on multi-disciplinary projects where structural chemistry and scientific computing converge to implement and adapt these emerging algorithmic approaches, training future researchers in the field. LinkedIn

Mg. Gustavo Caceres

Gustavo Cáceres Castellanos holds a degree in Systems Engineering, a Master’s degree in Information and Communication Sciences, and a specialization in Systems. He is a Full Professor at the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), affiliated with the School of Systems and Computer Engineering (EISC), with over 35 years of teaching experience. He is a researcher at the Information Management Research Group (GIMI). During his sabbatical year (2023), he designed the micro-curriculum for teaching quantum computing for the Systems and Computer Engineering program at UPTC. He currently leads the creation and formalization of the Center for Quantum Computing and Emerging Technologies for Boyacá (C3B), a transversal and interdisciplinary unit open to the entire university, as well as the Specialized Quantum Computing Research Seed Group (ICCE-UPTC). He is responsible for the high-performance GPU simulation infrastructure based on an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (32 GB GDDR7) and ZBook Fury workstations, optimized for high-fidelity quantum simulations using Qiskit, Pennylane, cuQuantum, and Cirq. He is currently developing a research project focused on fostering “quantum thinking” through gamified platforms for the UPTC academic community. His vision integrates cutting-edge research, human talent development, and technology transfer, linking the C3B with research groups and graduate programs in the Faculty of Engineering, as well as with the needs of Boyacá’s productive sector. LinkedIn

Mg.José Manuel Escorcia Tafur

José Manuel Escorcia Tafur is an Assistant Professor at Universidad EAFIT and Head of the Undergraduate Program in Mathematical Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada —IMPA—, a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, and a degree in Mathematics from Universidad de Cartagena. His research focuses on nonlinear partial differential equations, soliton dynamics, modulational instability, blow-up phenomena, variable-coefficient systems, and reaction-diffusion models. He is also interested in quantum computing, particularly in its connections with mathematical modeling, scientific computing, the simulation of dynamical systems, and the development of computational approaches for applied problems. He has taught the Quantum Computing course at Universidad EAFIT and is willing to contribute to quantum-related projects from the perspective of his mathematical background and expertise, especially in areas where analytical modeling, differential equations, dynamical systems, numerical methods, and scientific computing can support the development of quantum computing applications. LinkedIn

Dr. Camilo Andrés Espejo Pabón

Camilo Andrés Espejo Pabón is a solid-state and condensed matter physicist whose research focuses on the theoretical and computational study of materials, with particular emphasis on van der Waals interactions within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). His work has also addressed electronic structure, layered materials, and computational materials science using high-performance computing (HPC) environments. In addition to his research in physics, he has experience in mathematical and computational modeling applied to social systems, reflecting a broad interdisciplinary perspective. His academic production includes publications in internationally recognized journals and active participation in scientific conferences, workshops, and specialized schools in computational physics and materials science. He has more than twenty years of university teaching experience, particularly in Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetism, modeling, and computational simulation. Over the last decade, he has taught graduate-level courses and training activities in computational materials science and HPC-related topics, while also contributing to the organization of academic events and advanced summer schools. He currently serves as Associate Professor in the Departamento de Física y Geociencias at Universidad del Norte, where he combines teaching, research, and student supervision as part of a coherent academic vocation grounded in the close relationship between research and education. LinkedIn

Dr. Nicolas Avilan

Nicolás Avilán Vargas holds a Ph.D. in Physics and is a Professor at the School of Sciences and Engineering of Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia, where he serves as Director of the Applied Mathematics and Computer Science undergraduate program. He is a researcher whose work lies at the intersection of Applied Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing. His research focuses on computational geometry, machine learning, quantum information science, and the mathematical foundations of intelligent systems. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary research and educational initiatives that integrate mathematics, computing, and emerging quantum technologies. Through research, teaching, and international collaborations, he contributes to the advancement of quantum education and the development of new generations of researchers in this field. His work promotes the integration of mathematical rigor, computational thinking, and innovative technologies to address contemporary scientific and technological challenges. LinkedIn

Dr. Juan Guillermo Lalinde

Juan Guillermo Lalinde Pulido holds a degree in Computer Science from Universidad EAFIT, a degree in Mathematics from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and a PhD in Telecommunications from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. He is a Research Professor at Universidad EAFIT in the area of Fundamental Sciences, with more than 30 years of experience.

He served as Head of the Department of Computer Science and Director of the Computer Science program. He was also Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Informatics Engineering and a member of the Doctoral Committee in Engineering. He has been a Visiting Researcher at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Pensacola, Florida, United States, and at Purdue University in Indiana, United States.

He served as advisor to Colciencias’ Electronics, Telecommunications, and Informatics (ETI) program. He participated as a researcher at the Center of Excellence and Appropriation in Big Data and Analytics — CAOBA — and was Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Data Science and Analytics from 2019 to 2022. He was the founder and scientific director of Universidad EAFIT’s APOLO Scientific Computing Center from 2011 to 2025.

With more than 20 years of experience in the field of information security, he has taught courses in computer security, information security, network security, and cyberwar. He has conducted research on multiple topics, including WiMAX technology security, applied cryptography, quantum cryptography, and intrusion detection systems. He has also worked as a consultant supporting the Colombian Ministry of National Education on information security matters and in the creation of the CSIRT for the education sector.

He is a professor of the courses Quantum Computing I and Quantum Machine Learning. He was a member of the organizing committee of Latincrypt 2025, creator of the flexible track in Blockchain for the engineering programs at Universidad EAFIT, professor of the track’s courses Fundamentals of Blockchain and Smart Contracts, and instructor of blockchain fundamentals in different continuing education courses offered by Universidad EAFIT.

In addition, he holds the following certifications: Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner, IBM Quantum Practitioner - Instructor, IBM Cybersecurity Practitioner - Instructor Certificate, and Qiskit Global Summer School 2023 - Quantum Excellence.