Teaching Statement
My journey into academia was not traditional. After five years as a Management Consultant and four years as the Head of Advanced Analytics at a large healthcare network in Chile, I returned to the university environment inspired by the mentors who shaped my own career. These professors did more than transfer knowledge; they facilitated my personal growth and helped me navigate the complexities of the real world. As an educator, I am driven by that same purpose: to find joy in the interactions with my students and to help them see the impact of their decisions on their companies, their peers, and society.
Because of my background, I view the classroom as a bridge between abstract theory and professional practice. I do not simply teach concepts; I leverage my corporate experience to make those concepts tangible. I am a firm believer in "learning by doing". I design assignments that require students to actively engage with the material rather than passively consume it. For instance, during my time in the industry, I fostered collaborations with universities, including hosting a project for the MIT Analytics Lab where students solved live business problems using our data. I am committed to bringing these types of real-world challenges into my curriculum, ensuring that students leave my class with skills they can apply immediately.
In fields like Operations and Data Analytics, technical skills are only half the equation. My teaching places a heavy emphasis on critical thinking and ethical decision-making. I challenge my students to consider the broader consequences of their work—not just the "how", but the "why". I also advocate for the thoughtful integration of technology. We cannot ignore tools like Generative AI; instead, I encourage students to use them in their assignments to understand both their capabilities and their limitations. My goal is to prepare them for a future where these tools are ubiquitous, but where human judgment remains paramount.
Looking forward, I am particularly interested in teaching Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence courses. These subjects are the perfect venue to demonstrate the power of advanced analytics while tackling the ethical issues that arise with new technologies. I hope to inspire my students to leverage data not just to drive innovation, but to make informed, responsible decisions in their careers.
Teaching History
- Prescriptive Models & Data Analytics
- Data and Decisions (MBA Core)
- Operations and Technology Management
- Introduction to Organizations