Chemical Engineer & Chemist with a comprehensive education, strategic administrative vision, and a strong interest in the Oil & Gas sector, innovation, sustainability, and industrial process optimization. My solid academic background and strong technical skills in data analysis, organic chemistry, and industrial processes allow me to tackle complex challenges with practical, creative, and efficient solutions.
I have an analytical and goal-oriented mindset, combined with leadership and excellent interpersonal skills, which ensures I can quickly adapt to and contribute effectively within any team to help achieve organizational goals.
I am a committed, proactive, and passionate professional focused on excellence, confident that my skills and knowledge make me the ideal candidate to contribute meaningfully to the company’s success and growth.
As an Environmental Monitoring Engineer, I specialized in the inspection and analysis of industrial, groundwater, and surface water; air quality; soil analysis; and environmental noise monitoring. My experience includes conducting monitoring activities for companies such as Canacol, Sierracol–Ecopetrol, ONGC VIDESH, and Geopark S.A.S., across projects located in Yopal, Villanueva, Arauca, Puerto López, among other regions.
In this role, I ensured companies complied with legal environmental requirements through on-site inspections of industrial plants and surrounding areas. I also carried out oversight activities, sampling, geolocation, and the preparation of detailed technical reports, while providing environmental consulting to clients.
I gained experience managing both daytime and nighttime rounds within facilities, developing a deep understanding of industrial processes and environmental management. My work focused on ensuring compliance with current environmental regulations and contributed to improving environmental monitoring and management processes for client companies.
As a Project Manager, I continued developing my skills in project management, problem-solving, and process optimization. My responsibilities included preparing reports, managing databases, coordinating project workflows, and identifying improvement opportunities. I regularly used tools such as Excel, Power BI, and SAP to support data analysis and decision-making.
I participated in project management across Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, handling analysis, optimization, and operational follow-up tasks. My responsibilities included report preparation, database management, project coordination, and process optimization. I utilized Excel, Power BI, and SAP to carry out these tasks effectively.
As a member of the research group, my primary objective was to contribute to the development of new methodologies in asymmetric synthesis, aimed at preparing natural-product-based molecules of biological and/or structural interest. Special attention was given to compounds with anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, though not exclusively.
My responsibilities included teaching classes in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, general chemistry, and several engineering subjects. Together with the team of teaching assistants, we prepared study guides, videos, and reading materials to support and enhance students’ academic performance.
Sustainable Bio-Bricks:
Developed an innovative project focused on producing bio-bricks using the mycelium of Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus. These fungi provide a vegetative fiber—mycelium—that, when dried, can be molded into bricks, offering an optimal and sustainable construction material.
Production of Activated Carbon from Recycled Tires for Wastewater Treatment:
Led a project focused on producing activated carbon through the chemical recycling of used tires (activation with KOH), resulting in a porous solid with high absorbent capacity. The final product was successfully implemented in filters to reduce contaminants and turbidity in both domestic and industrial wastewater, promoting sustainable and efficient solutions to environmental problems.
Artisanal Tamarind Brandy:
Participated in a project to produce brandy from tamarind, involving fermentation, distillation, and aging of the alcohol. This process resulted in a unique, high-quality brandy in terms of flavor and consistency, highlighting my ability to contribute to complex projects in the field of food production and transformation.
Labeling and Nutritional Value of Panela and Determination of Acrylamides and Heavy Metals:
I participated in a project to design nutritional labels for exported panela, ensuring compliance with FAO standards. I conducted regulatory research, followed the methodology recommended by FAO, and carried out laboratory procedures at the University of the Andes. I analyzed samples to quantify specific substances and detect acrylamides. My work supported the export efforts of Molino Buenavista and provided key information for other companies in the sector.
Transamidation of Meso Aliphatic Imides for the Synthesis of β-Substituted γ-Lactams:
In my undergraduate thesis, my main goal was to identify optimal conditions for the synthesis of organic molecules, specifically lactams, which are of great interest in medicine. These compounds are used in the development of various antiepileptic and antidepressant drugs, and in the treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
Alexander Garay Talero
Adjunct Professor, Universidad del Valle
Currently no office assigned
Email: garay.alexander@correounivalle.edu.co
Phone: +57 316 374 5229
Nathaly Wilches Vacca
Chemistry Instructor
Address: Calle 170 # 12-10
Phone: +57 321 293 4725