He is a highly skilled civil engineer with over 22 years of experience in geotechnics and earthquake engineering. He has successfully completed projects in Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico, including advanced geotechnical analyses during Hurricane Katrina in USA. With a degree in civil engineering (Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil, UCSG) a master's degree in geotechnics (National University of Mexico, UNAM), and a Ph.D. in geotechnics and earthquake engineering (University of California, Berkeley, UCB), He has conducted research at esteemed institutions and presented at international conferences.

 

 

He is an associate member with the American Society of Civil Engineers with a Diplomate certification in Geotechnical Engineering from Geo-institute. As a consultant for the United Nations, He has specialized in seismic risk and slope instability. He also played a key role in developing and updating construction standards, including being a co-author of chapters on geotechnics, foundations, and seismic hazard in Ecuador.

 

He held the position of Vice Minister of Mines and then the position of Minister of Energy and Mines of Ecuador until the end of October 2022.

Juan Gabriel boasts an impressive 15-year career in civil engineering, with a rich portfolio of projects across Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and New York City. He holds advanced degrees (MPh and MSc) from Columbia University, specializing in a broad spectrum of disciplines: construction and project management, infrastructure and urban planning, structural and geotechnical engineering, master plan engineering, financial planning for infrastructure projects, and sustainable design.

 

His professional journey spans a diverse range of projects. He has been instrumental in planning and designing greenfield airport projects, leading award-winning urban master planning initiatives, and developing large-scale transportation and highway infrastructures. Additionally, his portfolio includes the design and construction of new developments in commercial, residential, aquaculture, industrial, and waterfront sectors. His expertise further extends to project management in healthcare development, hydropower projects in remote locations, and offshore petrochemical infrastructure.

 

Juan’s academic and practical skills in structural engineering are robust. He is proficient in performance-based structural engineering, including both linear and nonlinear dynamic analysis, and in the design of reinforced and prestressed concrete, as well as structural steel. His expertise in foundation analysis and design is complemented by skills in numerical modeling, earthquake geotechnical engineering, slope stability analysis, and subsurface investigation in isolated areas. Additionally, he is skilled in construction inspection, cost engineering, building information modeling, and geographic information systems.

 

Demonstrating a global outlook, Juan is actively engaged in international projects. He is highly adaptable and ready to travel globally, showcasing his commitment to working on diverse international assignments.