Dr. Barraza-Botet combines his technical expertise on bioenergy, green hydrogen, sustainable transport and carbon management technologies with policy analyses aiming to achieve the Net Zero transition and a Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy. By bridging knowledge across the science-policy interface, he provides policy insights to governments, industry and academia on enabling "Biotechnology for the Bioeconomy".
Education
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering April 2018
Dissertation: Combustion chemistry and physics of ethanol blends to inform biofuel policy
Graduate Certificate in Science, Technology and Public Policy Dec. 2017
Universidad del Norte Barranquilla, Colombia
M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering Sept. 2010
Universidad del Atlántico Barranquilla, Colombia
B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering June 2006
Experience
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Paris, France
Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
Science and Technology Policy Division (STP)
Working Party on Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies (BNCT)
Policy Analyst Sept. 2024–Present
Project: Unlocking green manufacturing and biofutures.
- To spearhead the development of an OECD Recommendation on Responsible Innovation in Synthetic Biology.
- To lead the BNCT's "Biotechnology for the Bioeconomy" workstream on Biomanufacturing's economic potential, regulatory environments and investment instruments.
Universidad de La Sabana Chía, Colombia
Professor of Engineering July 2018–June 2024
Projects:
Science Diplomacy for Multilateral Cooperation between Colombia, Germany and the EU on Energy Transition and Climate Change Mitigation; Science Diplomacy & TRAJECTS Senior Visiting Researcher at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Provided expert reviews on global, national, and local policy recommendations for IKI’s 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Roadmaps project.
- Provided scientific advice to the Colombian Government for decision-making and negotiations in multilateral bodies such as UNFCCC, IEA, and IRENA.
- Identified good practices of the German public sector on energy transition and climate change issues.
- Built partnerships between Science & Technology stakeholders in Colombia and Germany.
Clean Transport Technology Initiative – CTTI Bogota Region 2040
Director Partner institution: Bogota’s Secretary of Environment Restricted Use - À usage restreint
- Built representative Typical Driving Cycles (TDC) for Bogota´s Metropolitan Area supported by In-Vehicle Data Recording (IVDR) devices and Machine Learning.
- Developed a methodology for fuel economy and emission factors estimation of LDV technologies in the Colombian market at local TDC conditions.
MEC-H2: Colombian Energy System Model for the transition toward the Hydrogen economy June 2021–Dec. 2022
Co-Director Funding: Research Call 879-2020 by Minciencias & UPME
Led the development of technology penetration scenarios for Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) in the road transport sector based on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analyses.
- Led the modeling of the Colombian energy system to evaluate technical, economic, and environmental impacts of supply and demand scenarios for hydrogen penetration and deployment.
- Engaged with government, industry, and NGO stakeholders at the national (Colombia) and international (Chile and the E.U.) levels.
- Developed policy recommendations and complementary measures for hydrogen penetration and deployment in the Colombian energy mix as a National Hydrogen Strategy.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Washington, D.C., USA
Board on Energy and Environmental Systems
Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Fellow Jan. 2018–April 2018
Projects: Assessment of technologies for improving fuel economy of light-duty vehicles; Developing a research agenda for carbon dioxide removal and reliable sequestration.
- Developed stakeholder engagement strategies for the process that informs U.S. light-duty CAFE regulation.
- Data gathering, compilation and analysis on climate technologies, pollutant emissions, and international, national, and subnational climate policies.
Relevant publications
Sanchez-Cardozo, J., Barraza-Botet, C. ‘On the Transition towards the Clean Hydrogen Economy in Colombia: an Energy System Model to Inform a National Hydrogen Strategy’, TRAJECTS Report 178, 2025.
- Cantillo, N.M., […], Barraza-Botet, C., et al. ‘Hydrogen deployment potential in Colombia: An opportunity to decarbonize and diversify the economy’, book chapter in ‘Hydrogen Energy Conversion and Management’, 2023, pp. 35-77, [Elsevier]. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2022-0-01291-5.
- Moreno, J., Cobo, M., Barraza-Botet, C., Sanchez, N. ‘Role of low carbon emission H2 in the energy transition of Colombia: Environmental assessment of H2 production pathways for a certification scheme’, Energy Conversion and Management: X, 16, 100312.
- Barraza Botet, C. ‘Combustion Chemistry and Physics of Ethanol Blends to Inform Biofuel Policy’, 2018, [University of Michigan]. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/143932.
Honor and awards
- COP 28 Teaching for Net Zero Award Dec. 2023
International Renewable Energy Agency–IRENA
- TRAJECTS Senior Research Stay in Germany July 2023
DAAD’s Transnational Centre for Just Transitions in Energy, Climate and Sustainability–TRAJECTS
- Science Diplomacy Fellowship to Germany on Energy Transition and Climate Change July 2023
Colombian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – Minciencias
- Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship April 2018
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
- Fulbright Fellowship for Ph.D. Studies in the U.S. May 2013
Fulbright Colombia – Minciencias
