ZAVALA ENRIQUEZ, GENARO

GENARO ZAVALA is Director of UNIDA (Unidad de Investigación Docente y Desarrollo Académico) in the Engineering School of the Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile. Previously, he was the Associate Director of the Research Laboratory at the Institute for the Future of Education (IFE) at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where he led and collaborated on multiple initiatives to advance educational research and innovation. Recognized as a National Researcher Level 3 by Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNII-SECIHTI), he has built a distinguished career in educational research spanning over two decades. His research focuses on several critical areas, including conceptual understanding in physics and engineering education, promoting and analyzing active learning methodologies, integrating advanced technological tools into educational practices, and the growing field of artificial intelligence applications in education. Dr. Zavala is also deeply involved in the development of rigorous evaluation instruments designed to measure key competencies and learning outcomes. He has contributed to the design and implementation of faculty development programs that enhance teaching effectiveness through interdisciplinary and student-centered approaches. He is particularly interested in interdisciplinary STEM education, aiming to foster cross-disciplinary thinking and collaboration among students and educators. His research also bridges the fields of educational psychology, digital transformation, and sustainability in educational contexts, and he is committed to building prosperous learning communities. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving teaching and learning processes through research and the creation of programs, including 'One Academic, One Paper' (1A1P), mentorship initiatives, and leadership in international collaborations. His work has been widely recognized, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications, more than 1,700 citations, and an h-index of 20, according to Scopus. Dr. Zavala is also actively involved in emerging educational trends, including the use of neuroscience tools such as eye-tracking to study learning processes, as well as projects that aim to utilize AI-driven learning analytics and sensor-based experiments to optimize classroom engagement and personalize learning strategies in STEM education. With his interdisciplinary approach, strong publication record, and leadership in educational innovation, Dr. Zavala continues to make significant contributions to transforming higher education through research, institutional development, and international partnerships.