García-Suárez, David

I am David García Suárez, a Mechatronics Engineer with an MBA and over 16 years of experience in teaching, academic leadership, and educational innovation. Currently, I am an Associate Professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where I have been a student, ExaTec, professor, academic leader, and proud PapaTec. Since 2013, I have led teams in international competitions, earning recognition in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge, MATE ROV World Championship, and FIRST Robotics Competition. More than 400 students have participated in these projects. For nine years, I directed the Mechatronics Engineering program at Campus Cuernavaca. I led laboratories, managed CAPEX budgets, and promoted the standardization of engineering spaces. As a Tec21 Model pioneer, I coordinate academic blocks and design learning experiences with industry partners. I support new faculty and help bridge the technology gap for senior professors. I also participate in faculty recruitment through interviews, model classes, and candidate references. I have developed over 15 innovation projects, published in international conferences, and promoted AI in education. I have also managed flagship project budgets, ensuring optimal resource use. I advocate for women's inclusion in STEM and the internationalization of education. Projects with industry partners have provided technological solutions to real-world problems, positioning Tec in the Morelos and Guerrero regions. Additionally, I have led social impact projects with students, such as developing animatronic attractions for Mundo IMAYINA, an amusement park for children with terminal illnesses, and creating devices to teach STEM to visually impaired children in specialized schools. I am a founding member of the International Aerospace Academy, a network of educators from Latin America and the U.S. that promote STEM activities for children from Kindergarten to High School. Additionally, I was a technical advisor for SPACE AI, a company focused on developing low-orbit micro and nanosatellite technology for commercial use and other technological solutions. I am a member of the Marine Technology Society and organizer of the Downhill Challenge. I have collaborated on STEM projects sponsored by NASA. As a professor of physics, automation, and manufacturing, I inspire future engineers. Married to an entrepreneurial woman and father of two children, I share a passion for education and technology.