Program: Master of Engineering Management and Leadership
Home Country: Argentina
Universities: Universidad Tecnológica Nacional - Facultad Regional de Córdoba
Languages: Spanish, English, French
Hey, I’m Facundo! I’m an Industrial Engineer from Córdoba, Argentina. I have always loved technology, from when I was a kid disassembling my gadgets to understanding how things are made and work. That same curiosity is what drove me today into a person that loves taking data and tech and making them useful for real-world operations.
My professional path kicked off at Google, where I worked as an Account Manager. Since then, I’ve been part of the founding team of two startups in the data science, marketing, and biotech industries, which included participating in the GRIDX Ignite program, a specialized startup builder and fund that connects scientific research with entrepreneurs to create deep-tech companies in Latin America. Along the way, I was fortunate to receive some amazing scholarships to study abroad, being awarded an Erasmus+ Bourse to study in France and an Ernst Mach Grant to study energy management in Austria. Lately, I've been deepening my focus within the energy sector, diving deep into how we can apply technology to modernize grid infrastructure and exploring opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
When I’m not working, I love backpacking and exploring new places, I’ve already visited more than 23 countries, which completely reshaped how I see the world and taught me to adapt quickly. I also have a huge passion for sports. I'm a massive football fanatic, and when I'm not watching a match, you can usually find me playing padel, playing soccer with friends, strumming my guitar, or plotting my next travel adventure.
I am a super social person and I am always open to having a chitchat about professional topics or just a fun, casual chat. I am also currently looking for partners to play padel in Houston, so do not hesitate to write me!
What I like about Rice/Houston:
What draws me most to Houston and Rice University is the incredible synergy between the city and my home country; Houston is a global energy powerhouse with massive connections to Argentina's own energy sector. As the fourth-largest city and a major economic hub in the U.S., it offers an unparalleled environment to learn and grow. Rice has consistently positioned itself at the frontier of that progress, from making history as the campus where humanity's journey to the moon was announced, to driving today's global energy policies through the frontline research at the Baker Institute. It is exactly the environment where I want to develop. On top of that, Rice has cultivated a uniquely welcoming atmosphere for Fulbrighters, perfectly aligning with the program's mission of cultural exchange and the impactful experience I hope to have.
What I like about Fulbright:
To me, Fulbright is so much more than an incredible honor. What I love most is the purpose behind it: the opportunity to build deep connections within an inspiring global community, learn firsthand from the technological leadership and expertise of the United States, and use everything I gain abroad to drive real development and growth back home in Argentina.
Fun Fact about me:
I volunteered for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas!