Licentiate in Physics, Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela; M.Sc. in Physics, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC);  and Ph.D. in Physics, Harvard University, USA. Post-doctorate in the Physics Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. Experimental physicist of condensed matter, mainly superconductivity, cryogenics and low-temperature and high-pressure physics. Currently, Full Professor and Senior Researcher of Physics and Head of the Low Temperature and Liquefaction Laboratory at IVIC and President of the Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Venezuela. Member of the Latin America Academy of Sciences. "Lorenzo Mendoza Fleury" Prize 2013 (the most prestigious scientific award in Venezuela). Vice President of the Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Venezuela (2019-2021). External Scientific Advisor to the Permanent Commission on Science, Technology and Innovation of the National Assembly of Venezuela (2016-2020). Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela (2000-2003). Visiting Professor at Universidad de Los Andes (Bogotá, 2007), Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Bogotá, 2018), Osaka University (Japan, 2009), École Polytechnique (France , 2001-2002) and Laboratoire National des Champs Magnétiques Intenses, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier University (France, 2009). Author of publications on public policy in science, technology and higher education.