Viviana Palacio-Betancur joined the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) in Autumn 2016, after becoming a Fulbright Fellow under a Colciencias grant. She is now a PhD candidate under the advisement of Prof. Juan de Pablo.
“Pritzker Molecular Engineering offers a unique perspective on how to solve the upcoming challenges in engineering and science,” said Palacio-Betancur. “It bridges the gap between developing a deep understanding of physical phenomena and the technical detail of real world applications.
“Being part of this kind of engineering program, that also builds on UChicago's long-standing tradition of academic distinction and pushing the frontiers of science, is appealing because it will enhance my problem-solving skills and critical thinking.”
Palacio-Betancur’s research combines software development and the study of colloids assembly. She is implementing novel methods to simulate liquid crystals at the continuum scale, and improving the methods built in the de Pablo Group in order to broaden the applicability to systems with anisotropic elasticity and complex geometries. She is also interested in colloids assembly at curved surface, and how the interplay of elasticity, anchoring, and geometry affect the stability of hierarchical structures.
"PME has allowed me to push the limits I had set for myself and explore a broad range of topics outside of my background in engineering, which enriches my vision for the future,” said Palacio-Betancur. “As a Fulbright fellow, I will be able to give back to the field not only by contributing to science, but also by shaping how engineering is taught. As students and researchers, we are given the resources to form a close and collaborative community that strives for scientific progress."
She also appreciates the University of Chicago’s proximity to the city.
“Living in Hyde Park has given me the perfect balance between being immersed in a scientific community and being close enough to the city that I can attend many cultural events,” she said.
Palacio-Betancur is from Pereira, Colombia. She studied at Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín, where she received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. She then joined the Hernández-Ortiz Group, where she obtained her master’s degree in materials science and engineering studying the assembly of confined nanoparticles in nematic phases. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and learning new languages.