Giovanna Danies holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cornell University, an MSc in Biological Sciences, and a double major in Biology and Microbiology from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. She is currently an Associate Professor at Universidad de los Andes in the School of Architecture and Design. Her research and practice center on biodesign with an interdisciplinary approach to education. Her teaching, advising, and mentoring in biodesign resulted in a variety of projects winning awards at the Biodesign Challenge from 2018 to 2022. In 2019, Giovanna received the L'Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in Colombia. She directs the Atarraya Uniandes research group, which strengthens secondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through design thinking methodologies. She is a member of three biobased sustainable start-ups: NanoFreeze, a patented bio-nanotechnology for cold chain refrigeration, E.biodye, and Woocoa, the vegan wool.