Juan is an early-career researcher from Colombia who works in neuroscience and contemplative research. His training has involved studying the neurophysiological dynamics underlying meditation training and sensory perception in humans, and the structure and dynamics of sensory systems in mice. Through this, he has been involved in the development of strategies for neurophenomenological research as well as genetic techniques for mapping and manipulating neural circuits in mice. Outside of his research, Juan co-founded The Black Lotus Collective, an organization aimed at grounding the work of challenging systems of oppression in contemplative practice, as well as creating contemplative communities where people with marginalized identities feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Bringing these different threads of work together, he is currently working in Medellín, Colombia, to develop, implement, and test a meditation-based program to help FARC-EP ex-combatants with the psychological experience of reintegration as part of Colombia’s ongoing peacebuilding process. He is excited to be starting a PhD at MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences where he hopes to connect and extend his work on human strategies for healing and resistance by studying how these strategies are grounded in our biology and our bodies’ embeddedness in the world.
Listen to Juan on the Mind & Life Podcast
