Engineer and systems scientist applying soil biogeochemistry and food systems modelling to deliver equitable outcomes—from smallholder farms in Kenya to pastoral catchments in the Waikato. Fluent in English, Spanish and Swahili.
I'm Dori—an engineer, systems scientist and researcher from Puerto Rico, now based in Aotearoa New Zealand. I grew up bilingual in a multi-ethnic country, spent nearly a decade working through kitchens in California, then took that same drive into science. I have a chemical engineering degree, an MSc and PhD in soil science with minors in international development and mechanical engineering, and deep expertise in synchrotron spectroscopy.
I use that training to solve problems that matter—connecting molecular-scale soil chemistry to the food systems and communities that depend on it. I currently lead the Gates Foundation–funded Kenya food systems project at the Riddet Institute's Sustainable Nutrition Initiative, adapting New Zealand's KAMA national food systems model for the Kenyan context.
I invest deeply in the communities I work with. Whether co-creating food system models with Kenyan stakeholders, working with farmers in the Waikato, or mentoring students, the point of the science is the people it serves.
Publications spanning soil biogeochemistry, pyrogenic organic matter, nitrogen cycling and sustainable food systems.
English, Spanish and Swahili. From Puerto Rico through California kitchens to Cornell, the Waikato and now Kenya—always community-facing.
Leading the US$2M Gates Foundation–funded project adapting NZ's KAMA food systems model for Kenya, in partnership with ILRI.
Project Lead on the Gates Foundation–funded Kenya food systems programme, co-created with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Adapting New Zealand's KAMA national food systems model for Kenya—building evidence-based tools for food policy transformation.
Probing molecular-level interactions between soil organics, minerals, solutes and gases using synchrotron NEXAFS spectroscopy and advanced surface techniques. Understanding how nutrients transform at mineral–organic interfaces.
Investigating how pyrogenic organic matter retains reactive nitrogen through covalent bonding—with implications for fertiliser development, ammonia pollution control and agricultural emissions reduction.
Project Lead on the Gates Foundation–funded Kenya food systems programme, co-created with ILRI. Adapting New Zealand's KAMA national food systems model for the Kenyan context to support evidence-based nutrition policy.
Research on pastoral systems, nutrient management and environmental chemistry. Denitrifying bioreactor systems for agricultural nitrogen removal. Part of Louis Schipper's research group.
Minors in International Agriculture & Rural Development and Mechanical Engineering. NSF Fellow in Food Systems and Poverty Alleviation, working on sustainable energy and food security with smallholder farming communities in western Kenya.
Soil Science with a minor in International Agriculture & Rural Development. Molecular-level investigation of nutrient transformations between soil organics and mineral surfaces—combining fundamental chemistry with a commitment to equitable agricultural outcomes in the Global South.
Bridging engineering foundations with applied plant and soil science.
Nearly a decade working through kitchens—building a practical understanding of food systems before returning to university.
Foundation in process engineering, thermodynamics and systems thinking that continues to inform a quantitative approach to soil and food systems research.
Full publication list on Google Scholar · ORCID: 0000-0002-1343-9907
If you'd like to discuss food systems, soil science, community-engaged research or potential collaborations, I'd welcome hearing from you.