Edgar Virgüez is an energy systems engineer studying a transition towards decarbonized electric power systems. His research findings (>20 papers) have been published in top-tier journals like Energy & Environmental Science, ES&T, and Advances in Applied Energy, obtaining more than 500 citations. During his ~15 years of experience, he has participated in 18 research or consultancy projects ($2.73 million), working with organizations such as the World Bank directing life-cycle assessments and cost-benefit analyses of the diversification of energy markets. As part of his research career, Edgar has had distinctive service-related positions, including serving as an Executive Editorial Board member of the Environmental Research: Energy journal and on the Expert Advisory Panel of the Earthshot Prize (led by Prince William).His knowledge base arises from an academic formation that includes a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Policy and an M.A. in Environment from Duke University, an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering, and a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering from Universidad de los Andes. Acknowledging his academic excellence and research contributions, he has been awarded scholarships/fellowships for more than $778,000 from competitive programs sponsored by institutions such as the Sloan Foundation.Concurrently with his energy transition interests, Edgar is passionate about improving higher education. He has held several academic administration positions where he has enhanced academic, administrative, and financial processes by applying optimization and data analytics methods. Edgar has developed as a next-generation pedagogue, teaching 16 courses, serving 560 students, and achieving high student ratings. For his contributions and exemplary promise as a higher education leader, Edgar has received several professional honors. In 2020, he was honored as a K. Patricia Cross Future Leader awardee by the Association of American Colleges & Universities, identified as a higher ed rising star. At Duke University, he had a distinguished tenure, receiving several of the most prestigious awards, including the Grad School Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Forever Duke Student Leadership Award. In 2022, he was selected as a board member of Duke’s highest governing body, the Board of Trustees, appointed from 2022 to 2025. His columns describing advocacy efforts for a renewed educational model that promotes a global energy transition have appeared in high-circulation media like Science, Nature Cities, and Inside Higher Ed.