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HI THERE, I' AM
Manuel Peña
Web3 Developer / Blockchain Analyst / Product Manager
Welcome to my profile. Here, you can read a brief summary of my work experience, current interests, and the projects I have participated in.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any shared interests, need assistance, or require more information.
About
My Profile
I embarked upon my professional journey in product and service development with two FoodTech startups.
My responsibilities revolved around deploying methods and tools to expedite product development timelines.
I facilitated this by introducing rational design computational models and agile development methodologies.
Being passionate about research and development, I always strive to combine specialised technical aspects with product development.
Whilst acting as head of The Brunch Company's innovation department, we introduced a traceability system that motivated me to investigate
the potential of blockchain technology.
The swift progressions within this ecosystem left a memorable impression on me and ignited my curiosity towards developing business solutions utilising this technology. I strongly believe the potential for the blockchain ecosystem to transform much of our current understanding is incalculable. As an enthusiast of innovation, I am eager to be a part of this field. Hence, I utilised my background in mathematical modelling of complex systems and shifted towards technical development of web3. My primary focus is to improve my hard skills while retaining my business perspective gained from my prior experience in innovation. My goal is to leverage my expertise in project management and business solution development to enhance the dynamic nature of innovation processes.
The swift progressions within this ecosystem left a memorable impression on me and ignited my curiosity towards developing business solutions utilising this technology. I strongly believe the potential for the blockchain ecosystem to transform much of our current understanding is incalculable. As an enthusiast of innovation, I am eager to be a part of this field. Hence, I utilised my background in mathematical modelling of complex systems and shifted towards technical development of web3. My primary focus is to improve my hard skills while retaining my business perspective gained from my prior experience in innovation. My goal is to leverage my expertise in project management and business solution development to enhance the dynamic nature of innovation processes.
Work
My Profile
2022 - 2023 - ZK Blockchain Services
- Web3 Developer/Smart Contract Analyst [September 2022 / Present]
- Web3 Developer/Smart Contract Analyst [September 2022 / Present]
I have overseen the creation of over four projects involving NFTs, governance systems and asset tokenization.
Specific duties included conducting tokenomics analyses, optimizing gas usage, performing smart contract audits and scalability assessments.
I made use of a variety of libraries and frameworks such as Foundry, Harthat and Ether.js, to support these tasks.
2022 - 2023 - Kawesqar VC S.A
- Blockchain Advisor [October 2022 / Present]
- Blockchain Advisor [October 2022 / Present]
I have worked as a technical adviser in blockchain technology investments, assessing the appropriateness of using blockchain technology in VC investment projects.
I offer technical assistance in selecting networks, technologies, protocols, and frameworks that align with the project's intended purpose and requirements.
- Blockchain Analyst [March 2022 / October 2022]
I conducted the technical feasibility analysis of the VC blockchain project portfolio, specializing in projects involving the Tokenization of assets and real estate investments.
My responsibilities also included developing and deploying smart contracts on the Polygon network, and leading the preliminary contract audit procedures, alongside gas optimization.
2018 - 2022 - The Brunch Company SpA
- Head of Innovation [June 2020 / May 2022]
- Head of Innovation [June 2020 / May 2022]
I implemented a Circular Design Thinking model, which, using a dynamic math model of inputs and outputs, enabled the development of a range of products from by-products of food processes conducted at our company.
This lowered our food wastage by 43% and led to an increase in sales margins of 27% compared to our previous product lines.
One of the products created, Hakari Snacks, was awarded both the National Innovation Award in Chile 2021 and the National Social Innovation Award 2022.
Another product developed with a computational approach, the Bee Natural line of soft drinks, received the Food Innovation Transforma Alimentos 2020 Award.
I was also in charge of developing a blockchain platform for the traceability of fair-trade suppliers, which sought to certify the use of raw materials from this source.
- R&D Manager [November 2018 / July 2020]
I implemented Agile design methodologies in Foodtech and the formulation of food aided by computational models, resulting in a reduction of R&D time for the creation of new food ranges from an average of 18 months to 7 months.
I oversaw the development of three new food product lines and the management of two services with a focus on the food industry.
Additionally, I managed research and development projects ranging from TRL5 to TRL9.
2015 - 2018 - The Drying Factory SpA
- Head of Innovation [June 2020 / May 2022]
- Head of Innovation [June 2020 / May 2022]
Develop mathematical models of heat and mass transfer to optimize fruit dehydration processes. After comprehensively analyzing the drying curve, we decreased temperature peaks by 65%.
This enabled us to enhance the nutritional and sensory qualities of our dehydrated products and diminish the energy consumption incurred during the drying process.
- R&D Engineer [May 2015 / November 2016]
Implementation of mathematical models of heat and mass transfer for the optimization of fruit dehydration processes. Through a comprehensive analysis of the drying curve, we decreased the temperature peaks by 65%.
This led to an enhancement in both the nutritional and sensory qualities of our dehydrated products and mitigated the energy consumption involved in the drying process.
2012 - 2014 - Websurf SpA
- Backend Developer [May 2013 / November 2014]
- Backend Developer [May 2013 / November 2014]
I worked as a BackEnd developer, mainly using languages such as Java and JavaScript and PHP in web application optimization tasks, database integration and management, and library and framework management.
- WordPress Developer [May 2015 / November 2016]
I oversaw the implementation of Wordpress as a content management system for the company's business solutions.
My responsibilities encompassed customizing themes, streamlining plugins, and assessing the UI.
Education
My Profile
Master in Engineering Sciences (Jan, 2017 - Sept, 2019)
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Santiago, Chile
Engineering in Biotechnology (Mar, 2011 - Dec, 2016)
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Santiago, Chile
Diploma in Operations Management (Mar, 2023 - Jul, 2023)
- Andres Bello University. Santiago, Chile
Diploma in Digital Product and Services Development (Mar, 2014 - Dec, 2016)
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Santiago, Chile
Certifications
My Profile
Web Development
- BNB Chain Zero2Hero Builder Series / Encode Club / 2023
- Web3 Program / Alchemy University / 2023
- Solidity Fundation Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- Solidity Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- Expert Solidity Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- ZK Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- zkEVM Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- BackEnd Java Developer/ Oracle Next Education Program / 2022
- Web3 Program / Alchemy University / 2023
- Solidity Fundation Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- Solidity Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- Expert Solidity Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- ZK Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- zkEVM Bootcamp / Encode Club / 2023
- BackEnd Java Developer/ Oracle Next Education Program / 2022
Product Development and Project Management
- Innovation and Project Formulation/ University of Concepción, Chile / (2022)
- Commercial Management, E-Commerce and Digital Marketing/ IE University, Spain / (2021)
- Entrepreneurship Academy/ University for Development, Chile / (2020)
- BMC for the Circular Economy. Circular Design Thinking/ 3Vectors, Chile / (2020)
- Commercial Management, E-Commerce and Digital Marketing/ IE University, Spain / (2021)
- Entrepreneurship Academy/ University for Development, Chile / (2020)
- BMC for the Circular Economy. Circular Design Thinking/ 3Vectors, Chile / (2020)
Languajes
- English: C1
- Spanish: Native
- Spanish: Native
Grants
My Profile
- National Social Impact Award/ Youth Action Net, Chile / (2022)
- Best Food Innovations in the Chilean market / Transforma Alimentos, Chile / (2022)
- Avonni National Innovation Award /Innovation Forum - Ministry of Economy, Chile / (2021)
- Best Food Innovations in the Chilean market /Transforma Alimentos, Chile / (2020)
- Top 100 young leaders in Biotech in LatAm /Allbiotech, LatAm / (2017)
- Best Food Innovations in the Chilean market / Transforma Alimentos, Chile / (2022)
- Avonni National Innovation Award /Innovation Forum - Ministry of Economy, Chile / (2021)
- Best Food Innovations in the Chilean market /Transforma Alimentos, Chile / (2020)
- Top 100 young leaders in Biotech in LatAm /Allbiotech, LatAm / (2017)