Alejandro Ortiz — HTGAA Spring 2026
About me
“The best way to predict the future is to grow it.”
I’m Alejandro Ortiz — a Colombian social entrepreneur, technologist, and aspiring biological engineer working at the intersection of synthetic biology, neurotechnology, and social impact.
I believe the next great revolutions won’t come from silicon alone — they’ll be grown. From engineering living systems that interface with the human brain to designing biological tools that democratize healthcare, I’m here to learn how to build the future at the molecular level.
My path so far
- Creator of Aurora App — a free platform protecting women’s safety in Bogota through legal aid and real-time incident mapping. 200+ users, 50+ women supported in legal cases. Named after the color purple, a symbol of feminist resilience.
- NeoReplicante — exploring the frontiers of AI, synthetic biology, and human augmentation.
- Aspire Leaders Program ‘22 — first-generation student who turned adversity into a mission: knowledge as a tool to solve humanity’s deepest problems.
- Community Action Award recipient — recognized for leveraging technology for social justice.
Why HTGAA?
I came to How To Grow Almost Anything because I’m convinced that biological engineering is the most powerful technology humanity has ever touched — and the most dangerous if left ungoverned. I want to:
- Master the tools of genetic engineering, from CRISPR to DNA synthesis
- Explore living bioelectronics — cells that can talk to neurons and compute
- Build toward brain-computer interfaces rooted in biology, not just metal and silicon
- Ensure these technologies serve everyone, not just the privileged few
My north star: engineer biology that amplifies human potential while protecting human dignity.