Paula Lopez Alvarez de Neyra

Paula began her academic journey as a PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023. She pursued her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Architectural Engineering in A Coruña, Spain, while completing two academic years abroad at the Krakow University of Technology in Krakow, Poland, through an Erasmus scholarship, and at the University of Seville, Spain, through a Séneca scholarship.

After graduating in 2019, Paula was awarded the prestigious Vulcanus scholarship by the EU–Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, which gave her the opportunity to gain enriching experience in the construction industry in Japan. In 2021, she attended The City University of New York as a Fulbright scholar, where she pursued a master’s degree in Sustainability in the Urban Environment, demonstrating her commitment to sustainable practices in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.

Currently, Paula is a PhD candidate in Civil Systems, with a research focus on reverse logistics in the construction industry. Her work investigates deconstruction and demolition projects to understand how materials can be reintegrated into the supply chain to reduce waste and resource consumption. Her research explores systemic challenges that hinder material reuse and supply chain integration, with the goal of advancing more circular industry processes. In addition to her academic work, Paula is an active member of the University of Colorado Boulder community, participating in the Leeds Consulting Group, serving as a mentor at the Center for Leadership, and acting as a board member of ISSS SOAR, where she supports international students in navigating their studies at the university.

Outside of work, Paula enjoys playing the piano, spending time in the mountains, and practicing yoga. When she is not in the office, she can often be found rock climbing in Boulder Canyon or backcountry skiing in the mountains around Nederland, where she currently lives.