Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Academia–Industry Collaboration in Sonora’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

BI5ON LIVE SUMMARY

Building a competitive semiconductor ecosystem in Sonora requires more than infrastructure and incentives—it needs a strong connection between research, education, and industry.

In this edition of BI5ON Live, key voices from universities, research centers, and the private sector will come together to explore how Sonora can unlock the full potential of its talent and scientific capabilities by forging deeper, more effective partnerships between academia and companies.

This is not just a conversation—it's a working session to understand what each side needs, what each can offer, and how to overcome the structural barriers that have slowed collaboration in the past.

Join us for a deep, honest, and solution-focused discussion on how Sonora can bridge the academia–industry divide and become a stronger player in the global semiconductor value chain.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The global semiconductor industry is evolving fast. For Sonora to seize its opportunity, it must go beyond talent pipelines and incentives. Building a globally competitive ecosystem requires:

• Trust and alignment between universities, research centers, and companies

• Clear mechanisms for collaboration, innovation, and tech transfer

• A long-term strategy that connects Sonora to Arizona and the broader North American value chain

In this BI5ON Live, you’ll hear directly from people building that bridge. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s possible—and what’s next.

SPEAKERS

Omar López Vivian
CEO, Eisenholz MBJ

Omar López Vivian is a leader in industrial automation, advanced manufacturing, and mechatronics education. As CEO of Eisenholz MBJ, he designs and delivers cutting-edge technical training and implementation solutions for companies in semiconductors, automotive, aerospace, and Industry 5.0.

With over 15 years of experience, including a decade at FESTO Didactic leading operations across Latin America and Europe, Omar has supported more than 50 corporations with tailored automation and workforce development strategies. His expertise spans AI, robotics, digital twins, and integrated manufacturing systems.

A passionate advocate for bridging the talent gap, he brings a clear and practical perspective on what industry needs—and what gets in the way when trying to collaborate with academia.

Dr. Aned de León
Full-time Professor, Universidad de Sonora

Dr. Aned de León is a materials scientist specializing in semiconductor and photonic materials, with a strong background in supramolecular chemistry. She holds a Ph.D. in Science and has led research stays at international institutions such as Zhejiang University in China, the University of Ulm in Germany, and Jackson State University in the U.S.

At the Universidad de Sonora, she leads the Academic Body in Semiconductors: Studies of Photonic Materials and has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles. As a Level II researcher in Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI), she contributes to national innovation efforts in optoelectronics and semiconductor device design.

Her perspective blends deep scientific expertise with a clear understanding of what’s needed to turn knowledge into impact.

Dr. Santos Castillo
Full-time Researcher, Universidad de Sonora

With a Ph.D. in Physics and postdoctoral research at the University of North Texas, Dr. Santos Jesús Castillo is a national reference in solid-state physics and semiconductor materials research. His work focuses on the experimental and theoretical development of nanostructured materials, thin-film semiconductors, and optoelectronic applications.

He has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and holds several patents on nanoparticle structures and deposition techniques. He is a Level III member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI), the highest distinction in the country.

Santos brings an essential voice to this conversation—one that understands what Sonora’s research ecosystem is capable of and what needs to change to make collaboration with industry smoother and more strategic.

Dr. Israel Mejía
CEO, QSM Semiconductores

Dr. Israel Mejía is an engineer, researcher, and entrepreneur who has successfully navigated the path from academia to high-tech entrepreneurship. After earning his Master’s and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from CINVESTAV, he joined the University of Texas at Dallas as a researcher, focusing on the development of advanced semiconductor devices.

He later became Director of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at CIDESI, one of Mexico’s top applied R&D centers, where he led industry-facing projects in microfabrication and electronics. In 2022, he co-founded QSM Semiconductores in Querétaro—a pioneering deep-tech company building the foundation for Mexico’s semiconductor industry.

He currently serves as President of the Mexican Microfabrication Network (MicroFabMX), where he continues to lead efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities.

Dr. Luis Núñez Noriega
Rector, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas de Norteamérica

Dr. Luis Núñez is a recognized voice in the fields of regional development, science and technology policy, and innovation ecosystems in Mexico. He holds a Ph.D. in Economic Development from the University of Arizona and has held key public leadership roles, including Secretary of Economy and Secretary of Tourism for the State of Sonora, and Federal Delegate for the Ministry of Economy.

As a researcher, he has published extensively on industrial policy, nearshoring, and competitiveness. He is the author of “Nearshoring, Relocalización de Empresas y el Potencial Económico de México” and is currently writing “La Geopolítica de los Semiconductores y el Nuevo Orden Global.”

In this BI5ON Live, he will offer a systemic perspective on how to move from good intentions to effective collaboration—drawing from his unique experience in public policy, academia, and the private sector.

César Villegas Carrazco
Director, Office for Technology and Knowledge Transfer (OTTC), UNISON

César Villegas is an accomplished Electronics Engineer from the Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, with a Master's degree in Electronics from the Instituto Tecnológico de Chihuahua. He has received specialized training in Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer from leading global institutions including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), and the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) in the United States.

César is also a graduate of the Technology Transfer Academy at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and the Innovation Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His career spans entrepreneurship, private consulting, public research centers, and academia. He is currently the Head of the Office for Technology and Knowledge Transfer (OTTC) at the University of Sonora, where he leads initiatives to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, productivity, and collaboration across sectors.