Susana Arrechea

Susana Arrechea is a Guatemalan engineer with a PhD in Nanotechnology and co-founder of New Sun Road Guatemala (a social enterprise), bringing solar energy, internet and STEM education to rural Indigenous communities through Digital Community Centers governed by Indigenous women. She supports national Science Clubs and co-founded the OWSD Guatemala chapter. Her work has received the Princess of Girona Foundation Award, the OWSD–Elsevier Foundation Award and Guatemala’s National Innovation Award.

Breaking the Wall of Rural Exclusion from Science:
Susana Arrechea | Project: Rural Science Hubs | Falling Walls Engage Finalist 2026

Rural Science Hubs brings science to rural Mayan Indigenous communities via 30 women-led, solar-powered Digital Community Centers. Communities connect with Indigenous women scientists on energy access, environmental protection, climate resilience, and other key topics, inspiring youth to see themselves as future scientists. Over 5,000 engaged in STEM; 400+ women leaders. Our learnings shape a strategy with the Guatemalan National Secretariat of Science to expand its Science Clubs to rural hubs.