Sonia Cecilia Mangones Matos, a Colombian academic, has been honored with the L”Oreal-UNESCO Regional Award “For Women in Science” 2025, acknowledging her pioneering efforts to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance urban mobility. This accolade highlights her research aimed at strengthening the technical capacities of Colombian municipalities regarding transportation policies and sustainability.
This year, the award recognized six scientists from Central America and the Andean region. Among them, Mangones, a professor at the National University of Colombia, was acknowledged for her project titled “Mobility that Transforms: Artificial Intelligence Serving Technical Empowerment and Local Action for Safe and Sustainable Cities.” Her initiative advocates for the ethical and open use of AI to bolster the technical capabilities of local governments and aid in decision-making related to sustainable mobility. The goal is to foster urban environments that are more equitable, secure, and environmentally responsible.
With technological tools designed for municipalities with limited resources, this project has the potential to benefit over 250 municipalities in Colombia and thousands more across Latin America. Holding a degree in civil engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, Mangones blends scientific research, technical assistance to local governments, and the education of future professionals. At the National University, she leads the research group Translogyt and serves as the editor-in-chief of the journal Ingeniería e Investigación, focusing on sustainable urban mobility and public policy equity.
Eduardo Gotuzzo, President of L”Oreal Group for Central America and the Andean region, praised her contributions, stating, “We take pride in recognizing Sonia”s work, which exemplifies the scientific excellence and social commitment we aim to highlight with this award. Her research illustrates how innovation can transform lives and pave the way for more women in science.” Alongside Mangones, Dr. Ana Cecilia Villa from Ecuador and Dr. Denisse Ruelas from Peru will each receive a grant of 10,000 dollars to support the development and social impact of their projects.
In an interview with El Tiempo, Mangones discussed her journey to this recognition, the transformative power of AI, challenges in urban mobility in Colombia, and the importance of increasing women”s representation in science and engineering.
She described her project, emphasizing its significance as she concludes an eight-year cycle since returning from her doctoral studies in the United States. Her work in sustainable mobility policies is driven by the need for municipalities to possess technical capacity to effectively implement sustainable solutions. Mangones pointed out that many municipalities lack this capacity, prompting her to explore technological solutions, particularly through AI, to bridge knowledge gaps and inform local government decision-making.
Her project comprises two pilot AI tools. The first is a chatbot trained on data from Colombian municipalities, serving as a virtual advisor for officials seeking guidance on mobility strategies such as planning bike paths or implementing sustainable transport policies. The second tool is a decision-support platform that will suggest specific measures based on basic municipal information and queries, aiming to democratize access to technical knowledge and facilitate the progression towards equitable and environmentally responsible mobility.
Addressing gender equity in science, Mangones acknowledged that engineering remains a predominantly male field, particularly in transportation. She noted that while more discussions on parity in panels and research teams are emerging, significant work remains to achieve true gender equality. She expressed gratitude for the support from colleagues, recognizing that not all women have had the same experiences in male-dominated environments.
Highlighting the importance of women”s involvement in mobility and transportation, Mangones stated that mobility has a deeply human and social dimension. Traditional transportation systems have primarily catered to productive travel, often overlooking the diverse travel needs of women, who undertake caregiving journeys such as escorting children to school or attending medical appointments. She emphasized the necessity for women to shape mobility policies from perspectives of care, safety, equity, and access, as well as their critical awareness of environmental and social impacts.
Regarding the current state of mobility and air quality in Colombia, she noted improvements in emissions due to technological advancements and cleaner fuels, though no Colombian city meets World Health Organization pollution standards. She highlighted significant challenges, including the rapid increase in motorcycle use, informal transport systems, and heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which complicate the implementation of technological solutions and energy transition policies. Additionally, she pointed out the urgent public health crisis posed by traffic accidents, with thousands of casualties each year, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Reflecting on the significance of the award, Mangones expressed that it symbolizes the culmination of an intense eight-year journey following her doctorate, recognizing the rigor of her research, teamwork, networking, and commitment to public university education. It also represents the visibility of a woman in a still male-dominated field, which she considers immensely valuable. Practically, the financial support will enable her to explore a new line of research focused on applying AI to capacity building and education, an area she sees as essential for enhancing the social and educational impact of science.
