DIEGO VERGARA RODRÍGUEZ

DIEGO VERGARA RODRÍGUEZ is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Sciences and Arts of the Universidad Católica de Ávila. He is affiliated with the TiDEE.rg (Technology, Instruction and Design in Engineering and Education Research Group), focusing on integrating technology into pedagogical practices. His research spans educational technology innovations, particularly in virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in teaching, sustainable hydrogen energy systems, and the impact of digital tools on academic settings.

Diego holds a Doctorate from the Universidad de Salamanca (2007) with a thesis titled "Fragilización por hidrógeno de aceros de pretensado sometidos a estados triaxiales de tensión", which explored hydrogen embrittlement in steels under triaxial stress states. His educational background combines materials science and engineering expertise with a strong emphasis on pedagogical research.

His research interests prioritize the transformative role of VR and AI in education, including their application in high-risk training simulations and sustainability-focused energy systems. He has extensively studied the adoption of these technologies among university faculty, comparing perceptions across disciplines (engineering vs. health sciences) and countries (Peru, Colombia, Mexico, etc.). Recent work also addresses post-pandemic digital stress adaptation and the didactic potential of gamification in higher education.

His contributions include bibliometric reviews on smart composites, nuclear energy strategies, and gamification trends. He collaborates internationally, with studies on ICT use in Pacific Alliance countries and Venezuela's digital pandemic stress. His work frequently intersects with practical classroom experiences, such as calculus teaching with AI and improving spatial vision through 3D PDF tools.

Diego is actively involved in analyzing educational policies and the influence of technological ecosystems on learning environments. He advocates for inclusive digital solutions, emphasizing accessibility to cultural heritage and sustainable hydrogen infrastructure development.