text: Santiago Schnell was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Growing up in the tropical rainforest, he developed an appreciation for nature and its intricate interactions with humans. His interest in science was sparked by his neighbor, Serafín Mazparrote, a Spanish biologist, and science educator, who exposed him to the natural world. This early exposure to science and nature motivated Schnell to pursue a career in scientific research.
  Schnells father, a lawyer with an understanding of the potential of computers, provided him with a Sinclair ZX81 computer when he was just 10 years old. This early access to technology ignited Schnells interest for using mathematical approaches to solve complex problems and laid the foundation for his future work in scientific research.
  He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Universidad Simón Bolívar in Venezuela and later obtained his doctorate in mathematical biology from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. He pursued his doctoral and postdoctoral research under the supervision of Philip Maini, FRS in the Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology at the University of Oxford. His academic journey and international experience contributed to shaping his multidisciplinary approach to scientific research.