Bruno Sánchez-Andrade Nuño, PhD
+1 (417) 278-6676 | brunosan@gmail.com | brunosan.eu
Scientist and entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience at the intersection of AI, climate, and global impact — spanning the World Bank, Microsoft, and academia.
Professional Experience
Lgnd.io — Co-Founder & Chief Scientist (2024–Present)
- Building AI to index Earth — making the planet’s data searchable, discoverable, and useful.
- Raised $9M in seed funding from top-tier investors.
- Leading the scientific direction of geo-embedding research and large-scale AI infrastructure for planetary intelligence.
Clay — Executive Director & Co-Founder (2023–Present)
- Nonprofit initiative to make AI models that understand Earth — open-source, open-data, and open for business.
- Raised $4M in venture philanthropy to build the Clay foundation model for Earth data.
- Leading vision, governance, and technical development.
ImpactScience.dev — Founder & Consultant (2017–2023)
- Advised clients including the World Bank, Mapbox, National Geographic, Inmarsat, HUB Ocean, Jefa, and Satellogic.
- Delivered projects on AI, data architecture, public policy, and entrepreneurship across 10+ countries.
- Authored Impact Science — a methodology for turning research into measurable environmental and social breakthroughs.
- Founded and directed the creation of Microsoft’s Planetary Computer, from strategy to engineering execution.
- Oversaw hiring, partnerships, and budget for the global AI for Earth platform.
- Managed the transition and sunset of the $50M+ “AI for Earth” program.
Satellogic — VP, Social Impact (2017–2019)
- Designed strategies to leverage high-resolution Earth observation for social and environmental good.
- Supported hyperspectral analytics for sustainability applications.
- Currently an investor and advisor.
World Bank — Data Scientist, Innovation Labs (2015–2017)
- Led technical operations for global big data programs across multiple regions.
- Managed a 20-project portfolio totaling over $500M in innovation initiatives.
- Served in the President’s Delivery Unit and advised senior leadership on data-driven development.
Mapbox — Chief Scientist (2013–2015)
- Directed scientific and satellite work across a 10× scaling period (Series A → Series B).
- Advised global enterprise clients and advanced remote sensing initiatives.
- Ongoing investor and advisor.
- Led development of the Global Adaptation Index (GAIN) for climate resilience assessment.
- Visiting Scholar at the Environmental Change Initiative, University of Notre Dame.
US Naval Research Laboratory — NASA Contractor & Research Assistant Professor (2008–2010)
- Worked in the Space Science Division on satellite and rocket missions.
- Specialized in calibration, data analysis, and scientific visualization.
Education
- Ph.D. in Solar Physics, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Germany (2005–2008)
- M.Sc. in Astrophysics, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain (1999–2004)
- B.A. in Physics, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain (1999–2003)
- Mirzayan S&T Policy Fellow, US National Academies of Science (2010)
Executive Education
- Princeton University — Leadership in Energy Innovation (2018)
- Harvard Kennedy School — Global Leadership & Public Policy for the 21st Century (2017)
- Stanford GSB & Stanford Earth — Transformative Leadership for Sustainability (2016)
- Oxford Saïd Business School — Transformational Leadership (2015)
- Yale SOM — Strategic Impact Leadership (2014)
Publications
Volunteer Work
- Expert Reviewer — Global Teacher Prize, Earthshot Prize, Several VCs, including “dual use”.
- Elected Member, Council for Foreign Residents — Spanish Consulate, Washington DC (2009–2016)
- Founding Member — ECUSA (Spanish Scientists in the USA) (2015–2016)
- Project Manager — AEGEE (European Students’ Forum) (2003–2008)
- Civil Protection Volunteer — Gijón Fire & Rescue (2001–2004)
Languages
- Fluent: English, Spanish
- Intermediate: French
- Basic: German, Danish