February 25, 2026

MIT Urban Risk Lab's Larisa Ovalles presented at the TEC Science Summit 2026, "Accelerating Research to Benefit Society," on February 25, 2026, in Monterrey, Mexico. The event was hosted by Tecnológico de Monterrey and brought together researchers and practitioners to discuss how research can support societal outcomes. Ovalles contributed to the panel “From Research to Action: Cities and Communities Facing Climate Change.”

Her talk, “Resilience Through Design: Tools & Structures for Climate Action,” focused on how design and research can support climate resilience in communities facing increasing environmental risks. During the panel, a clear theme emerged: effective climate action must center social justice and community leadership. Climate impacts are uneven, disproportionately affecting communities with the least resources and political power, so responsibility cannot rest on them alone. Panelists emphasized that top-down approaches often reinforce inequality, while community-centered strategies grounded in local knowledge, consent, and context lead to more equitable and effective outcomes. Solutions must be tailored to place, with partnerships shaped by local trust dynamics, and competing priorities navigated through dialogue and “dual-use” approaches that meet both future climate impacts and everyday needs.

The discussion also highlighted a persistent gap between research, policy, and practice. Panelists discussed how universities and research institutions can help bridge this divide by translating community knowledge into actionable evidence for policymakers, identifying gaps in implementation, and advocating for more grounded, inclusive approaches. Ultimately, aligning science with action requires stronger connections between bottom-up realities and top-down decision-making, with communities at the center.

Learn more about the event here.

Panelists:

Francisco Benita, Research Professor at the School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Sarah Billington, UPS Foundation Professor, Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment.
Claudia Acuña, Director of Impact Partnerships at New Story.
Larisa Ovalles Paulino, Researcher scientist at the Urban Risk Lab at the MIT School of Architecture and Planning.

Moderator: Ryan Whitney, Professor of School of Architecture, Art and Design, Tecnológico de Monterrey.