Mauricio is a Peruvian professional with experience in both the public and private sector, as well as studies in the UK and Germany. After several years abroad, Mauricio returned to Peru to join the Ministry of Education as the project manager in charge of monitoring the national strategy to support all public universities to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, he had the opportunity to work for UNESCO IESALC, where he co-authored global reports regarding several higher education policies like funding schemes, the role of international aid and the impact of COVID-19 in the sector.

Mauricio's interest in evidence-based policies and his conviction that education can be an engine for sustainable development led him to co-found the 'Institute of Higher Education Public Policy Analysis' (CAPPES). This non-profit initiative aims to address the disconnect between policymakers and academia by gathering evidence and producing studies that support the design and execution of higher education policies.