Biography

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy, specializing in Science and Technology Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. My research investigates how policy influences performance and social alignment in emerging technologies like AI and nanotechnology. A significant aspect of my work involves implementing state-of-the-art language models to extract and analyze value promises from patent text in these fields and examining their role in patent drafting, prosecution, valuation, and technological orientation. Current projects in this space include an analysis of state policy advisory networks in autonomous vehicles and a comprehensive mapping of AI invention in the global south.

Additionally, I have worked for over six years as a consultant with organizations such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and Technopolis Group, where I have examined the drivers of business innovation and its impacts. For example, I’ve studied how market competition, taxation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems influence firms’ innovation activities. My work has also explored the effects of business innovation on the exports of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and the gender disparities within KIBS sectors. Furthermore, I have investigated how industrial policies contribute to increased tax collection.

My skill set includes quantitative (e.g., causal inference, machine learning, text mining, computational social networks) and qualitative (e.g., interviews and focus groups) research methods, along with strong presentation skills for diverse audiences.

I have taught introductory economics courses for undergraduate and graduate students for eight semesters at Universidad Nacional de Colombia (15’ and 16’) and Universidad del Rosario (17’, 18’, 19’, 20’).

Email: spelaez3@gatech.edu

Research

Peer-reviewed

Pelaez, S., Verma, G., Ribeiro, B., & Shapira, P. (2024). Large-scale text analysis using generative language models: A case study in discovering public value expressions in AI patents. Quantitative Science Studies, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1162/qss_a_00285

Pelaez, S., Hurtado, B., & Avila-Maecha, J. (2024). Taxation and innovation: evidence from Colombia. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 33(1), 166-184. https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2022.2145560

Pelaez, S., Youtie, J., & Shapira, P. (2022). Analyzing research outcomes and spillovers at a US nanotechnology user facility. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 24(12), 243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-022-05601-5

Pelaez, S. (2018). Ciclo de recursos naturales y politica fiscal bajo preferencias inconsistentes. Coyuntura Economica. 48(1 y 2) Junio-Diciembre, pp. 13-78. http://hdl.handle.net/11445/3844

Preprints/Working papers

Pelaez, S., Verma, G., Ribeiro, B., & Shapira, P. Do Societal Promises Influence Patent Value? An Analysis of Inventions in Artificial Intelligence? Under Review at Research Policy Available at SSRN 4873074: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4873074

Pelaez, S., & Hicks, D. (2024). Are Societal Promises in Science and Technology Substantiated? The Case of Value Expressions in Patents Under Review at Research Policy Available at SSRN 4941820: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4941820

Pelaez, S. (2024). Exporting Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS): Innovation and Complementary Factors. Available at SSRN 4799870: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4799870

Pelaez, S., & Gutierrez, J. D. (2023). The Gradual Impact of Sanctioning Cartels on Market Competition: Evidence from the Colombian Manufacturing Sector. Available at Research Square: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2928151/v2

Work in progress

Pelaez, S. The Fiscal Returns of Industrial. Planned for submission, Spring 2025 (Work in Progress).

Walsh, J., J, Jeongyoon., Lee, Y., Pelaez, S., & Ceccagnoli, M. “University Invention Disclosure Policies and Research Commercialization.” Planned for submission, Spring 2025 (Work in Progress).

Hicks, D., JW, Choi., Pelaez, S., & Kingsley, G. “The Structure of State Policy Advisory Networks: Evidence from U.S. Autonomous Vehicle Reports.” Planned for submission in Summer 2025 (Work in Progress).

Pelaez, S. “A Comprehensive Mapping of AI Invention in the Global South.” Planned for submission in Summer 2025 (Work in Progress).