Eduardo Suger


Eduardo Suger Cofiño is a Swiss-born Guatemalan physicist and scholar. Founder of Universidad Galileo and Instituto Suger Montano.

Education

Dr. Suger got his physics degree from Zurich's Federal Institute of Technology before graduating from the University of Austin, Texas with a PhD in Molecular Physics.

Career

Educational Career

Dr. Suger started off as a researcher for IBM Research center. Then he went on to become a professor of Physics and Mathematics at Minerva and Freudenberg institutes. Later Dr. Suger found himself as a researcher once again, but this time as part of the Molecular Physics Group. At the same time he worked as an academic assistant for graduate students in Classical Mechanics attending the University of Austin. A trip to Guatemala brought him to the University of San Carlos, where he taught as a professor of Physics and Mathematics as before. This time working with Medical sciences, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Economics and Engineering faculty and teaching at a professor at both Del Valle, Mariano Galvez, and Francisco Marroquin. He went on to found the Galileo University of Guatemala, which he is currently serving as rector for.

Political Career

Eduardo Suger ran for president as the Commitment, Renovation and Order candidate. During his first run for President in 2003 he got 2.23% of the votes. In 2007 he got 7.45% of the votes, and in 2011 he took third place with 16.4% of the vote. He has gained popularity over time. Dr. Suger was inspired to run by his determination to better the education system in Guatemala.

Personal Life and Family

Dr. Suger was born into the family of Mrs. Estela Cofiño and Mr. Emilio Suger November 29, 1938. Dr. Suger was born in Zurich, Switzerland, but thought of himself as Guatemalan because his mother took him back to Guatemala while he was still a baby. His father entered WWII in the Switzerland military service, and there was no contact between his father and his mother. This prompted her to return to Guatemala in 1949 and remarry. He had four brothers from this new marriage and although they did still have a relationship, they did not interact like a normal family. Dr. Suger lived with his grandmother until she died when he was twelve.
Dr. Suger was a great violin player. Starting young, he got praise and love for his talents, which he used to replace the lack of affection from his mother and other family.
Dr. Suger used math to attract people as well. During high starting tutoring students, then buying textbooks and teaching from them, and by the time of graduation he was being paid to teach full classes to his fellow students.
Using the money from teaching, help from Father Francisco Franco of La Asuncion Church, and help from the Swiss Consulate, he traveled back to Zurich to study at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and to meet his father. He was inspired by his role model Albert Einstein, who also studied at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. Dr. Suger and his Father were reunited at a Swiss airport.
In 1955 Dr. Suger took the admission exam after taking German language courses. He was accepted and on April 28th, 1958 he started teaching geometry and physics.
Dr. Suger met Regina Castillo Rodriguez on a vacation in 1960. Four years of writing and visiting led to them marrying January 11th, 1964 in Guatemala. Right after the University of San Carlos offered him work, and he decided to stay in Guatemala. They had five children and now have nine grandchildren.

Publications, Works Contributed, and Awards