Leon Montealegre Wins Inaugural Nuvalence Builder Award

Leon Montealegre Wins Inaugural Nuvalence Builder Award



By Jeanne Hedden Gallagher

May 21, 2021

Leon Montealegre is the inaugural recipient of the Nuvalence Builder Award, which recognizes one or more graduating seniors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute who have demonstrated superior skills through extracurricular projects in hardware and software innovation.


Montealegre, who is graduating this week with degrees in computer science, applied math, and physics, won the $2,000 prize for his portfolio of projects, including a free online circuit builder called Open Circuits and a simulation of fluid dynamics called Shallow Water Equations. He was nominated by Wes Turner, a senior lecturer in the School of Science at Rensselaer.


The new award was created by Nuvalence, a platform-focused consulting company led by Rensselaer alumni. Managing Partner and Chief Technology Officer Sinclair Schuller and Partner and Vice President of Engineering Abraham Sultan both hold degrees in computer science from the Institute. Schuller led the selection panel for this year’s inaugural prize.


After graduation, Montealegre will complete a summer internship at Google and then return to Rensselaer in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in computer science.


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About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is America’s first technological research university. Rensselaer encompasses five schools, over 30 research centers, more than 140 academic programs including 25 new programs, and a dynamic community made up of over 6,800 students and 104,000 living alumni. Rensselaer faculty and alumni include upwards of 155 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration. To learn more, please visit www.rpi.edu.