Luis Portales earned a PhD in social sciences from Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is currently a professor and researcher at the University of Monterrey (UDEM) and member of the National System of Researchers (CONACYT).
His research interests are development and poverty, social capital, humanism in organizations, social responsibility and sustainability. He has numerous articles, book chapters and presentations. He has collaborated with UNDP and the OAS in conducting research projects and entrepreneurship.