As a design professional in New York City, he has worked on restoration, building addition and adaptive re-use projects. At Brooklyn's Pratt Institute Programs for Sustainable Planning and Development, Leonel completed a Masters of Science in Urban Environmental Systems Management, concentrating on informal sewage and water infrastructure development in Brazil. He now is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt, teaching International Comparative Planning and Sustainable Design. Leonel's work and collaborations concentrate on the nexus of sustainable and resilient design, infrastructure, and community engagement and participation.