I am a Spanish professional astronomer currently working at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias with a Junior Leader Fellowship from La Caixa Foundation. Before returning to Spain, I spent three years in Santiago de Chile, where I worked as a European Southern Observatory (ESO) fellow with duties in the Paranal Observatory.
I defended my PhD in Astronomy in Belgium in 2020, as part of a dual PhD programme between KU Leuven and the Université Libre de Bruxelles. My research focuses on low- and intermediate-mass evolved stars and binary systems. I am very passionate about my work and science in general. I love observing, and I really enjoy teaching and talking about science to all kinds of audiences.
Research Positions and Education
La Caixa Junior Leader Fellow
2023 - 2026
At the end of 2023, I returned to my home country with this Junior Leader talent-attraction Fellowship, and I am now based at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias. On top of the opportunity to have 100% of my time dedicated to independent research, La Caixa offers its fellows a rich training program including courses on Negotiation, Communication, Leadership, etc.
ESO Postdoctoral Fellow
2020 - 2023
As a research fellow for the European Southern Observatory, I was stationed in Santiago de Chile, but 50% of my time is invested in duties at ESO's Paranal Observatory. I was UT1 and UT2 support astronomer and UVES and ESPRESSO Instrument Fellow. The remaining 50% of the time was dedicated to independent research.
Research Foundation - Flanders PhD fellow
2016 - 2020
I did my PhD in Belgium in a Joint program between KU Leuven and the Université Libre de Bruxelles, funded with an FWO personal fellowship. My Thesis, supervised by Prof. Hans Van Winckel (KU Leuven) and Dr. Lionel Siess (ULB) was entitled "Barium stars as tracers of binary evolution in the Gaia era"
Master in Astronomy and Astrophysics
2013 - 2015
This two-year (120 ECTS) program provided me with a solid foundation to develop my career in Astronomy. It included several project-based courses that shaped my observational and data-analysis skills. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and my Master's Thesis, supervised by Dr. Konstnaze Zwintz and Prof. Conny Aerts is published in a peer-reviewed paper.
Awards and recognitions
Spanish Astronomy Society PhD Thesis Prize
Every year, the Spanish Astronomy Society (SEA) grants a prize to the doctoral thesis defended in Spain or by a Spaniard abroad with the greatest present and future impact in astronomy, and my thesis was awarded the 2021 prize (€2000 and a plenary talk at the XV SEA meeting)
La semilla de Atenea: Historias de mujeres brillantes
La semilla de Atenea is a book that describes the biographical paths and the work of thirteen women from La Rioja (Spain) considered role models and leaders in various disciplines and arts. I was featured as a role model in STEM and the book highlights my work on binary stars.
Your research in 1000 words
The Association of Spanish Scientists in Belgium (CEBE) opened a contest where researchers had to explain a scientific concept in a 1000-word text or in an image. My piece was awarded the jury's first prize (250€) and the public's prize (100€).
