About Me

Current Positions

  • Research Scientist at NASA Ames Research Center
  • Deputy Principal Investigator (PI) for the ACESat SMEX NASA Mission proposal
  • PI of a new laboratory devoted to Technology Development for Exoplanet Missions (TDEM).
  • Lead of the Astrometry Study Analysis Groups (SAG-12) of The Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG).
  • Board Member of the Chile-California Council a policy endeavor that seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between Chile and California in the areas of Education, Science & Technology, Sustainable Development and Culture.

Professional Experience

  • Researcher/Optical Engineer, NASA Ames Research Center (Sept 2014 – Present)
  • Postdoctoral fellow, NASA Ames Research Center (Sept 2012 – Present)
  • Research Associate, The University of Arizona (Aug 2008 – Aug 2012)
  • Instrumentation Engineer, European Southern Observatory (July 2003 -July 2008)
  • Co-Founder (Yx ltda) / Mechanical Engineer, YX Wireless (1999 – 2003)

Academic Background

  • PhD in Optical Sciences, University of Arizona (2012)
  • Msc in Mechanical Engineering (ME), University of Arizona (2004)
  • Bachelor degree in ME (major) and Astrophysics (Minor), Universidad Católica Chile, (2002)

Honors & Awards

  • NASA Postdoctoral fellowship award, 2012.
  • First Place Chile-California Council Ideas Contest: Project “AstroSolar”, 2012
  • Honorable mention for Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership, University of Arizona, 2011.
  • Fulbright International Science and Technology PhD Scholarship, 2008
  • Fullbright Commission
  • ECOS-CONICYT Master’s scholarship Award, 2003