Links to my weather stations:
Tucson (AZ), USA
Las Condes (Region Metropolitana), CHILE
I hold a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), as well as a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences (with a minor in Planetary Sciences) from the University of Arizona. My graduate research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. E. R. Kursinski and focused on atmospheric physics, microwave propagation, and planetary atmospheres.
From 1990 to 2001, I was actively involved in astronomical site-testing campaigns in collaboration with leading radio astronomy institutes in the United States, Europe, and Japan. This work contributed to the identification of the Llano de Chajnantor (5,050 meters above sea level), on the western slope of the Andes in northern Chile, as the optimal site for the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). I also participated in the technical evaluation and verification of prototype antennas developed for the ALMA project.
Between 2007 and 2008, I contributed to the final phase of site testing for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), helping assess atmospheric and environmental performance at candidate sites.
From 2008 to 2020, I conducted research on atmospheric turbulence, precipitable water vapor, and meteorological conditions relevant to TMT candidate locations. During this period, I served as Adaptive Optics Systems Scientist and became a member of the Systems Scientists/Operations team at the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory in 2016. My work supported the development of atmospheric monitoring systems and operational strategies to optimize telescope performance.
In July 2020, I joined the European Southern Observatory (ESO) as an Atmosphere Scientist. I am currently a member of the Science Operations Systems Scientists team and Co-Chair of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) AstroWeather Working Group, contributing to atmospheric characterization and forecasting efforts that enhance the scientific output of ESO facilities.
Research Interests
Atmospheric Water Vapor
I investigate the distribution, variability, and radiative impact of water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere. I have developed radiative transfer codes (MATLAB®) to model molecular emissions—including H₂O, CO₂, O₃, N₂O, CO, and CH₄—in terrestrial and planetary atmospheres such as those of Earth, Mars, and Titan.
Atmospheric Turbulence
My research examines the propagation of electromagnetic waves through turbulent and absorbing media, with applications to astronomical observations and remote sensing.
Active Remote Sensing
I use radio occultation techniques, including work with the Active Temperature, Ozone, Moisture Microwave Spectrometer (ATOMMS), to investigate atmospheric structure and composition.
Adaptive Optics
I contribute to the development of Laser Guide Star systems that generate artificial beacons in the mesosphere to correct atmospheric phase aberrations. Laser light at 589 nm excites sodium atoms in the mesosphere, creating a reference source that enables real-time turbulence correction in adaptive optics systems.
Professional Memberships
I am a member of:
- The American Meteorological Society (AMS)
- The International Astronomical Union (IAU)
- The American Geophysical Union (AGU)
- The American Astronomical Society (AAS), including the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS)
- The Sociedad Chilena de Astronomía (SOCHIAS)
Committee Service
- International Astronomical Union (IAU): Organizing Committee Member of the Inter-Division B–C Commission for the Protection of Existing and Potential Observatory Sites.
- Sociedad Chilena de Astronomía (SOCHIAS): Member of the Light Pollution Working Group (GTCL) and its Subcommittee for the protection of radio astronomy sites from Radio Frequency Interference (RFI).
- Member of the Chilean Low Earth Orbit Satellite (CLEOsat) Group.
- Contributor to the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS).
Updated: February 26, 2026