Programme 2025
11 March-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: Anisotropies in cosmological parameters
Osmar Rodriguez (He/Him)
Millennium Institute of Astrophysics (MAS), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: I'm a postdoctoral researcher at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. I obtained my PhD from Universidad Andrés Bello and previously held postdoctoral positions at Tel Aviv University and the Millennium Institute of Astrophysics. My research focuses on supernovae as cosmological probes and the chemical element production in supernovae. Currently, I work on testing possible anisotropies in cosmological parameters using Type Ia supernovae.
18 March-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: Exploring AGN Activity Histories Over Timescales Beyond 10,000 Years
Carolina Finlez (She/They)
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: I’m Carolina Finlez, I go by she/they. I'm currently a Fondecyt postdoctoral fellow at Universidad Católica. My work focuses on Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), particularly in the nearby universe, using high-resolution integral field spectroscopy MUSE data. Currently, I’m exploring the fascinating world of voorwerpjes, conducting 'astro-archeology' to uncover the luminosity history and nature of these unique AGN phenomena.
25 March-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: The Hyperluminous, Dust-obscured Quasar W2246-0526: ALMA High-Resolution [CII] Imaging
Mai Liao (She/Her)
Universidad Diego Portales (UDP), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: Mai Liao, a postdoc from NAOC, hosted in UDP of Chile, currently working on three projects: 1) using [CII] ALAM high-resolution observations to study AGN outflows and dynamically measure the black hole masses for Hot DOGs; 2) AGN transients in AGN selected through mid-IR variability; 3) the radio properties of extremely stable AGN: establishing the relationship between extremely stable quasars and genuine young radio quasars.
01 April-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: ALMA Imaging Through a 30x Magnifying Glass: Resolving the Physical Properties of a Typical Star-Forming Galaxy at z~2.8
Carla Cornil Baïotto (She/Her)
Universidad de Valparaíso (UV) , Valparaíso, Chile
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Biography: I completed my B.Sc. and M.Sc. in France before moving to Valparaíso for my Ph.D., where I study the physical properties of galaxies at cosmic noon (z~1-3) using strong gravitational lensing. My work involves reducing and analyzing ALMA data, reconstructing lensed sources with strong lens models, and conducting multi-wavelength observations. Outside of research, I enjoy traveling across Chile and outdoor activities such as trekking.
08 April-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: Galaxy Mergers and Super Massive Black Hole Growth: A Multiwavelength Study of Dual AGN in the Nearby Universe
Ignacio del Moral Castro (He/Him)
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: I grew up in the most beautiful city of Spain, Granada, where I completed my degree in Physics and a Master's in Astronomy. Then, I moved to the Canary Islands to pursue my PhD at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, focusing on Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) triggering using IFU data. Afterward, I spent several months at the Kapteyn Institute in the Netherlands, characterising AGNs in cosmic voids as part of the CAVITY collaboration. Currently, I hold a FONDECYT fellowship at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), where I study dual AGNs. My main research interests are galaxy evolution and AGN - host galaxy co-evolution. When I am not at the office, I enjoy reading, watching movies, learning about photography, running and traveling to experience and learn about different cultures.
15 April-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Ultra-hot Jupiters through the Eye of JWST!
Suman Saha (He/Him)
Universidad Diego Portales (UDP), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: Suman Saha earned his PhD from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, and is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Instituto de Estudios Astrofísicos, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago. His research leverages observations from telescopes such as TESS, CHEOPS, Gemini, and JWST to explore exoplanet atmospheres, their dynamics, and evolution. He is particularly interested in the evolutionary pathways of extreme worlds and the unique characteristics of cold exoplanets. Outside of research, he enjoys traveling to new places, listening to audiobooks—especially sci-fi—and watching anime that offers deep storytelling.
29 April-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: Chasing O-bearing Organics in protoplanetary disks: Early results from DECO ALMA Large Program
Claudio Hernández Vera (He/Him)
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: I am a PhD candidate from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Although originally from Puente Alto, I have spent some time in Munich as part of the ESO Studentship Programme in Europe. My main research interests are astrochemistry during star and planet formation, specifically organic molecules and their potential connections with life's origin. My hobbies are cycling, playing football, video games, and hiking in nature.
06 May-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: Observing radio transients with Phased ALMA
Josefina Vera (She/Her)
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: I am a B.Sc. in Astronomy and an M.Sc. student in Engineering at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC). My research interests focus on astronomical instrumentation and radio transient sources, such as pulsars, magnetars and Fast Radio Bursts. I have gained experience through the NRAO REU Chile Internship at ALMA and a science visit to the MPIfR. I am also passionate about science outreach and advocating for women in STEM, being an active mentor in the PROVOCA AUI/NRAO program. Fun fact: I need 8 hours of sleep and cannot work late at night—luckily, my favorite hobby is sleeping!
13 May-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: The Stellar Ballet: Decoding the Periodic Drama of Be Star Disk Cycles
Suman Bhattacharyya (He/Him)
ESO-Chile
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Biography: I am Suman Bhattacharyya, an astronomer (PhD student) specializing in emission-line stars, focusing on their evolution, binarity, rotation, and circumstellar disks. My research explores hydrogen emission features in classical Be stars using large datasets from professional (VLT, HCT, etc.) and amateur (BeSS) archives, employing statistical and machine learning tools. I investigate disk variations, examining correlations with inclination and binarity. My work aims to unravel the complex interplay between stellar rotation, mass transfer, and disk variability in Be stars.
27 May-2025, 4pm (Chilean Time)
Title: Deciphering the terminal phases of massive stars: clues from pre-explosion outbursts and circumstellar interaction
Raya Dastidar (She/Her)
Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB), Santiago, Chile
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Biography: I am an astronomer exploring the explosive deaths of stars. I earned my PhD in 2021 from Delhi University, India, and am currently a FONDECYT postdoctoral fellow in Chile. My research helps piece together the late evolutionary stages of stars and their final outcomes as supernovae by analyzing and simulating their light curves and spectra.