What is your position or role in the DESI project?
I am an Early Career Scientist (ECS) working mainly as a part of the Data, Education and Public Outreach, and Galaxy and Quasar Physics Working Groups. Currently, I co-lead the Anomaly Detection Topical Group.
Where were you born and Where do you live now?
I was born in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia, South America, and I currently live there.
What do you do as part of DESI?
In DESI, my Ph.D. work involves using machine and deep learning techniques with DESI observation data. I contribute to the Data Working Group by developing an algorithm based on unsupervised machine learning to identify anomaly spectra in DESI observations. This technique is valuable for the reduction pipeline to identify outliers related to instrumental errors or new physics. Additionally, I work on predicting physical features of galaxies, such as Redshift, using photometric and spectroscopic data to train deep learning models. I’m also involved in characterizing the distribution of bright galaxies z<∼0.5 into the Dark Matter cosmic web.
What is the most interesting or exciting thing about your job?
The most interesting aspect of my job is the fusion of new technologies with physics. The constant innovation in technology provides exciting tools, gadgets, and algorithms that, when combined with physics, create an amazing synergy.
Any advice for an aspiring scientist?
Be creative. Maintain your love for science and nurture your creativity; they are essential engines for contributing to science and humanity.
What do you do for fun?
For fun, I enjoy exploring different cuisines, experimenting with recipes. Occasionally, I practice photography and painting, even though I’m not a professional.
If you weren’t a scientist, what would be your dream job?
If I weren’t a scientist, my dream job would be a Chef, specializing in various cuisines, or an artist focusing on the intersection of art and technology.
What excites/interests you most about DESI?
What excites me the most about DESI is the enormous amount of data to be observed, the scale and resolution of these observations are impressive, and everything hidden behind this data is intriguing. Being part of this collaboration brings me immense happiness.
