Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)

Rita Tojeiro

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What is your position or role in the DESI project?

I currently co-chair the Galaxy and Quasar Physics science working group and I’m also the co-chair of the Institutional Board. The first is a science coordination role, and the second is a survey governance role.

Where were you born?

I was born in Porto, which is a beautiful city by the Douro river in Portugal.

Where do you live now?

I live in St Andrews, which is a lovely small seaside village on the east coast of Scotland.

What do you do as part of DESI?

From a science perspective, I enjoy thinking about how galaxies grow and the role of large-scale structure in that. DESI is a really nice survey to do that because we have so many different types galaxies and we can estimate cosmic structure around them incredibly well – it’s brilliant. As the co-chair of the Galaxy & Quasar Physics working group, I have the pleasure of coordinating non-cosmology science about galaxies and quasars. It’s a fantastic working group because the remit is really broad so I learn new things all the time. As the co-chair of the Institutional Board I work with committee chairs and DESI leadership to ensure the smooth running of the survey.


What is the most interesting or exciting thing about your job?

I spend a lot of my time teaching and thinking about pedagogy in higher education, and I love it. It’s a privilege to be the gateway of many students into cosmology or extragalactic science and research, and I never take it for granted. I also work with Physics teachers in Scotland to bring astronomy to their classroom, especially via SDSS plates – SDSS is one of the two main surveys that led to DESI, and on which I worked for many years, too. I work hard to bring the social aspects of astronomy research to my teaching. I think it’s interesting that a lot of that is lived everyday by people in large collaborations such as DESI, where we need to think about sustainability, inclusion, accessibility and the impact on those outside of DESI. I also, of course, love the science and learning new things (mostly from my PhD students, now!). Sometimes I still wake up and remember I’ve wanted to do this since I was 13, and that takes me through whatever is ahead in the day.


Any advice for an aspiring scientist?

Be curious and be thorough in your learning. Take the time to find and follow your own interests, so you can cut through the noise. And remember that, as you progress, you will always be surrounded by increasingly driven, dedicated, and smart people. If that ever makes you feel like you don’t belong, take a deep breath and remember that everyone has a right to be here – including you.


What do you do for fun?

I read and walk my dog, that’s my bliss. I also love playing games with my 12 year-old son, who can now beat me at everything. We have 3 family D&D campaigns on the go, and we love complicated and hours-long board games.


If you weren’t a scientist, what would be your dream job?

Not sure. Perhaps a teacher. Perhaps a dog walker. I really have no idea – I’ve wanted to do this for so long!


What excites/interests you most about DESI?

The chance to learn from others. I grew up, academically, in large collaborations, and I learnt so much from watching others do science, lead, manage, and succeed (or fail and picking themselves up – there are lessons there too). I don’t think I’d like to do science in any other way. And, of course, the science is brilliant, too!