Education:

Bachelor in Biochemistry - University of Concepción (Chile) - Dec 2017

PhD Student in section 3.6 since July 2020

Projects:

Barrancas Blancas (BB) Project

The Barrancas Blancas (BB) Project investigates the role of water in shaping and regulating microbial life in high-elevation desert environments.

Located in the Puna de Atacama, a high-altitude region of the Atacama Desert, the BB plain experiences poly-extreme conditions, including an overall negative water balance due to low water input, intense UV radiation-driven sublimation, and predominantly cryospheric soil conditions. These factors contribute to severe substrate limitations (oligotrophy), making it a challenging yet valuable site for studying microbial survival strategies.

A key feature of the BB plain is the presence of a temporary lake, which provides a unique opportunity to explore how sporadic water availability influences desert microbial communities. This dynamic system serves as a natural laboratory, offering insights into microbial adaptation, biogeochemical cycling, and potential analogs for extraterrestrial environments.

Awards:

Best presentation in 7. Jährlicher Deutsche Astrobiologische Gesellschaft e.V. (DAbG) Workshop (6-8 September 2023) - Berlin