The Boricua Planeteers is a networking and support group for Puerto Rican STEM professionals in the space and planetary sciences. The goal of the group is to help promote the space and planetary sciences in Puerto Rico. Our vision is to promote Boricua science by increasing the visibility of Puerto Rican scientists and engaging the public in scientific discovery. Visibility comes with mentoring and networking, as we work towards increasing the representation of Puerto Ricans and Latine in STEM.
We are the Boricua Planeteers!
Meet the Team!
- Planetary Scientist, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
- Ph.D. in Space and Planetary Sciences, University of Arkansas
- B.A. in Physics, Mathematics, Alfred University
- Research Interests: Applied planetary science, particularly projects that inform planetary defense, planetary protection, and planetary exploration.
- Key Words: Mars, Icy Satellites, Astrobiology, Planetary Radar, Impact Cratering, Water on Mars, Volatile Transport, Numerical Modeling, Data Science
- From Arecibo, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
- Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico Humacao
- Director, UPRH Astronomical Observatory
- Ph.D., M.S. in Physics, Ohio University
- B.S. in Applied Physics, UPRH
- Research Interests: Characterization of Near-Earth Asteroids, radiation recoil effects on the dynamical evolution of asteroids, scale-dependent measurements of meteorite strength and the implications for the fragmentation of PHAs.
- Key Words: Near-Earth Asteroids, YORP effect, Yarkovsky effect, meteorites
- From Guayama, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
Eng. Felix Omar Fernandez Rodriguez
- Analog Systems Engineer, Arecibo Observatory
- B.S. and M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
- M.Eng. Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University
- Research Interests: Analog electronics, RF, microwave devices
- Key Words: Receivers, cryogenics, Front end, LNA, MASER
- From Caguas, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
- Associate Professor, University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
- Director, Planetary Habitability Lab
- M.S., B.S. Biophysics/Theoretical Physics, UPR Mayagüez
- Research Interests: Suitability of planetary environments for life, habitable exoplanets, radio astronomy, orbital dynamics, and theoretical ecology.
- Key words: Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Habitability
- From Vega Baja, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
- Assistant Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Ph.D. Geology, University of California, Davis
- M.S. Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington
- B.S. Astrophysics, B.S. Geology, University of Wyoming
- Research interests: Reconstruct past planetary surface processes and climate by integrating sedimentologic, geomorphic, and spectroscopic observations from field studies, lab experiments, and remote sensing data with numerical modeling.
- Keywords: Sedimentology, Geomorphology, Mars, Polar environments,
Neoproterozoic Earth, Habitability, TIR Spectroscopy - From Aguas Buenas, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
- Research Scientist, Southwest Research Institute
- Ph.D. in Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology
- M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Standford University
- B.S. in Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College
- Research interests: Studies the climate dynamics of terrestrial atmospheres through the use of atmospheric models; involved in instrument development to observe atmospheres and surfaces both in situ and remotely.
- Key words: Atmospheric Dynamics, Planetary Climate Systems, Atmosphere-Surface Interaction, In Situ and Remote Sensing Instrument Development, Mars, Titan
- From Atlanta, GA; family from Caguas, PR and Juana Díaz, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
Jorge Coppin-Massanet
- Geo Sciences PhD Student, Planetary Habitability and Technology Laboratory, Cornell University
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez.
- Research Interests: Habitability of Icy Ocean (Europa, Enceladus, Triton) Analogs in Artic/Antarctic, Ocean-Ice Dynamics, Life Detection Instrumentation
- Key Words: Ocean Worlds Exploration, Astrobiology/Aerobiology, Cryosphere, Habitability, Robotics, Instrumentation, Europa
- From San Juan, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
- Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia Institute of Technology
- M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
- B.S. in Computer Engineering, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
- Research interests: techniques for developing robust electronics for space, modeling and testing of radiation effects on semiconductor devices and circuits, design of satellite communications systems, utilizing lasers to mimic the effects of energetic particles on electronics in space
- Keywords: radiation effects, radiation-hardened electronic design, semiconductor physics and modeling, radiation effects testing
- M.Sc. student in Geological Sciences, Arizona State University (expected 2018)
- B.S. in Geology, Texas Tech University
- Research Interests: Investigates the validity of the planetary embryo bow shock model as a chondrule formation mechanism through dynamic crystallization experiments
- Key Words: Meteorites, Chondrules, Planet Formation, Early Solar System, Experimental Petrology
- From Jacksonville, FL; Parents from Bayamón, PR
Santa L. Pérez-Cortés
- PhD student, Purdue University, IN
- B.S. in Geological Sciences, University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez Campus
- Research Interests: Surface processes, aeolian geomorphology on Mars (dunes and scour pits), landslides on the Moon, Mars and Icy Satellites
- Key Words: geomorphology, landslides, aeolian geomorphology, dunes, scour pits
- From Vega Baja, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
Andy López Oquendo
- Ph.D. Candidate in Astronomy and Planetary Science, Northern Arizona University
- Research Interests: Cobble distribution on surfaces of near-Earth asteroids, planetary radar techniques, rotational rates of NEAs and small body dynamics in the inner Solar System.
- Key Words: Near-Earth Asteroids, Planetary Radar, Optical Observations, Numerical Modeling
- From Humacao, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
Bryan Rodríguez-Colón
- Ph.D. student in Geology, University of Kansas
- M.Sc. in Geology, University of Kansas
- B.S. in Geology, Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
- Research Interests: Investigates the geobiological processes behind the formation of hypersaline microbialite systems and its implications to planetary science exploration. He also investigates the role of microorganisms in the nucleation and mineralization of dolomite under low-temperature conditions.
- Key Words: Aqueous Geochemistry, Geomicrobiology, Geobiology, Astrobiology, Life in Extreme Environments.
- From Manati, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
Carolina Rodriguez Sanchez-Vahamonde
- M.Sc. in Geology and Planetary Science, University of Western Ontario
- B.S. in Geology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
- Research Interests: Investigates martian lava flow analogs and impact craters on the Moon and Saturn’s icy satellites
- Key Words: Planetary Radar Geology, Planetary surface processes, Remote Sensing, Mars geomorphology
- From Jayuya, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
Carlos A. Estévez Galarza
- M.Sc. in Physics, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras
- Co-founder, PRatian
- B.S. in Theoretical Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
- Research interests: Investigates the daily and seasonal role of absorption in Mars’ water cycle; develops a biodegradable water-absorbing technology, optimizing the efficiency of plant growth systems and preventing the waste of potable water.
- Keywords: Theoretical Physics, Thermodynamics, Numerical Modeling, Atmosphere-Surface Interaction, Mars, Development of Space Technologies
- From Mayagüez, PR; fluent in Spanish and English
Kevin N. Ortiz Ceballos
- B. S. student in Physics and Philosophy, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras (expected 2021)
- Research interests: Radio and magnetic characterization of stellar environments and systems to determine their suitability for life, near-field cosmology and galaxy evolution, theory of high-energy physics and cosmology
- Key words: Astrobiology, Habitability, Radio Astronomy, Cosmology, Theory of Physics
- From Toa Baja, PR; Fluent in English and Spanish
Marialis Rosario-Franco
- Gröte Reber Fellow, National Radio Astronomy Observatory
- Ph.D. Candidate, University of Texas at Arlington
- Scientific Writer for Astrobites in Spanish, Astrobitos
- Research Interests: Orbital dynamics, radio detection of exoplanets and exomoons.
- Key Words: Orbital Evolution, Dynamics, Radio Astronomy, Numerical Modeling, Data Processing, Exoplanets, Exomoons
Marcos Jusino Maldonado
- Student in Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez.
- B.S. in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San Germán.
- Research Interests: Studies the possible origins of life through the Abiogenesis Zone, stellar habitability, prebiotic chemistry and habitable exoplanets.
- Key Words: Astrobiology, Astronomy, Biology, Prebiotic Chemistry, Habitability, Exoplanets.
- From San Germán, P.R.; fluent in Spanish and English.
Yashira M. del Valle-Rodriguez
- B.S. student in Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao (expected 2019)
- Research interests: Rotation Rates of NEA’s
- Key words: Planetary Science, Near earth Asteroids, Optical observations, Numerical Modeling
- From Caguas, PR; fluent in Spanish and English