Boricua Planeteers

Boricua Planeteers 🇵🇷

The Boricua Planeteers is a networking and public engagement group for Puerto Rican (i.e., Boricua) scientists in the space and planetary sciences, broadly defined, and includes but is not limited to planetary science, astronomy, astrophysics, and the geosciences. 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 Latinx in the sciences. Engaging the public comes with removing the stereotypes and cliches of Puerto Ricans and Latinx that have traditionally created road blocks for many (e.g., unconscious biases).

We are the Boricua Planeteers!

Meet the Team!

Feel free to reach out to us for mentoring, networking, job opportunities, or more information. And follow us on Twitter!

Dr. Frances Rivera-Hernández (she/ella)
Assistant Professor, Georgia Tech
Co-director GT Astrobiology Program

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: Research is focused on characterizing present and past surface conditions of planetary bodies and their habitability
Key words: Sedimentology, Geomorphology, Surface Processes, Mars, Habitability, Polar environments, Neoproterozoic Earth, TIR Spectroscopy, Radiative transfer modeling
Contact: email; @francy_pants
From Aguas Buenas, PR; Currently living in Atlanta, GA; fluent in Spanish and English

Dr. Edgard Rivera Valentín (they/them)
Staff Scientist, Lunar and Planetary Institute, USRA

Ph.D. Space and Planetary Sciences, University of Arkansas
B.A. Physics, Mathematics, Alfred University

Research Interests: Investigates the evolution of Solar System bodies through impact cratering, atmosphere-regolith interactions, and planetary radar techniques, with an emphasis on past and present habitability.
Key Words: Icy Satellites, Mars, Astrobiology, Early Solar System, Impact Cratering, Numerical Modeling, Planetary Radar, Water on Mars, Volatile Transport
Contact: email; @PlanetTreky
Website: https://planettreky.com/
From Arecibo, PR; currently living in Houston, TX; fluent in Spanish and English

Dr. Desireé Cotto Figueroa (she/ella)
Associate Professor, University of Puerto Rico Humacao
Director, UPRH Astronomical Observatory

Ph.D., M.S. in Physics, Ohio University
B.S. in Applied Physics, University of Puerto Rico Humacao (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
Contact: email; @dcottofi
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/upr.edu/desiree-cotto-figueroa/
From Guayama, PR; currently living in Humacao, PR; fluent in Spanish and English

Prof. Abel Méndez (he/him)
Associate Professor, University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Director, Planetary Habitability Lab

M.S., B.S. Biophysics/Theoretical Physics, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (UPRM)

Research Interests: Suitability of planetary environments for life, habitable exoplanets, radio astronomy, orbital dynamics, and theoretical ecology.
Key words: Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Habitability
Contact: email; @ProfAbelMendez
Website: http://phl.upr.edu/about/abel_mendez
From Vega Baja, PR; fluent in Spanish and English

Dr. Alejandro Soto (he/him)
Research Scientist, Southwest Research Institute

Ph.D. in Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology
M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Stanford 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
Contact: email; @soto97
From Atlanta, GA; family from Caguas, PR and Juana Díaz, PR; currently in Boulder, CO; fluent in Spanish and English

Dr. Adrian Ildefonso (he/him)
Electrical Engineer, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
M.S. 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
Contact: email, @AdrianIldefonso

Eng. Felix Omar Fernandez Rodriguez
Analog Systems Engineer, Arecibo Observatory

M.Eng. Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University
B.S. and M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez

Research Interests: Analog electronics, RF, microwave devices
Key Words: Receivers, cryogenics, Front end, LNA, MASER
Contact: email
From Caguas, PR; fluent in Spanish and English

Andy López Oquendo (he/him)
PhD candidate in Astronomy and Planetary Science, Northern Arizona University

B.S. student in Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao (2019)

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
Contact: email; @Planeteroid
From Humacao, PR; fluent in Spanish and English

Alexandra Perez

M.Sc. student in Geological Sciences, Arizona State University
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
Website: https://alexandramperez.weebly.com/
From Jacksonville, FL; Parents from Bayamón, PR; currently living in New Zealand

Carolina Rodriguez Sanchez-Vahamonde (she/ella)
Mission Operations Specialist, Malin Space Science Systems

M.Sc. student 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
Contact: email; @carolinadlmrsv
From Jayuya, PR; currently living in San Diego, California; fluent in Spanish and English

Bryan Rodriguez Colon (he/him)
PhD candidate Geosciences, University of Kansas

M.Sc. Geosciences, University of Kansas
B.S. in Geology, Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

Research Interests: 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.
Contact: email; @BryanRodriColon
From Manati, PR; currently living in Lawrence, KS; fluent in Spanish and English

Carlos Estevez Galarza (he/him)
M.Sc. student 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
Contact: email; @Quantum_Trooper
From Mayagüez, PR; currently living in San Juan, PR; fluent in Spanish and English

Kevin Ortiz Ceballos (he/him)
Incoming PhD student in Astronomy, Harvard University

B. S. in Physics, concentration in Philosophy, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras

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
Contact: email; @kortizceballos
From Toa Baja, PR; Fluent in English and Spanish

Sara Cuevas Quiñones (she/ella)

B.S. Physics, Purdue University, In Progress

Research interest: Currently exploring different fields!
Key words: Physics, Mars geomorphology, remote sensing, spectrometry, astrophysics.
Contact: email; @saraccuevas
From San Juan, PR; currently living in West Lafayette, Indiana; fluent in Spanish and English

Yashira M. del Valle-Rodriguez (she/ella)

B.S. in Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao

Research interest: Rotation Rates of NEA’s
Key words: Planetary Science, Near earth Asteroids, Optical observations, Numerical Modeling
Contact: email; @Astroidlien
From Caguas, PR; currently living in Las Piedras PR; fluent in Spanish and English

Marcos Jusino Maldonado (he/him)

B.S. Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
B.S. in Biology; 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.
Contact: email; @HabitableMarcos
From San Germán, P.R.; fluent in Spanish and English