I am an astrophysicist with expertise in the growth of supermassive black holes (SMBHs), the evolution of galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) across cosmic time and different environments, as well as X-ray cluster surveys. My work bridges observations, simulations, and statistical modelling to improve how galaxies, AGN, and galaxy clusters are identified, characterised, and used as cosmological probes.
Research Areas
My PhD research focused on understanding the cosmic evolution of AGN in massive galaxy clusters. Key questions include:
- AGN triggering mechanisms: What drives AGN activity in dense cluster environments? Is there enhanced triggering in cluster outskirts?
- Environmental effects: How does the cluster environment affect SMBH growth compared to the field?
- Simulations vs observations: Developing semi-empirical models to compare theoretical predictions with observational data
Galaxy clusters are powerful cosmological probes. I work on:
- Cluster detection algorithms: Developing and testing methods to identify clusters in X-ray surveys
- AGN contamination: Understanding how AGN affect cluster detection and characterisation
- Selection criteria: Defining robust selection functions for cluster catalogues
I specialise in connecting theory to observations through:
- Population modelling: Statistically sampling observational constraints to generate realistic SMBH populations
- Forward modelling: Creating synthetic observations from simulations for direct comparison with data
- 3D-to-2D projection: Building tools for cosmological simulations with proper handling of boundary conditions
Current Projects
Builder of X-ray cluster and AGN catalogues of the FornaX Euclid deep field. Moderator of the ESA-datalabs & Slack channel. Local Organising Committee member for the 2025 Annual Meeting.
Exploring the incidence of AGN in galaxy clusters using state-of-the-art hydrodynamical simulations.
Active member of the Science Working Groups for Clusters of Galaxies and Galaxy Evolution.
Past Projects
Early Stage Researcher of the H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network "Big Data analytics for Black hole Evolution Studies" (grant agreement No 860744, PI Francesco Shankar).
CARMENES is an experiment designed for the discovery of exoplanets in the habitable zone of M-dwarf stars using the radial velocity method. For my MSc thesis, I studied the occurrence of exoplanets in CARMENCITA (the CARMENES sample of M-dwarf stars).
Scientific Outreach
I believe in making science accessible to everyone. My outreach activities include:
Co-hosting a podcast where we talk with scientists at different career stages, exploring their research journeys and the human side of science.
Support astronomer delivering live scientific presentations to non-technical audiences, operating observation and planetarium equipment during public events.
- September 2022: Article in "Astronomía" magazine on AGN (Spanish)
- July 2022: HIPPARCHOS (Hellenic Astronomical Society), Volume 3, Issue 5, pages 17-21 on AGN (co-author)
- December 2020: Outreach talk on exoplanet detection via radial velocities (Spanish)
Interested in collaborating? I'm always happy to discuss potential projects. Get in touch or check out my publications.