Álvaro Rojas Arriagada

My research is framed in the area of the so-called Galactic Archaeology, and is oriented to the study of the stellar populations of the Milky Way, especially those located in the central part of the Milky Way, the so-called galactic bulge. I have used data from photometric (VVV survey), astrometric (VVV and Gaia), and especially spectroscopic (Gaia-ESO survey, APOGEE survey) mappings to understand the chemical composition of the bulge stars and relate them to their spatial and kinematic distribution. This is part of a long-term effort whose ultimate goal is to understand the formation and evolutionary history of our galaxy.

I am one of the principal investigators of the Evolution Reconstructed from the Interstellar Medium (ERIS) Millennium Nucleus, an initiative in which we have set out to join forces with biologists and mathematicians to apply one of the principles of Darwin's theory of evolution - descent with modification - to understand cosmic evolution from information on the chemistry of stars.

I enjoy teaching and talking about science, and in this sense, I try to transmit the beauty enclosed in the nature of things, both in my classes and in outreach activities; it is a responsibility, and also a privilege, to be able to share with society the fruits of scientific research and discovery.