Chilean astronomer awarded prestigious international fellowship

After serving as a Research Fellow at CATA, Juan Ignacio Espinoza Retamal became the second Chilean to secure this major grant for research in planetary astronomy.

Chilean astronomer Juan Ignacio Espinoza Retamal, who was an Affiliated Investigator at the Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies (CATA) (an ANID-funded core center) and holds a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC), and a student of the Center’s Adjunct Investigator Cristóbal Petrovich, received the prestigious 51 Pegasi b Fellowship, one of the most competitive and significant international awards for young researchers in planetary astronomy.

This grant, established in 2017 by the Heising-Simons Foundation, is named after the first exoplanet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star. The grant provides $450,000 to support independent research over a three-year period, with the possibility of extending the funding for an additional year. In addition to financial support, this grant includes mentoring, access to collaborative networks, and annual meetings with leading researchers in the field.

Espinoza Retamal became the second Chilean to receive this fellowship, following in the footsteps of astronomer Teresa Paneque. “I’m incredibly proud, because this fellowship recognizes young talent in astronomy, especially in the field of exoplanets. It’s designed for researchers who have made significant contributions to science and have also demonstrated leadership,” he said.

The astronomer was an Affiliated Investigator at CATA while pursuing his Ph.D. in Astrophysics at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, under the supervision of the Center’s Adjunct Investigator, Cristóbal Petrovich. During that time, he was actively involved in the Exoplanets and Astrobiology program, where he collaborated with researchers and students at the Center.

During his doctoral studies, he focused primarily on so-called Warm Jupiters —Jupiter-like planets that orbit at intermediate distances from their stars—using data obtained with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. His current research focuses on the study of exoplanets, specifically on the geometry of planetary systems and how their orbits allow us to infer the processes that gave rise to these systems.

“Most of the other planetary systems that have been discovered bear no resemblance to our solar system. So the big question is: why? My work focuses on using their geometric properties as a fossil record of the processes that gave rise to those systems,” explained Espinoza Retamal.

His project now focuses on two main areas of research. “The first aims to extend this type of study to smaller planets, similar to Neptune, whose signals are harder to detect. The second is linked to the Gaia space mission, whose data will enable us to discover and characterize new exoplanets based on the movements of their host stars,” explains the former CATA investigator.

Juan Ignacio is currently conducting his research at Princeton University, where he will continue his work thanks to the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship, which will enable him to further develop his research and open up new opportunities for leadership and international collaboration.

“The fellowship is highly competitive and offers valuable networking opportunities, such as annual meetings, mentoring, and direct contact with leaders in the field. All of this contributes greatly to professional development,” said the astronomer.

Finally, the fellow shared a message with young people interested in pursuing a career in science. “To those who are already on this path, I encourage you to persevere, keep trying, and apply for every opportunity that comes your way. In Chile, there are various opportunities, such as internships at astronomy institutions, that are invaluable for scientific development. And for those who are still figuring out their future, astronomy is an excellent option if you’re interested in science, physics, and mathematics. It’s a growing field in Chile, with an increasingly prominent role and a strong international presence,” the astronomer concluded.

Image credit: Heising-Simons Foundation.