The young astronomer was recognized by the newspaper El Mercurio for her career in the field of astronomy and her contribution to scientific dissemination.Macarena Droguett, astronomer and associate student at the Center for Astrophysics and Related Technologies (CATA) and doctoral student at the Pontificia Universidad Católica, was recognized by the newspaper El Mercurio as one of the 100 Young Leaders 2024, a distinction organized by the newspaper and the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez that highlights scientists, innovators, public servants, artists, athletes and specialized young people who have generated a positive impact in the different fields in which they are dedicated. On this occasion, Macarena was nominated by CATA and was awarded by the media for obtaining first place in the contest “Thesis in three minutes UC”, where she presented her doctoral dissertation in English to a non-specialized audience and explained the basis of her research comparing the merger of a galaxy with a bowl of ramen. She also stood out for her international internship at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in the United States and her role as director of the Astromania Foundation. The young UC student thanked the CATA for promoting her to this award thanks to her performance in the field of astronomy and science, her development in research, as well as her active participation in scientific dissemination events. “The fact that CATA decided to nominate me was already an award in itself, because it means that they saw in me someone who is contributing to astronomy and its dissemination. Knowing that someone says 'how entertaining what she does' is something very nice for me. I have been able to participate in talks and various outreach spaces such as Puerto de Ideas where many people go and I have been able to bring science closer to the people”, she said. Track record and expectations in the popularization of science Macarena is also the director of Fundación Astromanía, where she has carried out other innovative projects and outreach activities. One of them was “Mission Moon, Mission Mars”, where, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and other scientists and astronomers, they created an interactive exhibition on space exploration on the moon and the planet Mars, where the public present experienced the sensation of walking on these space bodies through virtual reality. As part of the same work, they created “Robert”, a lunar robot where the CATA-UC student hopes that it will continue to materialize in the long term: “It was a great project that also highlighted the work of women scientists, astronomers throughout Chile, who have worked with U.S. institutions. During the past year we have been traveling and we hope to continue doing so in different activities,” she explained. The recognition as a Young Leader 2024 is a testimony of the impact she is already generating in Chilean astronomy and her projection as a key figure in the connection between science, technology and society. Currently, the astronomer is finishing her PhD studies in Astronomy and is already thinking of doing a postdoctorate and continuing to work in scientific dissemination, emphasizing the importance of this field in order to bring science closer to different audiences and to promote the training of future researchers. “I hope that with this recognition I can have more opportunities to participate in different activities and that little by little we can make visible the type of science that is done every day in Chile. If you don't share your research, why are you doing research and studying? In the end, the most important and beautiful part of all science is to share it with others. This also implies sharing it with the general public and with those who want to be scientists in the future”, he concluded.