Climate Change; Meteorology and Climatology; CLimate Extremes; Stratospheric Ozone; Solar Radiation

Research Projects

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1231904 “CASCADE: Cascading Climate Extremes in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula” 2023-2027 (Principal investigator)

ANID (Chile) Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, National Tender Process for Team Research Projects (Anillos) in Science and Technology, Preis ACT210046 “Compound and cascading climate extremes in Chile” 2022-2025 (Project Director)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1221122 “Characterization of winter low- and middle-cloud properties linked to atmospheric changes in King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula (CONMAGIA)” 2022-2025 (Co-investigator)

INACH (Chile) Instituto Antárctico Chileno, Preis RT_69-20 “Assessment of the sensitivity of ice shelves to the enhanced weather variability”, 2021-2024 (Co-investigator)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1211338 “The role of plankton dynamics in air-sea fluxes of climate- relevant trace gases and atmospheric conditions in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula” 2021-2024 (Co-investigator)

CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 19BP-117358 “Development of a Heat/Health Warning System (HHWS) for Chile” 2020-2023 (Principal investigator)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1191932 “PROMESA: AtmosPheric RadiatiOn MeasurEments on King George Island (Southern Ocean / Antarctic Peninsula)” 2019-2023 (Principal investigator)

INACH (Chile) Instituto Antárctico Chileno, Preis RT_70-18 “Light-absorbing impurities on coastal snowpacks in the Antarctic Peninsula”, 2019-2022 (Principal investigator)
CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 18BPE-93920 “Direct Solar Irradiance (DNI) in the Atacama Desert” 2019-2022 (Principal investigator)

CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 18BPCR-89100 “Soiling on mirrors for CSP technologies under the Atacama conditions” 2019-2021 (Principal investigator)

CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 17BPE-73748 “Reflectivity of Atacama Desert and its effect on the Bifacial Solar Modules” 2018-2020 (Principal investigator)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1171690 “Southern Hemisphere Climate System Response to Stratospheric Ozone Depletion” 2017-2020 (Co-investigator)

CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 16BPE2-66227 “Ensuring the Quality of Radiometric and Photometric Measurements in Chile” 2017-2019 (Principal investigator)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1161460 “Characterization of Low Clouds over the Antarctic Peninsula and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS)” 2016-2019 (Co-investigator)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, National Tender Process for Team Research Projects (Anillos) in Science and Technology, Preis ACT1410 “Black Carbon in the Andean Cryosphere” 2016-2019 (Project Director)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1151034 “Reflectivity of Antarctica” 2015-2019 (Principal investigator)

INACH (Chile) Instituto Antárctico Chileno, Preis RT_32-15 “Spectral Radiance in the Antarctic Peninsula”, 2016-2019 (Principal investigator)

FONDEQUIP (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis EQM150050 “Characterization of Clouds in the Antarctic Peninsula and the Southern Ocean”, 2016-2017 (Principal investigator)

FONDEF (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis ID15I10623 “Development of sensors for surface and UAV-born monitoring of albedo”, 2016-2018 (Co-investigator)

CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 15BPE-47233 “Short wave solar spectrum in Northern Chile” 2015-2017 (Co-investigator)

CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 15BP-45364 “Soiling effect on PV modules in Northern Chile” 2015-2017 (Principal investigator)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1140239 “Influence of the solar activity on the polar environment” 2014-2017 (Co-investigator)

CORFO (Chile) Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, Preis 14BPC4-28651 “UV-related degradation of PV technologies under the extreme conditions in Northern Chile” 2014-2016 (Principal investigator)

FONDEF (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis IT13I10034 “National Standards for Shortwave radiation and for UV doses”, 2014-2016 (Principal investigator)

FONDEQUIP (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis EQM130027 “Multichannel Spectroradiometer for Ozone and UV monitoring in Antarctica”, 2013-2014 (Principal investigator)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1120639 “Development of a UV Reconstruction Model” 2012-2015 (Principal investigator)

CONACYT (México) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 180654 “Investigación e Implementación de Técnicas Ópticas en la evaluación de Propiedades Mecánicas de Materiales” 2012-2015 (Co-investigator)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, National Tender Process for Team Research Projects (Anillos) in Science and Technology, Preis ACT98 “Surface Spectral UV Radiation and UV-Linked Effects on Endemic Species” 2010-2013 (Project Director)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, National Tender Process for Team Research Projects (Anillos) in Science and Technology, Preis ACT95 “Nano and Micromechanics of Soft Matter systems” 2010-2013 (Associate researcher)

FONDECYT POSTDOC (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 3110159 “On Climate change-related effects on surface UV radiation in Antarctica: development of a Ground-based UV Reconstruction Model” 2010-2013 (Sponsor)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 1090471 “Two-Term Integrity Assessment Methodologies: Studying the Out-Of-Plane Constraint Loss and Comparing Outcomes With Whole-Field Interferometric Measurements” 2009-2012 (Co-investigator)

FONDECYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 11080072 “Setting up a portable double monochromator-based spectroradiometer system for ground-based solar UV radiation measurements” 2010-2012 (Principal investigator)

FONDAP (Chile) Preis 11980002 “Centro de Investigacion Interdisciplinaria Avanzada en Ciencias de los Materiales (CIMAT)” 2009-2010 (Associate Researcher)

CONACYT (México) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Preis 48286-F “Interferometría de moteado para contorneo y análisis optico 3D” 2007-2009 (Co-investigator)

SCOUT-O3 (European Community) Stratosphere-Climate Links with Emphasis on the UTLS (Comp. 4: UV Radiation)”, “2006-2009 (Associate scientist)

CONCYTEG (México) Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Guanajuato, Preis 05-04-K117-037 “Interferometría de moteado para análisis optico” 2005-2006 (Co-investigator)

CONCYTEG (México) Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología Estado de Guanajuato, Preis 04-04-K117-011 “Medición de deformación 3D por Interferometría de moiré y de moteado” 2004-2005 (Co- investigator)

International collaboration

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología – DFG (Germany) Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. “Chilean contribution to SouthTrac, Preis DFG190004” 2020-2021 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología – Institut Fuer Meteorologie und Klimatologie (Universitaet Hannover, Germany) Preis REDES180158 ”Association with the University of Hannover (Germany)” 2019-2021 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - BMBF (Germany) Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Preis PCCI20130041 “Downwelling and Upwelling Radiance”, 2014-2016 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología – Institut Fuer Meteorologie und Klimatologie (Universitaet Hannover, Germany) Preis REDES130047 ”Association with the University of Hannover (Germany)” 2013-2014 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - BMBF (Germany) Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Preis 236-2010 “Solare Strahlung auf der antarktischen Halbinsel: Abschätzung der Auswirkungen von Wolken und Albedo”, 2011-2013 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - DAAD (Germany) Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, Preis 257-2010 “Solare Strahldichte auf der antarktischen Halbinsel”, 2011-2013 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - CONACYT (Mexico) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia Y Tecnología, Preis 2009–090 “Analisis de los Mecanismos de Deformacion de Cuticulas de Frutas Mediante Tecnicas de Interferometria Laser”, 2010-2012 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - BMBF (Germany) Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Preis 2008–096 “Setting up a high quality portable spectroradiometer system for solar UV radiation”, 2009-2011 (Main researcher)

CONICYT (Chile) Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - DAAD (Germany) Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, Preis 2008–142 “Messung der spektralen Bestrahlungsstärke im UV Bereich: Abschätzung von hemisphärische Unterschiede” , 2009-2011 (Main researcher)

Mentor for Postdocs

1. Dr. Thomas Loriaux, Ph.D., University of Bristol, United Kingdom. Postdoc at the Departamento de Física, Universidad de Santiago, Chile, 2021-2022

2. Dr. Susana Fernandez, Dr. rer. nat., University of Bern, Switzerland. Postdoc at the Departamento de Física, Universidad de Santiago, Chile, 2017-2018

3. Dr. Pedro Llanillo, Doctorat en Ciencies del Mar, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Postdoc at the Departamento de Física, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile, 2015-2019

4. Dr. Penny Rowe, Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of Washington, USA. Postdoc at the Departamento de Física, Universidad de Santiago, Chile, 2014-2016

5. Dr. Miguel León, Doctor en Optica, Centro de Investigaciones en Optica, Mexico. Postdoc at the Departamento de Física, Universidad de Santiago, Chile, 2014-2017

6. Dr. Alessandro Damiani, Doctor in Polar Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Siena, Italy. Postdoc at the Universidad de Santiago, Chile, 2010-2013.

Theses

1. Characterization of the thermodynamic phase of clouds in Antarctica: “Caracterización de las fases de la termodinámica de las nubes en Antártica”, Fernanda Cabello, Finished 2023, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
2. Validation of OMPS-LP-derived Ozone Profiles by using Balloon-borne Ozonesondes: “Validación de derivados satelitales de perfiles atmosféricos de ozono en Antártica mediante uso de ozonosondas”, Edgardo Sepúlveda, Finished 2021, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
3. Soiling effect on photovoltaics: “Medición del efecto de la acumulación de polvo en paneles fotovoltaicos”, María José Quiroga, Finished 2020, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
4. Bifacial modules in the Atacama Desert: “Estimación de generación eléctrica anual de módulo fotovoltaico bifacial en localidad de Diego de Almagro”, Nicole Torres, Finished 2020, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
5. "Measurement of the morphology of isolate particles by using Interferometric techniques", Juan Rayas, Finished 2017, Doctor in Engineering Sciences (Material Science), Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
6. Optical Holography: "Aplicación de Holografía Digital para la recuperación de la topografía de cutículas vegetales", Natalia Salazar, Finished-2014, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
7. Ultraviolet Radiation effect on Polimers "Efectos de la Radiación UV en las propiedades Opticas de Biopolimeros", Mario Tobar, Finished-2014, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
8. New proposals for Teaching Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation: “Propuesta de Enseñanza del Contenido de Ozono y Radiación UV para Tercer Año de Enseñanza Media”, Gladys Osorio, Daniela Gaete y Patricia Romante, Finished-2014, Bachelor of Education, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
9. Ultraviolet Radiation effect on the biosphere: “Estudio del Efecto de la Radiación UV en la Permeabilidad de Hojas de Limón”, Jorge Muñoz, Finished-2013, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
10. New proposals for Teaching Climate and Energy: “Desarrollo de Webquests asociadas a la problemática clima-energía”, Gonzalo Guerrero, Ariel Moraga, Bárbara Pizarro, Finished-2012, Bachelor of Education, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).
11. Reference spectroradiometer for ground-based measurements of the short wave spectrum: “Desarrollo de un Instrumento de Referencia para Mediciones Absolutas de Radiación de onda corta”, Francisca Quiroz, Finished-2011, Engineering in Applied Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, (Supervisor: R. Cordero).

I place high priority on disseminating the results of my research to the wider community. Hence, in addition to my research activities, I have paid particular attention to building bridges between science and society as well as communicating complex research findings to decision makers. In Chile, for example, I forged strong ties with the Chilean Ministry of Energy, the Chilean Weather Service (DMC), and the Chilean Agency for Water Resources (DGA), which partially funded the research activities of my group over the last decade. My efforts to better characterize the year-to-year variability of the Andean snow cover contributed to advancing seasonal streamflow forecasts in the Santiago basin, the most populated basin in Chile.

I am committed to providing a scientifically sound foundation for debate and policy development on climate change adaptation and hazard risk mitigation, as well as to engaging the public. I have made use of a mix of communication channels including written media, YouTube©, and social networks. I have been a frequent guest at Spanish-speaking news channels and I have been quoted and interviewed dozens of times (per year) by national and international media.

In addition, in close collaboration with colleagues from the Jackson Lab at Stanford University, I co-organized three full seasons of a Spanish Language seminar series featuring researchers from both American and Latin American universities aimed at reaching a broad Spanish speaking audience. I am personally in charge of the twitter account, @AntarcticaCL, that not only provides information on the activities of my group but also promotes climate change awareness. @AntarcticaCL has currently over 63,000 followers and is likely one of the most influential Science Communication and Outreach twitter accounts in Spanish language.