¡Saludos! I am a postdoctoral scholar at Florida State University (Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science) and the University of Toronto (Physics Department). I am currently co-supervised by Prof. Morgan E. O’Neill and Prof. Allison A. Wing. Through my current position I am able to leverage observational datasets attained throughout the Process Investigation of Clouds and Convective Organization over the atLantic Ocean (PICCOLO) field campaign in 2024 to assess the thermodynamics of tropical convection within the east Atlantic Ocean Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). More specifically, I assess the role that precipitation induced dissipation plays in the energetics of the atmosphere. Through this position I also continue to explore the thermodynamic structure of easterly waves (EWs) over the east Atlantic Ocean ITCZ.

As a PhD student in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M). I worked with my advisor, Dr. Ángel Adames Corraliza, studying tropical dynamics, thermodynamics, and climate. My work specifically looks into the thermodynamic structure of EWs and their representation in global climate models/simulations (GCMs). If you are interested in learning more about my research feel free to read more about it in the “Research Projects” tab!

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where I fell in love with the atmosphere. I spent the first years of my undergraduate education at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), where I studied Theoretical Physics with a Curricular Sequence in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology. At UPRM I was part of the local American Meteorological Society (AMS) Chapter where I worked in the officer team as Historian (2014-2015), Vice President (2015-2016) and Outreach Committee Leader (2016-2017). During my years as an undergraduate student, I participated from summer research experiences that nurtured my love for research.

I was able to participate from these experiences as a protégé of the Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) Program (2015, 2016 and 2017 summers). During my first two summers with SOARS I worked at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) studying the initiation and early development of the MJO. During my last SOARS summer I worked at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) investigating the Ocean and Atmospheric Transport leading to Arctic Amplification.

During my time in SOARS and at UPRM I was able to work with historically underrepresented communities and witnessed the lack of representation within the geosciences. Ever since these early years I have made it one of my main goals to mentor other students, especially those from underrepresented communities, that are interested in applying to research experiences, graduate school and graduate fellowships. If you are reading this and are an undergraduate/graduate student interested in applying to some of these and want advice and or help, please visit the “Internados de Verano/Summer Internships tab” or send me a message in the “Contact” tab (information on grad school and fellowships under preparation)! Because I believe science should be accessible to all, I include information in this page in both English and Spanish!

All of these experiences have revealed my desire to pursue avenues where I can leverage my skills to continue researching, teaching science, and mentoring others. Through my representation and work I hope to contribute to efforts dedicated to the pursuit of a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, just, and welcoming environment within the geosciences, in which students from all backgrounds can thrive and become assets to the field. Through my position I aim to inspire others to do the same. In addition, I aspire to conduct research that will directly benefit the Caribbean region, where I grew up and fell in love with the atmospheric sciences.