Research Interests
Field Geology: Salar de la Isla, Atacama Region (June, 2026)
Energetic Convergence Nodes (ECN)
A central discovery of our current research is the conceptualization of Energetic Convergence Nodes (ECN) within hydrothermal systems. By integrating thermodynamic modeling and genome-resolved metagenomics, we demonstrate that microbial communities in these specific niches could prioritize metabolic flexibility over the maximization of energy yields.
High-Andean Hydrothermal and Non-Hydrothermal Systems
Our primary research occurs across the latitudinal gradient of Chile, focusing on high-altitude extreme environments. We systematically characterize non-hydrothermal basins like Salar de Huasco, alongside active hydrothermal systems including Pampa Lirima, Campanario, and Liquiñe, to extract quantitative data on microbial survival limits.
Field Geology: Lirima Hydrothermal System, Tarapacá Region (November, 2023)
Thermodynamic Modeling and Genomics
We utilize advanced computational modeling (PHREEQC, CHNOSZ) coupled with aqueous and isotopic geochemistry. This data is directly integrated with microbial genomic analyses (shotgun metagenomics and 16S rRNA sequencing) to provide a predictive framework for microbial ecology based on thermodynamic first principles.
From Field to Data
Field Sampling
Laboratory Analysis
Data Integration
Systematic collection of geological, aqueous, and biological samples from extreme high-Andean environments, maintaining strict protocols for anoxic and trace-element integrity.
Execution of aqueous geochemistry procedures, stable isotope measurements, and DNA extraction for next-generation sequencing.
Statistical computing, thermodynamic speciation modeling, and bioinformatics to reconstruct metabolic pathways and community assembly constraints.
Explore the full archive of published research and conference proceedings.