Biogeochemistry of Extreme Terrestrial Ecosystems
Research Interests
Field Geology: Salar de la Isla, Atacama Region (June, 2026)
Energetic Convergence Nodes (ECN)
My recent research identifies Energetic Convergence Nodes in Altiplano hydrothermal systems.
In these specific zones, reduced atmospheric pressure fundamentally alters biogeochemical dynamics.
Thermodynamic modeling demonstrates that microbial communities in these extreme environments prioritize metabolic flexibility over energy yield maximization.
This work establishes quantitative markers of metabolic transitions, identifying where anoxic carbon and sulfur reaction pathways achieve equivalent thermodynamic yields.
Research Focus and Field Expeditions
As a postdoctoral researcher, my trajectory focuses on the biogeochemical processes within high-altitude hydrothermal ecosystems in the Chilean Andes. By integrating thermodynamic modeling with isotopic analyses and molecular microbiology, my work investigates how extreme environmental conditions shape microbial metabolic strategies.
Field Geology: Vulcano, Eolic Islands, Sicily, Italy (July, 2025)
Field Geology: Campanario Hydrothermal System, Maule Region, Chile (April 2023)
Iron-Mediated Metabolisms and Mineral Interactions
My future research expands upon metabolic flexibility to investigate iron-mediated anaerobic metabolisms.
This work will explore how redox-active minerals influence electron transfer efficiency within coupled iron-sulfur biogeochemical cycles.
The goal is to understand the mechanisms underlying anaerobic transformations coupled to metal cycling.
Field Geology: Lirima Hydrothermal System, Tarapacá Region (November, 2023)
Volcanic Environments of Sicily
In July 2025, I conducted field-based training and volcanic fieldwork at Vulcano Island, Sicily, Italy.
This expedition included marine sampling specifically focused on quantifying microbial and geochemical processes in active hydrothermal systems.
Workflow
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.