Science • Journalism • Public Engagement

Thought Leadership, Science Journalism & Public Engagement

A sustained public leadership record spanning national science journalism, scientific communication, STEM demonstration and international public speaking — led by a decade of regular authorship for Revista ESPACIO (100+ articles).

100+ Articles • 10 Years Columnist
100+
Articles in Revista ESPACIO
10 Years
Monthly Columnist (2005–2015)
Pint of Science
Invited Speaker 2017 & 2018
ASAAF-UCM
President (2004) & Coordinator

1. Science Journalism & Editorial — Revista ESPACIO (2005–2015)

Editorial Grupo V • ISSN: M-52803-2004

Featured Science Columnist & Regular Writer (100+ Published Articles)

A 10-year track record making frontier astrophysics, space exploration, and optical technology accessible across Spain and Latin America.

📰 Monthly National Print Run 🔭 Telescopes & Detectors 🚀 Space Missions & Deep Tech

For a full decade, authored monthly long-form features, instrument reviews, observational guides, and breakthrough analyses for Revista ESPACIO, Spain's leading commercial astronomy and space exploration publication. The articles translated complex concepts in astrophysics, adaptive optics, supermassive black holes, exoplanet detections, and space engineering into compelling, rigorous, and visually rich narratives for broad audiences.

Core Thematic Pillars Covered Across 100+ Publications:
Astrophysics & Cosmology Black holes, active galactic nuclei (AGN), stellar evolution, and cosmic microwave background.
Optical Technology & AO Adaptive Optics systems, diffraction-limited imaging, EMCCD detectors, and interferometry.
Space Exploration & Payloads Orbital satellite missions, planetary exploration probes, and spaceborne infrared detectors.
Observational Instrumentation Large-aperture telescopes (GTC, WHT, VLT), spectrographs, and observational techniques.

2. Association Presidency & Public Astronomical Observations

Executive Leadership • UCM

President of ASAAF-UCM (2004)

Elected President of the Asociación de Astrónomos Aficionados at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, directing student activities, telescopes management, and institutional university collaborations.

Public Observation Event • UCM

Public Annular Solar Eclipse Campaign (2005)

Coordinated the massive public astronomical observation of the Annular Solar Eclipse on October 3, 2005, in direct collaboration with the Physics Faculty of Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

OTRI-UCM Observation Campaign

Public Lunar Eclipse Campaigns (2003 & 2004)

Organized public night-time telescopic observations during the total lunar eclipses of November 8, 2003 (III Semana de la Ciencia, OTRI-UCM) and November 2004 with ASAAF-UCM.

Course Director • ASAAF

Curso de Iniciación a la Astronomía (2004)

Course Coordinator and Lecturer offering astronomy fundamentals, celestial sphere mechanics, telescope optics, and hands-on observational sessions for university students.

Optics Workshop • ASAAF

Taller de Telescopios e Instrumentación (2004)

Hands-on practical workshop teaching mirror alignment (collimation), mount mechanics, focal adjustments, and optical sensor calibration for amateur and student astronomers.

Youth Science Education

Divulgación para Niños y Jóvenes

Design and coordination of educational astronomy excursions, daytime solar observations, night star parties, and experimental physics workshops for youth groups.

3. Science Fairs, STEM Demonstrators & Semana de la Ciencia

ASAAF-UCM Interactive STEM Project Feria Madrid por la Ciencia

De la Propulsión Ecológica al Planetario en 3D

Project Coordinators: Sergio Velasco Muñoz & Javier Mejuto González. Designed and directed interactive experiences:

  • Cohetes de Agua (Propulsión Ecológica): Demonstrating Newton's 3rd Law of Motion (action-reaction) with pneumatic pressurized water rocket launches reaching up to 80m altitude.
  • Espectrógrafos (Las Luces que no Vemos): Diffraction grating demonstrators decomposing white light and revealing atomic spectral absorption lines.
  • Planetario Digital en 3D: Virtual celestial navigation and spatial orientation simulator for the public.
Co-authored didactic guide published by SM View Full Didactic Guide (PDF)
UCM Dept. of Optics & Laser Beams Physics Faculty

Óptica: Lo Inusual de lo Cotidiano (Desde el Agua Azucarada al CD)

Collaboration with the Grupo de Óptica Física y Haces Láser (UCM Faculty of Physics). Developed experimental demonstrators explaining wave optics and light properties using accessible everyday materials:

  • "Atardeceres" en un Vaso de Agua con Leche: Rayleigh scattering demonstration showing why daylight appears blue while sunsets shift to deep red depending on scattering angle and particulate concentration.
  • Polarización & Actividad Óptica: Optical rotation of polarized laser beams traversing sugar solutions.
  • Interferometría y Difracción con CDs: Micro-groove diffraction grating analysis.
Collaborator: Sergio Velasco Muñoz View Full Optics Guide (PDF)
VI Feria Madrid por la Ciencia (2005) Taller de Astronomía

"Preparando el Eclipse Anular", "Buscando OBNIS" y "El Sol en una caja" en el stand de la UCM.

OTRI Certificate (PDF)
V Feria Madrid por la Ciencia (2004) Mirando Hacia el Futuro Espacial

Organization and public presentation at IFEMA stand representing Facultad de Ciencias Físicas UCM.

OTRI Certificate (PDF)
Feria de la Ciencia Canarias (2013) Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Institutional outreach on behalf of Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC).

IAC Certificate (PDF)
Feria de la Ciencia Canarias (2013) Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Interactive astrophysics and solar physics workshops for Canary Islands students.

IAC Certificate (PDF)

4. Pint of Science España & Public Keynotes

Invited Speaker • IAC May 14–16, 2018

Pint of Science Festival 2018 (Tenerife)

Official keynote presentation representing Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) at Aguere Cultural, translating complex Adaptive Optics and high-resolution imaging to the general public.

Coordinación Nacional POS España Official Diploma (PDF)
Invited Speaker • IAC May 15–17, 2017

Pint of Science Festival 2017 (Las Palmas)

Keynote conference at Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, breaking down astronomical instrument development and diffraction-limited imaging.

Coordinación Nacional POS España Official Diploma (PDF)
Comunidad de Madrid • 440 Hours Official Qualification 2001–2010 (10 Years)

Summer Camp Director & Youth Activity Coordinator

Over a decade of youth leadership directing summer camps (ages 7–18) across Spain. Certified Coordinador de Tiempo Libre (2006, 200h theory + 240h practice) overseeing safety protocols, English immersion programs (2007, 2008), and Nautical camps (2006), acting as camp evaluator expert (2009, 2010).

Escuela San Agustín • D.G. Juventud Madrid View Coordinator Diploma (PDF)