Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo is ESO’s new Representative in Chile

This month, Spanish astrophysicist Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo became ESO’s new Representative in Chile. She takes over the position from Luis Chavarría, who held the role since 2021. The ESO Representation Office in Chile acts as a bridge between ESO and Chilean society, fostering collaborations with national and local authorities across the host country. De Gregorio-Monsalvo will be the first woman to lead this office. 

“I am honoured for the opportunity to strengthen the longstanding friendship with Chile, working together to explore the Universe while preserving the country’s pristine skies,” says De Gregorio-Monsalvo. “Inspiring future generations of scientists through the power of diversity as a driver of innovation and collaboration is one of my goals. I believe astronomy is a strong force for societal change and development, and I am committed to contribute to solidifying Chile’s position as the world’s astronomy capital.” 

Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo has a PhD in astrophysics from the Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), where she used the NASA Deep Space Network antennas to perform radio astronomy observations and study star formation at centimetre wavelengths. In 2006, she joined ESO as a fellow at the Atacama Large Milimetre/Submilimetre Array (ALMA), when no antennas were yet on site. At that time, her research brought her to many of the facilities instrumental to the development of ALMA, including the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX), the ALMA Operations Support Facilities and the ALMA Test Facility.  

In 2010, she became an ESO Faculty member, focusing her research on the formation of stars, brown dwarfs and planets. To that goal, she joined a newly built ALMA as a Science Operations Astronomer, the first woman to join the Operations team. There, she took part in the telescope’s first light and first operational years, a time she remembers as challenging and very rewarding. She would later hold the position of ALMA Program Manager, leading three teams: the Science Operation Astronomers, the Data Analysts and the ESO and Joint ALMA Observatory Fellows groups.  

In 2018, she became ESO’s Head of the Office for Science in Chile, promoting a stimulating research environment for ESO astronomers and students alike, as well as strengthening the connection between ESO and its host country, Chile. After 18 years at ESO, she now continues her path as ESO’s official Representative in Chile.  

Courtesy of European Southern Observatory