Florencio Utreras
Director
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florencio.utreras@copernicuslac-chile.eu
He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the Université Grenoble-I (France) and a degree in Mathematical Engineering from the University of Chile. He was the executive director of the Latin American Cooperation of Advanced Networks (RedCLARA) and director of the BELLA-T Project. His areas of expertise are telecommunications and applied mathematics (Spline Functions, Ripples, Approximation).
Jaime Ortega
Scientific Director
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jaime.ortega@copernicuslac-chile.eu
He holds a PhD in Mathematical Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), and a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Concepción. He is a full professor in the Department of Mathematical Engineering and principal investigator at the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) of the University of Chile.
Macarena Pérez
Executive Coordinator
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macarena.perez@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Geographer and Master in Human Settlements from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC). She teaches Planning and Territorial Management at PUC and participates in training programs in geomatics and disaster risk management.
She has served as Director of Outreach at the Institute for Disaster Resilience (ITREND) and Executive Secretary of IDE Chile. Between 2017 and 2021, she held roles in the field of Global Geospatial Information (UN-GGIM), including Rapporteur of the Committee of Experts and Vice-Chair of UN-GGIM Americas.
Luis Morales
Scientific Advisor - Land Cover and Use
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lmorales@dim.uchile.cl
He holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from the University of Concepción and is a professor of Physics and Natural Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He is an associate professor at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Chile.
Pablo Sarricolea
Scientific advisor - Urban Atlas
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psarricolea@uchilefau.cl
He holds a PhD in Geography, Territorial Planning, and Environmental Management, a Master's degree in Applied Climatology, and a Master's degree in Territorial Planning and Environmental Management from the University of Barcelona (Spain). He also holds a Master's degree in Geography and is a Geographer from the University of Chile. He is an Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Geography at the University of Chile and an Adjunct Researcher at the Center for Climate Science and Resilience (CR)2. His research focuses on remote sensing, urban climatology, and climate change, employing geostatistical and classification techniques using artificial intelligence. His work aims to generate products derived from remote sensors and drones and to understand the significant socio-climatic inequalities within cities.
Valentin Barriere
Scientific Advisor on Artificial Intelligence
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He holds a degree in Aerospace Telecommunications Engineering and a PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chile, specializing in Multimodal Machine Learning. He currently directs three ANID R&D projects, including “An AI system for nation-wide agricultural production monitoring based on crowd-sourced and remote-sensing data,” which focuses on developing foundational models for remote sensing in agricultural monitoring.
vbarriere@dim.uchile.cl
Franco Buglio
Coordinator of the Geomatics Laboratory
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A geologist from the University of Chile, with experience in geospatial data analysis, satellite information processing, and water resource assessment. His work has focused on the integrated management of climate, hydrological, and territorial data to support decision-making in the context of climate change.
franco.buglio@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Nicole Montenegro
Expert in Atmospheric Geomatics
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She holds a PhD in Atmospheric Sciences from Paris-Saclay University (UPS–LSCE), a Master's degree in Climate and Atmosphere from the University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA), a Master's degree in Global Change from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and a Bachelor's degree in Renewable Natural Resources Engineering from the University of Chile. She specializes in estimating greenhouse gas sources and sinks through atmospheric modeling and inversion, integrating satellite and surface observations. She participates in the Global Methane Budget (GMB) scientific initiative.
nicole.montenegro@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Ariel Russell
Remote sensing specialist (Forests)
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A graduate of the Renewable Natural Resources Engineering program at the University of Chile, he specializes in geomatics applied to multispectral satellite imagery, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Polarimetric SAR (PolSAR), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and general environmental monitoring and tracking. He is also an active member of the IEEE GRSS Chile Joint Chapter (Chile/Southern Chile).
ariel.russell@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Francisca Gutiérrez
Remote sensing specialist (Urban Atlas)
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Geographer and graduate in Geography from the University of Chile. Her area of specialization is remote sensing, territorial analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), working in the analysis of multispectral satellite and radar images with applications for the urban environment and climate change.
francisca.gutierrez@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Camila Gomez
Remote Sensing Specialist (Land Cover and Use)
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She holds a Master's degree in Geography of Global Change from Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) and a degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Geography from the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH). She also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict and Development from the Open University (United Kingdom). Her areas of expertise include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, territorial analysis, and Environmental Impact Assessments. She is a member of the Chilean Association of Feminist Geographers and Women+ in Geospatial.
camila.gomez@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Paula Copelli
Remote Sensing Specialist (Land Cover and Use)
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A geographer from the University of Chile, she has experience in processing satellite data to generate land use and land cover maps for classification using Artificial Intelligence. She also has experience with GIS automation using Python applied to mining and ecosystem classification.
paula.copelli@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Gabriela Jerez
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
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An Agricultural Engineer (PUC) and Master in Artificial Intelligence (PUC), specializing in data science, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis applied to environmental issues. Her areas of expertise include the integration of territorial data and the development of AI-based models for generating environmental information.
Lucas Amezquita
Remote Sensing Specialist (Oceans)
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Master's degree in Business Management from the University of Chile and a degree in Renewable Natural Resources Engineering from the same institution. He has experience in applying geomatics to the development of operational solutions.
lucas.amezquita@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Marina Hernandez
Remote Sensing Specialist (Oceans)
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She holds a PhD (c) in Geography from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, a Master's degree in Coastal and Estuarine Management from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, and a Bachelor's degree in Marine Sciences from the University of Cádiz. Her areas of specialization are the coastal environment, processes of change, and risks.
marina.hernandez@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Daniela Rojas
Remote Sensing Specialist (Oceans)
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daniela.rojas@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Master in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and Marine Biologist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC).
She has experience in applying machine learning to obtain chlorophyll in Antarctica and in processing satellite images for the detection and mapping of macroalgae.
Ruben Garcia
IT Manager
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Master's degree in Data Science from Universidad San Sebastián, Master of Engineering Management from Universidad de los Andes, and Computer and Information Systems Engineer from Universidad Andrés Bello. Twice winner of the 'Connecting Ideas' open innovation competition of the Chilean Chamber of Construction, his areas of expertise are data science, artificial intelligence, management, and technological innovation.
ruben.garcia@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Carla Sepulveda
IT Project Leader
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Computer Engineer, with experience in functional leadership of IT teams and PMO role, focused on the management, planning and control of technological projects.
carla.sepulveda@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Ariel Vejar
Development Factory Leader
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Computer and Information Systems Engineer from the Catholic University of the North. Possesses experience and ongoing specialization in development full stack and project management, performing their role in different work environments, from mining to health and education.
ariel.vejar@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Benjamin Venegas
IT Infrastructure Leader
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A Network and Communications Engineer from the Professional Institute of Chile, his areas of specialization are IT systems administration, servers, virtualization and cybersecurity.
benjamin.venegas@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Kai Klingenberg
Senior Geospatial Applications Developer Engineer
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A Civil Engineer specializing in Computer Science from the Austral University of Chile, with experience in software development and architecture, as well as systems engineering. His areas of interest in computer science theory include functional programming and type theory. Regarding the practical aspects of engineering, he specializes in DevOps, systems monitoring, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
kai.klingenberg@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Boris Leighton
Geospatial Data and AI Development Engineer
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Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Physics Engineering from the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH). Candidate for a Master's degree in Computer Science from Maharishi International University (MIU), Fairfield, Iowa, USA. His areas of expertise and interest include teaching, experimental physics, full-stack web software development, real-time data acquisition, processing and transmission, hardware and software connectivity, and embedded systems.
boris.leighton@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Sebastian Brzovic
Geospatial application development engineer
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Civil Engineer in Computer Science from the University of Chile. He has experience and specialization in data visualization, data science, and software development.
sebastian.brzovic@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Verónica Lecaros
Communications Manager
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She holds a Master's degree in Strategic Communication from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, is a journalist, and has a Bachelor's degree in Social Communication from the University of Chile. Throughout her career, she has specialized in science communication, public relations, and digital communication, working primarily in research centers, NGOs, and projects funded by the National Research and Development Agency (ANID).
veronica.lecaros@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Fernanda Calderara
Designer
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Master's degree in Social Communication with a specialization in Communication and Education from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and graphic designer from Diego Portales University. Illustrator specializing in accessibility.
fernanda.calderara@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Scarlette Araya
Journalist
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A journalist and graduate in Social Communication from the University of Santiago, Chile, specializing in strategic communication and institutional management. She has worked in the development and execution of communication plans for academic, cultural, and scientific organizations, with experience in crisis management, brand positioning, and the production of digital and audiovisual content.
scarlette.araya@copernicuslac-chile.eu
Ricardo Núñez-Morales
Training Manager
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Master's degree in Social Communication, specializing in Communication and Education, from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and Audiovisual Communicator with a specialization in Film from UNIACC University. He also holds diplomas in Strategic Marketing (UAI) and in the Creation of Board Games and Educational Materials.
He has led digital training projects and the production of educational content in higher education and the public sector.
His areas of interest include educational communication, e-learning, instructional design, and the use of AI in training processes.
ricardo.nunez@copernicuslac-chile.eu
María Victoria Catipillan
Marketing and Sales Manager
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Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the Federico Santa María Technical University and Industrial Civil Engineer from the University of Santiago de Chile. Her areas of specialization are the management of R&D&I projects, technical-economic evaluation, business development and analysis of market opportunities linked to the scientific-technological ecosystem.
maria.catipillan@copernicuslac-chile.eu