About

I am an astronomer and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where I am a member of the Foord AGN research group.

Research

My research explores how supermassive black holes (SMBHs) grow, interact, and co-evolve with their host galaxies. I use X-ray observations, strong gravitational lensing, and multi-wavelength observations to probe supermassive black hole physics on spatial scales that are otherwise inaccessible.

My current work at UMBC focuses on finding and characterizing compact pairs of supermassive black holes in merging galaxies, across a broad range of black hole and galaxy masses.

Previously, as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (Fall 2024 - August 2026), I developed strong gravitational lensing as a tool for probing the innermost regions of cosmologically distant active SMBHs at milliarcsecond spatial scales.

Using archival X-ray, optical, and radio observations of quadruply lensed quasars, I have been developing methods to localize the origin of AGN emission across different wavelengths. I am now extending these techniques to new Chandra observations of lensed systems awarded through Chandra Cycle 28, and ultimately to much larger samples of lenses discovered by current and next-generation surveys.

Scientific interests

Supermassive black holes
Growth · mergers · accretion · demographics

Strong gravitational lensing
Quasar structure at high-z · jets · dual AGN · AGN outflows

Black hole astrophysics
Accretion physics · Strong gravity · Spin

Fundamental physics
Physics beyond the Standard Model · Dark matter

Future of X-ray astronomy

Since June 2025, I have served as co-chair of the Science Working Group in Cosmology and Fundamental Physics for the NewAthena flagship X-ray observatory, expected to launch in the late 2030s.

In this role, I work with the community to identify and demonstrate the advances that NewAthena will enable in cosmology and fundamental physics. I am also involved in scientific proposals exploring how the mission’s substantially improved collecting area and spectral resolution could transform X-ray studies of active SMBHs, including measurements of SMBH spin demographics and searches for signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model.

In parallel to my involvement within the NewAthena community, I have also exploited science cases for future X-ray concepts proposed to NASA.

From Cambridge to Cambridge to Maryland

Before moving to the United States, I spent almost eight years in the United Kingdom. I completed my Ph.D. in Astronomy at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, in 2024, where my doctoral research used high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of AGN to investigate fundamental physics — including axion-like particles — and the spin of active SMBHs through relativistic X-ray reflection. A copy of my Ph.D. thesis can be accessed here.

Before my Ph.D., I earned a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Manchester, where my research focused on developing an analytic model for predicting the thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich signal of galaxy clusters with different pressure profiles.

Beyond research

I enjoy organizing and participating in science outreach, and have particularly enjoyed taking part in Spanish-speaking outreach events for the local community.

I grew up on the island of Mallorca, Spain, and speak English, Catalan, and Spanish.

When I am not doing research, I enjoy spending time outdoors, visiting art galleries, and dancing.