Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Sustainability

During my undergraduate studies, I developed my career as an agricultural engineer, specializing in field radiometry, participating as a student in 4 FONDECYT projects. In a complementary way, I obtained my Master's degree (2) (see the CV of the Researcher) with the "Guillermo Blanco" academic excellence scholarship, carrying out studies in remote sensing (TIR / Multispectral data), publishing this research as a main author (DOI: 10.3390/w10030339). Based on these discoveries, I was awarded the Research Valorization project at the University (VIU), "Geoinformatics platform for monitoring the vigor and water consumption of fruit trees and vines" ANID-VIU18P0132. Subsequently, I carried out my doctoral studies in Digital Agriculture with special emphasis on remote sensing (TIR) and low-cost spatialized wireless networks (WSN) with funding from the National Research and Development Agency ANID. Within the framework of my doctoral studies, I did a research internship at the “Escuela Superior de Ingenieros Agronomos y de Montes”, Albacete, Spain, receiving instruction in i) the use of portable and fixed thermal sensors ii) calibration of thermal devices iii) unmanned aerial vehicles and iv) image processing, developing two publications (10.1109/ica-acca.2018.8609861 and 10.1109/ica-acca.2018.8609822). In a complementary way, I participated in the project "The eye in the Sky, Naturaliza-T", giving talks to students in the 4th year of ESO and 1st year of Bachiller. Product of the generation of new knowledge I was invited to participate as an Associate Researcher in the initiatives; i) Image processing in fruit and vegetable products applied to an automated hydroponic greenhouse, National University of Asunción and ii) Increased efficiency and care of water through joint experiences among the communities of Sonora Mexico and Linares Chile, University of Sonora. The aforementioned projects allowed for the purchase of equipment and the development of skills for designing, implementing, and testing low-cost wireless sensor networks (WSN). The completion of this Doctoral work allowed the publication of 3 ISI articles (main- and co-author), 4 SCOPUS articles, and the participation in 4 projects (2 national/2 international). After graduation, I joined the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (Universidad de Talca) as a postdoctoral researcher in the initiatives "Optimization of the spatial distribution of crop water requirements based on remote sensing and cellular automata model (NSFC-190013) and Development of a smart satellite and meteorological decision support platform to improve water resources management in agriculture under drought and climate change conditions” (ANID-FSEQ-210004) (verifiable in the CV of the Researcher). Finally, in 2022, I was hired by the University of Talca at the Interdisciplinary Research Institute (I3) as a researcher in the Digital Agriculture area. In this position, I have developed: i) 3 projects ANID-FOVI220031, ANIDREDES190072, and FIC-MAULE 400363340, ii) 1 international training internship in CSIC, Valencia, iii) Publications and theses (9 articles SCOPUS published, 2 ISI articles under review, 12 theses) and IV) participation as a Chair in Digital Agriculture at the IEEE ICA-ACCA International Congress, 2022. “For the Development of Sustainable Agricultural Systems” (IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

During my scientific career, I have participated in various activities with the aim of contributing to the community through the dissemination of science and technology to promote the efficient use of water. In this sense, since June 2015, I have participated as an active member of Rotary International (ID: 8793641), leading the intervention group for peasant family agriculture in the local community. Due to previous work, I was appointed member of the technical advisory committee of the Rotary Foundation in the line "water and sanitation" (2021-2025), being distinguished with the PHF award (2020-21). To date, these actions have benefited 1,546 direct and indirect beneficiaries. In the same way, I have been in permanent connection with the local communities through the promotion of training programs together with the municipalities of Linares and Parral (7666 direct and indirect beneficiaries), the Lontué River Surveillance Board and the Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP), making it possible to carry out programs funded to promote international cooperation, water use efficiency and the development and implementation of new low-cost technologies based on the Internet of Things. Additionally, thanks to the skills developed in the study of the thermal properties of objects and remote sensing, also I have collaborated with the Armed Forces of public order and security (Army and Chilean Police) through activities with the community and instructional courses oriented to the use of TIR technology. It is important to highlight that these activities have allowed the development of a range of competencies and skills that are highly relevant to the proposed research status. These skills include communication, collaboration, project management, and innovation, and they will be crucial for developing this research that addresses the critical issue of sustainable water management.