1. Can you describe your role in the SDSS collaboration and what you enjoy most about it?
I am a PhD student working on the fitting of SDSS optical spectra for sources detected in X-rays with eROSITA. I also provide catalogs with information of the objects selected by eROSITA that were followed-up by SDSS within the program SPIDERS. I really enjoy working in an open and supportive environment as the SDSS community!
2. Can you tell us about your educational background and how you got interested in the field of astronomy/astrophysics?
I got interested in astronomy in High School in Brazil when a physics professor taught us about the basics of stellar evolution and brought the telescope to our school so we could observe the planets at night. Then I did my Bachelor in Physics and my Masters in Astronomy at the University of São Paulo. During my Master’s, I didn’t have access to private data from any telescope, so I used public SDSS data to do my research. Nowadays, I’m working to provide high-quality data to make them available to the public, so more people like me can do impactful science, even if they are in countries or institutes with fewer privileges.
3. What projects are you currently working on and what are you most excited about?
I work mainly with SPIDERS, a project within the Black Hole Mapper where we observe sources detected in X-rays by eROSITA. I am very interested in multiwavelength studies, so understanding Active Galactic Nuclei (growing supermassive black holes in the center of galaxies) by accessing X-ray and optical information is very exciting!
4. Can you describe how you balance work and personal life, and what advice would you give to someone just starting in the field?
I prioritize my rest to be energized and focused when working. So I avoid working until very late or during the weekends, and to do that, I deal with my deadlines in advance so I don’t have to deal with high loads of stress.
5. Can you share with us a unique hobby or interest that you have outside of work?
I love dancing and being in contact with nature. I also practice yoga and meditation regularly.