Credit: The BACCO simulation project

Daniela Grandón

Theoretical Cosmologist & Data Scientist | Leiden University

Daniela Grandón

I am a physicist specializing in the intersection of theoretical cosmology and data science. My research focuses on the statistical analysis of non-Gaussian cosmic fields and the development of robust Bayesian frameworks and machine learning methods for cosmological inference. My final goal is to elucidate fundamental physics about the Universe, such as the nature of dark energy, dark matter and inflation. I utilize real data from galaxy cataloges, and state-of-the-art cosmological simulations. I co-lead the Higher Order Statistics Topical Team within LSST-DESC, and co-lead the Data Release 1 Euclid cosmological analysis using weak lensing higher-order statistics. I am also a timezone representative of the International Astrostatistics Association, among other leadship roles. In 2022, I was honored with the L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" Prize in Chile.

Bio

I hold a PhD in Physics from the Universidad de Chile, where my work focused on novel statistical approaches and machine learning techniques to analyzing the weak lensing field and constraining dark energy models. During my PhD I spent 3 months as a visiting researcher at Kavli IPMU, Japan. Prior to my PhD, I obtained my undergraduate degree in Physics at Instituto de Física y Astronomía (UV) in the beautiful city of Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Currently I am a postdoc at the Mathematical Institute of Leiden University in Dr. Elena Sellentin's group. My research focuses on Bayesian frameworks to mitigate the impact of systematics on cosmological probes, to leverage the constraining power of Stage IV cosmological surveys.

Research

Find my publications in ORCID, ADS

I actively contribute to international collaborations, including:

Mentoring

Below is a list of students I have supervised:

Teaching

Lecturer

Invited Lecturer

Teaching Assistant

Certification

Introduction to University Teaching (54 hours)– Universidad de Chile (2021)

Talks

Outreach

Beyond research, I am an advocate for diversity in STEM, actively mentoring young researchers and promoting scientific outreach. I'm a mentor in the Supernova Foundation, a mentoring program for women in physics. I'm also a mentor in the Academia Into Space, the first free and online academia in astronomy in Latin America.

Despite living abroad, I organize in-person outreach activities in Chile and especially in my hometown, Villa Alemana (German village, in english, also known as the city of mills). In 2023, I was named a Distinguished Citizen by the Municipality's council. If you are interested in organizing outreach activities with me, please get in touch!

Recent outreach activities:

  • Interview "Zig Zag de Einstein" for the Academia Into Space (in Spanish).
  • Public talk "Cosmología con el satélite espacial Euclid", Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Perú.
  • Interview for Let's Get Physical TXS Radio
  • School talk ”Tras las huellas de la materia oscura”, Liceo Juan XXIII, Villa Alemana.
  • Public talk ”Tras las huellas de la materia oscura”, Mujeres Estelares event, Teatro Pompeya, Villa Alemana.
  • Panelist in Women's forum: Inspiraciencias. Fundación TREMENDAS and Fundación PRODEMU
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