About me

I am Astrophysicist studying the interplay between star formation and the interstellar medium across nearby galaxies. I currently work at the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional in Madrid and do service activities at the Yebes Observatory. Before that, I worked as a Submillimeter Array Fellow at the Harvard & Smithsonian | Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge (MA).

I obtained my Ph.D. in 2017 from the University of Heidelberg, as part of the International Max Plack Research School, working with Frank Bigiel at the Institut for Theoretische Astrophysik.

My research focuses on the nature of extragalactic star formation and its connection with the galactic ISM environment. I use a diverse set of observations (in particular in the mm-regime) and chemical tracers to establish a more comprehensive view of the cold, dense star-forming gas in nearby galaxies. I also develop and maintain tools for the Yebes 40m Radiotelescope. This includes its website, observing macros and time/sensitivity estimators, and an up-to-date database for astronomy papers using data from the Yebes 40m Radiotelescope.

Check out my full list of publications and my CV.

Scientific interests

• Molecular ISM in nearby galaxies
• Physics of star and star cluster formation
• Astrochemistry and isotopic abundances
• Galaxy formation and evolution
• Sub-mm and radio astronomy

Short CV

A concise version of my CV is provided below.

Research experience

• 2020 - present: Observatorio Astronómico Nacional, Madrid & Yebes Observatory, Guadalajara, Spain
• 2018 - 2019: Submillimeter Array Fellow - Harvard & Smithsonian | Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, USA

Education

• 2014 - 2017: Ph.D. in Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Thesis: Dense gas and the insterstellar medium in nearby galaxies: the interplay between dense gas and the galactic environment.
• 2013 - 2014: M.Sc. in Theoretical Physics and Cosmology - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain. Thesis: Herschel observations of the circumstellar environment of young Herbig Be stars.
• 2008 - 2013: Licenciatura (5-year B.Sc.) in Physics - Universidad de Extremadura, Spain.

Publications

• 5 refereed, first author papers with 135 citations.
• 55 publications in total with 918 citations.
• H-index = 17.

Observing experience

• PI project time: ALMA+ACA (15 hr), IRAM 30m (280 hr), SMA (44 hr), Yebes-40m (25hr).
• Co-I project time: ALMA+ACA (665), IRAM 30m (276), NOEMA (300), SMA (75).
• Observing experience: IRAM 30m telescope, SMA, Yebes 40m telescope, Calar Alto (2.2m), OSN.
• Data reduction: GILDAS (advanced), CASA (advanced), MIR (intermediate), IRAF (basic)

My office

Contact

Email

mdonaire *at* oan.es

Address

Observatorio Astronómico Nacional
C/Alfonso XII, 3
28014 Madrid, Spain