Maria Jose C

I was born in Mexico City but have lived in Los Cabos since I was young, growing up as the youngest of eight siblings in a large family. After my father passed away when I was very young, my mother took on the responsibility of raising us all. Despite these challenges, I was able to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physics from Universidad de las Américas Puebla. My passion lies in astrophysics research, fueled by a deep fascination with our universe and its evolution.

I am about to begin a Master’s in Astrophysics with a specialization in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University PSL - Paris Observatory. I received a scholarship from the Space Academy of Île-de-France, which covers tuition and partial living expenses. However, this support is not enough to fully sustain myself during my studies. Thanks to the Monarch Effect Foundation and their support, I am able to continue my studies and begin my graduate degree.

I want to express my deep gratitude to the Monarch Effect Foundation for supporting students from Los Cabos in pursuing their education and achieving their goals.

STORY

Blog

Summer 2025

This summer marked the end of a very important chapter in my academic journey. I officially completed my internship, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. The final step was a defense in front of a panel of judges, where I presented my work on the spectrometer simulations for the Gaia successor mission. I was nervous going in, but the defense went much better than I had imagined. I was able to clearly explain my results and answer questions with confidence. More importantly, I genuinely felt like I had achieved the main goal of my internship and contributed meaningfully to the project.

After completing my internship and defense, I returned to Mexico for a few weeks to visit my family. It was a much-needed break after such an intense academic period. Taking time to rest helped me recharge and reflect on everything I’ve learned this past year.

Now, I’m back in France and ready to begin the final year of my master’s degree. It’s exciting to enter this new phase with more experience, clearer goals, and renewed energy for what’s ahead.

June 2025

This month, I continued working on my internship, which is going well. Just one more month to go. I'm still testing different instrument setups for the radial velocity spectrometer and learning a lot as the project progresses.

The most enriching part of June was attending the Summer School in Statistics for Astronomers, organized by Penn State. It was an intensive one-week course that combined lectures with hands-on lab sessions focused on the use of advanced statistical techniques in astrophysics. We covered topics such as Bayesian inference, MCMC methods, time series analysis, survival analysis for censored and truncated data, and even touched on machine learning. One area I found especially interesting was hierarchical modeling and how it helps handle uncertainties when analyzing observational data.

The labs gave us the chance to apply these techniques directly to astronomical datasets using Python and R, which helped bridge theory and practice. It was also a great opportunity to connect with students and researchers from around the world who are working in similar fields.

May 2025

April marked the end of my second semester—and it flew by. It was a short and intense semester that felt a bit rushed at times, but overall, I think I did quite well. Since I was doing a long internship this semester, I had fewer courses and only three final exams to prepare for. That helped reduce the pressure a bit.

After the exams, we had a short break before transitioning into the full-time internship phase of the semester. I took advantage of that time to visit one of my best friends from undergrad, who’s currently living in Nice. It was such a lovely trip—there were a couple of days of good weather, and since Nice is right on the coast, I finally got to be near the sea again. Growing up in Los Cabos, the ocean was always part of my life, and I miss it deeply while living in Paris. Even though the water was freezing, I couldn’t resist going for a swim. It was refreshing in every sense—a perfect reset before returning to Paris and starting full-time work.

Now, I'm fully immersed in my internship, and it’s something I’m genuinely excited about. I'm contributing to a proposal for a new space mission, the future successor to the Gaia satellite, which recently ended its mission. My specific focus is on the radial velocity spectrometer, an instrument that measures how fast stars are moving toward or away from us by analyzing the shift in their spectra.

My job involves running detailed simulations to replicate how the spectrometer would function in space and using statistics to evaluate different instrument configurations. The goal is to help identify the most effective design that can deliver precise and reliable measurements. It’s a fascinating intersection of astrophysics, engineering, and data science—and I love being part of something that could shape the next generation of space exploration.

April 2025

This month was mostly calm and steady, contrast to the intense pace of earlier weeks. With final exams approaching, I really focused on my courses and tried to stay on top of all my assignments. It’s been an ordinary month in terms of activities, but sometimes that stability is exactly what you need.

One thing that has made this month meaningful is that I’ve been getting more and more comfortable in my daily routine. It’s been nice to slow down a bit and just live the day-to-day life. I also started participating in a Latin American book club, which has become one of the highlights of my week. It’s a wonderful space where I get to meet people from across Latin America, speak Spanish, and share perspectives on our cultures.

The books we read are mostly written in Spanish, primarily by authors from Latin America and Spain. Many of them touch on social or political issues that are relevant to our histories and current realities. What’s been especially interesting is hearing how these themes are experienced differently depending on the country. Even though Latin America is often seen as a monolithic region, the conversations in our group have made it so clear just how rich, complex, and diverse our region truly is. These meetings have helped me feel more connected to my roots and have created a strong sense of community that I didn’t know I was missing.

I’ve also started climbing more regularly again. At some point, without realizing it, I had fallen out of the habit of exercising. But this month I’ve been intentionally making space for it again. Climbing helps me stay grounded, and I’ve realized that maintaining a balance between work, study, and physical activity is essential for my mental health. Without that balance, the academic pressure can really build up. So, I’m glad I’ve started taking care of that side of things again.

December 2024

December marks the end of my first semester in grad school—a mix of challenges and triumphs that has left me both exhausted and grateful. Classes are finally over, and all that remains are the final exams standing between me and a well-deserved break. It’s surreal to think that I’ve completed half a year of this journey already.

This semester was difficult and rewarding in equal measure. Balancing coursework, research, and adjusting to a new environment tested my limits, but it also showed me how much I’m capable of. Now, as I look ahead to the holidays, I’m beyond ready to relax, recharge, and reflect on everything I’ve learned.

Next semester brings something entirely new and exciting: my internship at the observatory. I’ll be working on a fresh proposal for a space mission, diving deeper into the field I’m passionate about. It feels like the perfect way to build on what I’ve learned so far and take another step toward my long-term goals.

November 2024

I can’t believe another month has passed so quickly; the end of the semester is already approaching, and there’s only one month of classes left before final exams begin. This past month, I had my first exam in the master’s program, and I was very nervous about the differences between undergraduate and graduate studies. Although it’s taking me a little longer to adjust, I’m trying to be patient with myself, understanding that it’s a process. I’ve also become very interested in Latin American literature lately; I discovered a bookstore with books in Spanish and found an illustrated edition of Aura by Carlos Fuentes. I’m very excited to read it once I finish the book I chose for the MCI.

I also had two days of vacation, which gave me the chance to enjoy some cultural activities I hadn’t had time for. I went to the Louvre and finally saw in person paintings I’d always wanted to admire. This month, I hope to sneak away one day to visit the Musée de l'Orangerie and see Monet’s murals. I’m fascinated by Impressionism, and living in Paris is a unique opportunity to expand my artistic education as well.

October 2024

The first month of classes has passed, and every day I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live here. Initially, I wasn’t thrilled about moving to a big city after growing up in a small town, but I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I love it. There are so many opportunities for students—if you’re under 26 in Paris, almost all museums are free, and you can find discounts everywhere. The city is filled with people from all over the world, as well as countless restaurants, shops, activities, workshops, and seminars on just about anything you can imagine. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities that you simply can’t find in a smaller town or city.

I’ve started my first semester of classes, and so far, it’s been great. Things are beginning to pick up, and the workload is increasing. I have my first exam next week, and I’m trying to keep up with my studies while also balancing a healthy lifestyle. Although my studies are a priority, I believe that nothing should come before your health and well-being. This is something I took a long time to understand during my undergraduate years. I used to push myself harder, telling myself it was just for a little while, but eventually, you can’t keep up. If I could share one piece of advice with younger students, it would be to prioritize their well-being. If you’re not mentally healthy, it will take you two or three times longer to grasp your courses and complete your work than if you’re well-rested and happy.

I had a fantastic opportunity at the end of September to attend the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany. This conference is designed for young researchers in mathematics, computer science, or related fields to attend lectures and masterclasses from winners of some of the most prestigious awards in these areas. I was incredibly happy to be selected among thousands of applicants. The connections I made during the conference are invaluable, and I found inspiration to continue pursuing what I love.

What I love about attending summer programs or conferences is that most participants are highly motivated individuals with a passion for their work. They inspire a sense of peace and reassurance. Something that stuck with me was a lecture from John Hopcroft, who said, “You get one life to live; discover what you enjoy, and you’ll be successful.” I couldn’t agree more. I don’t think I would be where I am today if I didn’t enjoy the work I do. You don’t have to be the smartest student; you just need determination and a willingness to discover what you enjoy, and the rest will follow

August

I am about to embark on an exciting new chapter in my life as I move to France to pursue a Master's Degree. This journey is both thrilling and daunting, as it involves not just academic challenges but also the experience of living in a new country with a different culture and language.

As I prepare to settle in Paris, I am filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. I look forward to immersing myself in the rich culture of France, exploring the city, and making new connections. This move is not just about advancing my academic career; it’s also an opportunity for personal growth, as I adapt to a new environment and embrace the challenges that come with it.

I won’t pretend that this big movie hasn’t been scary, even though it has been my goal for most of my adult life. Leaving behind my family and friends, my language, and my country has come with its own struggles. While I believe that I will be happy here and hopefully have a very fulfilling experience, a part of me is afraid of failing in some way. But that’s a natural part of life and growth—you have to do things that scare you to keep moving forward.

There’s a quote by Ryan Holiday that resonates with me deeply: “What stands in the way becomes the way.” This reminds me that the obstacles and fears I face are not just challenges to overcome but also paths to growth and success. Here’s to embracing the unknown and turning what stands in the way into the way forward.

My journey to France began with a brief but memorable stop in London. I spent about two and a half days there, and it was such a wonderful way to kickstart this new chapter in my life. I had the chance to study abroad in Edinburgh back in 2022, returning to the UK felt nostalgic, bringing back fond memories of my time there. It was comforting to be in a place that felt familiar, and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed my time in the UK. Who knows, maybe I’ll be back in the future for a PhD—you never know where life will take you!

Now, I’m beginning to settle in Paris. Everything here is new and exciting, but also a little overwhelming. There’s so much to see and do that I’m not sure where to start. Right now, my focus is on getting everything ready for when classes begin, but I’m also taking in the sights and sounds of this incredible city.