Priscilla Nowajewski-Barra

Priscilla Nowajewski-Barra, a Chilean planetary scientist specializing in planetary atmospheres, atmospheric dynamics, and astrobiology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics and a PhD in Fluid Dynamics, and completed postdoctoral research in Astronomy, alongside diplomas in Data Science, Astronomy, and Systems Engineering for space missions. Her doctoral research resulted in the first Chilean publication on planetary atmospheres in Icarus, following an invitation to present her findings at NASA Ames Research Center. In 2018, she became the Chilean representative of The Mars Society and helped establish The Mars Society Chile as a platform for planetary science and astrobiology research, education, and outreach. She later co-authored Vida: su origen, evolución y búsqueda en el espacio (2019), a multidisciplinary book examining the origins, evolution, and search for life beyond Earth.

In 2021, Nowajewski-Barra joined the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) as an operations astronomer, where her work included atmospheric research supporting the planning and optimization of astronomical observations. She has also worked extensively in science communication and mentorship, participating in international documentaries and mentoring students and researchers through initiatives including the Europlanet Society, Space4Women, and PROVOCA. Her career and work have been featured in several books focused on women in STEM, space exploration, and the Solar System. She currently works on initiatives aimed at democratizing access to atmospheric data for climate-related decision-making, while continuing to lecture on climate change, planetary science, and women in STEM. She is also developing a second book on planetary science that combines scientific communication with her own illustrations of the Solar System.