Hi, I’m Alexandre Yuichirō Kléber Bouquin, a Ph.D. holder in observational extragalactic astrophysics. I’m proud to share that I come from a diverse background, being half French and half Japanese. This multicultural heritage has enriched my perspectives and allowed me to embrace different languages and cultures.
Scientific Research Interests
I’m really interested in studying how galaxies are formed and how they change over time. I specialize in looking at how stars are born in nearby galaxies. There’s still a lot we don’t know about what causes star formation to start or stop in these galaxies, especially in the outer parts where it’s really faint.
To do my research, I use data from telescopes that are in space, like GALEX, Spitzer, and HST. These telescopes can see different types of light, like ultraviolet and infrared. I also get to use some of the biggest telescopes on Earth, like the GTC and Subaru.
Besides my work, I also really enjoy looking at the stars using telescopes, binoculars, or even just my eyes!
If you want to know more, check out the Research section.
Academic background
My passion for astronomy has taken me on an incredible journey, allowing me to explore extraordinary places worldwide, including observatories in exotic locations, and connect with remarkable individuals along the way.
Most recently, from 2018 to 2020, I served as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the ESTALLIDOS group at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias in Tenerife, Canary Islands, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Casiana Muñoz-Tuñón. During this time, my focus was on measuring the metallicity gradient of a galaxy’s disk by studying its HII regions.
In 2018, I successfully obtained my Ph.D. in Astrophysics (cum laude sobresaliente) from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Armando Gil de Paz, I conducted research on a sample of nearby galaxies known as the GALEX/S4G sample.
Additionally, I had the privilege of being a Marie Curie Early-Stage Researcher Fellow through the E.U., where I contributed to the Detailed Anatomy of Galaxies (DAGAL) project. Furthermore, I worked as a software developer for the MEGARA Observing Preparation Software Suite (MOPSS) in support of the MEGARA IFU&MOS instrument operated at the GTC. I developed the MEGARA Online Exposure Time Calculator, a valuable tool for accurate exposure time calculations.
My academic background includes a Master of Science in Astronomy & Astrophysics from the University of Toronto in Canada. Prior to that, I obtained a Bachelor of Science (with honors) in Astronomy with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo in the U.S.A. Before pursuing my undergraduate studies, I attended “classes préparatoires (MPSI)” at the Lycée Buffon in Paris, following my high school education at the Lycée Franco-Japonais de Tokyo (now Lycée Français International de Tokyo). These educational experiences have been instrumental in shaping my expertise and passion for observational extragalactic astrophysics.
Public Outreach experience
Before starting my Ph.D. program at UCM, I worked as an independent astronomy educator and public outreach specialist in Tokyo, Japan. I also hold a certification from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) as a Science Producer.
During my time in Japan, I had the opportunity to work on various projects involving full-dome digital projections and creating educational videos for schools and science museums.
One of my significant achievements was directing and editing the 3D-full-dome movie titled “Cosmic Discoveries” in 2008, which is showcased at the Synra dome of the Science Museum of Tokyo. Additionally, I contributed to exhibits displayed at the Nagoya City Science Museum and other science museums throughout Japan.
For further details, you can explore the Archive page.
Broader Interests
In addition to my primary areas of expertise, I have a keen interest in various aspects of web technologies, including HTML, CSS, JS, ReactJS, and Typescript. I also enjoy delving into data analysis using Python and exploring the possibilities of data visualization through 3D and virtual reality technologies. Furthermore, I have a curiosity for emerging fields such as Web3 and AI, encompassing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL).
If you’re curious, you can explore some of my programming projects in the Programming section. On a personal note, I have also made attempts at blogging, although I must admit they haven’t gained much traction thus far.
