Daniela Soto Martinez - Array Operator at ALMA

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

I am Daniela Soto Martinez, I work as Array Operator at ALMA Observatory.

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

I am physics Engineer from Universidad de Santiago de Chile.

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

I started at ALMA in May 2016, it is my first experience in an observatory. Before that I worked for six years in a Chilean Geophysics Company.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

It is a great place to work. Here you find people from different countries and cultures, which makes this place dynamics and the pleasant work environment. But it also hard because of the high geographic elevation and travel to the shifts weekly, leaving family at home.

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

I think the funniest thing that I have lived at ALMA is participate in the “Corrida” two times, for May 21 and September 18, although it is very hard, it is a very nice moment to share with ALMA people and enjoy together.

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

I don’t know. Some very personal things for me was naturally produced, like when I felt the first earthquake here, it move a lot the ground… other was the storms and rays in December 2016, very scary I think. But nothing so bad has happened.

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

I think at the beginning, the first time I had to operate alone. It happened when I was in training period yet, and nobody else of my group was at the observatory to support me. But at the end I did it successfully and nothing bad happened.

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? Anything specifically if they are a woman?

My advice is not be afraid about work in an observatory, is maybe a different job, but it is a great opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Also is a very interesting and unique job.

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

I try to practise sport when I ‘m here, to spend free time. I usually try to use the gym, but also with other guys we join to play football and volleyball sometimes.

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

At home I enjoy to be with my family and work together in our house, we are remodelling, so every moment we have we spend it there.