Teaching Philosophy

I believe seismology becomes most meaningful when students can connect physical theory to real-world hazards — especially in a country like Chile, the world's most seismically active. My courses integrate observational data, computational tools, and applied case studies to bridge the gap between academic research, geoscience backgrounds and engineering practice.

Across my experience as lecturer, teaching assistant, and thesis supervisor, I aim to build students' capacity to work independently with seismic data, critically assess uncertainty in hazard estimates, and communicate findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Lecturer — Current Position

🏛️ Department of Civil Engineering & Department of Geography
Aug 2025 — Present
Sismología Aplicada a la Ingeniería
Applied Seismology to Engineering
Graduate-level course (85 hrs) for the Master's degree in Engineering Sciences. Covers seismic source, wave propagation, site effects, ground motion characterization, and hazard applications to civil infrastructure.
GraduateCurrent
2025
Evaluación de Riesgos Naturales
Natural Hazards Assessment
Graduate-level course (16 hrs) for the Master's degree in Geographic Analysis (FAUG). Multi-hazard framework with emphasis on seismic and tsunami risk in Chile. Main Lecturer: D. Farías-Barahona.
GraduateCurrent
2025
Sismología Aplicada
Applied Seismology — Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate diploma course (12 hrs) for engineers, geophysicists and geologists. Practical seismology for professional development.
DiplomaCurrent
2025
Diseño Sismorresistente
Earthquake-Resistant Design
Undergraduate-level contribution (8 hrs) to the Civil Engineering program. Focus on Chilean seismic codes and seismic hazard analysis. Main Lecturer: S. Calderón.
UndergraduateCurrent
2025
Geomática
Geomatics
Undergraduate-level contribution (4 hrs) to the Civil Engineering program covering geospatial data fundamentals. Main Lecturer: F. Orellana.
UndergraduateCurrent
2025

Lecturer & Teaching Assistant

🏛️ Department of Geophysics — Lecturer
2023
GF7001: Jornada de Postgrado en Geofísica
Postgraduate Geophysics Workshop
Graduate-level course (81 hrs) for the Master's degree in Geophysics. Full semester lecturer responsible for planning and teaching the annual postgraduate workshop.
Graduate
2023
🎓 Teaching Assistant
2014 – 2024
DPDGF00001: Diploma de Postítulo en Sismología
Seismology Graduate Diploma
Postgraduate diploma for professionals across Latin America and the Caribbean (engineers, geologists). Class manager: S. Ruiz.
DiplomaTA
2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
GF731: Sismología Teórica I
Theoretical Seismology I
Graduate-level course for M2 students. Lecturers: S. Ruiz and R. Madariaga. Topics: seismic wave theory, focal mechanisms, source models.
GraduateTA
2020, 2021, 2023, 2024
GF5018: GNSS y su Aplicación al Estudio de Terremotos
GNSS and its applications to earthquake research
Graduate-level course for M2 students. Lecturers: J.C. Báez, F. Leyton and S. Ruiz.
GraduateTA
2021
GF5012: Terremotos en Chile
Earthquakes in Chile
Graduate-level course for M1 students. Lecturer: S. Ruiz.
GraduateTA
2017, 2018
GF4101: Sismología Aplicada
Applied Seismology
Undergraduate-level course for L3 students. Lecturers: S. Ruiz & F. Leyton.
UndergraduateTA
2017, 2018, 2022, 2023
GF4001: Sismología
Seismology
Undergraduate-level course for L3 students. Lecturer: S. Ruiz.
UndergraduateTA
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021
GF3101: Introducción a la Meteorología y Oceanografía
Undergraduate-level course for L3 students. Lecturer: R. Garreaud.
UndergraduateTA
2015
MA2601: Ecuaciones Diferenciales Ordinarias
Ordinary Differential Equations
Undergraduate-level course for L2 students. Lecturer: E. Topp.
UndergraduateReviewer
2014
📐 Additional Teaching Experience
2013 – 2020
Mathematics — Universidad Abierta de Recoleta
Preparation course for undergraduate studies.
2020
Mathematics — Internado Nacional Barros Arana
Induction program for new students.
2014
Mathematics & Physics — Internado Nacional Barros Arana
AEI comprehensive school support program.
2013, 2014

Student Advising & Mentorship

Current Students

● Current · Expected 2026
Joaquín Jara
Committee Member Supervisor: G. Montalva
M.Sc. in Engineering Sciences · Universidad de Concepción
Modelamiento numérico de la respuesta sísmica de sitio de la cuenca de Concepción
● Current · Expected 2026
Diego Santa María
Committee Member Supervisor: V. Aguilar, O. Link
M.Sc. in Engineering Sciences · Universidad de Concepción
Análisis del Puente Ferroviario Antiguo sobre el río Biobío bajo amenazas sísmicas e hidráulicas extremas históricas
● Current · Expected 2026
Fabián Villalobos
Committee Member Supervisor: S. Calderón
Honors (B.Sc.+) in Civil Engineering · Universidad de Concepción
Análisis de estado límite de servicio para edificios de albañilería considerando distintas fuentes y condiciones de sitio
● Current · Expected 2026
Émilie Sanoner
Supervisor
CPES Sciences, Environnement, Société · Université de Rennes, France
Seismicity in the Concepción basin detected by the ORSCA network
International student exchange project

Past Students

✓ Graduated 2026
Florencia Valenzuela
Committee Member Supervisor: C. Morales-Yáñez
Honors (B.Sc.+) in Geophysics · Universidad de Concepción
Evaluación de modelos de aprendizaje automático para el pronóstico eruptivo del volcán Villarrica
Now: GFDas Drones y Minería
✓ Graduated 2025
Maximiliano Osses
Committee Member Supervisor: G. Montalva
M.Sc. in Engineering Sciences · Universidad de Concepción
Generation of synthetic ground motions based on coupling and slip model
Now: Gestiona Environmental Management Consultores
✓ Graduated 2025
Andrés Barrientos
LinkedIn ↗ Committee Member Supervisor: S. Ruiz
Honors (B.Sc.+) in Civil Engineering · Universidad de Chile
Desplazamientos de tranques de relaves sometidos a acelerogramas artificiales y registros semilla escalados
Now: Master's degree in Engineering, Universidad de Chile
✓ Graduated 2024
Kim Araya
LinkedIn ↗ Co-supervisor
Honors (B.Sc.+) in Civil Engineering · Universidad de Chile
Now: Stantec Engineering Consulting

Graduate Program Participation

🏛️ Universidad de Concepción since Jul 2025

Magíster en Ciencias de la Ingeniería con Mención en Ingeniería Civil
Facultad de Ingeniería. Academic collaborator.
Graduate
Magíster en Análisis Geográfico
Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Geografía. Academic collaborator.
Graduate

🏛️ Universidad de Chile 2014 – 2024

Magíster en Ciencias mención Geofísica
Departamento de Geofísica. TA and advisor in multiple courses.
Graduate
Diploma de Postítulo en Sismología
For engineers and geoscience professionals. TA and class manager collaboration.
Diploma

School Research Projects

As advisor for Iniciativas de Investigación Escolar (IIE) through Explora ANID, I guided school students in designing and developing their own scientific research projects.

2023
Nuclear reactor safety in case of earthquakes
Ascensión Nicol School, Estación Central, Santiago
2022
Diminishing water resources with zeolite
Cristóbal Colón School, Melipilla, Santiago
2018
Seismology Science Academy
Nocedal School, La Pintana, Santiago