I am an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), where I lead the HelioFísica and Space Weather Research Group. My research focuses on the dynamics of Earth's radiation belts, ULF waves, and the use of machine learning for space weather prediction.
Recent publications
Pinto, V.A., et al. (2025). Radial evolution of ultrarelativistic electrons during enhancement events. Physica Scripta, 100(11). DOI
Inostroza, A.M., ..., Pinto, V.A., et al. (2026). The Role of auroral phenomena in the dynamics of the outer radiation belt. JGR: Space Physics, 131, e2026JA035123. DOI
Stepanova, M.V., Pinto, V.A., et al. (2026). Role of the solar wind dynamic pressure in the development of magnetospheric turbulence. Physica Scripta, 101(9). DOI
Active funding
FONDECYT Initiation 2025 (PI) — The role of electromagnetic ULF waves on the dynamics of trapped charged particles in the Earth's radiation belts. ANID, 2025-2028.
FONDEQUIP EQM230160 (PI) — High-Performance Computing Platform for Data Science and Simulations. ANID, 2024-2027.
FONDEF IDEA I+D (PI) — Chile's first national space weather platform. ANID, 2025-2027.
Recent media appearances
Apr 2026 Canal 13 TV, Radio USACH, ivoox, YouTube USACH — Artemis II launch and lunar flyby coverage
Dec 2025 VRIIC, Diario Usach, Mundo Online, Crónica Digital — FONDEF space weather platform launch
2025 Foro Ciudadano podcast, FIDAE Space Summit — National Space Center and state of space exploration in Chile