CV

DESIREE COTTO-FIGUEROA

 Associate Professor

University of Puerto Rico at Humacao

Dept. of Physics and Electronics

Call Box 860 Humacao, P.R. 00792

Email: desiree.cotto@upr.edu

Education: 

2008-2013    Ohio University          Athens, OH 

Ph.D. Physics 

•   Dissertation: “Radiation Recoil Effects on the Dynamical Evolution of Asteroids”.

•   Advisor: Dr. Thomas S. Statler.

2006-2008                           Ohio University         Athens, OH

M.S. Physics

• Thesis: “The Rotation Rate Distribution of Small Near-Earth Asteroids”.

• Advisor: Dr. Thomas S. Statler.

2002-2006             University of Puerto Rico                               Humacao, P.R. 

B.S. Applied Physics (Electronics)

•   Advisor: Dr. Rafael J. Muller. 

Appointments: 

2023- Present                 University of Puerto Rico                         Humacao, P.R.

Interim Chair

• Dept. of Physics and Electronics. 

2019- Present                 University of Puerto Rico                         Humacao, P.R.

Associate Professor

• Dept. of Physics and Electronics. 

2016- 2019                 University of Puerto Rico                         Humacao, P.R.

Assistant Professor

• Dept. of Physics and Electronics.

2015                       Grand Canyon University                   Phoenix, AZ 

Adjunct Faculty

• College of Arts and Sciences.

2013- 2015                               Arizona State University         Tempe, AZ 

Postdoctoral Research Associate.

• School of Earth & Space Exploration (SESE).

• Advisor: Dr. Erik Asphaug.

Current Research Grants: 

Title: Mechanical Measurements of Carbonaceous Chondrite Falls: Implications for Planetary Defense

PI: Dr. Christian Hoover 

Co-I: Dr. Desireé Cotto-Figueroa

Program: NASA Yearly Opportunities for Research in Planetary Defense Program

Point of contact: Kelly E. Fast, (202) 358-0768, kelly.e.fast@nasa.gov

Performance period: 1/17/2022 - 1/16/2025

Total Subaward: $67.6K

Title: Laboratory Measurements of Asteroid Fragmentation

PI: Dr. Desiree Cotto-Figueroa

Program: NASA Yearly Opportunities for Research in Planetary Defense Program

Point of contact: Kelly E. Fast, (202) 358-0768, kelly.e.fast@nasa.gov

Performance period: 1/1/2022 - 12/31/2025

Total Budget: $700.4K

Title: Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission (NEOSM) 

PI: Dr. Amy Mainzer

Prime Sponsor: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Performance period:  7/1/2020-12/31/2024

Total Subaward Budget: $43.1K

Title: A STEM Education Program Encompassing Near Earth Asteroid Science, Technology and Exploration

PI: Dr. Jekan Thangavelautham 

Program: NASA MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity

Point of contact: Dave Bergert, 661-276-5712, Dave.E.Berger@nasa.gov

Performance period: 10/1/2019 - 9/30/2024

Total Subaward Budget: $300.0K

Title: Recruitment, Retention and Training of U.S. Citizens to continue Careers in STEM.

PI: Dr. Desiree Cotto-Figueroa

Program: NASA Puerto Rico Space Grant Consortium 

Point of contact: Gerardo Morell, (787)-765-5170, gerardo.morell@upr.edu 

Performance period: 08/01/16-07/31/24

Total budget: $225.0K

Past Research Grants: 

Title: ENCANTO: Enhancing and Nurturing Careers in Astronomy with New Training Opportunities

Program: National Science Foundation (NSF) Partnerships in Astronomy & Astrophysics Research and Education

Principal Investigator: Dr. Anish R Damodaran, Arecibo Observatory/University of Central Florida

Co-PI: Dr. Desireé Cotto Figueroa

Managing Grants Official (Primary Contact) Name: Elizabeth Gebremedhin, Email: egebreme@nsf.gov

Performance period: 7/29/2022 - 7/31/2023

Amount Obligated: $234.4K

Title: Scale-Dependent Studies of Meteorite Strength: Implications for the Fragmentation of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids

PI: Dr. Desiree Cotto-Figueroa

Program: NASA Solar System Observations Program

Point of contact: Kelly E. Fast, (202) 358-0768, kelly.e.fast@nasa.gov

Performance period: 8/1/2018 - 5/31/2022

Total Budget: $650.2K

Title: Modeling and Assessment of NEOCam Science Return

PI: Dr. Amy Mainzer

Prime Sponsor: Jet Propulsion Laboratory/ NASA Headquarters

Performance period:  2/24/2020-6/30/2020

Total Subaward Budget: $30K

Title: Asteroids Under Stress: Constraining Strength and Evolution Through Simulations

PI: Dr. Derek Richardson.

Program: NASA Solar Systems Workings Program

Point of contact: Mary Voytek, (202)-358-1577, mvoytek@hq.nasa.gov

Performance period: 07/01/15-6/30/20

Total budget: $390.3K

Honors, Awards and Fellowships: 

• Asteroid (11456) Cotto-Figueroa  (1981 EK9) named in honor.

• NASA Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) Doctoral Fellowship, $20K per academic year, 2011-2013.

• Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, Honorable Mention, April 2011. 

• NASA Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Project (JPFP), $28K per academic year, 2008-2011. 

• Magna cum laude B.S. in Applied Physics (Electronics), University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus, 2006.

• NASA Puerto Rico Space Grant Consortium (PRSGC) Fellowship, $8K per academic year, 2004-2006. 

•   Honor Students Award - University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus, 2003-2005.

Publications:

1. A. K. Mainzer, J. R. Masier, Paul A. Abell, J. M. Bauer, William Bottke, Bonnie J. Buratti, Sean J. Carey, D. Cotto-Figueroa, R. M. Cutri, D. Dahlen, Peter R. M. Eisenhardt, Y. R. Fernandez, Roberto Furfar, Tommy Grav, T. L. Hoffman, Michael S. Kelley, Yoonyoung Kim, J. Davy Kirkpatrick, Christopher R. Lawler, Eva Lill, X. Liu, Federico Marocco, K. A. Marsh, Frank J. Masci , Craig W. McMurtry, Milad Pourrahmani, Lennon Reinhart, Michael E. Ressler, Akash Satpathy, C. A. Schambeau, S. Sonnet, Timothy B. Spahr, Jason A. Surace, Mar Vaquero, E. L. Wright, Gregory R. Zengilowski , NEO Surveyor Mission Team (2023). The Near-Earth Object Surveyor Mission, The Planetary Science Journal, Accepted, 2023 October.

2. Gabriel Gowman, Desireé Cotto-Figueroa, Andrew Ryan, Laurence A. J. Garvie, Christian G. Hoover, and Erik Asphaug (2023). Roughness and Angularity of Fragments from Meteorite Disruption Experiments,The Planetary Science Journal, 4:187 (11pp), 2023 October.

3. Leonard D.Vance, Jekan Thangavelautham, Erik Asphaug, & Desireé Cotto-Figueroa (2022). Possible particle ejection contributions to the shape and spin stability of small near-Earth asteroids. Icarus, Volume 384, 15 September 2022, 115078.

4. Díaz-Vachier, Ian ; Cotto-Figueroa, Desireé ; Rivas-Díaz, Alexander ; Abreu- Cintrón, Julian ; Rivera-Rivera, Bryan ; Santana-Rodriguez, Peter ; Laureno-La Puerta, Felix (2022). Lightcurve Analysis of Two Potentially Hazardous Asteroids and Three Near-Earth Asteroids, Minor Planet Bulletin, 49, 14-15.

5. Ian Díaz-Vachier and Desireé Cotto-Figueroa. (2022). “Lightcurves of Main-Belt Asteroid 7939 Asphaug and Near-Earth Asteroid 2015 JD1.”, Minor Planet Bulletin, 49, 30.

6. M. F. Rabbi, L. A. J. Garvie, D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, K. H. Khafagy, S. Datta, A. Chattopadhyay (2021). Understanding asteroidal failure through quasi-static compression testing and 3-D digital image correlation of the Aba Panu (L3) chondrite. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, Volume56, Issue12, December 2021, 2131-2143.

7.  Díaz-Vachier, I.; Cotto-Figueroa, D. (2020). “The Rotation Rates of Three Near- Earth Asteroids and a Mars-Crossing Asteroid.”, Minor Planet Bulletin, 47, 149-150.

8. A. López-Oquendo and D. Cotto-Figueroa (2019). Lightcurve Analysis of Three Potentially Hazardous Asteroids. Minor Planet Bulletin, 46, 4, October-December, 204-205.

9. A. López-Oquendo and D. Cotto-Figueroa (2019). Lightcurve analysis for 2018 UQ1 and 2018 UR2. Minor Planet Bulletin, 46, 4, October-December, 190-191.

10. D. Cotto, R.J. Muller, B. Morales, N. Márquez, N. Vergara, M. Reyes, J. Martinez, O. Carromero, E. González, O. Reyes, J. Cajiao (2018). Observation Report for the year 2015 Humacao University Observatory. Journal of Double Star Observations, Vol. 15, No.3, 416, July.

11. R.J. Muller, D. Cotto, J.C. Cersosimo, R. Rodriguez, M.Diaz, M. Rosario, Y. Nieves, E. Franco, A. Lopez, B.S.Torres, N.Vergara, L.Mendoza, D.Ortiz, J. Martinez, M. Reyes, Y. del ValleRodriguez, G. Espinosa, V. Diaz, C. Rivera, B. Morales (2018). A Report on Double Star Observations for the Year 2014 by the Humacao University Observatory. Journal of Double Star Observations, Vol. 14, No.1, 161, January.

12. C. Tardioli, D. Farnocchia, B. Rozitis, D. Cotto-Figueroa, S. R. Chesley, T. S. Statler and M. Vasile (2017). Constraints on the Near-Earth Asteroid Obliquity Distribution from the Yarkovsky Effect, Astronomy and Astrophysical Journal, 608, id.A61, 9 pp.

13. R.J. Muller, J.C. Cersosimo, D. Cotto, R. Rodriguez, M.Diaz, M Rosario, Y. Nieves, E. Franco, A.Lopez, B.S.Torres, N.Vergara Y. Del Valle, D. Ortiz, G. Espinosa, M. Reyes, O. Carromero, J. Martinez (2017). Observation Report for the year 2013 Humacao University Observatory. Journal of Double Star Observations, Vol. 13, No. 3, 373-375, July.

14.  R.J. Muller, J.C. Cersosimo, D. Cotto, R. Rodriguez, M.Diaz, M Rosario, Y. Nieves, E. Franco, A.Lopez, B.S.Torres, N.Vergara Y. Del Valle, D. Ortiz, G. Espinosa, M. Reyes, O. Carromero, J. Martinez (2017). Observation Report for the year 2012 Humacao University Observatory. Journal of Double Star Observations, Vol. 13, No. 1, 95-98, January.

15.  D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, L. Garvie, A. Rai, J. Johnston, L. Borkowski, S. Datta. A. Chattopadhyay and M. Morris (2016). Scale-Dependent Measurements of Meteorite Strength: Implications for Asteroid Fragmentation. Icarus, 277, p. 73-77.

16.  D. Cotto-Figueroa, T. S. Statler, D. C. Richardson and P. Tanga (2015). Coupled Spin and Shape Evolution of Small Rubble-Pile Asteroids and Self-Limitation of the YORP Effect. The Astrophysical Journal, 803, 25, 18pp.

17. Cotto-Figueroa, Desireé (2013) Radiation Recoil Effects on the Dynamical Evolution of Asteroids, p.111, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio University, Physics and Astronomy.

18.  T. S. Statler, D. Cotto-Figueroa, D. Riethmiller and K. Sweeney (2013). Size Matters: The Rotation Rate Distribution of Small Near-Earth Asteroids. Icarus, Volume 225, Issue 1, p.141-155.

19. Cotto-Figueroa, Desireé (2008) The Rotation Rate Distribution of Small Near Earth- Asteroids. Master of Science, Ohio University, Physics and Astronomy

20.  Muller R. J., Cersosimo J. C., Miranda V., Martinez C., Cotto D., Rosado-DeJesus I., Centeno D., Rivera L. (2005): “Observation Report: Humacao University Observatory”. Journal of Double Star Observations Vol. 3, No. 2, 77-81, Spring 2007.

21. Muller R. J., Cersosimo J. C., Miranda V., Martinez C., Carrion P., Cotto D., Rosado- DeJesus I., Centeno D., Rivera L. (2007): “Observation Report 2003-2004: Humacao University Observatory”. Journal of Double Star Observations Vol. 3 No. 1, 11-16, Winter.

22. Muller R. J., Cersosimo J. C., Rosado-DeJesus I., Cotto D., Miranda V., Martinez C., Centeno D. (2006): “A Report on the Observation of Selected Binary Stars with Ephemerides in the Sixth Catalog of Orbits of Visual Binary Stars”. Journal of Double Star Observations Vol. 2 No. 4, 138-141, Fall.

Pending Publications:

•  Cotto-Figueroa, D., Rabbi M. F., Hamza M. H., Garvie L. A. J., Asphaug, E., & Chattopadhyay, A. (2023). Scale-Dependent Measurements of Meteorite Strength: The case of the Aba Panu (L3) and Viñales (L6) chondrites, to be submitted to the Planetary Science Journal.

• Rabbi, M. F., Hamza M. H., Galluscio C. A., Garvie, L. A. J., Cotto-Figueroa, D., Asphaug, E., & Chattopadhyay, A. (2023). Understanding asteroidal failure through quasi-static compression testing and 3-D digital image correlation of the Viñales (L6) chondrite, to be submitted to the Meteoritics and Planetary Science Journal.

• A. Méndez, J. Zuluaga, E. Rivera-Valentín and D. Cotto-Figueroa (2023). The Equilibrium Temperature of Planetary Bodies in Escape Trajectories. In preparation for the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Oral Presentations: 

• Cotto-Figueroa, Desireé ; Mohamed, Mostafa ; Asphaug, Erik ; Garvie, Laurence A. J. ; Chattopadhyay, Aditi (2023). Testing the robustness of the derived strength scale-dependence of ordinary chondrites: The case of the Leedey (L6) and Hammadah al Hamra 346 (L6) meteorites, 55th Annual Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) meeting joint with the Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC), id. 510.08. Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 55, No. 8 e-id 2023n8i510p08.

• D Cotto-Figueroa, E Asphaug, MF Rabbi, LAJ Garvie, A Chattopadhyay (2023). On the Strength of the Viñales (L6) Meteorite: A Test of the Robustness of the Derived Strength Scale-Dependence of Ordinary Chondrites,  Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conference 2023 (LPI Contrib. No. 2851), id.2322.

• Invited: Desireé Cotto-Figueroa (2022). Detection, Deflection, and Disruption of near-Earth Objects, The Lives and Research of Caribbean and Central American Astronomers, The 2022 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference, Governor Pedro Roselló San Juan Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 27 - 29, 2022

• Desireé Cotto-Figueroa, Md Fazle Rabbi, Laurence A.J. Garvie, Erik Asphaug, Travis Gabriel, Khaled H. Khafagy, Aditi Chattopadhyay (2021). On the Strength of the Viñales (L6) Meteorite: A test of the robustness of the derived strength scale-dependence of ordinary chondrites, 53rd Division of Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting, 8-13 October, Online event. 

• T. S.J. Gabriel, D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, L. A. J. Garvie, Md F. Rabbi and A. Chattopadhyay (2021), On the strength of the Aba Panu meteorite: Implications for Neo Hazard Mitigation, Planetary Defense Conference, 26-30 April, Online event.

• Md F. Rabbi, K. H. Khafagy, D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, L. A. J. Garvie, T. S.J. Gabriel, and A. Chattopadhyay (2021), Numerical modeling of the structural heterogeneities and brittle behavior of the aba panu meteorite, Planetary Defense Conference, 26-30 April, Online event.

• T. Huang, S. Niverty, A. Sundar, Md F. Rabbi, L. A.J. Garvie, A.Chattopadhyay, D. Cotto-Figueroa, and N. Chawla (2021), Correlative study on microstructure and mechanical behavior of chondrite meteorite, Planetary Defense Conference, 26-30 April, Online event.

• D. Cotto-Figueroa, F. Rabbi, L. A.J. Garvie, E. Asphaug, S. Datta and A. Chattopadhyay (2020) On the Strength of the Aba Panu (L3) Meteorite: Implications for NEO Hazard Mitigation, 52nd Division of Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting, 26-30 October, Online event.

• D. Cotto-Figueroa, Md Fazle Rabbi, Aditi Chattopadhyay, Laurence A.J. Garvie and Erik Asphaug (2020). “On the Strength of the Aba Panu (L3) Meteorite: Implications for Hazard Mitigation”, 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). March 16-20, 2020. The Woodlands, TX.

• D. Cotto-Figueroa, I. Díaz-Vachier, A. Rosado-Marín, O. Reyes-Díaz and Y. Rodríguez-Del Valle (2020). “Rotation Rates of Near-Earth Asteroids”. 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). March 16-20, 2020. The Woodlands, TX.

• D. Cotto-Figueroa, Md Fazle Rabbi, Ashwin Rai, Aditi Chattopadhyay, Laurence A.J. Garvie and Erik Asphaug (2019). “On the Strength of the Aba Panu (L3) Meteorite: Implications for Hazard Mitigation”, The European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) and the 51st Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Joint Meeting. September 15-20, 2019.  Geneva, Switzerland.

• D. Cotto-Figueroa, A. López, I. Díaz, Y. Del Valle and G. Espinosa. “Rotation Rates of Near-Earth Asteroids”. 50th Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting. October 21-26, 2018.  Knoxville, Tennessee. 

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa, "Asteroid Fragmentation", Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) Seminar series, September 27th, 2018, Houston, Texas. 

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa. “Asteroid Fragmentation as revealed by Families”, A Century of Asteroid Families Focus Meeting, 2018 IAU General Assembly. August 28-29, 2018. Vienna, Austria. 

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa. “Scale-Dependent Measurements of Meteorite Strength: Implications for Asteroid Fragmentation”, Invited Review, 9th Catastrophic Disruption workshop (CD9). May 14-17, 2018. Kobe, Japan. 

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa, "Scale-dependent measurements of meteorite strength: Implications for asteroid fragmentation”, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Planetary Sciences Seminar, March 26th, 2018, Pasadena, California.

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa. "Near-Earth Asteroids: Before and Now", Asteroid Day Seminar Series.   June 29th, 2017. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

•   D. Cotto-Figueroa, A. López, Y. Del Valle and G. Espinosa. “Rotation Rates of Near-Earth Asteroids”. 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). March 19-23, 2018. The Woodlands, TX.

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa. "Near-Earth Asteroids ", Annual Assembly of the Astronomical Society of Puerto Rico.   August 17th, 2016. Science Park Luis A. Ferré, Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, L. Garvie, A. Rai., L. Borkowski, J. Johnston, S. Datta, A. Chattopadhyay and M. Morris. "Scale-Dependent Studies of Meteorite Strength: Implications for Asteroid Fragmentation" International Space Development Conference (ISDC) 2016.   May 18–22, 2016. San Juan, Puerto Rico.

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa. "Self-Limitation of the YORP Effect and Scale-Dependent Studies of Meteorite Strength and Fragmentation" EPS Centers Seminar series. March 6th, 2015. University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), Santa Cruz, California.

• Invited: D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, L. Garvie, M. Morris, L. Borkowski, J. Johnston and A. Rai.  "Scale-Dependent Studies of Meteorite Strength and Fragmentation" AstroRecon 2015: Conference on Spacecraft Reconnaissance of Asteroid and Comet Interiors.   January 8–10, 2015. Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.

•   Cotto-Figueroa D., Asphaug E., Morris M. and Garvie L.: “Measuring Fracture Properties of Meteorites: 3D Scans and Disruption Experiments”. 46th Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting. November 9-14, 2014.  Tucson, Arizona.

•   Cotto-Figueroa D., Asphaug E., Morris M. and Garvie L. “Measuring Fracture Properties of Meteorites: 3D Scans and Disruption Experiments”. Asteroids, Comets, Meteors (ACM) Meeting. June 30th-July 4th, 2014.  Helsinki, Finland.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Asphaug E. and Reufer A.: “Dynamical Fate of Clumps Formed in Satellite Mergers”. 45th Division on Dynamical Astronomy (DDA) Meeting. April 28th-May 1st, 2014.  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

•   Invited: Cotto-Figueroa D.: “Radiation Recoil Effects on the Dynamical Evolution of Asteroids”. 25th Anniversary NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, National Council of Space Grant Director’s Fall Meeting. October 13-15, 2013.  Charleston, South Carolina.

• Asphaug E., Cotto-Figueroa D., Reufer A.: “Dynamical Fate of Clumps Formed in Satellite Mergers”. 45th Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting. October 6-11, 2013.  Denver, Colorado.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Statler T. S., Richardson D. C., Tanga P.: “Killing the YORP Cycle: A Stochastic and Self-Limiting YORP Effect”. 45th Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting. October 6-11, 2013.  Denver, Colorado.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Statler T. S., Richardson D. C., Tanga P.: “Radiation Recoil Effects on the Dynamical Evolution of Asteroids”. 2013 Division on Dynamical Astronomy (DDA) Meeting. May 5-9, 2013.  Paraty, Brazil.

• Statler T. S., Cotto-Figueroa D., Sweeney K., Riethmiller D.: “The Spin Rates of Small Near-Earth Asteroids”.  The European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) 2011 and the 43rd Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Joint Meeting. October 2-7, 2011.  Nantes, France.

• Cotto-Figueroa D. and Statler T. S.:  “The Rotation Rate Distribution of Small Near-Earth Asteroids”. MDM Observatory Science Meeting. May 9, 2009. New York, NY.

•   Statler T. S., Cotto-Figueroa D., Riethmiller D.: “The Rotation Rate Distribution of Small Near-Earth Objects”. Asteroids, Comets, Meteors (ACM) Meeting. July 13-18, 2008.  Baltimore, MD.

•   Cotto Figueroa D., Haghighipour N.: "Habitable Extrasolar Planetary Systems; The Case of ρ Cancri".  41st ACS Junior Technical Meeting  & 26th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). March 11, 2006. Cayey, P.

•   Cotto-Figueroa D., Muller R. J., Cersosimo J. C., Rosado I., Miranda V., Martinez C., Centeno D.: “Data on Position and Angle of Neglected Binary Stars”.  40th ACS Junior Technical Meeting & 25th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). March 12, 2005. Mayaguez, P.R. 

•   Cotto Figueroa D., Muller, R. J., Cersosimo J. C., Carrión, P. L., Rosado I., Rodríguez R.: “Binary stars: measurement of separation/angle”.  39th ACS Junior Technical Meeting & 24th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). March 2004. Humacao, P.R. 

•   Cotto D., Benson E., Orama M., Rosado I., Carrión P., Muller R.: “Position Angle and Separation of Binary Stars”.  38th ACS Junior Technical Meeting & 23rd Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). March 2003. Río Piedras, P.R. 

Poster Presentations: 

• Hoover C. G., Garvie L. A. J., Cotto-Figueroa D., and Asphaug E. (2023). Nano-Indentation of Smectite- and Serpentine-Rich Carbonaceous Chondrites, 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) 2023 (LPI Contrib. No. 2806), Abstract #2986.

• Rabbi, M. F., Hamza M.H., Garvie, L. A. J., Cotto-Figueroa, D., Asphaug, E., & Chattopadhyay, A. (2023). Investigation of Mechanical Properties of the Viñales (L6) Ordinary Chondrite, 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) 2023 (LPI Contrib. No. 2806), Abstract #2583.

• Gabriel Gowman, Erik Asphaug, Andrew Ryan, Desireé Cotto-Figueroa, and Laurence A.J. Garvie (2023). Roughness and angularity of strength-tested meteorite fragments, 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) 2023 (LPI Contrib. No. 2806), Abstract #2543.

• Mohamed H. Hamza, Charles A. Galluscio, M.F. Rabbi, Laurence A.J. Garvie, Desireé CottoFigueroa, Erik Asphaug, A. Chattopadhyay (2023). Characterization and Mechanical Testing of Ordinary Chondrites, Characterization and Mechanical Testing of Ordinary Chondrites. In: TMS 2023 152nd Annual Meeting & Exhibition Supplemental Proceedings. TMS 2023. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22524-6_28

• Rabbi, M.F., Khafagy, K.H., Garvie, L.A.J., Asphaug, E., Cotto-Figueroa, D., Chattopadhyay, A. (2022). Strength and Failure Characterization of the Gibeon (IVA) Iron Meteorite. In: Characterization of Minerals, Metals, and Materials, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2022 Annual Meeting.. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92373-0_2

• Desireé Cotto-Figueroa (2022). NASA PRSGC STEM Education and Research at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, National Council of NASA Space Grant Directors’ Southeast Regional Meeting, Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 25 - 28, 2022

• D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, L. Garvie, M. Morris, A. Rai., A. Chattopadhyay, N. Chawla. "Scale-Dependent Studies of Meteorite Strength and Fragmentation: Tamdakht (H5) and Allende (CV3)". American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting.   December 14–18, 2015. San Francisco, CA.

• D. Cotto-Figueroa, E. Asphaug, L. Garvie, M. Morris, A. Rai., A. Chattopadhyay, N. Chawla. "Scale-Dependent Studies of Meteorite Strength and Fragmentation: Tamdakht (H5) and Allende (CV3)" Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting.   November 8–13, 2015. National Harbor, MD.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Statler T. S., Richardson D. C., Tanga P. “Coupled Spin and Shape Evolution of Small Rubble-Pile Asteroids and Self-Limitation of the YORP Effect”. Asteroids, Comets, Meteors (ACM) Meeting. June 30th-July 4th, 2014.  Helsinki, Finland.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Asphaug E. and Reufer A.: “Dynamical Fate of Clumps Formed in Satellite Mergers”. 45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). March 17-21, 2014. The Woodlands, TX.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Statler T. S., Richardson D. C., Tanga P.: “Radiation Recoil Effects on the Dynamical Evolution of Asteroids”. 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. March 18-22, 2013. The Woodlands, TX.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Statler T. S., Richardson D. C., Tanga P.: “Radiation Recoil Effects on the Dynamical Evolution of Asteroids”. 44th Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting. October 14-19, 2012.  Reno, NV.

• Cotto-Figueroa D., Statler T. S., Riethmiller D. A.: “The Rotation Rate Distribution of Small Near-Earth Asteroids”. 41st Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting. October 4-9, 2009.  Fajardo, PR.

•   Cotto-Figueroa D. and Statler T. S.: “The Rotation Rate Distribution of Small Near-Earth Asteroids”. 2009 Ohio University Research and Creativity Expo. May 14, 2009. Athens, OH.

•   Cotto-Figueroa D., Haghighipour N.: “Habitable Extrasolar Planetary Systems: The Case of rho Cancri”.  207th American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting. January 8-12, 2006. Washington, DC. 

•   Muller R. J., Cersosimo J. C., Cotto D., Rosado-DeJesus I., Carrion P., Rodriguez R., Miranda-Sanfeliz V., Martinez C.: “Data on Position and angle of Neglected Binary Stars”. 205th American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting. January 9-13, 2005.  San Diego, CA.

•   Muller R. J., Cersosimo J. C., Rosado I., Cotto D., Carrion P., Acosta G., Torres L., Rodriguez R.: “Measurements of Position/Angle of Binary Stars".  203rd American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting.  January 4-8, 2004. Atlanta, GA.

Academic and Professional Service:

• 2021-Present      Member, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH) Institutional Faculty Staff Committee.   

• 2021       Member, DPS Meeting Science Organizing Committee, AAS.

• 2019-Present      Member, UPRH Institutional Research Committee.

• 2019-Present      Advisor, Society of Women in Space Exploration, UPRH.

• 2019-2022          Member, DPS Nominating Subcommittee, AAS.

• 2019                     Member, National Committee, IAU100 NameExoWorlds Puerto Rico.

• 2019                     Panelist, NSF Review Panel.

• 2017-Present      Advisor, Association of Students of Physics and Electronics, UPRH.

• 2017-Present      Academic Mentor, Department of Physics and Electronics, UPRH.

• 2016-Present      UPRH Affiliate Representative, NASA Puerto Rico Space Grant Consortium. 

• 2016-Present       UPRH Affiliate Representative, National Undergraduate Research Observatory (NURO) Consortium.

• 2016-Present       Coordinator, UPRH Astronomical Observatory.

• 2016-Present        Member, UPRH Department of Physics and Electronics, Research Committee.

• 2016-Present        Member, UPRH Department of Physics and Electronics, Recruitment Committee.

• 2016-Present        Member, UPRH Department of Physics and Electronics, Planning Committee.

• 2016-Present        Member, UPRH Department of Physics and Electronics, Curriculum Committee.

• 2015- Present        Panelist, NASA ROSES Review Panel.  

• 2016-2018             Reviewer, Planetary and Space Science Journal.

• 2015                       Reviewer, Icarus Journal.

• 2011-2013             Panelist, NASA Student Ambassador Virtual Community (NSAVC) selection panel.

Research Experience: 

2019- Present  Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission Investigation Team    

Co-I

• Providing expertise in NEO physical and rotational properties, in conjunction with other Team members of the Population Model Working Group, to determine expected (and maximum) errors in diameter measurements for NEOs and MBAs and also help the IPAC team with estimations of flux variability expected in exposures, visits, and tracklets for small MBAs in order to help determine linking confusion. 

2019-2020  NEOCam Investigation Team    

Collaborator

• Providing expertise in NEO physical and rotational properties to help optimize the thermal models and develop the reference population model that is needed to predict the survey’s performance

2016- Present  University of Puerto Rico    Humacao, PR 

Assistant Professor

• Collected data of binary stars and Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) using the 31-inch telescope at the National Undergraduate Research Observatory (NURO) located in Flagstaff, Arizona.

•   Reduced and analyzed optical CCD photometry of NEAs using IRAF, IDL and Canopus and derived their rotation periods or lower limits from optical light curves.

•   Reduced and analyzed optical CCD photometry of binary stars using CCDSoft and the Astronomical Image Processing (AIP) software and measured their separation and position angle.

•   Studying the dynamical evolution of asteroids driven by radiation recoil effects.  

• Constraining the NEA obliquity distribution from astrometrically measured orbital drift rates.

• Conducting scale-dependent measurements of meteorite strength and studying the implications for asteroid fragmentation.

2013- 2015   Arizona State University       Tempe, AZ 

Postdoctoral Researcher Associate

•   Conducted unconfined compression experiments of ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites to derive the scale dependence of the strength of asteroid materials.

• Obtained 3D model shapes of meteorites using a NextEngine 3D Laser scanner to derive their density and fractal dimension.

• Conducted Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations to model the fragmentation of meteorites and predict the outcome of ballistic experiments.

•   Used the SPH code Spheral++ and developed codes in Python and IDL to carry out and analyze simulations.

•   Research Advisor: Dr. Erik Asphaug.

2008-2013    Ohio University                   Athens, OH 

Ph.D. Dissertation

• Studied the dynamical evolution of asteroids driven by radiation recoil:  simulated the effects of shape changes on the spin state evolution of “rubble pile” asteroids.

• Developed methods to constrain the Near-Earth Asteroid obliquity distribution from astrometrically measured orbital drift rates.

• Developed codes in Fortran95, Python and IDL to carry out and analyze the simulations.

• Research Advisor: Dr. Thomas S. Statler.

2009   Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)                                Pasadena, CA

NASA Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP) Internship (6 weeks)

•   Research Title: “Radiation Recoil Effects on Orbits of Near-Earth Asteroids”.

Estimated the semimajor axis drift rates, and associated uncertainties, due to the Yarkovsky Effect for a large sample of Near-Earth Asteroids using the JPL Comet and Asteroid Precision Orbit Determination Package.

•   Mentor: Dr. Steven R. Chesley.

2006-2008    Ohio University                  Athens, OH 

M.S. Thesis

• Derived rotation periods or lower limits for 83 Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) from optical light curves and debiased the sample to obtain the true fraction of Fast-Rotating Asteroids.

• Collected data of NEAs using the 2.4-meter Hiltner telescope at the MDM Observatory on Kitt Peak, Arizona (five observing runs). 

• Reduced and analyzed optical CCD photometry and spectra of NEAs using IRAF. 

• Developed codes in Fortran95 and IDL to analyze the light curve observations. 

• Research Advisor: Dr. Thomas S. Statler.

2005        Institute for Astronomy                                  Honolulu, HI 

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Internship (10 weeks)

•   Research Title: “Habitable Extrasolar Planetary Systems; The case of 55 CNC”.  Used the N-body integration package MERCURY to study the orbital evolution and habitability of the 55 Cancri extrasolar planetary system.

•   Mentor: Dr. Nader Haghighipour.

2002-2006        University of Puerto Rico                            Humacao, P.R. 

Undergraduate Research

•   Measured the separation and position angle of neglected binary stars.

• Collected data of binary stars using the 31-inch telescope at the National   Undergraduate Research Observatory (NURO) located in Flagstaff, Arizona (four observing runs).

•   Reduced and analyzed optical CCD photometry using the CCDSoft and the Astronomical Image Processing (AIP) software.

•   Assistant of the UPRH Astronomical Observatory.

• Research Advisor: Dr. Rafael J. Muller. 

Professional Societies:

• American Physical Society (APS)

• American Astronomical Society (AAS). 

• AAS Division of Planetary Science (DPS).

• Astronomical Society of Puerto Rico (Sociedad de Astronomía de Puerto Rico, SAPR)

Teaching and Mentorship:

2016- Present                              University of Puerto Rico                                       Humacao, PR

• Mentoring fifteen undergraduate students conducting research on Astrophysics. 

• Taught a physics course of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (FISI-4057), two introductory physics courses (FISI-3011, FISI-3012), two introductory laboratory courses to physics (FISI-3013, FISI-3014), two introductory courses to physical sciences (CIFI-3001, CIFI3002), and two introductory astronomy courses (ASTR-3001, ASTR-3002).

• Incorporate modern pedagogical techniques and research-based instructional methods.

• Develop course materials, exams and homework assignments.

• Design comprehensive review sessions for the students before examination.

• Maintain one-on-one tutelage with the students during office hours.

2015                                             Grand Canyon University                                         Phoenix, AZ

• Instructor for two sessions of an Earth and Space Science course (PHY-104).

• Managed the course sessions through the Learning Managing System (LoudCloud), which provides discussion forums and facilitates the posting and grading of assignments and quizzes.

2006-2013                                       Ohio University                                                     Athens, OH

• Grader and lab instructor of a series of algebra-based introductory physics courses (PHYS 201, PHYS 202, PHYS 203). 

• Assisted students during the Learning Online Network with Computer-Assisted Personalized Approach (LON-CAPA) help sessions for the introductory physics series.

• Lab instructor of a physical science course that covers the topics of color, light and sound (PSC 105).

• Teaching Assistant for a general introduction to astronomy course (ASTR 100).

• Assisted mentoring two undergraduate students conducting research on Astrophysics.

Outreach:

• 2016-Present    Coordinator and Presenter, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Monthly Astronomy Events.

• 2013-2015         Volunteer, Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Monthly Open Houses.

• 2006-2013 .      Volunteer, Ohio University, Annual Women In Science and Engineering Event.

• 2006-2013       Volunteer, Ohio University, Annual Physics and Astronomy Open House.

• 2006-2013       Volunteer, Ohio University, Monthly Astronomy Events.

• 2002-2006       Volunteer, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Bimonthly Astronomy Events.