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About

Henrique Ortolan is an instrumental figure in the development of next-generation astronomical instrumentation, with a primary focus on wide-field multi-object spectroscopy. His most cited work centers on the MANIFEST (Many Instrument Fiber System) project for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). Ortolan’s major contribution is the design and implementation of the innovative ‘Starbug’ robots—autonomous, piezoelectric-driven positioners that accurately place fiber units across the telescope’s focal plane. This technology enables MANIFEST to couple with GMT’s seeing-limited instruments, such as GMACS and GCLEF, dramatically expanding the accessible field of view and allowing simultaneous spectroscopic observation of hundreds of celestial targets. His 2018 paper on MANIFEST has garnered 5 citations, while his 2020 pre-concept design study has been cited 3 times, reflecting the foundational nature of this work for the GMT project. Through his engineering and design efforts, Ortolan is helping to unlock unprecedented survey capabilities, positioning the GMT as a powerhouse for large-scale spectroscopic surveys of galaxies, stars, and transients.