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About

J. Gallego is a leading figure in astronomical instrumentation, specializing in the design and construction of cutting-edge spectrographs for the world’s largest telescopes. Their primary research focuses on near-infrared and optical multi-object spectrographs (MOS) and integral field units (IFUs), with major contributions to two flagship instruments for the 10.4-meter Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). Gallego played a pivotal role in developing EMIR, a powerful near-infrared camera and MOS that provides spectral coverage from 0.9 to 2.5 µm over a wide field of view, and MEGARA, a high-resolution optical IFU and MOS offering resolving powers up to R~17,000. Their work on MEGARA’s robotic positioners, fiber alignment systems, and optical testing—including sub-aperture stitching interferometry for large surfaces—has been essential to the instrument’s successful commissioning in 2017. With over 60 citations across their most-cited papers, Gallego’s contributions have enabled transformative observations in astrophysics, from galaxy evolution to star formation. Their dedication to advancing spectrographic technology continues to empower the astronomical community, making them a key architect of modern ground-based observational capabilities.