About Me

Education

Research Interest

I am passionate of the intersection of astrophysics and machine learning, particularly in studying galaxy evolution and detecting anomalies in transient objects using simulation-based inference. My research focuses on developing rapid, cost-effective inference methods tailored for large-scale astronomical surveys, such as those from the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).

By harnessing advanced computational techniques, I aim to drive efficiency in astrophysical research and build scalable data analysis pipelines capable of handling the massive datasets generated by next-generation observatories. With traditional Bayesian inference facing the curse of dimensionality, the era of big data opens up both exciting challenges and opportunities for pushing the boundaries of discovery in this field.

Hello!

Thank you for stopping by my page! I'm a first-generation Chicano/Latino student born and raised in San Marcos, California (Southern California). My academic journey has led me to work on various observation astronomy research projects both in the United States and abroad. I am dedicated to breaking down barriers in research accessibility, particularly for underrepresented students, and fostering international collaboration in the scientific community.

My parents, Monica and Alejandro Vidal, were both born in Morelos, Mexico, and gave me the opportunity to live my dream and become an astronomer. Here is my family!

Some personal interests are that I like to go to the gym and lift weights, I enjoy watching soccer, and playing volleyball. I also enjoy cooking and the food industry! I have a lot of background in the industry and have worked on the line and managed a kitchen before! But takes a different type of mindset to survive in the kitchen, therefore I will stick to astronomy xD. Lastly, I love to travel, in the summer of 2023, I received the opportunity to do an internship in Toulouse, France. And was able to visit England, Spain, Ireland, and Italy! I also participated in a hackathon based out of Montreal, Canada and when I was younger, I also got to visit my family a lot in Mexico which was always fun!

Also, I am a cat jefe! Here are my cats, though they are both ~2 years old!

If you find any of my work interesting or would like to connect, perhaps one day travel together haha, please reach out to me on the contact page!

Outreach

Astronomy C10 UGSI

Calculus Round Table

Calculus Roundtable is a nonprofit organization that is working to accelerate math and science skills for students of color. Our vision is to give all students an understanding of the world through the lens of math and science and that their future lives are not decided by random but by effort. We help students gain access to tutoring, STEM afterschool programs to boost their math and science scores.

At Calculus Round Table, I had the privilege of leading Python and Astronomy workshops in K-8 classrooms. The workshops utilized engaging platforms such as Scratch and Code Monkey to introduce students to the world of programming and astronomy. In collaboration with the West Contra Costa Unified School District, I provided one-on-one mentorship to high school students, offering guidance and support in their pursuit of higher education. Moreover, our team had the opportunity to make a positive impact at the Juvenile Justice Center in San Leandro, CA. We worked with enthusiastic students who aspired to pursue higher education despite facing challenges related to their involvement with the justice system.

Click the CRT logo to learn more.

R.I.S.E Peer Mentor

RISE offers academic support and college preparation programs for low-income At-Promise youth who will be attending Berkeley High Schools. Our goals are to help students graduate on time and encourage them to pursue higher education. We achieve these goals by reducing outside barriers that interfere with personal and academic wellness through Summer Bridge Transition, Academic Mentoring, Counseling, Advocacy and Enrichment Activities.

As a peer mentor in the RISE youth program, I played a vital role in shaping students' academic journeys. Beyond assisting with homework, I provided comprehensive mentorship to guide students towards college readiness. My dedication extended to instilling confidence, imparting essential leadership skills, and fostering a supportive environment.

Click the RISE logo to learn more.

Contact

Email: edgar.vidal[at]tufts.edu

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Elements

i = 0;

while (!deck.isInOrder()) {
    print 'Iteration ' + i;
    deck.shuffle();
    i++;
}

print 'It took ' + i + ' iterations to sort the deck.';