Claudio Melo is an astronomer with a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, currently serving as the Sustainability & Diversity Officer at the European Southern Observatory.
Claudio worked as an astronomer in the science operations team at the Paranal Observatory in Chile and at ESO headquarters in Garching, Germany.
The power of astronomy to drive innovation and inspire society led Claudio to take a career shift toward science policy. As the Head of the Office for Science of ESO in Chile and then as the ESO Representative in Chile, Claudio promoted the wonders of the Universe and the innovative and educational potential of astronomy and strengthened ESO’s relationship with the Chilean government and society at large.
Motivated by the Portuguese space ambitions, Claudio joined the Portuguese Space Agency, where he served as the science officer connecting astronomy and space sciences to the development of the space sector in Portugal.
Early this year, Claudio returned to ESO to integrate sustainability into ESO’s activities using astronomy to contribute to the challenge of making a sustainable world and increasing the resilience of the Organisation to transformations taking place in this century.
