Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Ignacio obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in physics at the University of Chicago. As an undergraduate, he researched neutrino physics in liquid argon detectors. At Columbia, he works on astronomical instrumentation with Professor David Schiminovich. His research focuses on the design and development of next-generation visible spectrum and UV instruments to study how galaxies evolve and sustain star formation throughout time. Currently his time is split between CHaS, a ground-based IFU spectrograph at MDM observatory, and FIREBall-2,¬ balloon-borne UV telescope part of a joint NASA-CNES mission. Outside of the lab, he enjoys photography, running in Riverside Park, watching Formula 1, and passionately advocating for the metric system.