José Francisco Salgado

José Francisco Salgado
José Francisco Salgado at McMurdo Station in Antarctica
Background information
Birth name	José Francisco Salgado Alicea
Origin	San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation(s)	astronomer, visual artist
Associated acts	Bailey-Salgado Project

José Francisco Salgado (born José Francisco Salgado Alicea in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is an Emmy-nominated astronomer, experimental photographer, visual artist, and public speaker who uses art to communicate science in engaging ways. Salgado's Science & Symphony films have been presented more than 130 times in 15 countries with orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra Teatro Regio Torino, and the Chicago Sinfonietta. Salgado is a member of the Bailey-Salgado Project, an audiovisual ensemble formed with composer and musician Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins/Babble, International Observer).

Formally trained in Physics (BS, U. of Puerto Rico) and Astronomy (PhD, U. of Michigan), José Francisco Salgado uses his skills in astronomy, education, and visual arts to create multimedia works that communicate science in engaging ways. In 2010 he co-founded KV 265, a non-profit organization whose mission is the communication of science through art and for which he serves as Executive Director. He is also adjunct professor of Astronomy at Benedictine University. Prior to these positions he worked from 2000 to 2015 as an astronomer and science visualizer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

In February 2006, José Francisco Salgado started hosting Nuestra Galaxia, a news segment in the Noticias Univision Chicago (WGBO) 5 p.m. newscast. In the weekly segment Salgado featured astronomy news, skywatching information, and answers to questions submitted by viewers. That same year he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work in the segment. Nuestra Galaxia concluded in 2008 with 110 segments aired. Salgado is interviewed regularly in newscasts and radio shows across the U.S. He has appeared twice on Chicago Tonight,.