Dr. Vargas is the Principal Investigator of the Aspera SmallSat Mission, which was selected for funding in the inaugural NASA Astrophysics Pioneers Program. Aspera is a far-ultraviolet imaging spectrograph that will map the warm-hot gas emission in nearby galaxy halos for the first time. Dr. Vargas studies the relationship between star formation and the diffuse inner halos of spiral galaxies. He is particularly interested in the mechanisms behind the prevalence and support of matter residing outside of star-forming galaxy disks. He has led studies analyzing the cycling of gas and cosmic rays between galaxy disks and halos, as well as large observational campaigns at optical wavelengths. Dr. Vargas is committed to advancing UV space astrophysics in both small and large platforms.