For recently graduated young undergraduates, it is important to find a work group that would offer them opportunities to do research on topics of their interest, considering their ideas and allowing them to develop knowledge and inventions. In Ecuador and other developing countries, workspaces related to research and development for recent graduates are very limited. Few of us have the opportunity to venture into the world of scientific production right after finishing the career. It is a unique and very challenging experience for everything that it involves.
I am a young woman who graduated as a biotechnology engineer last year. I have been enthusiastic about circular engineering, bioeconomy and the development of new products. The USFQ Research Program, particularly the Applied Circular Engineering and Simulation Group (GICAS), gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the exciting world of research and development (R&D) since I graduated. Currently, I am working on a project that takes advantage of agro-industrial wastes in order to obtain biopolymers and value-added products such as bioplastics. I am not only able to research, carry out experiments, and propose ideas, but also to work with specialized technological equipment from other USFQ laboratories and areas, including chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and microbiology. Generally, it is very difficult to have access to certain technological equipment due to its high cost and because it requires a certain degree of qualification for its use. Although I have not been able to use all the technological equipment directly, I have learned how they work and, above all, to analyze and interpret their results.
On the other hand, collaboration among researchers has been one of the pillars to consolidate important advances in the research projects, as well as the constant feedback from professionals with greater knowledge and experience. One of the biggest challenges I have faced in this experience is to achieve an adequate planning and distribution of time and resources available for the project, without losing sight of the objectives and the optimization of the work done.
In the medium and long term, I would like to support nascent researchers, especially those young people who have recently graduated in the areas of science, just as I had the opportunity to develop professionally in the scientific world. In addition, I hope that in Ecuador and other developing countries, more funds are allocated for R&D projects that seek the provision of new knowledge and practical solutions to problems. Without any doubt, this will be reflected in an increased number of inventions and scientific publications, which will open doors to more researchers.