Lucia Rodriguez Freire

I was just a child when my parents gave me a book entitled “What can children do to save the world?” and after reading that book I realized that I really wanted to care for and maintain the planet in which we live. When I grew up, the time came when I had to decide what I wanted to do with my life, the answer was easy. I love the environment, but I am not an idealist, I know that human beings need to develop and mature, and I believe in an equilibrium point between industrial development and conservation of our planet.  This is my life objective, and in order to achieve this goal I am preparing as best as possible so I became a chemical engineer specialized in chemical and biological processes as well as environmental engineering. During my undergraduate studies I collaborated in the design of processes for energy production from forest biomass, and I designed a battery recycling plant for my capstone project.

I am now currently enrolled in the PhD Environmental Engineering program at the University of Arizona under the supervision of Dr. Reyes Sierra and Dr. James A. Field. My research project consists in the study of the biogeochemical cycle of arsenic in the environment. Arsenic is a naturally occurring highly toxic metalloid listed as the highest priority contaminant on the ATSDR/EPA priority list of hazardous substances at Superfund sites; in fact my project is part of the Superfund Research Program at the University of Arizona. I'm doing a PhD in Environmental Engineering in the U.S., get involved in all activities that I possibly can, attending seminars, conferences, talks and maintaining a good collaboration with my peers. This is my attempt to specialize not only in my research project, but also to expand horizons and to learn of the work of others.

I really think what I explained above is what I need to do if I want to be an outstanding environmental professional in my future work. I would like to work at a University, where I can work in solving problems, in intimate collaboration with the industry, in order to implement real engineering solutions to environmental contamination.