APECS Glaciology/Hydrology Discipline Coordinator

University of Calgary, Canada

I was born in Santiago - Chile near the Andean mountains which have always been part of my life. After studying in a British school in Santiago I decided to register in the Civil Engineering Program of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, where I also pursued my Masters Degree. The question now was how to integrate mountains and glaciers with my profession. The answer was only a couple of months down the road. Within the completion of my masters I started to be deeply involved in glaciological research in Patagonia and Alaska. Shortly afterwards I was partially in charge of the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) for some years. What I learnt in Patagonia and Alaska made me realize that I needed a PhD. As such I came to Canada to study under the supervision of Dr. Brian Moorman at the University of Calgary. My current research interests focus on the hydrological interrelationships between glaciers and permafrost in the Canadian Arctic; more specifically on Bylot Island. Since then I have lived in Calgary where I can dedicate my time to my three main passions, glaciers, mountains and soaring.

It is not a surprise to anyone that student life is challenging; especially if you have academia and research as your professional goals. Beside the common financial difficulties and personal related issues that usually hinder the performance of many students around the world, the post-student insertion into the research world is not easy either. This is why entities such as APECS and others are so important in networking between young researchers and moreover helping to close the gap between well established researchers and young scientists. As a discipline coordinator I am motivated to assist APECS in developing more and better tools to help young passionate scientists to interact and improve their skills. I am happy to be part of APECS.