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Mauricio Santos-Andrade EAG sponsored student
General
 Author: Invited contribution

My experiences during an EAG sponsored research stay at Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Mauricio Santos-Andrade in Brussels city center.

For four weeks in October 2024 I undertook a research stay at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium as part of the training required for my PhD project. My research stay was supported by the EAG student sponsorship programme. Prof. Sandra Arndt and her research group, an expert on marine diagenetic modelling, provided the training.

A few months after commencing my PhD this was an excellent opportunity to learn the first tool necessary to start my research project, the Biogeochemical Reactive Network Simulation. This has been chosen because of it’s capacity to address the relationship between redox conditions and rare earth elements, the main topic of my PhD. The exposure to a new research group with intense dynamics and their support in teaching and training me during the entire period in Brussels was such a fantastic experience. It was great to exchange ideas, meet experts on biogeochemical modelling and make new connections.

During the training I learned how to set up a cluster account, implement new variables and reactions to the model framework, also how to set up the necessary conditions to run experiments, along with plotting and evaluating the output. I am quite happy that by the end of the research stay, I was able to run the model proficiently.

After this training in Brussels I can identify at the start of my journey as a PhD student the best avenues for my project and how to develop it. Opening up such perspectives at this point in time is quite motivating, narrowing down my topic with a multidisciplinary geochemical approach. I now feel well equipped to move forward on my project.

Visit to the Atomium in Brussels
City Centre Brussels

Personally, spending 4 weeks in a new country is by itself a fascinating adventure. Moreover, Belgium has a magical “charm” due to the several groups spread over the country: plurality, history, ornate architecture… everywhere. It was a stunning research stay, indeed. The interactions with a new research group was also particularly wonderful. Learning new ways to work and how different research groups act together to improve their integration, communication, and partnership are examples to improve my abilities as the researcher that I want to be.

Not just for this research stay, but for any other event: I would recommend living the moment. Talking with people to learn about your research and connected topics in addition to cultural topics. Also trying to integrate with the group you are working with and/or colleagues at the event you are attending. Live that moment, because it is going to be an outstanding experience for you both as a scientist and human being.

About the Author

Mauricio Santos-Andrade

Mauricio Santos-Andrade

Mauricio Santos-Andrade is a first-year PhD student under a co-tutelle scheme between the University of Bonn (Germany) and University of St Andrews (UK). His research tackles how to trace ocean circulation via a highly sensitive proxy for rapid climate events through geological time. He holds a Master’s degree in Oceanology (Marine Biogeochemistry, Pollution and Ecosystems) from the Federal University of Rio Grande (Brazil) and a Bachelor’s degree in Oceanography from the Federal University of Bahia (Brazil). He has experience on inorganic/organic carbon cycle, and has been focused on implementing machine learning techniques to investigate oceanographic questions.