Erika Beronich
Erika Beronich
Erika Beronich started a Master of Engineering program in the Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science at Memorial in 2004. “My current research interests include the area of offshore natural gas technologies that can increase the production and reduce the environmental impact. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the extracted gas is either re-injected into the well, used as power on the platforms, or flared (considered stranded gas). New technologies or modification of the existing ones could be economically possible to process these gas reserves. I expect to develop an academic career related to this developing industry.”
”I am from Argentina, and I hold a Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering from the National Technological University (UTN) in Cordoba, Argentina. In my undergraduate program, I developed a feasibility study of Paclitaxel (a drug) production as a final project of the program. This project was part of an agreement between UTN-FRC and the Cordoba Science Agency.”
“My first experience in research was fascinating and encouraged me to continue graduate studies. In my undergraduate studies, I began to develop my research experience through a research internship at the Physical-chemistry Group of New Materials (GFNM) part of the Center for Research and development (CITeQ) of the National Technologic University (UTN-FRC). In 2002, I was awarded a research fellowship for two consecutive years at the same laboratory, and the main topic was catalysis. I carried out the research as an assistant on two projects related to environmental and other catalysis work.”
“I have chosen Memorial University of Newfoundland because it offers a high level faculty members and outstanding research in oil and gas industry. I found excellent supervisors, Dr Kelly Hawboldt and Dr Majid Abdi. I really enjoy working with both of them since they transfer to me their experiences and at the same time they provide me a guide in my research. During this year and half, I have been learning how to improve day by day in many aspects of my studies.”
“Memorial provides excellent facilities in comparison with the facilities provided at the university in my country. The accessibility to diverse databases and papers surprised me. In addition, as an international student I found a wonderful international environment here. The international office provides excellent services (such as information of life, culture, and legislation of the country), which make students’ life more convenient.”
”With respect to my research interest, the industry of Oil and Gas in Newfoundland and Labrador is under development, so several investigations can be conducted in order to improve the production of this industry. I found a warm welcome from the Newfoundlanders, and this city is a peaceful place to live and study.
“I enjoy doing sports, especially in summer time when the weather allows me doing different activities. I have a nice social life since I have friends from different part of the world. I always try to organize events to meet people --when my studies allow me!”
In fall 2005, Erika received a fellowship from School of Graduate Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland. In December 2003, she was awarded with a prestigious doctoral fellowship from the National Research Council of Argentina, but I decided to continue my studies in Canada. As well, during two consecutives years, 2002 and 2003, she received a Research Fellowship from the National Technologic University (UTN-FRC) to develop her activities at the Physical-chemistry Group of New Materials (GFNM) part of the Center for Research and development (CITeQ). In 2001, she was elected as deputy counsellor for the Chemical Engineering Department (Period 2002 and 2003). She graduated from Secondary School among the top three academic standing.
“I am planning to continue with my graduate studies in Memorial University. Due to the recent inception of the compressed natural gas (CNG) test facility project at Memorial University of Newfoundland, I can foresee that I can make relevant contributions to the oil and gas industry within the scope of my potential PhD program.”