[Jeronimo Herrera]

About me

I'm a Bachelor of Science, Mention in Physics (Universidad de Chile, 2019), currently enrolled in a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (McGill University, 2023).

Since I was a child, I have always had a great interest and curiosity for knowledge. The stimuli I received in my environment brought me closer to science, mathematics, the humanities and the arts. During my basic and secondary education training, I regularly participated in academic, cultural and scientific experiences (including Summer Schools of the University of Chile and PENTA of the Catholic University), and obtained outstanding results in tournaments and related competitions. Apart from learning, there is another great passion that has accompanied me in my life: music. I am a multi-instrumentalist musician with a strong background in music theory, and I have always enjoyed sharing my knowledge and inspiring others. I believe that now more than ever comprehensive people are needed in all areas of knowledge. 

In my scientific and academic journey, I have greatly benefited from wonderful mentors, peers, and educational opportunities. I have been especially encouraged by i) the Andrés Bello Scholarship, which was awarded to me for my outstanding results in the University Selection Test (850 in Science, 832 in Mathematics, NEM 6.97) and which I maintained throughout the study plan, since I passed all my courses as an Outstanding Student of the Faculty of Engineering, and ii) the postgraduate Kietzig prize, awarded by Professor Anne Kietzig upon entering the master's degree at McGill University. It is those milestones, mentors and experiences that strengthen my belief that I will succeed as an engineer and that a Master of Science is how I can continue my scientific journey, as I possess the capabilities and desire to contribute positively to society. I am confident that my skills will be developed and used in this way, and that I can help advance the research of Chilean surface engineering groups and contribute to the country's scientific progress. After my master's degree, my goal is to get a PhD and then work in both academia and industry.

Activities

I am currently doing research at the Biomimetic Surface Engineering Laboratory under the tutelage of Professor Anne-Marie Kietzig, from the Department of Chemical Engineering at McGill University. My project consists of minimizing the adhesion force of ice to metallic meshes, according to the type of mesh, its dimensions, porosity and ambient temperature. To do this, I have carried out ice adhesion experiments by pushing ice columns from metallic substrates, measuring the force necessary for the surface to remove the ice at different temperatures. 

Before starting to work with Dr. Kietzig, I did research on emergent properties in nonlinear physics with Dr. Marcel Clerc of the FCFM Physics Department, Universidad de Chile, and did an electrochemical engineering internship with Dr. Melanie Colet Lagrille of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, FCFM, Universidad de Chile. With Professor Clerc I studied the nonlinear dynamics of chimeras and we discussed the ways in which they could be applied to areas other than physics, such as biology, chemistry, statistics and even the human sciences, such as modeling the behavior of chimeras. populations. On the other hand, with Professor Colet, I studied electrochemical cells, fuel cells and, in particular, intermediate to high temperature cells. In my research, I found that a slight increase in humidity can speed up the reaction kinetics at the anode of a solid oxide fuel cell, which Dr. Colet later attributed to increased interaction at the active sites, since the Water generates compounds on the anode surface that favor hydrogen adsorption, such as Lewis acids and Lewis bases. 

Regarding my skills, I consider myself to have a strong background in science, engineering and programming. My undergraduate university training included two initial years of a Common Plan at the School of Engineering of the University of Chile and then the last two years of specialization in physics. Last year I entered the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at McGill University, obtaining excellent academic results (CGPA of 4.00) and advances in my research (replication of previously obtained results). I understand that collaboration and teaching are essential components of my academic career. Consequently, I have endeavored to acquire the relevant skills. I am confident in my teaching abilities from my 7 previous assistantships (including 4 courses of approximately 100 students) and the times I have advised my colleagues who work in areas very different from mine. For my help, I have been recognized in manifestos and seminars of a group of my co-creation, Biohacking Chile. During my undergraduate degree, with a small group of two other classmates we formed a biotech, science, and hacktivism collective, which now has over 1,300 followers on Facebook.

About Kietzig Lab