Jenniffer is from Bogotá, Colombia where she also completed her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. She is currently a Research Associate at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), University of York. Jenniffer was a co-chair on this year’s organising committee for the Early Career Short Course.
What was your favorite moment from the IGAC-KL ECR short course?
Meeting the committee and the participants. They showed an unwavering commitment for each activity we planned: lectures, tutorials, a site visit to the Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Station in Putrajaya, interactive sessions as well as excursions and walking tours.
What was your greatest take-away from your time spent on the IGAC-KL 2024 Short Course committee?
It was a great experience that helped me to develop a variety of key skills including teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration as well as make new friends. Also, it was quite exciting getting this leading role and, I would way, a friendly environment to face my fears. I am not good giving speeches in big venues – even in my native Spanish – but having the support of the committee made it much easier.
What advice would you give to other Early Career Researchers (ECRs)?
- Envision your future and make a plan to achieve it: this includes any field you are interested in.
- Find and make better links with you colleagues, they will be your partners in crime in every new research of project.
- Take time to improve your communication skills, it is important to stay visible and to spread the word of your research.
What are you currently working on?
Since joining SEI, I have been supporting many countries in Latin America to develop national strategies to reduce air pollution and methane roadmaps including evaluating mitigation actions to achieve the goal from Global Methane Pledge as well as improving air quality and health. Now, my focus is on giving a scientific perspective to provide further evidence of the overall impact and interconnections to air pollution and climate change.
What are your career aspirations?
I would like to continue providing scientific evidence and supporting countries in Latin America with a special focus on capacity-building which is needed to implement the goals more effectively, especially about assessing and reducing methane emissions due to the close relationship between methane and ground-level ozone.
What area of your field do you feel needs more funding an research?
As a researcher, I would like to see all the recommended projects and actions to tackle air pollution fully implemented by the governments we collaborate with. Achieving this requires funding for research and development of new technological solutions to reduce atmospheric emissions.
How do you create a good work-life balance?
I keep the two environments separate, work and family, and I include a personal activity of my own. I love to go swimming, it helps me to relax and think better. It is crucial to nurture your own passions. Set our boundaries and take advantage of your time off to refuel. Also, if you are away from your home country and can occasionally visit your family and friends, take advantage of these moments to recharge. This will help you to carry on with your day to day activities.