BPI had the pleasure of hosting Marianelly Esquivel Alfaro as a visiting scholar, collaborating with Dr. Orlando Rojas's research group from September to December 2023.
Nelly is a doctoral student in the DOCINADE (Doctorate in Natural Sciences for Development) program in Costa Rica. Additionally, she serves as a faculty member in the Chemistry Department at the Universidad Nacional (UNA) in Costa Rica, her home country.
With a background in Industrial Chemistry at the undergraduate level, Nelly pursued her master's degree in Forest Products Science at the Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico, sponsored by a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarship. After completing her studies, she returned to Costa Rica and joined the staff of the Polymer Laboratory (POLIUNA) at UNA.
Her research primarily focuses on the utilization of lignocellulosic waste, such as pineapple remnants, capitalizing on Costa Rica's status as the leading global exporter of fresh pineapples. Additionally, she targets shrimp waste, a by-product of a significant productive activity in her country. Nelly extracts nanopolysaccharides, including nanocellulose and nanochitin, from these waste materials to transform them into new hybrid materials with potential applications as advanced biomaterials.
Nelly's visit to UBC aimed to advance a portion of her doctoral thesis within Dr. Rojas's group, facilitated by the support of UNA. This visit is part of an ongoing initiative between UBC and UNA to establish a closer collaborative relationship, fostering joint research, and facilitating the exchange of students and professors between both institutions. The experience has proven to be exceptionally enriching, and Nelly expresses deep gratitude for the support received from the research group, Dr. Rojas, and BPI as a whole. To sustain and strengthen this collaboration, one of her undergraduate students from UNA will soon undertake an internship at UBC.
Congratulations on finishing the term at BPI, Nelly, and best wishes. We eagerly anticipate continued collaboration in our research endeavors.
