Mónica Guadalupe López Ortega is a doctoral student at the Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) in Mexico. Mónica explains that Mexico is attempting to diversify its energy grid and is considering the introduction of ethanol. Her project evaluates ethanol production from sugarcane within the specific context of Mexico. “By using a computer with special software, we can simulate a sugarcane processing plant and assess the resulting economic, social, and environmental impacts.” Mónica was in Brazil for approximately six months and learned about the CNPEM through scientific articles specific to this area. “Here I’m surrounded by specialists on the topic I’m working on. I can walk out of the office, take a few steps, and talk with someone who has vast experience on the topic.” Being a scientist is a learning process that never ends.
Facility: LNBR/Virtual sugarcane biorefinery