ISE class of 2016 thesis defense highlights
ISE class of 2016 thesis defense highlights
Name: Ximena Guardia Muguruza
Age: 26
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Which degree (engineering or science)?: Engineering
What was the best part about writing your thesis?
If I have to keep one moment of my thesis defense I would choose the final part, when my advisor stop everybody from leaving to say some words about my work and me. I think there is nothing more heartwarming than the fact that people with much more experience than you appreciate your effort and recognize your professionalism.
What was the most challenging part?
Waiting for the degree, those 15 minutes after the round of questions of my advisors and the examiner felt like 30.
What are your plans now?
I start working this Monday in an environmental consultant in Peru. I‘ll make environmental impact assessments for projects of hydropower plants, wind farms and solar farms. Unfortunately, geothermal projects are not in the Peruvian portfolio yet but I‘ll put all my effort for making them happen in the future. I think it is necessary some assistance to governmental institutions and this will be one of my tasks for sure.
As for my personal life, I think I need some time to get used to living in a huge city like Lima again, especially after the peace and safety that I had in Reykjavík, but the love of my family, friends and the amazing food are making this less difficult.
Name: Tufwane Mwagomba
Age: 35
Hometown: Blantyre, Malawi
Which degree (engineering or science)? Engineering
What was the best part about writing your thesis?
Presenting a study that gives an understanding of developing geothermal in Malawi despite having limited geothermal resource data from studies conducted so far was the best part about defending my thesis. The study is opening new discussion lines about developing geothermal in Malawi.
What was the most challenging part?
Coming up with working codes that provide better estimates of anticipated generation capacity was a challenge. The codes were core to power plant costing estimate that eventually impacted the economic analysis. Accessing reliable cost of power plant equipment was also a challenge.
What are your plans now?
Malawi will be doing its prefeasibility study on our geothermal resources very soon. I am privileged to be strategically positioned to be in the early stages of geothermal energy development and will assist from the energy regulatory perspective in the study.
Name: Magnus de Witt
Age: 27
Hometown: Oberhausen, Germany
Which degree (engineering or science)?: Engineering
What was the best part about writing your thesis?
One of the best parts of my thesis was actually the freedom we got in ISE with choosing a topic. It made it possible to focus on my individual area of interest and then go in the direction which was attracting me the most. My thesis was about analyizing the life cycles of a geothermal power plant using the design structure matrix. I did my thesis in connection with both industry and government agencies here in Iceland. This opened room for some very interesting discussions and opportunities during my defense...
What was the most challenging part?
One of the more difficult parts of my thesis was how much real consultation was required and how it can be a little intimidating to initiate first contact with industry and government. Thankfully, with some support from my supervisors (real Icelanders!) this was just a small obstacle in the larger scheme of things. After the first initation further contact and expert interviews which were needed for the research were no problem at all.
What are your plans now?
In the mid-term, I am planning on participating in the winter school, "Exploring Siberia" in Irkusk, Russia. My aim is to increase my knowledge of the fragile, sub-arctic boreal ecosystem in the surrounding areas and the challenges that environment is facing. My long-term plan is to continue in academia and potentially a PhD in the field of systems engineering or systems dynamics.
Name: Michael Doheny
Age: 25
Hometown: Amherst, New Hampshire, USA
Which degree (engineering or science)? Science
What was the best part about writing your thesis?
The defense was great in that I finally had the opportunity to share that moment with friends and colleagues. The culmination of the past six months of thesis work is essentially all condensed into your thesis defense, so you feel an incredible sense of relief and achievement once completed.
What was the most challenging part?
Maintaining motivation throughout an arduous writing process. I‘ve come to realize that I work better in shorter and more intense spurts in this regard; rather than going to the university seven days per week, I may have just gone 3-4 days, spending more time each trip.
What are your plans now?
I will soon head back to the US to work in the solar or wind industry. I would really love to work within the power generation segment for a utility or commercial scale solar or wind developer.
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