I first came to Denmark and DTU Wind Energy as part of my Erasmus Mundus European Wind Energy Master education, and both quickly became natural options for continuing my career.
Tell me about your background
I was born and raised in Costa Rica. My father is a civil engineer, and my mother is a computer engineer/scientist. You can say engineering is in my genes. I received my Bachelor and Licentiate degrees in Electrical Engineering from University of Costa Rica (UCR).
During my bachelor studies in Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to go on exchange to Canada and to Portugal during my licentiate. These enriching experiences increased my drive to acquire a postgraduate degree outside Costa Rica, which brought me back to Europe.
As part of the Electric Power Systems track of the Erasmus Mundus European Wind Energy Master (EWEM), I studied one semester at DTU in Lyngby, one semester at TU Delft in the Netherlands and the last year at NTNU in Norway. Upon completing the programme, I received the Master degrees in Electrical Engineering and Wind Energy from TU Delft and NTNU, respectively.
How did you get an interest in wind energy?
Being inclined particularly towards a career in research and development (R&D), I slowly realised that, from among all the areas in which an electrical engineer can do R&D, fields of study like sustainable energies can be rewarding not just on both a professional and an academic level, but also much more rewarding on a personal level.
Therefore, I decided I wanted my work to contribute to a better and more efficient use of sustainable energy resources, better integration of them in the electric power systems, and greater energy independence.
How did you come to DTU Wind Energy?
I first came to Denmark and DTU Wind Energy during my master’s, and both quickly became natural options for continuing my career in R&D.
After my Master in Norway, I returned to Denmark to find a job in R&D in wind energy. I identified with the Northern European culture and was determined to get a job here, because Denmark is in the forefront
when talking about the wind energy sector. I ended with a couple of positions, and out of my interest I applied for my current PhD position at DTU Wind Energy shortly afterwards. I was fortunate to get a non-EU Green Card before the Danish Government changed the system.
What about the future?
I enrolled in my master’s already with the intention of pursuing a career in R&D in Denmark and Northern Europe. It is relevant to begin to think about my future, and I like to live in Denmark. I find working here very interesting and meaningful. It is a big priority in my life.
Would you recommend other young people to do a PhD degree here at DTU Wind Energy?
Yes, definitely. I am delighted to work here. I think we in Scandinavia enjoy some of the best working conditions PhD students can have. Moreover, it is quite an honour to work at such a historical place as DTU Risø Campus. Just recently, I attended Section Leader, Flemming Rasmussen’s presentation about how wind energy started here 40 years ago.