Affiliated UK IDTP PhD Student
Interivew with Grace
Question 1: At which university did you complete your undergraduate studies? What undergraduate degree did you study? (for example, University of Nottingham, Chemical Engineering MEng)
Grace: University of Nottingham, Chemistry, MSci
Question 2: What inspired you to study your undergraduate degree?
Grace: I enjoyed science I school and did Maths, Chemistry and Physics A levels, which led me onto choosing Chemistry for my Undergraduate degree (although it was a tough decision between that and physics).
Question 3: What did you do after you finished your undergraduate degree? (e.g. PhD)
Grace: PhD
Question 4: What inspired you to do a PhD? Why did you chose to do your PhD in the area you have chosen?
Answer 4: For the final masters year of m undergraduate degree, I completed a research project within the geochemistry group, supervised by Dr. Veerle Vandeginste. I was looking at Rock-Fluid Interactions relevant to Fracking systems and the environmental impacts they may cause. I enjoyed undertaking this research project, which is what led me to make the decision to continue on to a PhD. I had the opportunity to stay with the same supervisor in Chemistry, and switch my focus to geothermal energy systems, which I found appealing due to its more renewable nature (compared to fracking).
Question 5: What attracted you to study your PhD at the University of Nottingham?
Grace:: I really enjoyed my undergraduate here. I already knew it was a great university and a great department, and I had formed a lot of close connections with people over my time, so the option to stay was just too good to pass on for me. My supervisors are experts in their field, and the opportunity to collaborate with a University and energy company in Indonesia was also a unique and exciting prospect. On top of that, the campus is beautiful and I also really like the city itself (I chose to live right in the middle of it at the beginning of my PhD) so it’s a great place to live and work.
Question 6: Who is/are your Supervisor/s at the University of Nottingham?
Grace: Dr. Veerle Vandeginste, Dr. Bagus Muljadi and Professor Matthew Hall (left the university in 2018).
Question 7: Please give a research summary statement, briefly giving an overview of your research.
Grace: I am investigating the rock-fluid interactions that occur between andesitic type volcanic rocks, which I got from an active geothermal well in Indonesia through the collaboration with ITB University and Supreme Energy, and representative geothermal fluids. I am focussing on what dissolution and/or precipitation reactions take place which might result in species being added or lost from these systems. I am particularly interested in whether these geothermal systems can also be used as a carbon sequestration site. Carbon sequestration via mineral trapping in basaltic type rocks has been proven to occur in just 2 years and so the aim is to give an insight on whether this can be achieved in other types of volcanic rocks, to enable this technique to be expanded to more locations worldwide.
Question 8: How do you think your research benefitted from being an international collaboration? (e.g. collaborating internationally gave you the opportunity to research a subject matter that would be inaccessible without the collaboration)
Grace: The collaboration with ITB University and Supreme Energy in Indonesia was essential to the project, as it gave me access to rock samples from an active geothermal well, which is a fantastic research opportunity. They have also been able to offer advice and expertise throughout the project which has been really helpful in progressing the research. Indonesia is a top producer of geothermal energy, with huge potential to expand this even further, so their expertise in this area is world leading. Alongside this, I think it has been very beneficial to me personally, to have the chance to meet and discuss with various experts from multiple institutions. I have gained experience in what it takes to successfully collaborate across boarders and met many wonderful people in the process.