Marvin Valentin, who in the Philippines is affiliated at Benguet State University as an Assistant Professor, was searching for PhD vacancy in Europe and on the Doctoral School website found a research topic which corresponded to his interests. Then he contacted his future supervisor to agree on the details of his planned research.
The PhD student does not regret his choice.
– UPWr is such a wonderful learning environment for me. It is captivating, edifying and encouraging to really study here. This is especially because I am assigned to a very supportive and kind supervisor, Prof. Andrzej Białowiec, who is an expert in his research field, well accomplished and a top-calibre professor. He always has time to mentor and guide me in my research work. Though I am new in our laboratory, I find myself being at home because my lab mates are accommodating and are always willing to help me in my work – says Marvin.
The young scientist works at the Department of Applied Bioeconomy and is a member of the Waste and Biomass Valorization Group (WBVG) laboratory, where together with the help of his supervisor and lab mates, he is doing research about DIET, but it is different to the ‘diet’ relating to humans or animals.
– It is about Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer (DIET), a phenomenon in the anaerobic digestion where diffusive electrons from the secondary fermentative bacteria and methanogens are directly transferred even in the absence of conductive pili or c-type cytochrome. This is usually indicated by the relative abundance of syntropic of acetogens and methanogens such as Firmicutes and Methanosarcina - the PhD student explains.
This kind of unique and seemingly efficient and new electron transfer concept can be facilitated by carbon materials like biochar. Efficient electron transfer defines the performance of aerobic digestion. Biochar exhibits important qualities like electrical conductivity, redox active moieties and zeta potential, and the presence of elements that contribute to improved efficiency of biomethane production. With this, Marvin investigates the mechanism of biochar that elucidates its peculiar physical and chemical characteristics responsible to facilitate DIET.
In addition, the PhD student is looking into the details of carbon material relevant to its ability to enhance the buffering capacity of the digester against inhibitors such as the quick production and relatively slow degradation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), the presence of heavy metals, formation of Total Ammonium Nitrogen (TAN) and sulfate among others. Furthermore, he and the team are optimizing the operating condition of an anaerobic bioreactor by integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and life cycle assessment analysis (LCA).
The time of doing PhD is not only about working hard on your research. The university also promotes a well-balanced life by organizing several events such as sessions at the gym which graduate students and professors attend regularly. This social activity really strengthens linkage and collaboration amongst scientists.
In Marvin's opinion, the university’s doctoral program has a strategic and unique pedagogical architecture that allows students to strengthen their research skills by offering a variety of professional development programs. One of which is sending students, especially PhD students, for immersion or research internships to universities abroad with generous financial support. PhD students are also considered employees of the University and are treated fairly wherein they are allowed to participate in research undertakings by submitting project proposals to funding agencies and are given the opportunity to serve as principal investigators once the proposal is approved.
– It is a strategic approach which offers quality academic training that enriches scientific skills and develops the ability to manage a research project requiring teamwork in the concept of a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach. UPWr is indeed a university that values the future of its students - adds the scientist.
Asked about his plans after graduation, Marvin says:
– After my PhD in Europe, I look forward to an environment where I can be useful. A place where I will maximize my training and education to do relevant research works directly linked to the end users like the farmers in the Philippines, particularly in my hometown in Mankayan, Benguet. Back in the Philippines, It can be in the academe either at home or abroad but the key consideration is to let destiny decide. The important thing at the moment is that I would do my best in my study here at UPWr so that when the time is right then I would be ready.
