Hometown: Valledupar, Colombia
Graduate Research Focus:
I have been studying the stability of deep underground tunnels that are implemented for obtaining minerals in hard rock mines. The intrinsically anthropogenic need for human development can ultimately only be satisfied on Earth, by obtaining essential mineral resources from deep underground mining operations. The transition from open pits to underground operations such as at Chuquicamata (One of the largest open pits in the world located in Chile) is a vivid example of this. Greater depths and higher production rates increase the challenges of providing a safe and productive environment. Environments at greater depths are inherently more hazardous because the walls and roofs of tunnels can suddenly collapse, causing harm to people or the expensive equipment and subsequently jeopardize the economic viability of a project. I implement advanced numerical models as well as well-thought processes to recreate these hazardous situations, simulate the ground response to human activity and provide suggestions on how to provide safer environments.
Why I chose to do graduate studies:
I am highly motivated to be the first Doctor of Philosophy in my family. Moreover, I would like to set an example for other students from Latin America to encourage them to pursue higher education studies abroad.
Why Queen’s?:
I received an invitation to work with Dr. Mark S. Diederichs and Dr. Peter K. Kaiser, who are two living legends in the Rock mechanics worldwide, not just in Canada. They are pioneers in my field of study and the offer to do research under their supervision was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Queen’s University’s program in Rock Mechanics stands out amongst the finest in the world, aligning perfectly with my academic and professional aspirations. Now, after three years of studies, I can confidently say that coming to Queen’s University was the best decision of my life. The program has pushed the boundaries of my career beyond anticipated, largely owing to the unparallelled expertise of the faculty, not just in Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, but also Computational Geoscience.
The environment at Queen’s University is unique. Not only the architecture of the campus is a striking beauty, everyone is very kind and helpful, but also the sun shines even during the coldest winter days in Kingston!
What do you like to do in your spare time?:
I enjoy travelling with my spouse, discovering new places and cultures and learning about art, music, history and gastronomy of every new place that we visit. I also love walking at the lake and playing squash and soccer.
What’s next for you?:
I love teaching so I would love to become a professor at a university someday. I would also like to have my own company, where I could implement better practices for tunnelling that I have been taught.
Give us some inspiring words about studying Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering:
The deeper you study Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, the more acutely you become aware of the unique geological processes shaping the landscapes, environments, and scenarios around us. These disciplines heighten your appreciation for the beauty and uniqueness of the mountains, lakes and the very ground that supports the infrastructure of our civilization. Holding rocks and understanding their monumental impact to construct the grandest and smallest structures worldwide or boost the agricultural production to sustain the still increasing population, might cause some arrogance in a scientist; nevertheless, the realization that the same rock spans millions, or even billions of years, while our civilization is just a blip in time of merely thousand of years, brings an instant, reflective humility, and a need to try to better understand and preserve nature. Studying Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering is complex, but it is beyond an academic pursuit!