Fernanda Gomes de Mendonça produces hydrogen from water while forging connections at U de M
However, now that she’s here, she cannot stop singing praises for the beautiful city and culture of Québec as well as the top-quality research climate which she has now been a part of.
“I wasn’t originally thinking about doing an internship abroad during my undergraduate degree, but when my Professor in Brazil told me about Mitacs Globalink, I had to apply!”
Now, under the guidance of Dr. Gary Hanan, Fernanda has been helping to develop “photocatalysts”- metallic compounds which are able to produce hydrogen from water in order to be used for fuel cells in cars and transportation. Though she had not done similar lab-based research at home in Brazil, she is enjoying the experience of taking her knowledge out of the classroom and into the lab. “I am learning a lot of new things every day, it’s so good that I can see how much I am learning and where it could take me in my future!”
Fernanda and others from her Globalink cohort attended the inaugural Mitacs Globalink Symposium in Ottawa where they met with government officials and members of the Canadian business community. The event also allowed the students to practice their newly-minted networking skills after having completed a workshop on effective networking through Mitacs Step.
Beyond practicing her English and French (though she insists it’s not that difficult), Fernanda has enjoyed experiencing new cultures and exploring central Canada, though she does intend to return one day because of the academic experience. “Doing graduate studies in Canada would be an amazing experience and I think I would have all of my Brazilian professors’ support to come back. I also really want more Brazilians to come here and have this same experience as I have had.”
Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec for their support of the Globalink research internship in this story. Across Canada, the Globalink program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of British Columbia, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Saskatchewan, and Research Manitoba.
Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: BD@mitacs.ca
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