Blog 3: My dream job in the lab!

Hi!

My dream job is working in a fossil wood laboratory!

I´m currently in my fourth year of Forestry Engineering at the University of Chile.

It all started with the opportunity of professor assistant Magda Orrell at university. She is a wood anatomist and taught me a lot about anatomy. Then, I met Professor Teresa Torres, a Chilean paleobotanist recognized worldwide for her work with fossil woods in Chile.

(Fossil wood of the Antarctica) 

(Antomist and geologists in the Antarctica collecting fossil samples) 

As I already knew that I liked this topic very much, I asked Professor Teresa if I could do my memory project with her and she happily answered yes.

For the reason, my dream job is to follow this path little explored in the country and be part of the Chilean Antarctic Institute, which is a great promoter of fossil research. I know it's far from Santiago and my family, but it would be a dream come true.

I would love to have my own laboratory with my own samples and be able to help with the heritage of the country.

The biggest disadvantage of dedicating yourself to plant fossil anatomy is how little it is valued in Chile, and for this reason there are stable jobs. However, the biggest advantage might be to revive an area of Chilean science that is currently in decline.

I have always known that science requires a lot of patience and I think it is one of my great attributes along with perseverance. Right now, I'm already looking for how to continue my master's studies in this area, and I think Argentina is a good place!

Wish me luck! <3.