How did you get into your field and what is your research story?
Since my childhood, I have been passionate about learning how things work as well as any quirky stuff I can find. Because of this “quirky stuff” side, I ended up starting a bachelor in physics and maths. However, something was missing… the “how things work” side. So, I decided to change my degree to Industrial Engineering at Federal University of Parana.
In the meantime, I got a scholarship to study MEng. Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Warwick. Back to the quirky stuff… my project was called “Manufacture of functional polymer-composite materials for electromagnetic applications by extrusion”. Even though it was a challenging project, my supervisor at the time suggested I use a reference manager called “Mendeley”. As most of the students, I did not pay enough attention to her and made it without using it.
Back in Brazil I began a Masters in Process Mining. As soon as I started studying it, I realized that working only on the research itself would consume much more energy than I expected (as you often have to redo your work). At this point I decided to optimize my research process. And I decided to follow my former supervisor’s advice and start using Mendeley.
Where do you do your research/work the best? What kind of environment suits you?
Usually I like to balance two environments: loud and talkative (to generate the ideas) and quiet and surrounded by nature (to organise the ideas).
How long have you been on Mendeley?
I first heard about it in 2013. However, it was only in 2016 I started exploring its features and using them effectively.
What were you using prior to Mendeley and how does Mendeley influence your research?
I used to have a notepad file with a list of references, which I pasted in to the document at the end. When I found out what Mendeley could do for my research, I must confess I was bit sceptical in the beginning. As I started using it, the intuitive environment changed my mind and now I am very comfortable about swapping my notepad to Mendeley.
Why did you decide to become an Advisor and how are you involved with the program?
Seeing my Master’s peers struggling to finish a 6 page assignment because of the references brought my attention to simple problems around me. So I became an Advisor and since then I have been holding teaching sessions for many groups in the university.
Which researcher would you like to work with or meet, dead or alive?
Leonardo da Vinci is one researcher I would like to meet and work with. Possibly because of his broad range of skills in different areas.
What book are you reading at the moment and why?
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. The book talks about how decisions you assume are being made rationally sometimes are not really something you have a choice about.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned this week?
Well… some people say it is possible to use a biological virus to improve computing power hahaha https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsanm.8b01508
What is the best part about working in research?
Having your research used by someone else (to help someone, not to have citations) is the best part.
And the worst/most challenging part about working in research?
Dealing with egos, in my humble opinion, is the biggest challenge we have been facing in science as it jeopardises both the speed and the environment in which the research is made.
What is the one thing you want people to know about Mendeley?
Unless your notepad file still can solve your problems, use Mendeley…. for the greater good.
Mendeley Blog 