REPU MAGAZINE N 3
An interview with Edson Bellido
McMaster University. I find the research groups where
the students will do their internships and make sure
their accommodation and paper work are arranged
before their arrival.
2017
I took a class with a professor that had a very active
research laboratory. One day he invited the class to go
and see the lab and the work done there. I went to the
lab and met a graduate students working on a thin film
coating system. He asked if I was interested in helping
with the project, I said yes, and little by little I got more
involved in the research done there. People in that
laboratory were very active and through them I got
involved in other activities, but at the time I did not
know the importance of those extracurricular activities
and the connections you establish through them. If I
knew back then, I would have started earlier.
In my role of mentor, I guide the students during their
internship by providing advice on their research
projects as well as and practical tips so they can get
into the mindset of a researcher. In conjunction with
the other mentors, I also organize activities such as
journal clubs and research in progress sessions,
where the students can practice and improve their
communication skills and learn how to present their
research and ideas in a coherent and clear way. The
mentors work with the students during all their
internship to make sure they can get the most out of
this experience not only academically but also
personally, so they can gain the skills that they will
need in order to be accepted into graduate school and
later be successfully researchers that contribute to the
development of our country.
Any advice for Peruvian undergrads who would
like to go to grad school abroad?
Get involved in research activities as early as possible,
you can even start in your first year. I know a very
successful young professor. She has a very successful
career, and she started doing research in high school.
The more experience you get the better your chances
of being accepted into graduate school abroad.
In my new role as co-director, together with the other
directors, we lead the organization to achieve its goal,
which is to build a strong Peruvian scientific
community by complementing the undergraduate
education with a research internship in laboratories in
North America and Europe. We also supervise the
committees that form the structure of REPU, and we
are the responsible for establishing partnerships/
agreements with organizations which values are
aligned with our goals. Currently, we are working
towards consolidating REPU as a legally recognized
organization and establishing a strategic agreement to
ensure that REPU students can receive funding for
their internship. We want to build a strong organization
that goes beyond the internship, we want a community
of outstanding Peruvian scientist where all members
work together and collaborate in the development of
science and technology in Peru.
Study English early on, do not leave it for later.
Perfecting your language skills is fundamental for
graduate school, even if you go to a non-English
speaking country you will still need English to
communicate in the academic world.
Get help and advice from people with more
experience. Ask alumni from your university that are in
graduate school abroad for give you advice and guide
through the application process, most people are
willing to help, do not be afraid of asking for help.
know back then but know now? Keep yourself updated in your field of interest.
Constantly read papers about areas of research in
which you would like to work on. This will be very help
in your application because it will be easier for you to
show that you are knowledgeable and have a true
interest on research field. Take advantage of the new
tools that CONCYTEC is providing to get access to
scientific literature. When I was an undergrad student
we did not have this option, I had to ask people abroad
to send papers.
I wish I realized back then the importance of getting
involved in activities beyond coursework. These
extracurricular activities during my undergrad were
fundamental for my applications to graduate school,
internships and scholarships. In my case it was by
pure chance that I got involved in these extra activities. Be perseverant; keep working on getting research
experience and in your language skills. Seek help and
information on how you can achieve your goal. Even if
you are not successful the first time, keep working to
improve your chances of being accepted, follow your
dreams!
If you could go back to college, what do you
wish your undergrad self knew that you didn't
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