UC Natural Resources Engineering PhD candidate Fabio Silveira is helping to improve water quality around us.
“I was first introduced to the stormwater field when I arrived in New Zealand, and decided to enrol in a Master’s degree specialising in this area. I have learned a lot about water resources, stormwater and wetlands during my studies and while working as a teacher assistant, research assistant and during external projects with local government. Now my motivation for my PhD journey is to further understand stormwater challenges, provide scientific knowledge in this field, and help improve water quality around us,” he says.
Originally from Brazil, Fabio decided to come to New Zealand to look for new professional and personal opportunities.
“I studied Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil and was aiming to work in water quality, however I ended up working at a pharmaceutical company, Novartis. After 2 years as a graduate engineer, I decided to go to New Zealand for an overseas experience to learn English, travel around the country and contemplate my professional career. New Zealand became like another home to me, so I decided to move to Christchurch to try my luck with job opportunities. After the 2010/2011 earthquakes, there were many construction jobs available. I worked for 1.5 years in a company dealing with earthquake repair and reinforcement using carbon fibre/epoxy resin. After that work, I enrolled into my PhD and the rest, as they say, is history.”
If you're interested in doing a PhD or other graduate degree in our department, please feel free to reach out to any of our academic staff.
