“We research to improve the world”

2023/06/02 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingeniaritza
• Berdintasuna
• Ingurumena

The current importance of preserving and restoring the environment is undeniable. Arrate Santaolalla Ramirez investigates it, but he didn't start doing it. He recognizes, however, that he has always thought it essential to take care of the environment, but above all they have led him to meet the subjects he likes and the teachers. Moreover, to the departments related to the environment many come from life sciences, Santaolalla did not: “I studied the Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Industry at the UPV/EHU and right there, in the fourth year, there was a subject of environmental technologies and I realized I liked it”.

Decide to hold a master's degree in Environmental Engineering. There he met the future directors of the final master's work and, upon their proposal, began to research in environmental engineering.

Santaolalla explains that industrial processes advance and waste is generated. “These waste must be managed and technology helps.” An example of this is her work: “We recover metals. Use of microorganisms in a metal recovery oriented solubilization process”.

In fact, they have applied and investigated this bioprocess in two ways. On the one hand, biomechanization, microstructure production and, on the other hand, the recovery of metals in printed circuits of electrical and electronic equipment, for example, in the case of bioleaching. “Because they are increasingly accumulating in the world and their management is a very serious problem. We focus on that,” she explains.

Financing, main difficulty

Santaolalla is pleased with the work he is doing in the world of research, which seems to him to be doing his bit. But it also finds a big obstacle: getting funding. “Scholarships and grants are normally given to other groups, perhaps because they conduct very important research. But, despite that, the environment is related to our health and we must not forget that surveillance is fundamental.”

In their view, dissemination can contribute to increased support, including education. “Disclosure is part of the research. People have to do with what we work on, what we do, what the consequences are… I think this can help to raise awareness of the importance of research and to improve funding.”

On the other hand, he likes teaching: “Everything I have learned I am teaching young people. And how important research is, not only in the environmental field, but in all areas, to somehow improve the world. For that we do research.”

He would like to continue studying and educating in the short-term future. And that is that the group is satisfied: “We are a small group and I think we are all satisfied and that what we do is very important.”

Arrate Santaolalla Ramírez

Arrate Santaolalla Ramirez was born in Vitoria. After obtaining the degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering, I held a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering (between the University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea and the University of Cantabria). 2017 started doctoral studies under the direction of Doctors Astrid Barona and Naiara Rojo. In July 2021, I defended my doctoral thesis with the mention of the “Doctor Internacional” in Environmental Engineering at the UPV: Copper solubilization strategies for mold biomachining and bioleaching from printed circuit boards. He completed an international doctoral degree at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG).