Interviewee: Alejandra Estefanía Ichina López
CEDIA questions questionnaire
Date: October 1, 2021
Interviewee: Alejandra Estefanía Ichina López
Interviewer: Anais Parrales Tigrero
Main topic: Experience in the La Serena Data Science School 2021 program
• Please help us with your full name and tell us what you are studying and what you specialize in at the Institution you represent
My name is Alejandra Estefanía Ichina López. She studied Physics at the National Polytechnic School. At the moment I am working on the analysis of medical images and I would like to specialize in Nuclear Physics or Medical Physics.
• for CEDIA to know that you have been awarded a scholarship to participate in the "Escuela La Serena Ciencia de Datos 2021". Could you tell us about the program and your experience in it?
The “La Serena Ciencia de Datos 2021” program lasted 10 days that included talks focused on the processing and analysis of astronomical data. These talks were the impetus for all the participants to carry out group projects with real data with the support of a tutor.
My experience in the program was magnificent, I learned several new things and, above all, I developed important skills that will serve me academically and professionally. The talks were interesting because they are topics that we do not deal with in Ecuador and we are just getting introduced to them, however, I was able to understand and replicate all the activities that were proposed to us. On the other hand, the fact that the working group was interdisciplinary helped me to better understand concepts of astrophysics and, above all, I was able to support them with new knowledge that I had acquired throughout the development of my degree work.
• What would you highlight most about this program?
I consider it important to highlight the development of the different group projects proposed by experts in the area. On the one hand, the learning through the project was important, but on the other, the collaboration with people from other countries who work in different areas and speak another language is one of the most enriching experiences that one acquires in this type of program.
• Would you recommend students to participate in the next scholarships of the program? Because? I totally recommend all the students of the different areas to participate in the next editions of the program because this really allows us to expand our social and intellectual frontiers. In addition, we must take advantage of each of the opportunities that corporations like CEDIA to improve science and research in our country.
A scholarship or internship opportunity is very good because it serves to improve our knowledge and opens up study or work opportunities abroad; with which we are expanding the network of collaboration with other parts of the world.
In addition, obtaining a scholarship contributes a lot to the personal curriculum, which at the time of applying for a postgraduate degree is highly appreciated by the selection committee.
• How do you consider that CEDIA contributed to technological/educational development in Ecuador and through this relationship?
CEDIA sponsored two Ecuadorian students to participate in this program. The educational development is immense because it allowed us to learn new things and by participating we become ambassadors of knowledge and we will be able to apply them and share them with our friends, classmates, teachers and students.
• In a few words, what does CEDIA for you and the academic community?
CEDIA has provided various opportunities and facilities to the entire academic community throughout all these years. CEDIA is really committed to helping students so that we join forces so that science and technology develop more and more in Ecuador.
Thank you always for your kind and great contribution to our academic and reading community.
