My evolution reflects the principle that guides my work: transforming industrial challenges into opportunities for innovation and positive socio-environmental impact. From my initial enthusiasm in 2023 to presenting concrete results in 2024, my greatest success today lies in the practical application of academic knowledge. I am currently leading an Undergraduate Research project focused on the production of briquettes from manganese fine residues – a direct solution to the environmental liability represented by low-value waste. Success is measured by the technical feasibility of transforming a discarded material into a valued product, promoting the circular economy within a vital industry.
The impact of this work, matured through my participation at SIPS, unfolds in three interconnected dimensions:
Environmental and Industrial Impact – The briquetting technology I am studying has the potential to drastically reduce the volume of tailings. By adding value to a byproduct, the solution mitigates environmental impacts and introduces economic efficiency for companies, creating a new revenue stream from what was once only a cost. This is the practical embodiment of the debates I participated in during SIPS in Panama and Greece.
Scientific Impact and Training – Engaging in cutting-edge research during my undergraduate studies is a success that resonates within the academic community. I am becoming a researcher with practical skills in material analysis and mineral processes, contributing to the body of knowledge at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), a reference institution in the mining field. My evolution, from the youngest participant to an active researcher, exemplifies the mission of training engineers capable of critical and sustainable thinking.
Social and Educational Impact – My commitment to impact transcends the laboratory. I work as a tutor in Mathematics, Portuguese, and English at Kumon, and as an Excel teaching assistant at the Gorceix Foundation. This dual role demonstrates my belief that true progress combines technical innovation with the empowerment of people, a value I found to be universal among all the leaders I met at SIPS.
To learn more about my academic and professional journey, please visit my LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/braian-araujo-a2902129a.
