Name and Surname: Diego Iribarren
Organization: IMDEA Energy
Major Fields of Research/Activity: Sustainability assessment of energy systems
- What is your role in the YAF team at your organization? What are you currently working on within the scope of YAF?
As a researcher in the Systems Analysis Unit at IMDEA Energy, I supervise the research activity carried out by my colleague Marco Vitale, who is a YAF doctoral candidate. Within YAF, we work on the feasibility and sustainability assessment of biological pathways for the production of aviation fuels.
- Why do you think the YAF research is important for your career development and how it will impact the society?
YAF allows me to contribute to the challenge of achieving sustainable aviation. In this regard, the life cycle assessment of novel aviation fuels is critical when it comes to providing society with solutions that are actually suitable from a combined environmental, economic and social perspective.
- What or who inspired you to go into academia/research?
I would not talk about inspiration but motivation. In my case, research is a field of work that matches my willingness to run away from repetitive tasks and contribute to the generation of new knowledge, particularly regarding energy and sustainability.
- For you, what is most challenging and/or exciting about your work in YAF?
As a researcher assessing the sustainability of novel energy systems, data generation arises as a common challenge to be faced. YAF is a nice example since it requires extensive process modelling as a key source of data for subsequent life cycle sustainability assessment of novel aviation fuels.
- Write an inspiring quote for the DC you are going to supervise in YAF.
Let’s enable an actual sustainable future for next generations. YAF we can!
- Where can we find you after work? Doing what?
For sure, after work you will find me enjoying quality time with my family, either at home or around football pitches.