Meet Hector Macian-Sorribes: GoNEXUS’ young researcher
Every few months GoNEXUS puts the spotlight on our young researchers. These are researchers who have recently graduated with their PhD or who are currently studying and who contribute actively to the research of the GoNEXUS project.
This week we put the spotlight on Hector Macian-Sorribes, a post-doctoral researcher at the Technical University of Valencia (UPV). GoNEXUS is the third project Hector is involved in and his role in the project is to support the coordinator. He also also works on the hydroeconomic modelling tasks for the two of the GoNEXUS case studies: the Jucar and the Tagus-Segura. Before GoNEXUS, I had a small role in the FP6 GENESIS project and I also participated in the H2020 IMPREX project.
What is the most interesting thing you learned so far working on GoNEXUS?
From my current project experience I have learned two things so far. First of all, I have a better vision now of how mathematical modelling can be combined with stakeholder participation techniques. I used to work solely on modelling, and although I understood the benefits of stakeholder interaction, I never fully saw how powerful they could be. I have also learned how important the interaction between scales is for the nexus, in which what happens globally or at the EU can have a distinct impact for a particular user (e.g. farmer)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
As a modeller, I try to avoid making long-term predictions of my own life. Formerly I was the sort of person that tries to plan everything but some time ago I stopped doing it because not achieving those goals disappointed me. I am comfortable right now with where I am and what I do, so for the moment I would be happy if it stays the same way as today. I assume that in research you should and are expected to progress, but I am not too worried about it. Besides GoNEXUS, I am also involved in other projects, such as the PRIMA project eGROUNDWATER and the HE projects SOS-WATER and The HuT, although with a smaller role.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
It may seem strange but I always pictured myself as an engineer. When I was a kid I enjoyed messing up with anything I could find to take apart or build something different… I liked to play with Legos but I never built what I was told to build but rather combined the pieces in my own way.
Who is your science idol?
I did not grow with science idols, in fact I could not name any scientist until I was 16 or so, rather, my idols were the buildings that impressed me in my travels (e.g. the Coliseum of Rome, the aqueduct of Segovia, Merida, the remnants of Italica, the cathedrals of Leon and Santiago…). I would enjoy a conversation with the architects because I find it impressive how they could do such incredible buildings more than 1000 years ago.
Which GoNEXUS research outcome/WP/expert (other than your own) are you most excited to learn about or collaborate with?
Primarily I would like to learn about and collaborate on the linkages between large-scale models and local models, because from my point of view we could better represent those interconnections. I could not only name a single GoNEXUS expert from whom I would like to learn, because we have plenty of very good researchers who have made and currently make impactful research, and I appreciate the opportunity to listen to and learn from them.
If GoNEXUS held a party, which song would you request from the DJ?
Any song with a complicated choreography would work for me. I am an awful dancer, but I would enjoy ranking the dancing skills of the GoNEXUS team so see how good or bad they are. We might have some surprises!
