Lillian ready to live and breathe new Gladstone role
Published on 13 June, 2008
Lillian de Torres, a chemical engineer originally from the Philippines, has just enrolled in a postgraduate research course at CQU Gladstone.
Back in the Philippines, Lillian initially worked as a sales engineer, then created her own business to respond to her country's industrial needs.
Lillian de Torres
She relocated to Sydney in 2001 and recently moved to Gladstone with her husband and children.
Lillian is based at the Process Engineering and Light Metals (PELM) centre, where she is working on developing a new and accurate method to assess air quality and to identify odours in the Gladstone region.
Lillian moved to Australia with her children's future in mind and wants them to grow up in a safe and clean environment.
She says it is important to work alongside the industries to improve the quality of life in our region and Gladstone is the right place to do that.
"I am working to identify the chemicals that are harmful to human health as well as those chemicals that contribute to the greenhouse effects and the depletion of the ozone layer. One of the main aims of my project is to develop a more comprehensive method of analysis than those currently available to monitor the industries in the Gladstone region".
Hopefully, Lillian will also contribute to put an end to unpleasant industrial smells.
She has won a 2-year research scholarship and works at the PELM centre in collaboration with Airlabs Environmental Pty Ltd.
The centre is world leading in terms of techniques and equipment which should allow Lillian to produce results quickly. She says people at the centre are friendly, supportive and have the expertise she needs to make her achieve her goals.
"In the future I intend to use all of the knowledge, skills and experiences I have obtained through my years of research to set up a consulting company".
Industrial research is about enhancing knowledge and offers a unique opportunity to open up career and employment prospects.
If like Lillian, you would like to enrol in a research course at the PELM centre, call Professor Richard Clegg on 4970 7338 or visit www.pelm.cqu.edu.au