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Highlight of FIRE Alumni - Otávio Henrique Borges - Doctoral Student at Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Brasil
I began my journey in refractory materials in 2017, when I started my Master’s degree at GEMM (Materials Microstructure Engineering Group), under the supervision of Prof. Victor Pandolfelli. From that moment on, and with the continuous support of the FIRE network, my interest in this challenging and fascinating field of refractory ceramics has only grown stronger.
In 2020, I continued my academic path by starting my PhD at the same institution. Throughout my doctoral project, FIRE played a central role in broadening my horizons. It provided me not only with solid technical training through summer schools and short courses, but also with close and meaningful interactions with other academic and industrial partners, particularly with companies such as RHI Magnesita, Tata Steel and Imerys. These interactions were strongly facilitated by the networking environment created and sustained by FIRE, which consistently bridges academia and industry.
During my PhD, FIRE also provided me with the opportunity to carry out an internship at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, under the supervision of Prof. Christos Aneziris. This experience was truly transformative. It significantly expanded my technical knowledge, but even more importantly, it allowed me to connect with inspiring people who continue to influence my way of thinking and working to this day.
Beyond research, my relationship with FIRE also gave me the opportunity to contribute to the community. I was honoured to be one of the lecturers in a short course held during the most recent UNITECR conference. Moments like this clearly demonstrate the strength of the FIRE ecosystem, in which cooperation between universities and industry becomes tangible, with real industrial challenges being brought to research groups and fundamental scientific knowledge being transferred back to companies.
Looking back, being a FIRE student strongly influenced my professional choices. It shaped my conviction that meaningful and lasting impact can only be achieved through close collaboration among universities, industries and the broader community. In this sense, I highly value FIRE not only as an organization, but as a community. It is a living network built on trust, collaboration and shared purpose that has been shaping the future of refractories.
May the flame of FIRE continue to shed light on the fascinating field of refractory materials!
Otávio Henrique Borges
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohborges/
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FIRE stands out to me as a platform that brings people together to tackle real-world challenges in a collaborative and international way. It highlights how our field can evolve through shared knowledge, fresh perspectives, and a strong focus on future impact.
ECerS Refractory Network Webinar - 4th May - 14:00 PM CEST
The ECerS Refractory Network proudly presents its 3rd Webinar on 4th May 2026 at 14:00 PM CEST !
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