The U.S. was involved in a scandal concerning the illegal dumping of metals into Korean rivers during the Cold War. The pollution stopped once environmentalists released findings about the importance of freshwater and potable water for all citizens. Although that problem was curtailed, pollution is still evident near coasts and other bodies of water across the Korean peninsula. Thus, one of the next-generation environmentalists working to study the impact of heavy metal pollution is Korea University (KU) alumna Mónica Albuja (‘17, Earth and Environmental Sciences).  

An Inspiration and Role Model for Helping

As a foreigner and science researcher from the Latin American country of Ecuador, Albuja is constantly looking to improve the lives of everyone and everything, beyond just the environment. For instance, she once worked as a teacher for North Korean refugees, a position usually reserved for South Korean nationals. She got this position through her passion for searching for volunteer and education positions that are not considered “too stereotypical” for foreigners, such as teaching English.

Her contribution to preserving nature took off when she started supporting research at the KU Mineralogy and Interface Geochemistry Lab. Her passion for science led her to follow a joint oceanography research track at the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) and the University of Science and Technology (UOT).

GT: How did KU inspire you to continue doing research in South Korea amongst other places?

Albuja: At KU, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant in the Mineralogy and Interface Geochemistry Laboratory for ten months where I got a research scholarship from my department by creating a scientific poster. This experience inspired me to continue along the academic path upon graduation and showed me the potential that South Korea has in the environmental studies field. Moreover, I am wholeheartedly thankful to my professors and mentors that guided me in environmental research in the country. Friends pursuing graduate studies in South Korea also motivated me to apply to the prestigious Korean universities they were attending. Lastly, the great support South Korea has for education, which is inclusive to international students, compared to other countries motivated me to prioritize Korea as the next location of my studies after graduation.

GT: What are your goals for the future (related to your work, career, or studies)?

Albuja: My long-term goals include becoming a top-notch scientist in the field of environmental contamination and remediation. As for my medium-term goals, I am currently in the last semester of my master’s studies, and I plan on pursuing a doctorate degree (Ph.D) after graduation. And yes, South Korea is still the country I am looking at to do so. My short-time goal involves finishing my master’s thesis and publishing a third academic paper in an international scientific journal.

GT: Does being a foreigner and woman impact you as a member of the STEM society mainly dominated by Korean men? If yes, what are some of the difficulties?

Albuja: It is relatively recent that women have a significant role in STEM fields. I am pleased to be part of STEM at a time when women are claiming an increasing influence in these fields. Yet there is, of course, still a long path ahead for improvement in this regard. The ‘glass ceiling’ for women in the workplace – which is prevalent in South Korea – is also present in the science community. Furthermore, being a foreigner puts on additional weight because of cultural and language differences. As such, I must say that there are indeed difficulties needed to overcome as a foreign woman in STEM in South Korea. The fact that Korean society highly values hierarchy makes it even more challenging for me to defy Korean male higher-ups. Nonetheless, confidence, mental strength, and assertiveness are core values that have let me strongly position myself in the field.

GT: What is oceanography and why is it important? Please also describe your research and the impact it may have on the future.

Albuja: Oceanography is the study of the chemical, physical, biological, and geological processes that occur in the ocean. Considering that oceans cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, the well-being of the ocean connotes our own well-being. However, this fact is currently overlooked by worldwide governments and industries that, submerged in their own indifference and ignorance, pollute the ocean indiscriminately. My research at KIOST focuses on the evaluation of this contamination surrounding the Korean peninsula. Specifically, I analyze the extent of pollution by potentially toxic elements reaching the ocean, their spatial and temporal distribution, and the apportionment of their point and non-point sources. Identifying the sources from where contaminants originate builds a strong record pointing to the ones responsible for the contamination of specific pollutants reaching aquatic environments. This record is also essential for stakeholders to make rational choices about environmental management during the process of policymaking in South Korea. The voices of scientists in environmental policy need to be closely considered to extend humanity’s existence on an already dying Earth.

GT: What recommendations or advice do you have for students trying to get into environmental research and action?

Albuja: Conviction and determination are needed in the pursuit of environmental protection, especially when powerful entities are to be called out. Around the world, being an environmentalist can be a dangerous duty that can compromise your safety and even your life. However, the negative effects of the already ongoing climate change stemming from poor resource management around the world, as well as pollution levels at an all-time high, are becoming increasingly evident, and immediate action is needed. Therefore, a strong sense of justice and equity are core values that, when put into practice, would lead to a fruitful journey in the field.