AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists), SEG (Society of Economic Geologists) and SEG (Society of Exploration Geophysicists), student chapters of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) organized the Second Latin American Geosciences Student Conference from 4 to 7 August 2014. The conference was hosted in Mexico City, the biggest city in Mexico and a major scientific and industrial center in Latin America.
The technical program consisted of two days of short courses, three days of lectures by students and professionals and a 1-day field trip. The topics focused on Geophysical Prospecting, Geosciences Research and Resources. The Latin American EAGE Geo-Quiz and the Eighth Latin American Challenge Bowl also took place during this meeting.
This conference brought together students and industry professionals to learn skills and knowledge to explore Latin America's plenty of natural resources. In all, 212 students and professionals from 9 countries participated in a number of activities geared towards career development. Our theme “Latin America: Source of energy and knowledge” encouraged the community of geoscientists to share ideas and take advantage of lecturers, networking, exhibitions and interviews.
Students from 16 universities presented their research in 36 oral presentations in 8 technical sessions. Industry and academia professionals shared their experience in 12 lectures, including the EAGE Student Lecture Tour “Basin and Petroleum Systems Modelling” by Bjorn Wygrala; the SEG Honorary Lecture “Fundamentals of Depth Migration and its Application in Mexico” by Julián Velasco; the lecture “Nowadays and Perspectives of Geosciences in Mexico” by José Grajales, of the Mexican Petroleum Institute; and the academic round table “The Seismic Guerrero Gap” by renowned researchers from the Seismology department of the Institute of Geophysics. Two high-quality short courses offered at LAGSC 2014 were “Introduction to Fluid Inclusions” by Aldo Ramos, from the Faculty of Engineering of UNAM; and “Electrical Resistivity and Induced Polarization for the Evaluation of Contaminated Sites and the Monitoring of Remediation Processes” by Adrián Flores and Matthias Bücker, from Vienna University of Technology and University of Bonn, respectively.
José David Henao, León Ramírez and Mauricio Arboleda, from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, were the champions of the Latin American Geo-Quiz and will represent this region in the finals in Madrid in June 2015. In a thrilling and exciting encounter, the Henao and Ramírez also won the Challenge Bowl and will demonstrate their outstanding knowledge and competitive spirit at the SEG Challenge Bowl Finals in Denver in October 2014.
The LAGSC 2014 Social Program kicked off with the opening ceremony and icebreaker reception, which welcomed 120 attendees for food and drinks and an orchestral performance at the the Institute of Engineering’s terrace. During a guided tour through the Central Campus of UNAM attendees learned about the history and admired the architecture of the oldest university in Latin America. The closing ceremony was dominated by enthusiasm, satisfaction of accomplishment and planning for future conferences.
The LAGSC venue also accommodated 9 exhibitor booths for companies (Elsevier, Schlumberger, CGG and Cambridge University Press), societies (EAGE, SEG and AAPG) and institutes (Geology and Geophysics). Experts from industry and academia informed the delegates about the latest job opportunities and students attended a recruitment exhibition.
The Organizing Committee is honored that so many students, professionals and society representatives attended our event. We thank our sponsors and supporters UNAM, SEG, AAPG, EAGE, SEG, AMGE (Mexican Association of Exploration Geophysicists), SEFI (Society of Former Students of Engineering School), as well as Schlumberger, Elsevier, CGG, Paradigm, PGS, Geoprocesados, Chevron, Geotem, Exxon Mobil, Ion GXT, and the Institutes of Geophysics and Geology.
We hope to see you at the 3rd LAGSC next year in Brazil!