Hello everyone! My name is Aissa Neyra, and I come from the Peruvian Amazon. I am an Environmental Engineer from the Universidad Nacional de Ucayali and currently a mobility student at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTZ) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU).

 

Growing up in the Amazon means being surrounded by extraordinary biodiversity, but also by very visible environmental challenges. Climate change, deforestation, and resource management are not distant discussions where I come from; they shape daily life for farmers and local communities. That reality inspired me to study environmental engineering and to look for ways science can contribute to real solutions.

During my undergraduate studies, I researched water quality in a lagoon near my city using satellite imagery. That experience showed me how powerful data and technology can be when applied to environmental protection. After graduating, I worked in research project monitoring, supporting sustainability focused initiatives and following their progress from proposal to implementation. Seeing how ideas move from paper to action strengthened my interest in applied research.

 

Over time, my focus naturally expanded toward agriculture and food systems. I became especially interested in how climate change affects smallholder farmers and how collective efforts, such as cooperatives, can help them adapt. At CZU, I am currently developing a research proposal focused on climate adaptation among coffee farmers in Peru.

 

This growing interest in practical and interconnected solutions is what led me to join the BioResources and Technology (BRT) Division. What inspires me most about BRT is its integrated vision: renewable energy, agriculture, and circular systems working together. To me, biogas reflects a simple but powerful idea: what we often consider waste can become part of the solution.

 

During my internship, I will primarily support the Communications team. I believe that science becomes truly impactful when it is communicated clearly and reaches beyond academic spaces. Making research accessible is essential to inspire action and support meaningful transitions.

 

Moving from the Amazon to Prague has been both a professional and personal transformation. I grew up thinking 24°C was cold, now I occasionally find myself calling 12°C pleasant. Experiencing my first winter and first snowfall has been unforgettable, and beyond the weather, engaging in sustainability discussions from a new cultural perspective has broadened my vision and strengthened my desire to work in international research environments.

 

Looking ahead, I hope to continue my studies at the graduate level and eventually pursue a PhD, focusing on research that connects climate adaptation, agriculture, and development pathways that are both resilient and equitable. My goal is not only to generate knowledge, but to contribute to solutions that are meaningful for the communities most affected by environmental change.

 

This journey represents more than academic growth, it reflects my belief that progress requires connecting science, people, and action across regions. I am grateful to be part of BRT and excited to contribute to a team working toward that vision!