Project Assistant
Resume:
OXANA BRENES
Virginia Tech – Sustainable Biomaterials Department ● Brooks Center (0503), 1650 Research
Center Drive● Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-***-****● ******@**.***
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position at a diverse, fast pace and dynamic environment, where I will find myself engaged in
various technical challenges.
EDUCATION
M.S. Wood Science (Sustainable Biomaterials Department). May 2014
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
Thesis: The impact of Vacuum-Drying on Efficiency of Hardwood Products Manufacturing.
Description: Evaluation of vacuum-drying technologies and their economic feasibility to support the lean
manufacturing of hardwood products. The study will address ways to improve lead times by the adoption
of vacuum drying to improve business performance.
Advisor: Brian Bond, PhD.
Overall GPA: 3.71/4.00
B.S. Forestry Engineering. 2005-2011.
Costa Rica Tech, Cartago, CR.
Thesis: Determination of the static deflection and natural durability in fiber cement boards.
Description: Determination of the correlation between the actual bending MOE and dynamic MOE in 5
different thicknesses of fiber cement boards. Also, their strength to fungi and termites attack compared to
magnesium and carton duratex boards.
Advisor: Roger Moya, PhD.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Project Researcher
Virginia Tech, August 2012 -2013
Project: Influence of Drying Schedules on Warp in Hickory
Description: The purpose of this study is to establish the moisture content variation and development of
drying defects caused by conventional kiln drying.
Project PI: Brian Bond, PhD.
Research Assistant
Costa Rica Tech, February 2006 – November 2009.
Project: GERMINAR.
Description of the 100 more used species in the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
Project PI: Gustavo Torres, PhD.
Project Researcher
Costa Rica Tech, February 2006 – November 2006.
Project: The anatomy study of secondary xylem of 5 species of the genus Citrus in Costa Rica used for
industrial production.
Description of the general characteristics and differences b etween the secondary xylem of the 5 species of
the genus Citrus of main use in Costa Rica, with the aim to initiate a process to use them in areas like wood
products.
Project PI: Roger Moya Roque, PhD.
Project Researcher
Costa Rica Tech, February 2009 – December 2009.
Project: Flowering pattern of Tectona grandis (Teak). Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Determination of the flowering structure of the seed orchard and its flowering variation in time for teak
plantations in Alajuela at three different ages: 4, 6 and 8 years old of establishment.
Project PI: Olman Murillo Gamboa, PhD.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant at Virginia Tech in the class: Wood Products Manufacturing SBIO 3634 during Fall
semester 2012 and 2013.
WORKING EXPERIENCE
Head of SIG-Statics Department. Jan 2011- March 2012.
Expomaderas S.A., Costa Rica.
Responsible for the establishment and measurement of permanent plots in plantations of Tectona
grandis. Isocurve mapping, and growth control.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Published Journal:
Brenes, O and Reyes, D. 2006.The anatomy study of secondary xylem of 5 species of the genus Citrus in
Costa Rica used for industrial production. KURU (Revista Forestal).
Presentations In Conference Proceedings:
Brenes, O. 2013. Influence of Drying Schedules on Warp in Hickory. FPS/SWST International Convention.
Austin, Texas. June 9-11.
Brenes, O. 2010. Determination of the static deflection and natural durability in fiber cement boards. 13th
Latin American Congress of Forestry Students. Católica del Maule University. Talca, CL. October 23-31.
Arguedas, M and Brenes, O. 2009. Flowering pattern of Tectona grandis (Teak) in Costa Rica. 12th Latin
American Congress of Forestry Students. Quevedo University. Quevedo, EC. November 9 -11.
Brenes, O and Reyes, D. 2006.The anatomy study of secondary xylem of 5 species of the genus Citrus in
Costa Rica used for industrial production. 10th Latin American Congress of Forestry Students. Pinar de l Rio
University. Pinar del Rio, CU. September 26-30.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Support in workshops:
Major Groups International Workshop in Support of UNFF. Rio de Janeiro. March 18 -22, 2013. Participant.
2nd Latin American Workshop on Non-destructive techniques for wood products. Center of Technological
Transference, San Jose, Costa Rica. December 2-4, 2008. Staff member.
Seminars:
The role of soil in the mitigation of climate change. College of Agricultural Engineers, San José, Costa Rica.
November 6, 2010. Participant.
Organizations:
President of the Latin American and Iberian Graduate Student Associat ion (LAIGSA) at Virginia Tech.
2013-2014.
Vice President of the Latin American Student Association of Forestry Sciences (ALECIF) 2010 -2011.
Coordinator of the Northern Region of the Latin American Student Association of Forestry Sciences
(ALECIF) 2009-2010.
National representative of the Latin American Student Association of Forestry Sciences (ALECIF)
2006-2008.
COMPUTER EXPERIENCE
Microsoft Office, SIMIO, ArcGis 9.10, JMP, Visio
LANGUAGES
Spanish (native speaker), English (fluent), Portuguese (Fluent).
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