Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My research project analyzes the dynamics of water, soil, plants, and the atmosphere in semi-arid environments that have been affected by anthropogenic activity and compares them with an undisturbed environment. The site with anthropogenic activity is located in Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico, in the valley that encloses the endorheic basin of Laguna de Bustillos. The leading economic activity in this area is agriculture, and groundwater is the main source of water for socio-economic activities. Relying solely on groundwater has accelerated the depletion of the aquifer at a rate of 2 meters per year. Given this situation, it is imperative to make a reliable diagnosis of the different components of the water cycle at the basin and plot levels. It is necessary to use different on-site monitoring tools, such as sophisticated weather stations and satellite data of various types, to study the dynamics of water flows in the basin and to generate alternatives to mitigate the over-exploitation of groundwater mantles.
On the other hand, the natural site not disturbed by human activity is located north of the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, within a long-term experimental station called "Jornada Experimental Range." In this particular site, the water-soil-plant-atmosphere relationship in a micro-ecosystem is studied using bio-meteorological stations with instruments capable of quantifying the exchange of water vapor gases and carbon dioxide between the ecosystem and the atmosphere. Laser spectrometry techniques are also used to measure isotopes of water in the soil, the vegetation, and in rainwater to track the origin and residence times of water in these ecosystems and evaluate the physiological responses of plants to rain pulses. In addition, we are working on generating tomographies of the subsoil in order to analyze the movement of water in the soil profile and to determine how the latter responds to different amounts and intensities of rainfall, as well as to evaluate the physiological behavior of roots in endemic plants with great tolerance to conditions of extreme aridity.
In other words, this project allows me to quantify and contrast the degradation of natural resources as a result of anthropogenic effects as well as of disturbances due to climate variations in the water cycle. Understanding these processes in detail gives us the opportunity to assess the sustainability of natural resources—in particular, water—in the desert areas of northern Mexico and the southern United States. The information we are generating is essential to develop better strategies for managing natural resources in large regions of both countries.
Have you submitted or published your research somewhere? Tell us about the experience.
In the first year of my Ph.D., in 2017, I participated in the International Congress of Water Quality in Chihuahua, with the presentation titled
Impact of Agricultural Irrigation Practices on Water Resources in the Cuauhtémoc Aquifer Region
. Later, I had the opportunity to participate in the annual Congress of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), which took place in December 2018 in Washington, D.C., with the presentation Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies of an Agricultural Valley with an Over-exploited Aquifer Using Remote Sensing and Meteorological Data. In both events, I was able to interact with colleagues who work on the same topic with different approaches. Their comments and observations have enriched my work and have opened new opportunities for collaboration. I am currently scheduled to present my paper on
Irrigation Optimization with Meteorological and Satellite Data to Improve Water Savings in an Intensive-Agriculture Valley with a Heavily Stressed Aquifer
at the AGU Chapman Conference in Valencia, Spain. I do not doubt that this will also be a pleasant experience and an invaluable opportunity to interact with experts on the worldwide over-exploitation of aquifers for aquaculture.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
It is very important to understand the natural processes that intervene in the water balance at different scales in order to be able to develop strategies and effective techniques to stop and potentially reverse the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. In addition, education at different levels on the care of natural resources is important to reduce the gap in the development and application of technologies for the care of natural resources in my country.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
Currently, we are working with Mexico’s National Institute of Agricultural and Livestock Forestry Research (INIFAP) on research projects related to the space-time dynamics of agricultural activities and their impact on natural resources in a closed basin in northern Mexico. The INIFAP and UTEP’s eco-hydrology research group, led by Dr. Gutiérrez, developed a research proposal entitled
Evaluation of hydrological, environmental and economic dynamics in a semi-arid basin and the effects of intensive agricultural production in the sustainability of the productive system under three irrigation regimes
. This proposal is in the process of being evaluated and might be funded.
What attracted you to Texas and UT El Paso?
During my professional practice, I have participated actively in the formulation and implementation of research projects, especially in matters related to the efficient use of water. However, I found myself in need of acquiring new knowledge related to the processes of water exchange between plants and the atmosphere—particularly in arid and semi-arid ecosystems—in order to be able to develop cutting-edge research and contribute to the solution of the great challenges posed by the sustainable use of water in the agricultural sector. Given this need, I remember attending a seminar that Dr. Gutierrez, professor at The University of Texas at El Paso, taught at INIFAP in February 2017. I realized then that his research topics have great potential for agricultural applications, and I took advantage of the opportunity to express my interest in postgraduate studies on issues related to hydrological processes and water management. Because my specialization needs coincided with the research lines of Dr. Gutierrez, and since UTEP offered a doctoral program in environmental sciences and engineering, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to do my doctoral studies at The University of Texas at El Paso.
What have been some good things you did not expect from Texas or UT El Paso?
Honestly, my family and I we were very excited about the experience of living in a country outside our native country, of getting to know other cultures, and starting this pleasant path of academic development together. So, we didn't stop to think about the adverse things that could arise. As time went by, the kindness, patience, and professionalism of the professors generated a friendly and trustworthy environment. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised by the opportunity my oldest son has had to attend school and learn a new and important language, as well as the general kindness of the people along the border.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT El Paso and living in the United States?
One of the biggest challenges has been the language, but with practice, I have gradually been getting better.
How has the support of ConTex and CONACYT impacted you?
As a parent and student, I deal with many concerns, but it is a relief to know that the financial support provided by ConTex-CONACYT gives me the opportunity to devote the necessary time to courses and research.
What kind of work do you expect to do in the future? How do you expect your research to benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
I want to continue working on research related to water management. It is a broad area in which there is much to do in the face of climate change and the needs of food production. In Mexico, the United States, and anywhere in the world, there are places vulnerable to water scarcity. This is an issue that allows bi-national collaborations and building multidisciplinary work teams.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students who are considering studying in Texas?
I would say it is a great opportunity to acquire new tools, new ways of working, and getting to know new cultures. In addition, it is an opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment to conduct cutting-edge studies, as well as of interacting with various people who will make you grow as a human being and teach you new things.
