Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My research project is about the creation of sustainable resins for 3D printing. I plan to approach this from different perspectives, one of which involves using raw materials that come from renewable sources such as lignin. Simultaneously, I am working on providing the materials obtained from these resins with "smart" properties such as self-repair, shape memory, and recyclability through dynamic covalent chemistry. This area of research is of utmost importance since the design of new polymers must always take in consideration issues of sustainability to avoid contributing to the climate crisis caused by plastic pollution. Additionally, 3D printing is one of the technologies that is anticipated to have the greatest growth in the future, so it is imperative to create materials with the characteristics mentioned above that are sustainable and compatible with 3D printing technologies.
Have you presented or published your research somewhere? Tell us about the experience.
I have not yet had the opportunity to share my research because of the situation with COVID-19, which has resulted in limited opportunities to advance in the laboratory or attend conferences. However, during this time, I had the opportunity to work together with my research group on a paper on the role of dynamic covalent chemistry in 3D printing, which we hope will be published very soon.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people don't know?
Something that is fascinating to me is the opportunity to endow certain materials with recyclability from dynamic covalent chemistry, which allows the incorporation of bonds that under certain stimuli can be exchanged or broken. This is particularly interesting in 3D printing with technologies such as stereolithography, where thermosetting plastics are mainly produced, since, by their nature, these cannot be recycled. However, thanks to dynamic covalent chemistry we can continue to enjoy the benefits of thermoset plastics, such as good thermal stability and excellent mechanical properties, while attaining recyclable materials.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
I was invited to be part of an alumni panel organized by the Opportunity USA team entitled “STEM Fields for Women in The United States” that took place on November 19, 2020.
What drew you to Texas and UT Dallas?
I always had the conviction and desire to do my doctoral studies abroad; however, I did not always think of doing them in the United States. It was during my undergraduate studies that I had the opportunity to participate in the collaborative summer research program between UT-Dallas and the United States Embassy in Mexico. Thanks to this program I was able to get to know the UT Dallas facilities and Dr. Smaldone, who is currently my advisor. Based on my very pleasant experience in this program and at UTD, I decided that I wanted to continue my studies here.
What have been some good things that you didn't expect from Texas or UT Dallas?
I honestly thought that my adaptation to the North American culture and the people around me would be much more difficult, since many of us grow up with the impression that people in the United States do not like Mexicans. However, to my pleasant surprise, the environment within and around UTD is very friendly to all internationals. People are very friendly and understanding of language barriers, as well as quite accepting of different cultures. Additionally, I have found a circle of people with common interests, with whom I have been able to continue my activism on behalf of animal liberation, which I thought I would lose when I left Mexico.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT Dallas and living in the United States?
One of the biggest challenges has been the language barrier. Studying a doctorate in itself is quite challenging and adding the language barrier increases the degree of difficulty to presentations, writing, and learning. It takes some time to adjust. However, it is entirely possible, and I am very proud when I look back and see all the progress I have made.
How has the support of ConTex and Conacyt impacted you?
Having a grant from ConTex and Conacyt has been wonderful since this has given me enough economic freedom to live on campus, which is not cheap. Additionally, thanks to the Conacyt scholarship, at the beginning of my second year of the program my advisor granted me a research assistantship instead of a teaching assistantship, which means that I do not have to teach classes or grade students, thus giving me more time to dedicate to research.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future? In what ways do you hope your research will benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
I would very much like to work in a research laboratory dedicated to the development of sustainable polymers. This undoubtedly benefits the United States, Mexico, and the world since the development of new polymers should always go hand in hand with sustainability in order to stop the climate crisis caused by plastic pollution.
What advice would you give other Mexican students considering studying in Texas?
Definitely do it! If you have the intention, it is very worthwhile to plan everything in advance. Keep an eye out for programs such as research summers, Conacyt scholarships, and Opportunity USA, which can help you get to know the institution you want to join and can provide financial assistance. Another tip is to start making contact with students within the different research labs that you are interested in joining, as this can help answer any questions you may have. In general, I would tell them to go for it and that their actions should reflect their dreams but not their fears.
