Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My research project explores the way in which income inequality is measured. I examined new methods to measure it and different levels in which to apply them to get a clearer picture of what income inequality is, and to contribute to the development of more effective public policies.
Have you presented or published your research somewhere? Tell us about the experience.
The research project described above is still ongoing. However, in recent years I have presented and published on various other studies. For example, I recently published “Proximity effects and labor specialization transitions in Mexico: a spatial Markov chain analysis,” in collaboration with Dr. Miguel Flores, in the Regional Studies journal, “Labor productivity convergence in Mexico” in the International Journal of Political Economy, and “Europe's income convergence and the latest global financial crisis,” in collaboration with Dr. René Cabral, in the Research in Economics journal. The paper on European income convergence was presented at the 94th Annual Conference of the Western Economic Association International and at the 2019 ECB Forum on Central Banking.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
Inequality, in all its dimensions, is a process naturally born from our different
levels of productivity and access to resources. Then, the widening income dispersion that we can observe is the result of decades, if not centuries, of accumulation of income by some families or specific people. This does not mean that a higher level of income inequality is bad or good per se. In fact, what I am trying to say is that, while it is often perceived as something negative, inequality should be understood as a natural cyclical phenomenon that our societies, in one way or other, must face at some point in time.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
I did my undergraduate studies and my first master's in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. There, I had the opportunity to meet great professors who have become more than my coauthors. I can surely call them my mentors and friends. Resulting from the academic collaboration with two of them, we published a pair of papers (already mentioned previously). While working on those two projects, I published a third paper by using a mix of knowledge derived from those studies.
What drew you to Texas and UT Austin?
I knew that moving out of Mexico, being married, would be an exciting and challenging adventure. We decided that living in Texas would be a natural way to stay close to Mexico both geographically and culturally. On the other hand, I identified UT Austin as one of the best universities in the world, with a high international impact due to its diverse community. We do not regret our decision of choosing Texas, especially Austin, to live and raise a family.
What have been some good things you did not expect from Texas or UT Austin?
The people in Texas are warmer and friendlier than we expected. When I talk about the people in Texas, I also include the great international community established here. You can find people from all over the world and easily make new friends.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT Austin and living in the United States?
While not exactly a challenge, but more of a source of motivation, being part of one of the best universities in the world requires me to always give the best of me in any endeavor. Listening to and sharing perspectives with classmates and professors constantly pushes me to be a better person.
How has the support of ConTex and Conacyt impacted you?
The financial support of ConTex and Conacyt has been vital in allowing me to pursue my doctoral studies. Furthermore, the great team they have formed is always assisting us and encouraging us to do our best. The support from Paloma, Olivia, Paula, Titan, and from all the ConTex team members has been crucial in every stage of my doctoral studies.
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 aim to be a research professor, which implies teaching and pursuing high-impact research. On one hand, I find that teaching is an important way in which I could help others better understand our economies and governments. On the other hand, I intend my research agenda to be of use to policymakers in Mexico and U.S. so they can develop and implement better public policies and increase the wellbeing of our communities.
What advice would you give Mexican students considering studying in Texas?
I would tell them not to think twice before doing it. Texas has many things to offer academically, culturally, gastronomically, and professionally.
