Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
I am currently part of a research group called Critical Zone. It is a project that involves 19 researchers at UTEP and other U.S. universities. My work within this research group is important because the central idea of the project was born from some experiments that I carried out while I was in the first semester of my Ph.D., which later attracted the interest of professors who contributed with their own ideas to the project until they transformed it into what it is today.
As the name indicates, the research of the Critical Zone project is focused on the study of the critical zone, which includes from the canopy of the trees to the bedrock. Our objective is to try to understand the functioning of the plants, the hydrological dynamics, and the function of various components of the system, such as the calcium carbonate layer that characterizes arid lands.
The experiment mentioned above includes a rainfall simulation through which, with various techniques, instruments, and methods, we will estimate the water balance in high resolution to understand the dynamics and controllers of the ecosystem. We chose a site with favorable conditions, such as flat terrain with shrubs that are dominant in the area, and then proceeded to test it with an Eddy Covariance tower, TDR humidity sensors, Eyebuttom sensors for soil humidity and temperature, and equipment to measure soil resistivity. We also took soil, rainwater, and plant samples to do stable isotope analysis.
With our methodology we seek to generate information that allows us to understand what happens when a pulse of rain occurs in a site. However, since it is difficult to take advantage of a natural pulse, we decided to create an artificial rain with fine sprinklers. The data analysis can determine how much of the water that we add to the plot is lost as evapotranspiration (ET), how much remains in the soil, and how much is used by the plants and in how much time.
This project is important to me because it involves many different areas, such as hydrology, geochemistry, and geophysics, and it allows me to broaden my knowledge in a variety of fields that contribute to developing broad academic experience. It opens possibilities for new future research projects and allows me to build a robust job network.
Have you presented or published your research anywhere? Tell us about the experience.
I have not yet published my results as I continue to work on them. However, last December I had the opportunity to present my work at the 2021 AGU Fall Meeting. It was nice to see that other colleagues were interested in my work and enjoyed it.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
I would say that something that most people don’t know is the amount of field work required to collect the data and the interesting information that you get when you do these types of studies in high resolution.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
I got my master's degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, and therefore my collaborations have been with my professors and classmates. My master's thesis was published, becoming my first achievement and collaboration with Mexico.
What drew you to Texas and UT El Paso?
I attended a conference about water to which some professors from UTEP were invited. They presented very interesting papers that called my attention. Later on, it was just a matter of touring the facilities of the university and talking to the instructors to convince myself that it was the right place to continue with my studies.
What have been some good things you did not expect about Texas or UT El Paso?
I did not expect UTEP to have so much collaboration with other schools and government institutions on important projects. It has also been a surprise that the facilities and equipment are first class.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT El Paso and living in the United States?
Definitely the language and the cultural change, because, although it is very close to Mexico, there are differences everywhere. Adapting to the rhythm and lifestyle of another country will always be a challenge, but also an important experience to live through.
How has the support of ConTex and Conacyt impacted you?
The impact of course has been very positive, because the cost of studying abroad is high. Having a scholarship that covers everything provides security and comfort to be able to focus on your studies. People are surprised when they learn that the scholarship covers all expenses for the entire Ph.D., including health insurance.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future? How do you hope your research will benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
I would like to continue in the academic and research area, contributing to solve the problem of water availability that is crucial in arid regions. Since I live and study on the border, the benefit for both countries is obvious as most studies focus on transboundary water management.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students considering studying in Texas?
I would tell them not to hesitate. Texas is an excellent option because of the high academic level of its universities and the quality of life it offers. It is one of the best states in the U.S. Studying in Texas will undoubtedly contribute to their professional and personal development. In addition, due to its proximity to Mexico, there are many opportunities to do research that seeks to find solutions to problems which affect both Texas and Mexico.
