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Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My research seeks to understand the spatial and temporal relationship between the late Paleozoic sedimentary basins of southwestern North America during the formation of the supercontinent Pangea approximately 250 million years ago. I am studying exposed sedimentary rocks in southeastern New Mexico, western Texas, and northern Mexico to understand the role of the Marathon-Ouachita and Ancestral Rocky Mountain orogenic belts in shaping this supercontinent. The objective is to better understand the evolution of the southern margin of North America between 300 and 250 Ma and how these basins, which are of great importance for hydrocarbon exploration and CO2 sequestration and storage, were formed. For me it is especially important because it allows us to go beyond political borders and unite the geology of both countries to develop better tectonic models of our continent.
Have you presented or published your research anywhere? Tell us about the experience.
Yes, I presented the first part of my project last year at the annual meeting of the GSA (Geological Society of America) in Denver, Colorado. It was a very enriching experience because different people came to ask about my results, and it helped me reflect on the importance of sharing my work and how it connects with other areas of geology. I also presented at an institutional seminar of the Department of Geology at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where I was able to extend my network of contacts with professors and students at that university. Both experiences represented a great challenge, but they helped me a lot to practice and improve my ability to convey my ideas in another language. Now I am preparing an article with my advisor for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
I would say that geologists have to think at different scales. For example, observing a mineral with a size of a few microns to make interpretations about processes that occur on a continental scale of thousands of kilometers.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
Because part of my research is in Chihuahua, Mexico, I have been able to connect with professors from the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, who are experts in the geology of the region, to work together and establish collaborations that are beneficial to both universities. I hope this year we can do fieldwork with them, including some students, and think about the possibility of future internships for undergraduate students in the labs here at UT Austin. I also maintain contact with some of my classmates and professors from the Centro de Geociencias de la UNAM Juriquilla and we have begun to plan joint field visits.
What drew you to Texas and UT Austin?
The geology program here at UT Austin is one of the best in the United States, and that influenced me a lot, but above all I was attracted to the research group I am in now and the laboratories to do geochronology and thermochronology studies. I always have access to the different laboratories and can be involved in the entire data generation process. When I met with my current advisor, he told me that the labs are 100% student-run, even when it comes to operating very specialized equipment, and that we can always experiment and try new techniques because that's how science is done. I liked that a lot.
What have been some good things you did not expect from Texas or UT Austin?
At the university, I was surprised by the number of international students. Thanks to that, the program is very diverse and facilitates the adaptation process. Also, people whose native language is English are very understanding of the different accents. At school, I was very surprised by the opportunities to do field work or present at national or international conferences. The school is very supportive of students going on these types of trips. Starting from my first year, I was able to go on different field trips.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT Austin and living in the United States?
I think the biggest challenge was adapting during the first months because at the beginning the language was very difficult for me and I had to do a lot of paperwork, find a place to live, take classes, etc. It is difficult because you miss your family, the food, and the environment of Mexico, and everything seems alien to you. After that, you get used to it little by little.
How has the support of ConTex and Conacyt impacted you?
it helped me a lot because, with that support, I cut my working hours as a Research Assistant in half and was able to spend more time on my own research. It also covers the tuition and thanks to that I have more resources for my rock analyses, which are somewhat expensive. In addition, ConTex's advice helped me a lot during the scholarship application process and the annual progress reports. There are always questions regarding the documents and they always keep us informed.
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 hope to join academia as a professor at a university in Mexico. I would like to teach classes and at the same time do research in the same area that I am in now. I would also like to contribute to strengthening the collaboration between universities in Mexico and the United States.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students who are considering studying in Texas?
I would tell them to take the chance. It is an experience that changes your life. Sometimes we have doubts about whether we can do it or whether we have enough resources. I would tell them not to be afraid and to follow their dreams. The University of Texas System is very good and with the agreement with Conacyt-ConTex it is easier to cover tuition and living expenses. In addition, they will always have support from other Mexican and foreign students.
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