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Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My project focuses on the use of aquatic microinvertebrates and algae as bioindicators of water pollution in and around the US-Mexico border region to generate tools and information to improve water quality in the region. The contaminants that we are currently studying are heavy metals, since they are a priority pollutant for both countries, especially in areas with mining activity. In the second stage of my project, I will study the effects of noise pollution on aquatic invertebrate food webs, which to date is an area little studied, but with great potential for ecological impact.
Have you presented or published your research anywhere? Tell us about the experience.
I have been very fortunate because my main advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Walsh, always encourages and supports people from her lab to participate in conferences, which has been very helpful for my professional development. Since some of the bioindicators we are using are rotifers, in September 2022, I participated in the XVI International Rotifer Symposium, the most important conference for those studying this group of animals. In this symposium, I presented a paper on rotifer predation that has already been submitted to a journal for publication. In addition, I was co-author of another paper presented where a meta-analysis of the toxicity of metals to rotifers was carried out. This work is still in progress, but I hope that we can publish it at some point in the near future. I also co-authored a poster presentation on copper toxicity to a rotifer from the border region, which was presented at UTEP’s undergraduate research symposium (COURI) by a student I mentored over the summer of 2022. This year, I plan to attend at least one conference and present the results of one of the projects we are currently working on investigating the effects of heavy metals on microinvertebrate diapause egg hatching success.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
Bubbles can kill whales! This is something that surprised me deeply, in fact, that is why in the second stage of my project I included noise pollution, which can also cause damage or even death to aquatic life. As an example, the acoustic waves generated by high-pressure bubbles in oil exploration can cause severe damage to whales and other animals. In some countries including Mexico and the United States, there are laws to regulate noise and mitigate the impact on mammals. However, few studies have been done on the effects of noise on invertebrates and in intercontinental waters, our main source of drinking water. Additionally, there is sufficient information to wonder if noise also affects algae and microinvertebrates.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
Dr. Roberto Rico Martínez, from the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (UAA), and Dr. Jesús Alvarado Flores, from the Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY), are part of my dissertation committee. Both of them have extensive experience in ecotoxicology of Mexican waters.
What drew you to Texas and UT El Paso?
I had several reasons for coming, starting with the high level of collaboration that The University of Texas System has with Mexican academia, which is reflected by the existence of the ConTex program. In fact, my Mexican collaborators, Dr. Rico Martinez and Dr. Alvarado Flores, had previously collaborated with Dr. Walsh. Another thing that attracted me was the location, since being a border state with which Mexico shares water resources, it seemed ideal for my research. Finally, both UTEP and the entire University of Texas system are friendly to the Hispanic-American community, so I felt welcome from the beginning.
What have been some good things you did not expect from Texas or UT El Paso?
I did not expect the high level of research at UTEP, which is currently in the Carnegie R1 category, the highest research status that a university can have in this classification. Because of this, there are many opportunities for students to do research. In addition, although I do not pay tuition thanks to the ConTex program, I think the tuition is relatively affordable compared to other universities in the United States.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT El Paso and living in the United States?
Adapting to another language, system, culture, and cost of living is always difficult, but overall, it has been a positive learning and professional development experience.
How has the support of ConTex and Conacyt impacted you?
Being part of the program has helped me tremendously. I would likely not be studying for a Ph.D. if it weren't for the Conacyt and ConTex programs. In addition, during the scholarship application process, I received feedback on my project, which also helped me.
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 doing research focused on sustainability and water quality, either in academia or in the public service. By using local microinvertebrates as bioindicators, I hope to generate a contaminant detection tool in water, which can be used to improve water quality and, therefore, the health of people and the environment.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students who are considering studying in Texas?
I would give you two pieces of advice. First, do not hesitate to do it. Although the experience of coming to the U.S. to study represents a challenge, it is positive; there are many opportunities for research and professional development, the educational level is good, and the community is friendly. Secondly, in addition to contacting professors of the programs of interest, it is also helpful to contact students so that they serve as a guide in the process of choosing the program and adapting.
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