Participating Students in TRESS

Research Students

Andrea Mota

Andrea mota

Andrea is a Sophomore majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

Originally from Mission, TX, she has a daily commute to the Edinburg Campus where she is working with Dr. Pushpa Soti in research regarding Nematodes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and their influences on our environment. She enjoys hiking, reading, as well as gardening in her free time.

"TRESS gave me the opportunity to further my research which allowed me to expand my education on soil science and the way it is impacted by the nematode populations in them. My experience was overall very fun, mainly due to my large fascination on soil science and the outdoor hands on activities. Being able to work on something your passionate about definitely makes it more enjoyable, and thankfully this was the case for me."

- Andrea Mota, 2019

Click here to see more information regarding Andrea's previous and current projects.

Denise Tijerina

Originally from Edinburg, TX, Denise is a Senior majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environment and Society. She worked in Dr. Pereira's Soil Ecology Lab where she conducted nutrient extractions from the soil as well as tested for pH.

"TRESS gave me the opportunity to gain research knowledge as well as present my findings at the Soil Science Society of America conference (SSSA 2019) November 2019."

- Denise Tijerina, 2019

Isaiah Jaramillo

A Junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. Originally from Harlingen, TX, he commutes to the Edinburg Campus where he works in Dr. Engil Pereira's Soil Ecology Lab.

Isaiah jaramillo
His role consists of physically and chemically observing how well three different varieties of sweet potato fair in the climate and soil conditions of the Rio Grande Valley through the implementation of Soil Nutrient assessing laboratory procedures and physical Agronomic performance of the plants.

"The TRESS program has provided me with a unique opportunity to experience scientific research through both field and laboratory work. Based on my experiences thus far, I have quickly learned that scientific research requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and most importantly, a true passion for the topic you are undertaking. A passion that has made me crazy enough to venture out at 3:00 pm into 107-degree

heat just to take soil samples, or to enter the lab at 11:00 pm to conduct a soil related procedure. Through working with TRESS, not only have I learned many hands-on and analytical skills, I am now convinced that I want to further my education and pursue a career in agricultural science, with TRESS being the driving force behind this decision."

- Isaiah Jaramillo, 2019

Click here To see more information regarding Isaiah's previous and current projects.

Lali (Citlali Zertuche)

Lali is a Junior majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She commutes from the Brownsville campus to the Edinburg campus where she does research in Dr. James Jihoon Kang's Lab. She aids with Aggregate Stability Analysis, measurement of CO2 Flux, Root Biomass measurements, and measuring runoff using different methods. She also has worked on Preparation of Soil and Grass samples of C and N analysis.

Jose Gonzalez

A local from Edinburg, TX is a Senior majoring in Environmental Science. He is currently working in Dr. Engil Pereira's Soil Ecology Lab on the Edinburg Campus. His responsibilities regarding his research includes Quantifying Bacteria.

"TRESS helped me gain the skills I wanted to learn for my future career."

- Jose Gonzalez, 2019

To see more information regarding Jose's previous and current projects click here.

Paola Granados

paola granados A Junior majoring in both Environmental Science and Civil Engineering. Originally from Hidalgo, TX, she commutes to the UTRGV Edinburg Campus for schooling and research with Dr. James Jihoon Kang. Her responsibilities include assessing the efficiency of biochar produced from local, organic waste in their ability to adsorb aqueous lead.

Proving biochar is an efficient lead absorber is a step towards determining whether biochar is an adept, waste-reducing alternative to coal or activated carbon in water filtration systems.

"TRESS has given me the opportunity to attend national conferences [AAHHE 2019] where I have been exposed to different types of research and career paths within the environmental field, as well as giving me the experience to share my research. It has also been an incredible opportunity to network and learn about graduate opportunities in other universities."

- Paola Granados, 2019

Click here to see more information regarding Paola's previous and current projects.

Yvette Garcia

yvette garcia

A Senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. Originally from Rio Grande City, TX, she moved to Edinburg, TX to pursue her education at the Edinburg UTRGV campus. She is working on association with nitrogen fixing bacteria in Dr. Pereira's Soil Ecology Lab. She received the Engaged Scholar Grant in 2019 and is able to continue to work on her research using funding from said Grant.

"[Because of TRESS] I was able to gain experience in a field I was interested in while still in school and found out I really enjoy working in a lab environment. I loved it so much I applied to the Engaged Scholar to continue my research and luckily it was granted."

- Yvette Garcia, 2019

Gasper Najera

Gasper is a Sophomore majoring in Marine Biology with a minor in Music.

His research with Dr. Alejandro Fierro-Cabo consists of the greenhouse gas emissions, Methane and Carbon Dioxide and their presence in the Lower Laguna Madre.

A static vented chamber technique was used to gather data from parallel transects in a mangrove stand that each contained three distinct zones, the zones being exposed soil, saltwort vegetation, and mangrove vegetation. The purpose of this experiment is to identify trends or differences, if any, between drained and flooded conditions in the coastal wetland environment in order to predict how this area will be affected by potential sea level rise as a result of climate change.

"The TRESS program gave me the opportunity to conduct a project with the aid of an experienced professor early on in my college career."

- Gasper Najera

Internships

Natural Resources Conservation Service Internship (NRCS)

Fallon Fraustro

fallon-fraustro

An Environmental Science Major who interned at the NRCS in Edinburg, TX over the summer of 2019.

"I was able to assist in perimeter checks, land surveys, grass and soil collections, as well as many field trainings. I learned the value of cover crops, and what it is to keep and maintain soil health for the benefit of agriculture. Keeping roots and cover crops in the months before planting a producers cash crops will maintain soil temperatures that will keep the earth alive. All in all, I have a very good understanding of what the NRCS is, and how they work with locals to improve the environment. It has been a great, and invaluable experience."

Jacob Sanchez

An Environmental Science Major who interned at the NRCS in Edinburg, TX over the summer of 2019.

"We did a variety of activities. Starting the first week with security and ethics training, we learned the governments' standards for these principles. In the following weeks, alongside learning how to organize and file EQIP [ Environmental Quality Incentives Program] contracts, we visited fields of different producers to get a hands-on experience of what the NRCS does. We hand harvested watermelons, visited organic farms, measured fence specifications, became familiar with tracking GPS coordinates, and collected and identified 20 different variations of grasses."

Julian Perez

An Environmental Science Major who interned at the NRCS in Edinburg, TX over the summer of 2019.

"What I liked the most about this internship was gaining an understanding of what its really like to work for a agency like the NRCS There are many benefits and rewarding experiences when working for a government agency, so learning this first-hand was valuable experience and what I liked the most about this internship. Now I feel more inspired to pursue a career in the public sector."

Texas Plant and Soil Labs Internship (TPSL)

Luzyannet Ballesteros

An Environmental Science major with a Chemistry minor who interned at the TPS Lab in Edinburg, Texas.

" Being an intern at TPSL taught me how interesting and fulfilling Soil Science is. It's so mesmerizing to see that topics of study such as soils are so detailed and have such a huge global impact. Not only did I get to learn new things and put into practice what I had learned in the classroom, but also, I met amazing people. They teach you how to use equipment, work with computer software, and most importantly meet deadlines with accuracy. A career in STEM is intimidating, but if an opportunity for an internship opens, I say take it. There is a whole world out there."

Natalia Nevarez

An Biology major with a Chemistry minor who interned at the TPS Lab in Edinburg, Texas.

"At Texas Plant and Soil Labs, we learned quantitative methods in which would impact crops across the nation. There are soil and plant tests that will serve to recommend the best fertilizer for the grower. My love and excitement for Science grew exponentially with every experiment performed in lab. I enjoyed the fast-paced and result oriented environment. because of this internship I know for a fact that I chose the correct career path. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity."

Training, Research, and Education in Soil Science (TRESS) School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences College of Sciences