Meet the Fellows

Effect of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors on Chronic Kidney Disease in Diabetes Patients

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”, with a clear acknowledgment that non-communicable diseases are growing issues. One of the objectives is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the major contributors to morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases, which can affect a significant portion of the global population. CKD is a significant complication that contributes to diabetes-related mortality in the United States, and there is growing evidence that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) can slow its progression. However, observational studies may suffer from confounding by indication, where patient characteristics and disease severity influence the decision to prescribe SGLT2i. This study utilized electronic health records of individuals with diabetes (from TriNetX) to investigate the effectiveness of SGLT2i on CKD progression. The database provided detailed information on patients’ CKD status, demographics, diagnosis, procedures, and medications, along with corresponding dates of diagnosis and prescription. The study comprised of 38,776 patients aged 18 years and above with 1 (or >) year history of diabetes who initiated treatment with SGLT2i between May 2013, and July 2021. To address potential confounding by indication in observational studies, we utilized propensity score matching.

Study the Lightweight 3D Printed Alloy for Reducing CO2 Emissions

This research paper examines the sustainable use of 3D printing technology in manufacturing processes. The study investigates how 3D printing can reduce material waste and minimize the environmental impact of manufacturing. The paper discusses the three pillars of sustainability, namely society, economy, and environment, and emphasizes the importance of proper planning from product design to manufacturing stages to achieve sustainable manufacturing. The research highlights the advantages of 3D printing over older methods in terms of waste reduction, effectiveness, capability, and environmental friendliness. Furthermore, the study explores the potential of using 3D printing alloy to decrease the weight of aircraft and, in turn, decrease carbon emissions. The paper concludes that sustainable manufacturing and 3D printing technologies are crucial for achieving the 17 goals for sustainable development established by the United Nations World Commission. The research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable 3D printing practices and encourages the adoption of environmentally friendly materials and technologies in the field.

Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Integration of Piezoelectric Harvesters into Roadways

Energy is essential in our modern era. Because of the increasing electricity consumption, sustainable and Renewable energy became a necessary global approach to fill the gap of the ongoing energy shortage in addition to the climate change crisis due to using fossil fuels for energy production. Renewable energy is a global approach that has achieved great accomplishments during the last decades and is gradually increasing. Energy harvesting is considered one of the main resources for renewable energy. Energy harvesting from the roadways is an ingenious horizon for sustainable, clean, and renewable energy generation. Harvesting energy from the roadways by using Piezoelectric harvesters is one of the most promising new technologies in that area. Therefore, this study introduces the economic feasibility of using this technology by using the life cycle cost analysis technique LCCA with a comprehensive economic assessment including initial, installment, maintenance and repair, and operating costs during the service life of the system. This study conducts a life cycle cost analysis to justify this system in a hypothetical scenario. The guidelines of the national institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are adapted to conduct the LCCA. Life cycle cost analysis LCCA became an urgent need in order to have a clear understanding of the system's viability.

The Effects of Produce Safety Practices in the RGV

Foodborne illnesses are caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites), chemical contaminants (such as drugs, antibiotics, and feed additives), and toxins are the three major types of food contaminations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in every six Americans (48 million) becomes ill each year, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die as a result of foodborne diseases.1. Many foodborne illnesses can cause sudden symptoms like stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. While most people get better in a few days without treatment, some foodborne illnesses can cause other serious symptoms that may lead to hospitalization, long-term health problems, or death2,3. There is a growing number of foodborne disease outbreaks in both developed and developing countries in recent years, the issue of food safety and associated health concerns is the focus of public interest. Each foodborne outbreak increases the demand for more food safety practices and policies which leads policymakers to increase safety regulations in the food supply chain which is often a two-sided coin. On one side, such regulations aim to reduce health risks for consumers and decrease the economic burden associated with foodborne outbreaks. On the other hand, additional regulations often come at the expense of the agri-food sector 4,5. Produce was shown to be responsible for a greater percentage of multistate outbreaks than any other food category in a previous analysis of food borne outbreaks reported to the CDC.

Women in Governance: The Participation of Women in Public Policy

"If your dreams do not include women, your dreams are not big enough." Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia. This research investigated the demographic of women in public Policy and the socio-political and sociocultural factors that influence their Participation, focusing on Ghana in West Africa. It revealed that despite several international agreements and legal frameworks safeguarding women's political rights, women are still underrepresented in politics and government globally. The research used a descriptive study design and purposive sampling technique to select 25 women respondents who shared their roles in their positions, barriers to effective Participation in public Policy, and their opinions about politics. The study also used secondary data from journals, articles, books, mass media, and government publications. The research examined the economic, social, and environmental impacts of women's increased Participation in public Policy, including improvements in gender equality, growth, and corresponding progress in participatory equality. The study also explored how equal Participation of women and men in politics is essential for effective democracy and good governance, leading to more equitable societies, higher standards of living, and decreased political corruption. The research will contribute to the existing literature on the factors that affect women's Participation in government and provide insights into enhancing women's Participation in public Policy.

UTRGV Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory FY22

One of the most pressing issues facing the world at large today is the impact of climate change. For years, global temperature has been on the rise due to human activity. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, livestock farming, and other common practices have contributed to the rising of the global average temperature. In 2019, the average global temperature rose above preindustrial levels by 1.1 degrees Celsius and continues to rise at a rate of about 0.2 degrees Celsius each decade (Causes of climate change, n.d.). This is an alarmingly fast rate, as catastrophic environmental consequences are predicted to occur once the average global temperature rises 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels (Causes of climate change). These effects include intense temperature fluctuations, destruction of animal habitats, rising sea levels, and much more. Furthermore, as the human population continues to increase, the demand for energy is rapidly increasing, which will inevitably lead to more fossil fuel burning to meet these demands. The underlying cause of this problem is the increasing amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. The most common GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2 ), methane (CH4 ), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Carbon dioxide makes up the vast majority of GHGs, about 79.4% of all GHGs in Earth’s atmosphere as of 2021 (Overview of Greenhouse Gases, 2023). In fiscal year 2016, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, or UTRGV, began conducting GHG emissions inventory managed by the Office for Sustainability. This is an annual study of the carbon footprint of the institution conducted by students, faculty, and staff. The goal of this study is to reduce the campus footprint by tracking purchases, use of resources, and activities that contribute to GHG emissions. By analyzing trends in the data and making changes based on the trends, future GHG emissions can be reduced dramatically, leading to a more sustainable future.

Poverty and Social Justice: Analyzing Hunger and Food Insecurities in Hidalgo County through a Social Justice Lens

Poverty rates are disproportionately higher among most non-White populations. Compared to 8.2% of White Americans living in poverty, 26.8% of American Indian and Alaska Natives, 19.5% of Blacks, 17% of Hispanics, and 8.1% of Asians are currently living in poverty. Similarly, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous children are overrepresented among children living below the poverty line. More specifically, 35.5% of black people living in poverty in the U.S. are below the age of 18. In addition, 40.7% of Hispanic people living below the poverty line in the U.S. are younger than age 18, and 29.1% of American Indian and Native American children lived in poverty in 2018. In contrast, approximately 21% of White people living in poverty in the U.S. are less than 18 years old. One in eight U.S. households with children, approximately 12.5%, could not buy enough food for their families in 2021, considerably higher than the rate for households without children (9.4%). Black (19.8%) and Latinx (16.25%) households are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity, with food insecurity rates in 2021 triple and double the rate of White households (7%), respectively. The Sustainable Development Goal to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” (SDG2) recognises the interlinkages among supporting sustainable agriculture, empowering small farmers, promoting gender equality, ending rural poverty, ensuring healthy lifestyles, tackling climate change, and other issues addressed within the set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Several neighborhoods in Hidalgo County have limited access to food pantries and community services due to social barriers. However, the aim for social justice includes a society in which all members are physically and psychologically safe and where everyone has access to the resources they need in order to fully participate, thrive, and succeed. It ensures racial, economic, environmental and health equity for all. To build social justice, this works to address the root causes of hunger, such as poverty, racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression and structural inequities that create disproportionate barriers to food and land access for communities.

Green Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a developing international issue that occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites adapt over time and stop responding to medications, making infections more difficult to cure and raising the risk of disease spread. When microorganisms are exposed to antibiotics, this occurrence is a natural process that takes place. Antibiotic-resistant microbes survive and procreate when under the selective pressure of the medication, which promotes the spread of AMR. AMR may have negative effects on public health, such as rising morbidity, death, and medical expenses. Moreover, it may have an impact on the environment, food safety, and animal health. Hence, it is essential to fight AMR on a global scale by taking a variety of steps, including encouraging the proper use of antibiotics, creating new antimicrobial medicines, enhancing infection prevention and control procedures, and encouraging global partnerships. By doing these things, we can contribute to keeping antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs available for use. Bioactive compounds have favorable properties like antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and anti-cancer activity that can change metabolic processes. They are being studied in an effort to safeguard against illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), among others. Bioactive compounds include compounds like lycopene, resveratrol, lignan, tannins, and indoles, to name a few. These compounds can be produced by green synthesis and may operate in the body to support good health. An approach to chemistry known as "green synthesis" encourages a fresh way of thinking in an effort to save energy, get rid of toxic waste, and use natural solvents like water. "Green synthesis" is required to stop the production of unfavorable or hazardous byproducts by creating dependable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly synthesis procedures. Green chemistry has principles that can be implemented in nature which include waste prevention, atom economy, less hazardous chemical syntheses, designing safer chemicals, safer solvents and auxiliaries, design for energy efficiency, use of renewable feedstock, reduction derivatives, catalysis, design for degradation, real-time analysis for pollution prevention and inherently safer chemical for accident prevention. This study specifically addresses the issue of preventing antimicrobial drug resistance.

Age-Related Neurological issues driven by defective myelin in NF1

Globally, neurological disorders are the leading cause of DALYs (276 million) and cause 9 million deaths making them the second leading cause of death. Regionally, in the Rio Grande Valley, as per the Area Agency of Aging of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the 60+ population is estimated to be 212,508. This is important because the burden of nuerological disorders increased due to a growing aging population. This research looked into neurofibromatosis type 1 which is a genetic disorder that is caused by the mutation of the NF1 gene to study the links between NF1 mutation and learning issues in aging which is still unknown. This research used 2 methods, one involving 3-month-old and 13-month-old mice with the NF1 mutation in all cells of their body which were introduced to a CW running wheel, confocal imaging, cell quantification, and analysis. The other method, used other mice with the NF1 mutation only in oligodendrocytes between 6-8 months and were treated with a tamoxifen treatment and followed the same procedure as the other. The findings suggests a novel AD & demential model, in the future, new research can uncover the cellular and molecular mechanism to why these mice do not have good learning, and designing of new therapeutics for issues of learning and memory aging in individuals and in NF1 patients.

Building Sustainable Future for Girls: Investing more to educate girls in Bangladesh to combat Covid-19 challenges of child marriage increase​

Child marriage is an obstacle for a girl’s education. According to UNICEF, child marriage refers to any formal or informal union between a Childe under the age of 18 with an adult or another child. Several reports show that child marriage doubled during the pandemic and saw the greatest increase in the past 25 years. This greatly affects SDGs 4 and 5 because when a girl gets married at an age where she should be at school, her role changes from a student to a housewife and dropping out of school. Dropping out of school has many impacts socially, economically, and environmentally. According to UNICEF, globally, more than 1 in 5 girls are married before their 18th birthday and more than 110 million additional girls will marry before their 18th birthday by 2030 due to COVID-19. During the pandemic, South Asia had the highest rate of child marriage with Bangladesh having the highest in South Asia. The country witnessed a 13% increase in child-marriages that often occurred in rural areas. The 3 main reasons why rural areas have higher rates of child-marriages that were found were due to population, economic difference, and educational inequality. According to UNICEF, between the ages of 6 - 17, the older the female becomes, the likelihood of dropping out becomes greater. To reduce the educational gap between urban and rural girls, a plan is offered that focuses on the empowerment and agency of girls.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Powered Sensor for Fetal Monitor in High-Risk Pregnancy

Every year, around 140 million births take place with 20 infant deaths per 1000 births globally. More geriatric pregnancies are occurring as global demographics shift and modern lifestyle choices allow women to bear children later in life. This increase in maternal risk factor is leading to more high-risk pregnancies with 1/18 infant deaths due to congenital heart disease worldwide. In 2022, the US infant mortality rate was lower than the global one with congenital heart defects being the most common type of birth defect. This project aims to serve the middle group that are under insured, uninsured, recovering from covid-19, and undocumented by making an affordable produce and getting insurance to cover it. High risk-pregnancies are becoming more prevalent worldwide. Covid-19 exacerbated the disparities in the healthcare system as over 12 million Americans lost health insurance. This project proposes a fetal health monitor device that is a sustainably-made waistband to detect fetal vitals.

Disaster Planning for People with Disabilities in Rio Grande Valley

Disability is a physical or mental imparement that limits one or more major life activities. In Texas, the total number of adults living with disabilities is around 61 million. It was found that Starr County has the highest amount of adults living with disabilities in the Rio Grande Valley with 16.4%, followed by Willacy County with 15%, Hidalgo County with 13%, and Cameron County with 12.1%. Disasters occur all around the world and many have occured in the Rio Grande Valley such as powerful storms, hurricanes, flooding, and many more. There are many disaster challenges for persons with disabilities. A person with a hearing disability might not hear audio emergency alarms during emergency situations. A person with a disability faces barriers to accessible emergency information during disasters. This research recommends that people with disabilities are considered at all levels during emergency planning, voluntary self-registries can be established to facilitate the provision of emergency services, overall improve communication preparedness, and provide temporary housing that meet universal design principles and accessibility guidelines. In conclusion, a six research driven / focused intervention solution was offered. 1) Stay informed, 2) Make a plan, 3) Plan for all your medical needs, 4) Build an emergency kit, 5) Consider transportation, and 6) Get involved in your community.

Life Cycle Cost Analysis of the Construction of a Novel Wastewater Management System for Sustainable Cities

When we think of sustainable cities, we usually think of the following pillars: electric transportation, renewable energy, green buildings, water conservation, and waste management. They seek to address the concerns of their sustainable infrastructure environmentally, economically, and socially. Although 1/10 of the earth is water, only 0.008% of all water on Earth is available to us. There are 2 types of wastewater: black water that comes from toilets and urinals and is highly contaminated and difficult to treat and gray water that is used in household items that is low in contamination and easily recyclable. Black water must be treated using 9 processes before it can be disposed of in oceans or rivers while gray water can be reused almost directly through filtration opening a wide range of new possibilities of reusability. The problem with current plumbing conventions is that the gray water is mixed with the black water when disposed of. This mixing concurs additional cost for treatment, larger water treatment plants, and pollution. This research hypothesizes that the increased cost of gray water system installation will be substantially superseded by the reduction of costs in wastewater network and treatment costs and utility bills. In 5 top cities in the United States, it was found that the net savings, savings investment ratio, and adjusted investment rate of return values are much above the benchmark. It was assessed that Mcallen would be able to save 700 million dollars in 40 years. This implementation would reduce overall wastewater value by 24%, reduce the number of treatment plants by 20%, reuse 43.4 GPC wastewater every day, and lower the risk of water-borne diseases.

Sustaining la Voz del Valle

David Crystal said, “People sometimes say: ‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ That’s true. But language is never far away. To talk about the picture, you may need a thousand words.” According to the federal law, there are 7,151 known living languages in the world with roughly 40% being endangered of dying with fewer than 1,000 speakers remaining. This occurs through a language shift where immigrant populations move to new linguistic communities and they shift away from the immigrant language to the dominant language of their community. In the Rio Grande Valley, 93.5% of the population is Hispanic with around 77.2% that speak Spanish. The question this research asks is if there is a generational language shift occurring in the Rio Grande Valley and if so, why is sustaining la voz de Valle (the voice of the valley) important to sustainability? Corpus Bilingüe Del Valle documents the language of Rio Grande Valley natives through interviews and 106 of them were used in this research. It was found that as familial generations progressed, the new generation’s Spanish use would decrease greatly with English being the dominant spoken language when speaking with family and friends, at school/work, internal thinking, and even when doing mental math respectively. Language loss in the valley concurs an economic impact by not being able to serve a Spanish speaking market, environmentally through the loss of knowledge due to weak translation, and socially through the loss of culture, values, heritage, and identity. UTRGV contributed to sustaining la voz del Valle through its B3 Initiative which seeks to provide a university environment that is bilingual, bicultural, and bi-literate.

Community-based Evacuation Preparedness Plan for Decision Making. One Step Further to Hurricane Resilient Communities in the Rio Grande Valley

To understand the challenges faced by the community for decision-making in Rio Grande Valley for upcoming disasters, we must first uncover the valuable outcomes from the past, and the opportunities that we can plan for to make the Valley a resilient community through community and local government partnership. By the end of the study, we will be able to envision actual community-based evacuation scenarios better. With enough economic viability, environmental & social protection policies, and commitment, we can build appropriate Disaster Preparedness of the Rio Grande Valley, areas for early warning, and life sustainment during disaster mitigation. This research has the potential to lower our ecological footprint, allow inclusivity of individuals living with disabilities in disaster plans, and promotes communication infrastructures that are built to last.

Financial Literacy: (A Survey of International Students at UTRGV)

Financial literacy is essential to individuals as well as to the economy. It is touted as necessary for individuals because it allows them to make informed decisions on credit and saving products. To the economy, it is the bedrock upon which micro and macro policies are embedded. Financial literacy is said to be a springboard to financial capability. It enhances person’s ability to manage their monies, make informed investment decisions and take control of their financial advancement. Low financial literacy may lead to high numbers of the unbanked or underbanked population. This research focuses on the effects of financial literacy on sustainable development, generational literacy patterns, and their implications with international students at UTRGV.

Design, Synthesis, and In-silico Validation of new Anticancer Compounds

Cancer is a leading cause of death all over the world and more than 8 million people die of cancer each year. Presently available treatments comprise surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, and so on. Surgical treatment and radiation therapy are used to treat malignant cancer by targeting specific organs but in the case of more sensitive cancer, chemotherapy is still widely used and most pervasive. However, some studies found that different types of cancer have developed drug resistance by the mutation of cancer cells for which no effective drugs are available in the market. Therefore, an urgent need to find some potential and effective anticancer drugs prevails in these days. This research targets Design, synthesis, and Computational study of new Anticancer and Heterocyclic Compounds of anti-cancer drug with the potential to be an alternative to chemotherapy, surgery, and increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Development of a Sustainable Nanofiber for Wound Dressing

Clinical techniques for treating chronic wounds are still restricted, particularly in terms of pain management and quick wound healing. As a result, developing alternate therapeutic options is critical. Existing wound treatments have been shown to be ineffective and unsatisfactory. Chronic wound healing is a complex, time-consuming process, susceptible to external biological attack such as bacteria that promote wound infection and have a negative effect on the immune system; therefore, it is essential to create a controlled environment for wound healing with the aid of appropriate barriers. Nanotechnology presents a once-in-a-lifetime potential to innovate and design new cures, as well as improve the efficacy of current medical treatments. This research divulges into nanofiber application research that is more effective, efficient, and sustainable to deliver medication, promote speedier recovery time in burn and laceration survivors, and promotes less medical waste.

Promoting Best Sustainable Transportation Practices for Economic Development: A Research Focused on Hidalgo County

The world is fast changing with new opportunities and risks emerging, allowing the creation of new approaches to how our environment is protected and preserved in the 21st century. Amid these changes, we need to acknowledge the importance of sustainable practices in building and improving our world and making it a better place for future generations. Sustainability must therefore prepare cities for regulating public transportation services that are low-emission, irrepressible, and ultimately better for the environment. This research highlights the effects of transportation on sustainable development in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and comparing successful models and what they can interpolate to within the scope of economic prosperity, economic waste, and job prosperity.

Green synthesis of Pyranopyrazole - a Potential Antimicrobial Agent

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the major global health concerns of the 21st century. It has been predicted that by the year 2050, AMR will be the number one cost of death causing 10 million deaths. This statistic has caused a great alarm to global health care and aroused an urgency to avert this by discovering and developing new antimicrobial agents. Green or sustainable chemistry is being widely incorporated into finding the solution of fundamental scientific challenges because of the need to protect human health and the environment while simultaneously solving scientific issues. The use of microwave for organic synthesis is a green chemistry technique. It enables a fast reaction with the added benefit of modification in selectivity and allows for a solvent-, catalyst-free conditions. The use of aqueous media in carrying out an organic reaction is considered an important aspect of green chemistry as well. Using water as solvent in an organic synthesis has many advantages including it being abundant, cheap, and non-toxic, smooth and mild reaction conditions are required which lead to improved yield and selectivity.

Impact of Organizational Citizenship Behavior on Corporate Sustainability through the mediating effect of TQM

As a result of global issues such as a worldwide pandemic, climate change, environmental pollution, company stakeholders are becoming more aware of finding sustainable strategies in order to prevent negative impacts, sustain positive performance and be environmentally friendly at the same time. However, due to a lack of research in Total Quality Management (TQM), it is unclear if there is a significant impact on the relationship between OCB and CS. Sustainability Fellow Simi Chowdhurry made it her mission to find quantitative data to find meaningful information when it comes to these relationships.

Impact of Covid-19 on Carbon Footprint at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the carbon footprint was greatly affected during the fiscal year 2020 in the state of Texas. This caused industrial activities to be halted significantly with a dramatic decline in greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7% and caused a significant decline in CO2 emissions worldwide as a result of mandated lockdowns and flight restrictions. Claudia Aleman, a sustainability fellow at the Office for Sustainability, conducted an annual footprint study with her peers and advisors in order to track and mitigate overall campus and improve campus-wide sustainability and find the best solutions to make informed decisions and recommendations for students, faculty, and staff to protect campus life.

Flow Simulation on Novel Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Design

While the evolution of technological advancements has contributed positive effects to our modern society, the downside of this progression is that higher levels of immense energy are required to make these advancements possible, which is harmful to the environment. With resources such as oil, coal, and gas expected to run out by the year 2060, Sustainability Fellow Eric Martinez proposes that a possible solution would be to transition to renewable energy sources. Wave, solar, and wind all show promising results but more quantitative data and studies must be completed to further evaluate a viable solution.

Sapphire Optical Fiber Sensors in Harsh Environments to Enhance Sustainability in Manufacturing Engineering

In an effort to make industrial machines less harmful to the environment, sustainability fellow, Anitha Narayanan proposes developing Sapphire Fiber Bragg Grating (SFBG) Sensors in order to develop efficient manufactured production without greatly damaging the environment. Not only would these sensors be more environmentally efficient, but will also help lower the cost of production and reduce harmful chemicals linked to lung cancer.

A Vehicle of Engagement for Quality Education & Student Success La Frontera Program for Immigrant Families & Students

Mexican immigrants are unlikely to pursue higher education opportunities due to a lack of access and potential language barriers. Sustainability Fellow Griselda Salinas has chosen to incorporate the UN’s Development Goal 4, which is to make quality education accessible, by working with “La Frontera”, in order to create a self-sustaining network of immigrant families that lead to pursuing higher education opportunities, motivation to seek these opportunities, create a community and share their cultural pride along the way.

From Broadway to Brownsville... Bringing a World-class Experience in Education for Sustainable Development to the USA/Mexico Border

Studies have shown a correlation between students that receive music education and higher academic and standardized test scores. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is known for its rich culture and outstanding music programs, however, it also falls victim to some of the highest rates of economically disadvantaged students and insufficient funding resources for their teachers. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 pushes to further equitable and quality primary and secondary education for students around the world. Sustainability Fellow Mauricio Castellano and advisor Dr. Mark Ramirez are conducting research methods to create an efficient and effective music education model, which will enhance student's quality of music and academic education.

Sustainable Three-Dimensional Fiber Shaped Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

In an effort to find a more sustainable, financially, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional solar panels, Sustainability Fellow Haimanti Majumder has developed a research project that emphasizes how Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) can create a cleaner solution as an energy source. The research found that a noble photocatalyst DSSC was more mobile and easily recyclable versus standard DSSC. The materials used in the project did not contain harmful contents towards the environment and showed promising data regarding its efficiency and capacity. This project was an effort to support the U.N’s Sustainable Goal #7, which strives to create affordable and clean energy accessible worldwide.

Campus Food Security Initiative

The USDA defines food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life”. Food insecurity affects families across the Rio Grande Valley as many low-income households may not have sufficient access to getting the proper food they need for healthy living and is ranked as one of the highest regions across the U.S that are most affected by this crisis. Sustainability Fellow Nataly Salazar is committed to helping fight food insecurity across the region. Nataly has committed to helping out with the UTRGV Campus Food Security Initiative (CFSI), which its mission is to provide the local community with easy access to locally-grown plants and foods through a “pay what you want” donation.

Developing an Effective Detection Model for Alzheimer's Disease: a Sustainable Solution for Therapeutic Intervention

Sustainability Fellow Armando Garces along with his mentor Dr. Upal Roy, of the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, will investigate the function of two specific genes in the neurodegeneration pathway. This research will allow for the identification of a potential target for early therapeutic intervention. In collaboration with Dr. Gladys Maestre, the impact of neighborhood-level factors and social determinants (education, health conditions, socioeconomic status, culture) have on the development of Alzheimer’s disease will also be explored. This project is aimed to develop a solution that will significantly reduce the detection and treatment cost of AD, lifting a great socioeconomic burden on underserved populations both in the RGV and globally.

Sustainability for Health: Monitoring Creatinine in Saliva for Preventive Kidney Disease

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals push for an increase in medical research for non-communicable diseases that affect developing countries. Sustainability fellow Raul Espinosa from the MSIS program and his research advisor Ahmed Touhami from UTRGV Physics Department aim to create a biosensor capable of detecting suspicious levels of Creatinine in saliva (which are a sign of Chronic Kidney Disease), which will make the analysis faster and safer, while also reducing the waste generated through blood sampling.

The Impacts and in depth Study of the Environmental Contaminant PFOS and its Interactions with Water

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) look to substantially reduce the number of hazardous chemicals and environmental pollution to provide safe environments for marine life and equitable drinking water for communities around the globe. Aligning with the SDGs motivated a collaborative research project between The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Xiamen University Malaysia to identify methods to remove Perfluorinated compounds from water sources. Sustainability Fellow Karla Salazar has been selected to work with the chemistry department to conduct further research of PFOS by studying its precursor, Fluorosulfonic acid, to provide insights for potential water filtration mechanisms.

A Vehicle for Sustainable Engagement in Education

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals challenge education systems to further equitable and quality primary and secondary education for students around the world. Sustainability Fellow Jacqueline Lopez has been selected to collaborate with La Frontera, a team K-12 students, parents, and teachers from Weslaco ISD that are transforming their local community through quality education and leadership development. The chief goal is to increase the number of parental leaders in La Frontera and co-create sustainable engagement strategies with educators that increase successful student educational outcomes.

Campus Renewable Energy Proposal

Sustainability fellows Diego Alonso and Jaafar Mouhamad drafted two different proposals for each respective campus in an effort to support the UN’s Development Goal #7: Affordable and clean energy, #11: support sustainable cities and communities, and #13: support climate action. A solar energy proposal was drafted that is best tailored for the Brownsville campus while a microgrid proposal was drafted to serve the Edinburg campus. These proposals were drafted in order to support social, environmental, and economic impacts across both respective campuses.

Campus Zero Waste Planning and Cost-Benefit Assessment

In an effort to further support the advancement of Zero Waste infrastructure and Policy within the UTRGV campus, sustainability fellows Omar Vazquez & Zachary Johnson have drafted a cost-benefit proposal in order to modify appropriate planning towards food waste audit, composting research and outreach, and paper waste division and study. Biodigesters would be beneficial in areas such as the organic garden, pollinator garden, Veterans Memorial Garden, crawfish garden, and UTRGV farm. As far as reducing paper waste on campus, a proposed policy that will promote the feasibility of double-sided copies will be encouraged for students and staff in order to reduce paper waste and reduce the cost of tipping and hauling fees on the University’s behalf.