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Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My research project focuses on the feminist support networks that have emerged in Mexico to assist women and pregnant people in performing self-managed abortions. I am interested in understanding why these networks have grown significantly since the decriminalization of abortion in the country, as well as learning about their incorporation into public hospital services since 2007 in Mexico City and, more recently, nationwide. In other words, I seek to explain the reasons why these networks have expanded in a context of increasing legalization and availability. My research aims to contribute to the sociology of gender, social movements, and medicine. This is important to me because I am interested in contributing knowledge to improve women's access to their sexual and reproductive rights.
Have you presented or published your research anywhere? Tell us about the experience.
I have shared my research at various conferences, both within the University of Texas System and in Mexico. These experiences have made it possible for me to receive feedback and enrich my work.
In addition, in 2024 I was awarded the Chronicle Fellowship from the University of Texas at Austin's Creative Writing Initiative, a distinction that gave me the opportunity to conduct fieldwork and collaborate with Latin American journalists. This experience resulted in an article on my research topic published in Anfibia Magazine.
Share with us something interesting about your research that most people don't know.
An interesting aspect of my research is that it focuses on a topic that has been less prominent in the study of social movements. Generally, these phenomena are related to major moments of protest and mass mobilization, and there is much discussion about this. My study, on the other hand, focuses on what happens after the fervor and how social movements sustain themselves through everyday acts of collective care and direct action, such as networks. Understanding this part of social movements is not only interesting, but also highly relevant because it helps us better understand how social change happens.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
I am a member of the Seminar on Medical Practice in Mexico, a network of researchers interested in studying medicine from a social science perspective. In addition, throughout my career, I have maintained close ties with professors and mentors who have accompanied me in my academic development and with whom I have collaborated on various publications. I was also part of the group that founded the Mexican Society of Sociology.
What attracted you to Texas and The University of Texas at Austin?
What convinced me to study in Texas, and at UT Austin in particular, was the wide variety of resources available for conducting research on Mexico and Latin America. The University hosts a large library collection, scholarships, courses, and the support of expert professors who have been key to my academic development. In my department I found scholars with in-depth knowledge of my areas of interest. Additionally, UT Austin offers the opportunity to network with people from all over the world. I was also attracted by Austin's natural and cultural wealth and the historical and cultural ties that unite Texas and Mexico.
What have been some good things you didn't expect from Texas or UT Austin?
I didn't expect to enjoy living in Austin so much. It's a very quiet city and smaller than Mexico City, which I was used to, allowing me to have a more relaxed routine. Here, I enjoy my hobbies, such as biking, hiking, watching lots of movies, going to concerts, and savoring a wide variety of foods.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT Austin and living in the United States?
The biggest challenge has been adapting to being far away from my country and the people close to me. The first semesters were challenging because I faced many changes. It was also an emotionally demanding period, as I needed to convince myself that my performance and ideas were good enough. Doing a PhD can be a lonely path, but I learned to build a community to feel more supported.
How has the support of ConTex and Secihti impacted you?
The support of ConTex and Secihti has been fundamental to my academic training. It has provided me with the necessary resources to work and live in the United States without the constant financial worries that come with pursuing a doctorate abroad. It has also allowed me to travel to Mexico to do fieldwork, which has undoubtedly enriched and improved my research. Having this scholarship has enabled me to devote myself fully to my research, with the time and concentration that it requires.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future, and how do you hope your research will benefit people in the U.S. and Mexico?
I aspire to join a university as a professor-researcher and devote myself fully to research and teaching. As a professor, I hope to contribute to forming more critically-minded individuals with a clear vision of social justice. I would like to teach classes that are as transformative for my students as those that have shaped my own education. Through my research, I seek to expand access to and knowledge of sexual and reproductive rights, especially for women, and to strengthen their autonomy.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students considering studying in Texas?
First, I would say that my experience at UT Austin has been very positive, even more than I expected, both personally and professionally. I encourage students to come to UT Austin or another one of the University of Texas institutions. To decide which program would be right for them, my advice would be to analyze how well their interests match with the department they are considering studying in; this will determine the resources and options available to them during their PhD to develop their research. I would also urge them to always seek balance between work and free time.
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