Principal Investigator
Tian Y. Dong, PhD
Current
Assistant Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
Background
PhD in Earth Science, Rice University
MS in Earth Science, Rice University
BS in Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin
Hometown: Baoding, China/Houston, TX
Fun Fact: I can juggle!
Staff
Bence Csiti, MS
Current
Independent Research Scientist (not affiliated with UTRGV)
Project: Predicting water and sediment discharges, basin morphology, and rainfall characteristics using river channel belt planform metrics
Background
MS in Infrastructural Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary
BS in Civil Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary
Hometown: Gyor, Hungary
Fun Fact: I love growing tomatoes
Esmeralda Mendez, MS
Current
Program Coordinator
Project: NASA MUREP MCA - Remote-sensing and Analytics for Integrating Science Education with NASA SMD to Strengthen Student Research Capacity at MSI (RAISE)
Background
MS in Agriculture, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences, UTRGV
BS in Biological Sciences, UTRGV
Hometown: Weslaco, Texas
Fun Fact: I like traveling and reading!
Haiqing Xu, PhD
Current
Associate Research Scientist (incoming July 1st)
Research Project: Geomorphic changes in the Lower Rio Grande River Valley
Background
PhD in Geological Sciences, University of South Carolina
Master in Remote Sensing, Peking University, China
Bachelor in GIS, Peking University, China
Hometown: Harbin, China
Fun Fact: I repair old cameras
Graduate Students
Ana Y. Casillas Rodriguez
Current
Excepted 2025, MS in Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences
Research Project: Impacts of Human Activities on Water and Sediment Discharge and Channel Morphology of the Coastal Rio Grande During the Anthropocene
Background
BA in Multidisciplinary Studies, UTRGV
Hometown: Guadalajara, Mexico
Fun Fact: I have a deaf dog; her name is Dot, and she's the sweetest creature I've ever met <3
Waqid Nabi
Current
Excepted 2025, MS in Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences
Research Project: Assessing Water, Nutrient, and Sediment Transport in Alluvial Basins between the abandoned Rio Grande channels (Resacas)
Background
B. Tech in Civil Engineering, Sharda University, India
Hometown: Jammu and Kashmir, India
Fun Fact: I absolutely love working out at the gym!
Kynan Rutan
Current
Excepted 2025, MS in Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences
Research Project: Long-term Sedimentation and Nutrient Accumulation Rate of Alluvial Basins (Esteros)
Background
BS in Earth and Environmental Science, Washington State University (WSU)
Hometown: Bothell, Washington
Fun Fact: I was on the WSU Alpine ski team
Undergraduate Students
Celeste Alvarez
Current
Excepted 2024, BS in Environmental Science
Research Project: Characterizing the Distributions and Spatial Patterns of Clay Dunes (Lomas) Platform Metrics in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Using Remote Sensing
Background
Hometown: Alton, Texas
Fun Fact: I like frogs
Sebastian Lopez
Current
Excepted 2026, BS in Environmental Science
Research Project: Fluvial Terraces in the Lower Rio Grande
Background
Hometown: Roma, Texas
Fun Fact: I am a basketball and book lover
Kristian Posada
Current
Excepted 2024, BS in Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
Project Project: Lower Rio Grande River Inundation and Sediment Transport Modeling
Background
Hometown: Harlingen, Texas
Fun Fact: I love CrossFit, the gym, and being active!
Former Members
RTX Summer School
2022, Benjamin A. Chapa, Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Now: MS student in Hydrogeology at University of Texas at Austin
2020, Cheyenne Hibbitts Kleiner, Angelo State University; Now: PhD student in Earth and Environment Sciences at Michigan State University