Principal Investigator

Tian Y. Dong, PhD

Current

Assistant Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
CV
Google Scholar
Research Gate

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 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 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

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