In this episode of “Mujeres Fronterizas,” SIA board member Christian Aguilar Murrieta interviews Dr. Norma Villagómez-Márquez about her experience growing up in the borderlands and how she found her passion for studying water.

Norma is a chemist, engineer, and consultant who works in interdisciplinary teams with partners in both nonprofit and private sectors. She received a Ph.D. in Soil & Water Chemistry from the University of Arizona in 2021. Today, as a scientific recruiter, she spends her days helping other scientists find their job niche within a wide range of industries and fields. You can listen to the podcast below.

Norma’s research work that she references in the interview can be found at https://projectharvest.arizona.edu/

Co-creators: Denise Moreno Ramírez, Christian Aguilar Murrieta, Louise Misztal, Amy Amoroso

Further Learning

See all Mujeres Fronterizas podcasts. And for more on environmental justice, check out these blogs:

In this episode of “Mujeres Fronterizas,” SIA board member Denise Moreno Ramírez chats with Lorena Lopez-Powers about what it was like growing up in the borderlands and how it influenced her life, education, and career. As a regional coordinator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency*, Lopez-Powers is no stranger to the challenges of addressing environmental issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. She shares her unique experiences of being a “woman in the room” in the early 1990s, the benefits of being bilingual, and advice for those getting started in the field.

Lorena Lopez-Powers obtained her undergraduate degree in History and Criminal Justice from Saint Mary’s College and a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas. She also served as an AmeriCorps volunteer before moving on to her next career steps.

Co-creators: Denise Moreno Ramírez, Christian Aguilar Murrieta, Louise Misztal, Amy Amoroso

*The content expressed in this interview does not reflect the view of the U.S. EPA.

Further Learning

See all Mujeres Fronterizas podcasts. And for more on environmental justice, check out these blogs:

In this episode of “Mujeres Fronterizas,” an environmental justice podcast featuring women in conservation in the borderlands, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin interviews guest Edna Mendoza about growing up in Nogales, Arizona, her educational journey, career work with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, and recent retirement.

For more than 30 years, Edna worked for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality overseeing the Office of Regional and Border Assistance. Under her leadership, the agency developed the first binational state-to-state environmental strategic plan. This was in collaboration with Sonora’s Ecology and Sustainable Development Commission, North American Development Bank, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She also worked for Pima County as an environmental compliance inspector. And throughout her career, she’s participated in several committees with a focus on environmental health and cross-border collaboration.

Co-creators: Denise Moreno Ramírez, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin, Christian Aguilar Murrieta, Louise Misztal, Amy Amoroso

Further Learning

Explore other Mujeres Fronterizas podcasts. And for more on environmental justice, check out these blogs:

In this episode of “Mujeres Fronterizas,” an environmental justice podcast for Sky Island Alliance featuring women in conservation in the borderlands, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin interviews Arizona State University’s Director of Transborder Studies Irasema Coronado about her career, border politics, power dynamics, and the challenges of working in her field.

Irasema’s career is impressive. In addition to being ASU’s Director of Transborder Studies, she’s also a teacher and researcher at the school with a focus on immigration, human rights and environmental policy on the border. She’s authored or edited many books; her most recent publication is “Children Crossing Borders: Latin American Migrant Childhoods.” She’s twice served as a Fulbright scholar. She’s served on numerous environmental boards and committees. And in 2010, President Barack Obama appointed her to serve on an advisory committee for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation in North America. That same year, Hispanic Business Magazine named her one of the Top 100 Influential Hispanics in the U.S.

Co-creators: Denise Moreno Ramírez, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin, Christian Aguilar Murrieta, Louise Misztal, Amy Amoroso

Further Learning

Explore other Mujeres Fronterizas podcasts. And for more on environmental justice, check out these blogs from SIA board member Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin:

In this episode of “Mujeres Fronterizas,” an environmental justice podcast for Sky Island Alliance featuring women in conservation in the borderlands, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin interviews fellow SIA board member Christian Aguilar Murrieta about her binational life, career, and more. Christian is the Communications and Outreach Specialist for Watershed Management Group in Tucson, where she works to change people’s perception about water use in the Sonoran Desert and teach them how to create beautiful, productive gardens in their own backyards.

Co-creators: Denise Moreno Ramírez, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin, Christian Aguilar Murrieta, Louise Misztal, Amy Amoroso

Further Learning

Explore other Mujeres Fronterizas podcasts. And for more on environmental justice, check out these blogs from SIA board member Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin:

In this first installment of “Mujeres Fronterizas,” an environmental justice podcast for Sky Island Alliance featuring women in conservation in the borderlands, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin interviews fellow SIA board member Denise Moreno Ramírez about her career as an environmental scientist and how it was influenced by growing up in Ambos Nogales. Denise has worked in academia as a community-engaged, interdisciplinary scientist in southern Arizona and northern Mexico for 20 years, addressing transboundary water issues, environmental racism, contaminated sites, and environmental health.

Co-creators: Denise Moreno Ramírez, Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin, Christian Aguilar Murrieta, Louise Misztal, Amy Amoroso

Further Learning

Explore other Mujeres Fronterizas podcasts. And for more on environmental justice, check out these blogs from SIA board member Sofia Rodriguez McGoffin:

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