Have you ever wondered what happens to a grain of sand after leaving the mountain? Today, let me tell you through my life!

Like a grain of sand, my story begins in the mountains. I grew up in a city surrounded by mountains, coffee, and a strong attachment to the land. Sometimes, I felt like I didn't belong there and like a grain of sand after leaving the mountain, I moved to a place located on an alluvial fan. Afterward, I returned to my hometown to study geology. Like a grain of sand, I faced a long and winding road, full of meanders and turbulence, navigating the waters of pursuing an undergraduate degree as a first-generation, LGBT student. Then, I found more grains of sand on the beach when I moved for work. But each grain of sand is unique, and I was frustrated because I didn't see anyone like me around.

The rivers go to the sea and the grains of sand with them. I decided to pursue a master's degree in Colorado and discovered that sediments can accumulate in deltas and go even further through underwater canyons. It has been a long and challenging pathway, being away from my family and constantly feeling alone. But, I traveled to the end of the world, Patagonia, to see the rocks that record underwater channels, and wanting to understand more about this new and enigmatic world, I came to Texas to pursue a PhD on the same topic.

At this moment, I research sediments that accumulated deep in the sea, after a long journey from the mountains. And there are still many things waiting for me to discover. I hope my path leads me to find a job at a research institute. Eventually, I want to become a college professor to help other international, Latino, first-generation, and LGBT students navigate the complicated but fulfilling world of academia. I hope that, like a grain of sand, everything falls right into place!