An international initiative this summer gave Rice undergraduates an opportunity to meet with students from Mexican and American universities to promote collaborative, multidisciplinary research on issues critical to the relationship between the two countries.
The second annual Undergraduate Research Experience, held in Miami this year, also focused on fostering effective communication of research findings to leaders and policymakers. The initiative is presented by the Puentes Consortium, which consists of five universities and is housed in Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
A cohort of 25 students from the partner universities — Rice, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad de Monterrey, Universidad de las Américas Puebla and the University of Miami — participated in two weeks of classes on research methodologies, hands-on workshops, mentoring sessions and presentations from visiting speakers. The students are required to finish their research at their home institutions this fall, for which they will receive academic credits and have their papers published in scientific journals.
The Puentes Consortium was formed 10 years ago by former Rice President David Leebron, who not only wanted to further connections between universities but also give undergraduate students a taste of collaborative research.
“The consortium is unique because it requires both regular dialogue between the university presidents and leaders in government, business and other institutions concerned with Mexico-U.S. relations, as well as active research carried out by binational teams of scholars,” said Ivonne Cruz, program administrator of the Puentes Consortium and a contributing expert for the Baker Institute’s Center for the U.S. and Mexico.
“What sets the Puentes program apart is the unique opportunity it gives students to be advised and mentored by an international and interdisciplinary team of faculty as they design their research projects,” said Nia Georges, a Rice anthropology professor who has taught several courses that include international research components.
The Puentes faculty includes Georges who will mentor and guide the students through their projects. Tony Payan, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico, is on the operating committee.
“The very core of this program revolves around joining American and Mexican universities for a variety of projects, and that’s what I find so cool about it,” said sophmore Erika Alvarez. “As someone interested in political science and specifically conducting research on immigration, I think it is absolutely invaluable to consider cross-cultural perspectives on such a critical issue — something which you can’t usually find in the unilateral approach that the U.S often takes when studying topics outside of its borders.”
Alvarez is working with two Tecnológico de Monterrey students on her project, which is focused on the immigration crisis at the border. Other topics for Rice students’ projects include water shortages and health diplomacy.
Senior Sriya Kakarla touted that her project allows her to combine her interest in public health and health policy.
“It's been a great experience to gain a new perspective on the variety of issues that impact the U.S.-Mexico border and how I could work towards them as a physician,” she said.
International cooperation will be crucial for guiding future technology policy decisions, said junior Jamal Sayid, who is researching relevant interactions between the U.S. and Mexico.
“I hope to foster greater cooperation between both countries by employing a mixed-methods approach utilizing qualitative and quantitative metrics, case studies and cross-national comparative analyses, interviews with industry experts and a literature review of existing research,” Sayid said. “My double major in political science and social policy analysis, as well as my previous research experience at Rice, have greatly helped articulate my findings, and I look forward to working with Professor Nia Georges and Dr. Ivonne Cruz this semester to prepare my research for publication.”
The Puentes Consortium institutions share the responsibility of improving the quality of life in the U.S. and Mexico by conducting research on issues of social, economic, environmental and political importance and agree that challenges are best confronted through collaborative, binational, transdisciplinary research and action. To learn more, visit www.puentes-consortium.org.