* The SOP is meant to a stream of text without sectional headings, but here in the interest of understanding, we are highlighting the various sections.

In a remote village in Oaxaca, I watched a child walk 3 kilometers to fetch murky water from a shallow well. That image has stayed with me for over a decade. It fuels my academic and professional pursuit: to create equitable and sustainable water treatment solutions for under-resourced communities. After completing a master’s in Environmental Engineering from TU Delft, where I investigated bioengineered solutions for wastewater treatment, I am now committed to furthering my research through a PhD at Stanford University.

My academic journey began at UNAM, where I studied Environmental Science with a concentration in water systems. I was drawn to the intersection of microbiology, chemistry, and systems thinking, and my undergraduate thesis focused on heavy metal contamination in groundwater near mining zones. During my time in UNAM’s Water Research Group, I participated in a regional project assessing arsenic levels across wells in central Mexico. This formative experience exposed me to both the scientific rigor and societal urgency of water safety research.

To expand my scientific horizons, I pursued a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at TU Delft as an Erasmus Mundus scholar. There, I delved into cutting-edge water treatment technologies, with a focus on biofiltration and microbial remediation. My thesis, titled “Enhancing Nitrogen Removal in Anaerobic Digesters via Genetically Modified Denitrifying Bacteria,” was supervised by Dr. Jan Hofman and involved both bench-scale experiments and process modeling using AQUASIM. I co-authored a paper based on this work, which was accepted in Water Research, and presented findings at the IWA Young Water Professionals Conference in Madrid.

Beyond academics, I interned at Vitens Evides International, where I helped assess the feasibility of deploying decentralized treatment systems in Indonesia. This hands-on experience cemented my belief that low-cost, community-centered design must be at the heart of technological innovation. It also sharpened my interest in systems that combine biology, data modeling, and environmental justice.

I am now excited to apply to the PhD program in Environmental Engineering at Stanford, where the fusion of sustainability science, synthetic biology, and engineering design is unparalleled. The work of Dr. Craig Criddle on biological nutrient removal and wastewater-to-resource transformation aligns closely with my research goals. I am especially drawn to Stanford’s ReNUWIt Center, whose mission to reinvent urban water infrastructure through interdisciplinary collaboration resonates deeply with my vision for sustainable cities in Latin America.

At Stanford, I hope to explore how bioengineered microbial communities can be deployed at scale in wastewater treatment, particularly in warm, decentralized contexts like those in rural Mexico. I aim to integrate synthetic biology with real-time water quality monitoring, potentially using CRISPR-based sensors to detect and respond to specific contaminants. With access to Stanford’s facilities, mentorship, and cross-lab collaborations, I am confident I can design solutions that are not only scientifically robust but also context-sensitive and inclusive.

My long-term aspiration is to return to Latin America as a research leader, bridging academic innovation with public policy and NGO work. I envision launching a research and advocacy lab that empowers communities, trains future water scientists, and influences regional water safety regulations. In the meantime, I seek to contribute to Stanford’s vibrant research ecosystem—not only through lab work but by mentoring undergraduates, engaging in sustainability policy groups, and collaborating with the Stanford Center for Latin American Studies.

I bring with me the curiosity of a scientist, the empathy of someone shaped by developing-world realities, and the persistence of a first-generation college student determined to improve lives through science. The Stanford PhD is not just an academic milestone—it is the next essential step in a lifelong mission to ensure clean, accessible water for all.