OHRC Summer Research Experience in Mexico

Prepare to Apply 

1. Review all research placement information, program eligibility, and application requirements. Contact cns.exl@austin.utexas.edu with questions or make an appointment with a CNS Abroad advisor to learn more. 

2. Submit your application using the form below by the deadline: December 10, 2026. Your application will be reviewed to match your background and interests with a research placement at Tec de Monterrey. 

Interview and Travel Prep 

3. Once your application is reviewed and a placement match is identified, you will be contacted for an initial interview. Depending on the placement, you may also interview directly with the faculty mentor (PI). If a match is not identified, you will be notified. 

4. After your lab placement is secured, you will work with CNS Abroad staff to prepare for the on-site portion of your program in Mexico, including a health clearance and international travel registration. Pre-departure guidance and support will be provided throughout this process. 

Program Start 

5. The first two weeks of the program take place online, allowing you to prepare for your research experience by reviewing literature recommended by your PI, meeting with your PI to set up a project plan, and completing other placement-specific recommendations. 

6. Travel to Monterrey, Mexico; settle into your program housing; and meet with your PI and other lab members. Your schedule will depend on your placement and the arrangements made in your project plan. 

7. Participate in your research experience, take advantage of opportunities on the Tec de Monterrey campus, and enjoy one of Mexico's most dynamic and innovative cities. 

Gene Editing as a Therapy for Cancer — Dr. Rojas works at the intersection of molecular biology and oncology, focusing on gene editing as a therapeutic strategy for cancer. His research explores how tools such as CRISPR-based systems can be used to directly target the genetic drivers of tumor growth, correct oncogenic mutations, or enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. This line of work sits at the frontier of precision oncology, where the goal is to move beyond broad-spectrum treatments like chemotherapy toward therapies tailored to a patient's specific genetic profile, improving efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. 

Identification of Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases — Dr. Cuevas focuses on identifying biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases, a field critical to improving early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression in conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. By characterizing molecular, genetic, or imaging-based markers that change in the earliest — often preclinical — stages of neurodegeneration, her work aims to close the gap between symptom onset and diagnosis, enabling earlier intervention. This biomarker discovery is also foundational to clinical trials, since reliable markers help track whether a candidate therapy is slowing disease progression. 

Identification of Stress Biomarkers in Children — Dr. Castorena focuses on identifying stress biomarkers in children, an area with significant implications for pediatric health and development. Her research seeks to characterize physiological or molecular indicators — such as cortisol dynamics or other stress-related markers — that can objectively capture how chronic or acute stress affects children's health, behavior, and long-term development. This work is especially valuable because childhood stress is difficult to quantify through self-report alone, and validated biomarkers could support earlier identification of at-risk children and inform interventions in clinical, educational, or family settings. 

Pathogenesis of Cardiometabolic Diseases — Dr. García studies the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases, examining the underlying biological mechanisms that link conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. His research investigates how metabolic dysregulation at the cellular or systemic level progresses into overt disease, with attention to the pathways connecting insulin resistance, inflammation, and vascular damage. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for identifying new therapeutic targets and developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies for a group of conditions that represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. 

Nanomedicine, Nanotoxicology, Cardiometabolic Diseases, and Drug Delivery Systems — Dr. Lozano García's research sits at the interface of nanotechnology and cardiometabolic health, focusing on nanomedicine-based approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. His work spans the design of advanced drug delivery systems — including nanoparticles and other nanoscale carriers — that improve the targeting, bioavailability, and efficacy of therapeutic compounds while minimizing off-target effects. A parallel line of his research is nanotoxicology, which examines the safety profile of these nanomaterials by assessing how their physicochemical properties influence biological interactions and potential toxicity. Together, these areas position his work at a critical translational point: ensuring the next generation of nanotechnology-based therapies for cardiometabolic disease

The OriGen Health Research Center at UT Austin is collaboration between UT Austin and Tec de Monterrey. The center combines cutting-edge research, personalized medicine and community-driven approaches to transform disease prevention, understanding and treatment. The OHRC Summer Research Experience in Mexico program is designed so that students can partake in their own form of collaboration with Tec de Monterrey, by joining established labs at the Monterrey campus, and focusing on research in related areas with a shared goal of advancing human health treatment and prevention strategies.