UNAM Geologist Shares Findings at California Conference

Cynthia del Carmen Bermúdez Chávez, a doctoral candidate in Earth Sciences at UNAM’s Institute of Geology, represented Mexico at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America after receiving the distinguished International Travel Student Award.

Held in Anaheim, California, from September 22 to 25, the conference brought together experts from more than 100 countries.

At the meeting, Bermúdez Chávez presented her innovative approach for dating minerals, with a specific focus on clays, which have historically posed challenges due to their microscopic size. “My research introduces a methodology that can determine the age of these clays using very small sample amounts, producing results in roughly 15 minutes,” she explained.

Now in the final stages of her research, Bermúdez Chávez plans to publish her findings in a scientific journal by the end of the year.

Founded in 1888, the Geological Society of America is committed to advancing geoscience research and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

Bermúdez Chávez expressed her appreciation for the award, which covered all expenses, including travel, lodging, society membership, and conference registration fees. She applied in February, submitting an abstract of her research in English, and received confirmation of her selection in June.