Assistant Professor

Department: Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences

Dr. Laura V. Alvarez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she directs the GeoSenSE Lab (Geospatial Sensing and Environmental Science Engineering). Her research integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), machine learning, and field robotics to advance understanding of fluvial processes, sediment transport, and environmental sensing.

Dr. Alvarez is a National Science Foundation CAREER Award recipient for her project “Understanding the Physics of Turbulent Flow, Erosion, and Depositional Patterns in River Systems.” Her research program combines high-resolution numerical modeling and autonomous systems to investigate river morphodynamics and develop predictive frameworks for environmental change. She has secured multiple grants from NSF, NOAA, and the U.S. Army Research Office.

At UTEP, Dr. Alvarez teaches across the GeoAI and Physical Geography curriculum, mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers in computational geoscience, remote sensing, and environmental data science. She is deeply committed to broadening participation in STEM through inclusive mentoring and outreach initiatives such as Earth Science Day and NOAA’s CESSRST and IMAGEN programs.

Her scholarly work appears in leading journals, including Earth Surface Processes and Landforms and Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. Through her interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Alvarez aims to bridge environmental physics, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technology to improve the prediction and sustainability of riverine and terrestrial systems. As director of the GeoSenSE Lab, she fosters a collaborative, student-centered research environment that emphasizes innovation, mentorship, and diversity in the geosciences.

Other Affiliations: Adjunct to ECE

Keywords of Expertise: Fluvial Geomorphology, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Artificial Intelligence in Geosciences, Environmental Sensing, River Morphodynamics.