MinerAlert
The College of Engineering is pleased to announce the appointment of Mayra Chavez, Ph.D., as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. This appointment reflects the College commitment to providing its students with a comprehensive education in the field of civil engineering and to keep in stride with the latest developments in the industry.
Dr. Chavez brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the department, having previously worked as a postdoctoral research fellow under the supervision of Civil Engineering Professor Wen-Whai Li. She has published several papers and articles on Quantification of Traffic-related Air Pollution and has received several awards and recognitions for her achievements.
Dr. Chavez earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at UTEP. Her master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and her doctorate in Civil Engineering focused on air quality. For the practical experience of her education, she participated in an internship with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
“Mayra is a highly qualified individual and a welcome addition to the Department of Civil Engineering,” said Prof. Carlos Ferregut, Civil Engineering Chair. “Her experience and knowledge, combined with her strong ties to the university as an alumna, make her a valuable asset to the department.”
“In my role as visiting professor, I will continue to conduct research activities in air pollution studies in El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, and other cities in Texas. In addition, I will be helping with the teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in the department. Ultimately, I hope to establish a position in the department and join as a tenure-track faculty in the coming years,” Dr. Chavez said.
With the experience she has accrued, Dr. Chavez also endeavors to take student success initiatives to elevated heights. She will contribute to the department's academic pursuits by teaching Fluid Mechanics and Air Pollution Control courses and participating in various research projects. She will also be available to meet with students and colleagues, providing them with an opportunity to learn from her expertise and experience.
“I will also be using my previous experience in managing the undergraduate and graduate students working in the Air Quality Lab to increase and bolster our student recruiting efforts. Having participated in multiple mentoring activities throughout the last three years, I hope to expand the department’s reach in mentoring and guiding undergraduate students into furthering their own research and academic goals.”
Welcome, Dr. Chavez, we look forward to seeing you apply your expertise in the department to accomplish great things with our current and future students!