María Eugenia Ubach Cozatl is a master’s student in volcanology based in Mexico and currently pursuing her studies at the Institute of Geophysics of the UNAM. Her research focuses on volcanic stratigraphy and eruptive histories, aiming to reconstruct past eruptive activity in order to improve the understanding of volcanic behavior.
As a volcanology student in the early stages of her scientific career, a significant part of María Eugenia’s research takes place directly in the field, working in volcanic regions. She explains that in Mexico and other parts of Latin America, the logistical planning of field campaigns often requires additional safety and security considerations depending on the local socioeconomic context. These aspects, she notes, are frequently absent from final scientific publications, despite forming part of the everyday reality of conducting field-based research in many regions of the world.
Challenges Faced by Early-Career Scientists – María Eugenia’s Perspective
According to María Eugenia, institutions such as the UNAM provide strong academic training and access to valuable research infrastructure. However, she emphasizes that the early stages of a scientific career are not only about developing research skills, but also about building professional networks and collaborations that will shape future opportunities. For many early-career researchers, challenges such as limited funding for field campaigns, the high cost of international travel, and administrative processes that delay research activities can restrict opportunities to attend international conferences, present research, and connect with the broader scientific community.
María Eugenia also highlights that another important challenge for many ECRs in countries such as Mexico relates to the construction of a scientific identity and the decisions that shape academic trajectories. Pursuing graduate studies or research training abroad, she explains, can provide access to broader scientific networks, funding opportunities, and greater academic visibility — experiences that often play a significant role in building a competitive research career. However, for many Latin American ECRs, accessing these opportunities can be financially or logistically difficult.
She further notes that, in Mexico, the number of trained scientists has grown considerably in recent decades, while the availability of permanent research positions has not increased at the same pace. For researchers at the beginning of their careers, this creates uncertainty regarding future professional opportunities after graduate studies. María Eugenia observes that Latin American ECRs must navigate a highly competitive academic environment within an increasingly international landscape, where candidates who have benefited from greater financial resources and mobility opportunities may possess stronger publication records and broader professional networks. For many researchers trained in Mexico and other parts of Latin America, she explains, accessing similar opportunities can be significantly more challenging.