Martha Elizabeth Gardea, who graduated with honors from Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in geology in spring 2019, is pursuing a master's degree in environmental science and serving as a teaching assistant at the University of Texas at El Paso. She teaches two courses every semester and enjoys teaching classes she finds "interesting."

The Greyhound Grad is working on research in the field of hydrology. "My research requires obtaining isotope data from precipitation to observe hydrological-ecological relationships," she says.

Elizabeth's goal upon receiving her master's degree in spring 2022 is to go into a career in education or environmental science.

She reflects on her ENMU experience and what inspired her to seek a STEM degree.

Why did you choose to attend Eastern?

ENMU was a great fit for me because I prefer a smaller classroom size, small community and affordable tuition.

How did you choose your field of study?

I have always had an interest in earth science, so I thought the environmental science program at ENMU would be a good fit for my career goals and personal interests. I discovered that I also had a passion for education, so I decided to pursue it further and obtain my master's.

Which activities were you involved in at ENMU? Which honors did you receive?

Some activities that I was involved in was the Chemistry Club and Environmental Science Club. I was also a laboratory assistant for geology courses. Some academic honors were being listed on the dean's list and graduating with Cum Laude. I was also awarded the Lucile Pipkin Book Scholarship from the New Mexico Geological Society.

Discuss your Eastern Experience.

During the time I spent there, I was lucky to have access to a quality education. It has given me a solid foundation for a career in environmental science, and I am so glad I made the decision to attend Eastern. My favorite professor has got to be Dr. Jim Constantopoulos because of his dedication to being a professor. The courses he offers were also my favorite because they were fun and interesting.

Tell us about your research at ENMU.

My undergraduate research was under Dr. Constantopoulos. The research was relating to trace metal distribution and igneous rock types near Bonito Lake, Lincoln County, New Mexico. The lake of interest is located a couple of miles east of some mines that extract metals. After careful analysis, we observed an abundance of trace metals from mine activity. Mining is known to have a negative impact on the environment and the objective of the experiment was to observe signs of pollution.

How did your time at Eastern prepare you for your career?

ENMU was a major step in preparing me for future career opportunities. It helped me complete courses required for my major, learn valuable skills for employment and helped me grow into a professional.

What advice would you give to a student interested in working in your career field?

For those interested in environmental science, I would advise them to attend university and obtain a degree to be prepared for career opportunities. I'd also suggest seeking internship opportunities to obtain experience and knowledge.

Tell us about your family.

There are five members of my family, first is my respected father, who works hard to support his family. Then, my lovely mother, who has been a source of motivation to me. The others include my humorous younger sisters and me.

Who influences you?

Someone that influences me is Wangari Maathai, an environmental and political activist in Kenya. She combined both environmental and social concerns to focus on as an influential activist. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement that helped plant 30 million trees. In 2004, Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors.

Please share an interesting fact about yourself.

I am bilingual. I am fluent in both Spanish and English.