Cris Alvarez (Ecuador)

Master's Student in Geology



Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Cris came to UK because he felt his research interests aligned well with the department and because he wanted to be involved in the development of an environmental study while becoming skilled in field techniques and methods. He is studying methane in the groundwater of Eastern Kentucky and how it relates to water chemistry, geology, and anthropogenic influences.



"Growing up in Ecuador, I experienced everything from beaches to volcanos and forests within a few hours from home, so I was always interested in why the landscape was so different and how it changed, as well as how we as humans changed it," he said. "I really enjoyed going out to the field and sampling water wells for my research. Having the opportunity to engage with the larger Kentucky community and to learn about their experiences and concerns surrounding groundwater/water quality has been exceptionally rewarding."

He holds a B.S. in Geology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In the future, Cris hopes to apply his knowledge to further our understanding of environmental processes and bring awareness to them.