Dra. Ligia Pérez Cruz
Researcher Profile
Paleoceanographer at UNAM

Curriculum

Research Interests

Paleoceanography, Paleoclimatology, Geochemistry, Sedimentology, Ocean Drilling, and Micropaleontology (with emphasis on radiolaria, silicoflagellates, and benthic foraminifera).

I investigate climate and ocean variability, focusing on the processes, mechanisms, and teleconnections that drive change across different timescales. My research centers on marine geology and paleoenvironmental reconstructions in the Tropical Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of California, and the Gulf of Mexico. I use a range of geochemical and micropaleontological proxies to understand past oceanographic and climatic conditions.

A key aspect of my work is elucidating the role of the tropics in the global climate system—particularly through phenomena such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and associated teleconnections. I also study the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum and other Cenozoic hyperthermal events to better understand the recovery of life after mass extinction events and the implications of past global warming.

Additionally, I explore the historical variability and circulation patterns of the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to our understanding of ocean-atmosphere interactions in this critical region.

Research Projects

  • Investigación Oceanográfica Vinculada a la Agenda de Océanos Sostenibles y Cambio Climático: Proyecto Humboldt – Golfo de California”. Agencia Mexicana de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AMEXCID), Fondo México-Chile. PI. Proyecto 206.
  • Registro climático de la Cuenca de Guaymas, golfo de California, durante los últimos 50,000 años, a través de un enfoque multiproxy. Proyecto PAPIIT, UNAM: IN116623. PI
  • A Gateway Revealed: Understanding the History of Flow Through the Florida Straits. UNAM and Texas University –CONTEX PROJECT 2018-38B. 
  • 3D imaging of drill sites within the Chicxulub impact crater: Seeking new insights into the impact hydrothermal system and recovery of life”. PI. UNAM and Texas University – CONTEX PROJECT 2019-72B. 
  • Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology of Mexican Seas. PI Institute of Geophysics, UNAM.
  • Late Pleistocene-Holocene climatic variability in the southern Gulf of California. PI. Institute of Geophysics, UNAM.
  • Chicxulub impact crater: Study of drilling core samples, potential field and seismic data). Associated researcher collaborating with the interpretation of geochemical data (stable isotopes).
  • Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology of the southern Gulf of California. PI. Institute of Geophysics, UNAM.
  • 2006-UC-MEXUS Project in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico and the International Project in the Galápagos Islands. Associated researcher collaborating with the interpretation of sedimentological and geochemical data.
  • 2005. Cooperative project with the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park (Government of Ecuador). Subproject: Geochemistry and Sedimentology.
  • 2003-2004. “Pánuco” Project. Subproject: Benthic foraminifera assemblages at the Pánuco river and its relationship with environmental factors. IMP (Mexican Petroleum Research Institute).
  • 2003. Oceanographic and Meteorological parameters for the assessment and design of fixed structures and submarine lines in the oil industry along the Tabasco littoral zone. Subproject: Oceanography. PI. IMP-PEMEX (Mexico´s state-owned petroleum company).
  • 2002. Oil seeps in the Gulf of Mexico. IMP. Associated researcher collaborating with the geochemical analysis of sedimentary samples.
  • 2002. Research on natural and anthropogenic emissions from offshore activities of PEMEX – Mexico´s state-owned petroleum company. Associated researcher in charge of the interpretation of sedimentological and micropaleontological data.
  • 1997-2000. Paleoceanography of the Gulf of California, Mexico). Postgraduate student collaboration.
  • 1996. Campeche continental shelf Neogene sedimentological and paleoenvironmental research. PI. IMP-PEMEX.
  • 1993-1994. Paleontological database implementation and its isotopic correlation. Chief researcher. IMP.
  • 1992-1993. Setting up of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr curve that varies through time for a Neogene sequence from southern Mexico). IMP.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. Ocean Sciences (Geological Oceanography) 2000
    Graduated summa cum laude UNAM (National University of Mexico), Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology.
  • M.Sc. Ocean Sciences (Biological Oceanography) 1989
    Graduated summa cum laude UNAM (National University of Mexico) Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology).
  • B Sc Biology
    Faculty of Sciences UNAM (National University of Mexico)

Scientific Societies

  • Member of the American Geophysical Union (AGU)
  • International Secretary of the American Geophysical Union 2021-2024
  • Member of the Geological Society of America (GSA)
  • President of the Mexican Geophysical Union (UGM) 2018-2019
  • Member of the American Geophysical Union Cowen Award Committee 2008-2013
  • Fellow, Third World Organization for Women in Science 2008-present
  • President-elect, Outreach Secretary, Mexican Geophysical Union 2011-2017
  • Mexican Society of Paleontology Member Board Committee 1994-1995

Honors and Recognitions

  • International Secretary of the American Geophysical Union (2021- 2024).
  • Chair of the AGU Global Engagement Committee (2021 – 2024).
  • Member of the Scientific Board of the International Geoscience Programme –UNESCO/GLOBAL CHANGE (2020 – present).
  • Award: “Impacto, influencia y sostenibilidad de los Océanos”, by Causa Natura Media (Award to 25 outstanding people from the Oceans in Mexico 2022. https://fliphtml5.com/idvjy/hbfz/basic.
  • Member of the Advisory Board of the Lyell Centre GRI (2022 – 2023).
  • Television documentary “Ellas sienten que amanecerá” by the International Press Agency Pressenza and produced for the channel China Global Television Network (August 2019). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMlwGJ93ChQ
    https://www.gaceta.unam.mx/programacion-especial-de-tv-unam-por-el-dia-de-la-mujer/
  • Premio Nacional de Periodismo (National Journalism Prize Science Communication) 2018
  • Sor Juan Inés de la Cruz Medal for outstanding academic performance UNAM 2015
  • Miguel Covarrubias Award 2013, National Institute of Anthropology and History (Museography). “Chicxulub and the Extinction of the Dinosaurs.”
  • Alfonso Caso Medal for outstanding academic student performance UNAM 2000

Professional Experience

  • Researcher Scientist. Institute of Geophysics, Department of Geomagnetism and Exploration, UNAM (National University of Mexico) December 2004-Present
  • Researcher. Mexican Petroleum Research Institute. Geoscience Department. 2002-2004
  • Associated Researcher. Mexican Petroleum Research Institute. Exploration Division. 1993-1997
  • Chair of Laboratory of Electron Microscope and X-ray Analysis. Mexican Petroleum Research Institute. Geosciences Division. 1994-1997
  • Research Associate. Mexican Petroleum Research Institute. Exploration Division. 1992-1993

Courses

  • Marine depositational environments (1999). University of Southern California.
  • Marine environments and Paleoecology (1999). University of Southern California.
  • Stable Isotope Geochemistry (1996). University of Barcelona.
  • Short course: Geochemical applications to environmental geology (1996). American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
  • Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis (1994). Lehigh University, Bethlemen, Pennsylvania, USA..

Teaching and Students

General

  • Paleontology. Faculty of Science
  • Paleobiology. Faculty of Science
  • Earth Sciences. Faculty of Sciences, UNAM
  • Workshop Principles of Paleoceanography and Paleoclimates

MMSc / Mater Level

  • Research Methods in Paleoceanography
  • Paleoceoceanography and paleoclimatology

MGeol / Master Level

  • Geodynamics

Staff serving as external examiners

  • Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México
  • University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Students

  • 20 Undergraduate students
  • 13 Graduate students