Our Team
Our team is made up of passionate, driven individuals who bring diverse skills and perspectives to everything we do. Together, we’re committed to the cultivation of knowledge in agriculture and sustainability within our community.
Click the pictures below to get to know the people behind our success!
Full-time Staff
DR. ALEXIS RACELIS
Professor and Houston Endowed Chair of Science and Technology
Alex directs UTRGV’s program in Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems, and co-directs UTRGV’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement, which includes hte management of the Hub of Prosperity and UTRGV’s Agroecology and Community Garden, one of the only USDA-Certified Organic Facilities on a Texas university campus. His research focuses on strategies to address impacts of climate change in water limited conditions, from farms to cities.
Desiderio Romero
Program Specialist
I work as part of the Conservation & Innovation Trials (CIT) team, where our focus is on applied agroecology research supporting farmers in South Texas. Much of our work centers on cover crop trials in semi-arid regions, specifically on farms that operate without irrigation, allowing us to study how conservation practices perform under real water-limited conditions.
Our research combines hands-on fieldwork with data collection on soil health, soil moisture, crop biomass, and biological activity, alongside the use of sensors and field observations to better understand system dynamics. We collaborate closely with local producers to design and implement trials that are both scientifically meaningful and practical for on-farm decision-making.
Through the CIT project, we aim to test innovative conservation strategies, strengthen soil function, and support resilient farming systems adapted to the unique challenges of dryland agriculture in South Texas.
MARIO FIERRO (He/Him)
Agroecology Program Coordinator / M.S. Public Affairs
Mario assists the program in strengthening outreach with internal and external partners, developing curriculum, and delivering bilingual trainings across the Rio Grande Valley. His work includes budget planning, supporting student development, and coordination applied learning opportunities. Current projects focus on assisting with publishing research and gathering field data to advance sustainable agriculture and conservation practices in the region.
BIANCA NUNEZ (She/They)
Greenhouse Manager / Undergraduate: Environmental Science
I currently work on garden and farm maintenance, and I enjoy learning new practical skills everyday..
MARIA GONZALEZ (She/Her)
Agroecology Program Coordinator
I work full time at the Hub of Prosperity, I help oversee all operations at the hub and help facilitate projects and community outreach. I enjoy working here at the hub because it makes me happy, and keeps me connected to my community. I also really enjoy watching crops grow, and the ability to provide food for people feels wonderful. Working here makes me feel proud!
JOEL ALANIZ Jr. (He/Him)
Farm Assistant / Kinesiology (Coaching Concentration)
Joel joined the Agroecology team in January 2024 and currently works part-time at the Hub of Prosperity and UTRGV Campus Garden. A South Texas native with a ranching background, he brings a strong passion for hands-on land work and sustainable farming. Joel is on track to become a full-time member and continues to support everything from field prep to organic certification.
KATY AMADOR (She/Her)
Program Specialist / B.S. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from UTRGV
I assist with the farm and garden upkeep, education, and supervision. My primary focus is on crop planning, organic certification organization, and behind-the-scenes work with our program coordinator to keep the farm up and running. Growing and learning with my team is a wonderful experience!
Part-time Staff
ALI RAMOS (They/Them)
Undergraduate: Environmental Science (Interdisciplinary Concentration)
Ali has been growing with the UTRGV agroecology program for 2 years. They have managed the Hub community garden and are currently co-managing the UTRGV Organic Garden on campus. They have enjoyed being part of creating a safe and inviting green space for students on campus, as well as, helping strengthen our outreach and community fridge initiative! They hope to keep cultivating both community and vegetables to anyone who needs them.
Mikaela Martinez (She/Her)
Undergraduate: Double Major: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems/Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics
Mikaela is a student employee who started working with the program in October of 2023 as the campus community garden coordinator and after gaining some experience and practice, currently works on comanaging the campus agroecology garden. She is excited about getting everything up and running for this season with the team, filling her new position as best she can, gaining new leadership skills, and seeing how the garden will continue to take shape!
Vitoria Cantu (She/Her)
Garden Manager / Undergraduate: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
I am currently an undergraduate junior, and I am the campus community garden manager- helping our members keep their garden beds productive, and enabling them to grow fresh food for themselves, their family, and their friends. and I also work at the Hub, tending to our plots and tasks along with the team!
Serenity Ross (She/Her)
Garden Coordinator / Undergraduate: Environmental Science
I manage the community garden at the hub of prosperity! My favorite part about this is seeing how excited members are to grow their gardens and build community / share knowledge with one another. I helped them set up their beds and now i get to watch them and their plants grow throughout their garden journey
Jose Trevino (He/Him)
Farm Assistant / Undergraduate: Mechanical Engineering
I’m a student farm assistant at UTRGV Agroecology, an engineer fueled by bettering the environment. I’m really interested in seeing how the different types of mechanical advantages that can be applied in agriculture. Nevertheless beyond the garden, I’m glad to have a wonderful team teaching me many new things on the way.
Sofia Mejia (She/They)
Program Assistant / Undergraduate: Environmental Science
As the Student Program Assistant for the UTRGV Agroecology Program, I help manage and update our website and social media platforms, while also supporting the team with a variety of tasks at both the Campus Community Garden and the Hub of Prosperity. I have a background in plant science and floral design, holding certificates in both fields. I'm grateful to be part of a team dedicated to growing knowledge, practicing sustainability, and striving to positively impacting the community!
“Farming is a profession of hope.”
Sophia Alvarado (She/Her)
Farm Assistant/ Undergraduate: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
I am an undergraduate senior at UTRGV majoring in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. I work at the Hub of Prosperity and UTRGV community garden as a student assistant/worker.
Past Employees
We’re proud to recognize the talented individuals who have contributed to our journey. Each past team member played a valuable role in shaping our mission, culture, and success. Though they've moved on to new opportunities, their impact remains part of our foundation. We’re grateful for their dedication and wish them continued success in all their future endeavors.
STEPHANIE KASPER, M.S (She/Her)
Research Associate / Farm Manager, Hub of Prosperity Farm
After 3 years of small farming in central Texas, Stephanie joined the Agroecology lab in 2017 as a masters student and completed her thesis on nitrogen fixation by leguminous cover crops in 2019. Since then, she's been involved in Agroecology lab projects including cover crops, soil moisture, soil health, biocontrol of silverleaf nightshade, tomato disease resistance and low-input vegetable production.
Stephanie has managed UTRGV's research and education farm, the Hub of Prosperity, since its founding in 2019. She's an avid front-yard vegetable gardener and rain harvester and dreams of a Rio Grande Valley where anyone who wants to grow food at home has easy access to the skills and resources required.
SAMANTHA MARTIN (She/They)
Graduate Student
I have a bachelors degree in Biology and a minor in Environmental Sciences from UTRGV. I am working on the CIT project and focuses on plant response to cover crops.
APOLONIO FLORES (He/They)
Undergraduate: Environmental Science
I work to maintain the campus Agroecology organic garden by planting and caring for vegetables crops that are distributed to the campus Food Pantry or to anyone who happens to stop by! I like that we’ve created a space for students and community members that enables hands-on learning about sustainability and appreciation of local food systems.
MEAGAN MENDOZA (She/Her)
B.A. Marketing and Studio Art
I am a Media and Content director for the Hub of Prosperity and UTRGV Agroecology team, helping to communicate our mission and values through social media, video editing, and website design. I capture the creative and fun-loving nature of our team through photos and various forms of content!
OLIVIA STARKWEATHER (She/They)
Undergraduate: Sustainable Agriculture
Within the Agroecology program I work at the Hub of Prosperity farm, at the UTRGV Garden on Campus, and assist with Graduate Students studying cover crops on the Conservation Innovation Trials (CIT) team. The Agroecology program student team is incredibly supportive and uplifting. Dr. Racelis and Stephanie Kasper are the teachers of my wildest dreams (totally not a Taylor Swift reference) and I am very grateful for all of the opportunities they offer to students, the campus, and the greater community. I hope every student in this program continues sharing its gifts with others!
JULIETE GONZALEZ (She/Her)
Graduate Student: Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Sustainability Sciences
I work on farm maintenance at The Hub of Prosperity and conduct research on the biocontrol of silverleaf nightshade. I have enjoyed learning about sustainable agriculture and food systems and being a part of a team who shares the same interests. Working outside and learning practical skills everyday is an added bonus!