Cinthia Ruiz López

Cinthia Ruiz López is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Research in Environmental Geography (CIGA) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), specializing in urban dynamics of medium-sized Mexican cities. She holds SNI Level 1 recognition and PRIDE Level C accreditation, with research spanning socio-spatial segregation and territorial transformation.

Education:

• PhD in Regional Studies, Autonomous University of Chiapas

Research Focus: Her work examines socio-spatial segregation in peri-urban zones (2009–present), heritage-driven territorial reconfiguration through programs like Magical Towns (2014–present), and multi-scalar urban governance (2017–present). She investigates how patrimonialization and touristification reshape communities, emphasizing resident experiences in cities like Morelia and Oaxaca.

Scientific Recognition:

• National System of Researchers, Level 1
• PRIDE Level C
• Academy of Social Sciences and Humanities of Morelos (ACSHEM) member since 2016

Academic Leadership: Ruiz López has supervised theses at UNACH, UAEM, ENES-Morelia, and CIGA-UNAM while leading two major projects: Segregation in Peri-Urban Areas of Medium-Sized Mexican Cities (2019–2020) and Sociospatial Segregation in Peri-Urban Areas (2022–2023). Her postdoctoral work at UAEM’s Faculty of Architecture (2015–2017) informs her interdisciplinary approach.

Research Infrastructure: Based at CIGA-UNAM’s Morelia campus, she collaborates with ACSHEM and contributes to national debates on urban policy through her analysis of government programs like Sustainable Rural Cities.