Fernando Riosmena

Fernando Riosmena, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Demography at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He holds a Ph.D. in Demography from the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on social determinants of health, migration patterns, climate change impacts, and health disparities among immigrant and Latino populations.

Education: Ph.D. in Demography from the University of Pennsylvania.

Research Interests:

• Social determinants of health and aging
• Health disparities among immigrant and Latino populations
• Climate change and migration dynamics
• Ethnoracial classification and inequality
• Migration theories and policy implications

Grants & Funding:

• "Health of Aging Mexicans on Both Sides of the Border" (2021–2026, $1.68M)
• "A CROSS-NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE IN MIGRANT HEALTH" (2010–2013, $139,955)

Key Research Themes in Publications:

Riosmena’s work explores how climate change drives migration, particularly undocumented movements from rural Mexico. He investigates the intersection of migration, health, and policy, such as the impact of U.S. immigration policies on contraceptive use among Mexican-origin women. His studies on cognitive aging highlight socioeconomic and acculturation factors affecting Hispanic/Latino populations. He also examines ethnoracial misalignment in Mexico’s census and its implications for inequality measurement.

Scientific Awards:

Recipient of the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality/Poverty, Inequality, & Mobility Among Hispanics Grant (2012).

Advising & Collaborations:

Riosmena’s research spans interdisciplinary teams and global partnerships, emphasizing binational data analysis (e.g., Mexico-U.S. health comparisons). His work informs policy on climate adaptation, migration, and health equity.