Samuel Brunk

Dr. Samuel Brunk is a Professor of History at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), affiliated with the Department of History within the College of Liberal Arts. His research focuses on 20th-century Mexico, particularly the Mexican Revolution, political culture, and environmental history of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. He has authored influential books such as Emiliano Zapata!: Revolution and Betrayal in Mexico and The Posthumous Career of Emiliano Zapata, which explore revolutionary legacies and historical memory. His current project, 'Conquering Cacti,' examines the environmental and political dynamics of the Chihuahuan desert through botanical exploration.

Dr. Brunk has been recognized with prestigious awards, including a Fulbright grant and UTEP's Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award. He teaches courses on modern Mexico, Latin American history, environmental history, and borderlands studies. He collaborates with colleagues on a book series, Global Borderlands, and mentors students researching topics like the Rio Grande, border pollution, and Zapatista movements. His work bridges environmental, political, and cultural dimensions of history, emphasizing borderlands as zones of contact and conflict.