Xochizeltzin Castañeda-Camacho

Xochizeltzin Castañeda-Camacho serves as Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, teaching Remote Sensing and GIS, Mixed Methods for Environmental Analysis, and Introduction to Environmental Studies. Previously, she held a postdoctoral position at CIGA-UNAM and collaborated with Mexico's National Commission of Protected Areas.

Her academic background includes:

• Ph.D. in Geography, University of Texas at Austin (2023)

Dr. Castañeda-Camacho specializes in human-environment geography, focusing on protected areas, socio-ecological systems, and habitat conservation in arid lands. Her research analyzes land degradation patterns and habitat loss in northern Mexico's protected areas using mixed methods, geospatial technologies, and community engagement, with emphasis on field-based assessment of vegetation cover changes and socio-ecological resilience.

Her publications—including a 2024 book chapter on arid protected areas—demonstrate expertise spanning geography, environmental science, and conservation biology, with recurring themes in protected areas management, arid lands ecology, and spatial analysis of habitat fragmentation across her seven peer-reviewed works.

Scientific recognition:

• American Geographical Society Council Fellowship (2020)

She has directed seven undergraduate theses in Mexico and actively promotes academic collaboration through the American Association of Geographers, currently chairing its Protected Areas Specialty Group (2025-2026). Her research integrates university expertise with government agencies, local communities, and students to address environmental challenges in vulnerable ecosystems.

Dr. Castañeda-Camacho maintains active field research in northern Mexico while developing community-engaged methodologies at St. Olaf College, emphasizing practical applications of geospatial analysis for conservation planning.