Blog #3.4 Meet Diane Martinez-Gomez

Diane Martinez-Gomez, ECLA Team Lead and GIS Team

Bio: Diane is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in environmental engineering at the University of California, Merced. Her research interests include food-energy-water systems, life cycle assessments (LCA), and social justice in agriculture. This past year, she joined the FARMERS Program, which aims to produce graduates capable of enhancing the nation’s food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce. Diane also works in Dr. Colleen C. Naughton’s FEWS-US research lab, where she conducts an LCA of alfalfa in the Western United States and has also contributed to the LCA of pecans. After graduation, Diane plans to continue her education in graduate school to pursue a PhD in a program related to agriculture.

Research team in 2024: Diane will be leading the Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (E-LCA) team and will also be part of the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) team.

Pre-departure thoughts: This is a huge opportunity for me, as it will push me to grow as a researcher. This experience aligns with my interest in sustainability in agriculture, and I am eager to learn more about the argan oil production process. I am excited to visit a new place, experience the vibrant culture, and explore Morocco. However, I’m also a bit nervous because it will be my first time traveling overseas. I hope to do a good job with my research and in leading the E-LCA team. The language barrier is another challenge, as I don't speak French. Although I have been learning Darija, I still have a lot to practice and learn. I look forward to meeting the rest of the team in Morocco and making new memories!