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On this day when many of us are commemorating Mexican culture and heritage and Mexican-American influences in our lives, University of Nevada, Reno graduate student Arturo Macías Franco provides yet another reason to celebrate. His path immigrating from Mexico to pursue his education hasn’t been easy, but he has persevered, earning two bachelor’s degrees and a graduate degree from the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. Most recently, Macías Franco was the first student at the University to be awarded the prestigious Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, a $90,000 fellowship that will enable him to pursue his second master’s degree, as well as his doctoral degree, at the University.

Macías Franco’s youth in Mexico and tough start in the U.S.

Macías Franco, whose family has roots in pastoral agriculture, grew up hearing stories about his grandfather’s life as a rancher. He was born in Torreon, Coahuila, an agricultural hub of northern Mexico. The town was torn apart by drug wars, causing businesses to close and impacting the lives and freedoms of its citizens. Not only were living conditions becoming more dangerous, but small producers such as his grandfather were eventually driven away from the agriculture industry by larger enterprises and worsening environmental conditions.

“My situation in Mexico became extremely dangerous, as the drug cartels scared off thousands of residents, including my family,” Macías Franco said.  “We had been natives of Torreon, and because of the uncertain safety conditions, my family was forced to move out of the area to a totally new location – Mexico City. My family who once enjoyed a comfortable life had to literally start all over again.” 

In order to be able to continue his education, Macías Franco immigrated to the United States alone during high school, hoping that his pursuit of an education would allow him the opportunity to create positive changes for himself, his family and his community. He completed his high school education while living with his aunts in Napa Valley and was later accepted to Napa Valley College to pursue becoming a veterinarian.

However, Macías Franco struggled to find a sense of belonging at the College, while also working multiple jobs to afford his tuition. Next to focusing on his studies, he was also battling food scarcity and, at times, homelessness. Challenges outside of class were not the only hardships Macías Franco faced, as being an undocumented student presented barriers to scholarships, funding and security.

“It was difficult to understand how I could ever drive progress as an undocumented immigrant,” Macías Franco said. “As many others, I felt voiceless and without control of where my life could go.”

Macías Franco finds his niche and support at University of Nevada, Reno

Looking for a change and facing hard times in California, Macías Franco was drawn to Nevada due to its research into sustainable agriculture and production under harsh, water-scarce environments that are seen worldwide, but especially in agricultural communities in Mexico. He decided to try to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, and managed to arrive and begin classes, but doubted that he would be able to stay on and continue due to financial struggles. He then met Associate Professor Mozart Fonseca and Professor Tamzen Stringham from the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences. Although his future in America was uncertain, their combined efforts, as well as continued departmental support from many faculty and staff throughout campus, resulted in finding funding and resources that, along with Macías Franco’s hard work, allowed him to continue his studies and to graduate from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.

While he obtained a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science as well as a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, he decided to focus his graduate studies on livestock production and rangeland sciences. Being at the University, he was able to find a sense of community in research and felt, for the first time since leaving Mexico, confidence in his decision to not only attend school in the United States, but to focus his area of study in agriculture.

“Anything I’ve accomplished is a representation of the support I’ve obtained from my time here,” Macías Franco said. “I’ve been extremely lucky to get to work with the people I’ve worked with, and I’m thankful for everyone who’s helped me. I truly feel at home here.”

Continuing both his education and work in Fonseca’s lab, the Mathematical Nutrition Modeling Laboratory, Macías Franco completed his master’s degree in animal and rangeland sciences, with his work on nutritional supplements tailored to decrease the voluntary water intake of cattle.

Hard work rewarded by the Fellowship

Because of his dedication to making a change and developing vital research, Macías Franco is the first student in the agriculture field, and the first student at the University, to be awarded the . With this fellowship, Macías Franco will continue his pursuit of obtaining his second master’s degree in statistics and data science, as well as his doctoral degree in animal and rangeland sciences.

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship was founded to support New Americans – immigrants and children of immigrants – as a way to give back to a country that afforded the Soros family so many opportunities. The selection process is focused on identifying promising New Americans who are working to make significant contributions to the country through their work. Macías Franco was one of 30 students chosen for the fellowship out of a pool of over 1,800 applicants from across the country in various academic fields.

“This fellowship means that I’m able to join this wonderful community of some of the most influential immigrants in the United States,” Macías Franco said. “It’s exciting to be part of this alongside researchers in many different fields across the country.”

Macías Franco’s $90,000 fellowship will support his studies into how agriculture producers can use technology, such as satellite imagery and drones, to create sustainable systems for livestock production and water usage in dry climates faced with drought. Not only is this work critical to supporting agriculture production in Nevada, but it may also have global impacts to other communities facing drier, hotter climates.

Macías Franco’s research adds to the efforts of the Mathematical Nutrition Modeling Laboratory, which focuses on creating solutions to overcome food scarcity and create sustainability using mathematical models. His work includes the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning and agriculture technology tools, and statistical and mathematical modeling to help improve the sustainability of agricultural operations in the face of climate change.