Dr. Jesús A. Fernández is a full-time Professor of Taxonomy and Systematics of Biodiversity, and Conservation Biology at the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua in Chihuahua, Mexico. He is a member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI) and currently holds the 2025 UNM COMEXUS Mexico Studies Chair, a position created at UNM by the Latin American and Iberian Institute. Dr. Fernández earned his Ph.D. in Ecology, Systematics, and Evolution from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), an M.Sc. in Biological Sciences from UNAM (Mexico City), and a B.S. in Biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala (Tlaxcala, México). His research focuses on the evolution and conservation of wild mammals across the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Over the years, he has extensively surveyed the arid regions of central and northern Mexico, as well as the forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental.

Through his Fulbright Award, Dr. Fernández joined the University of New Mexico (UNM) to carry out the project “Transboundary Biogeography: The Role of Geopolitical and Natural Barriers on Host–Parasite Connectivity and Diversification”, in collaboration with colleagues from the Department of Biology and the Museum of Southwestern Biology. He is also teaching the course “Transboundary Biogeography: The Southwestern U.S.–Northern Mexico Bioregion.”

As the Mexico Studies Chair, his role is to teach, collaborate, and strengthen academic ties within the UNM community while developing research proposals to secure future funding. Dr. Fernández expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to be at UNM, where collaboration continues to enrich both institutions and their students.