Women in Research #LINOecon: Lorena de la Torre Díaz

Lorena from Mexico is a Professor Researcher in Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City, Mexico.

Her research line is inequality, particularly social mobility and factors that affect it. She is also interested in evaluating the impact of social programs, financial literacy, and gender gap, particularly related to STEM.

Lorena participates in the 8^th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Economic Sciences.

Enjoy the interview with Lorena and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

Becoming a researcher was a decision that came after several years of teaching, following the recommendation and encouragement of my husband, who is also a Research Professor. Teaching is something I love to do, but growing in the Academic field requires more preparation, and a PhD seemed like a good way to consolidate my professional career. My choice to pursue the field of economics, and inequality in particular, stemmed from my lifelong interest in helping disadvantaged communities and seeking the development of individuals, particularly living in a country where inequality is so marked. It seemed to me that doing research in this field can contribute to the recognition of social problems and the recommendation of science-based solutions.

Who are your role models?

I have followed several professors and researchers who have developed very interesting studies. I think, for example, of Amartya Sen and Esther Duflo with their enormous contributions to issues of poverty. However, my greatest role models are professors closer to home, from my own university. First, my husband, Héctor X. Ramírez-Pérez, is a great inspiration to me. He has an enormous capacity for organization, for carrying out projects, and for bringing out the best in people. On the other hand, the professors from the doctoral programme I studied, my thesis advisors, Dr. Marisol Velázquez and Dr. Román Rodríguez, who, in addition to their great knowledge, are always willing to help and share their vast experience.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

Since I was a child, I have been a teacher. I was always helping classmates to study complex subjects like Math. I did my Bachelor’s degree in Finance (in Guadalajara, the third largest city in Mexico) and started working as a Financial Advisor, but I was fortunate enough to have a finance professor from my university, Universidad Panamericana, as my boss, and I was hired as an adjunct professor. That way, my career as a university professor started when I had just graduated. A few years later, I got married and soon became a mother, so I decided to leave the financial world and focus solely on academia, as it was much more flexible to balance work and family there. It was during that time that I obtained a Master’s degree in Finance. For 15 years, I combined my work as a University Professor with the growth and development of my own family (I now have two daughters and two sons). In 2017, I moved to Mexico City, the country’s capital and one of the biggest cities in the world. In 2019, the opportunity arose to begin my doctoral studies in a new programme developed at the same university where I have been teaching, and four years later, I earned my degree. This step has opened new opportunities for me: I was now hired as a full-time professor and part of the research area at the School of Economics and Business Administration; I participated in a highly visible research project related to an impact evaluation; more recently, I was accepted as part of the National System of Researchers in Mexico, which is a highly valued recognition.

However, the path has not been free of obstacles and challenges. First of all, combining family and work while pursuing my career goals without compromising my dedication to my family. I am grateful to have the incredible support of my husband and children, because otherwise, it would have been almost impossible. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to switch to online classes a few months after our doctoral program had started, forcing us to adapt to a different way of learning quickly. Fortunately, the program’s teaching staff made every effort to help us achieve the best results, and thanks to them, I have been able to continue advancing on this path.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

The best project I have participated in was the impact evaluation of the services provided by a Community Center in a marginalized area of Mexico City. I learned so many things because it involved fieldwork to gather information through surveys, develop a baseline, and gain a deeper understanding of the community. The results were so positive that they allowed the community center to raise more funds to expand the health services it offers. That project has opened new research project opportunities.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

When I earned my PhD, because it was the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication; when a peer-reviewed journal accepted my first article; and a few days ago, when I received notification of acceptance into the National System of Researchers.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

I get up early to prepare breakfast and send my sons and daughters to school. I go to university and divide my time between teaching classes, coordinating the Math Academy at the School of Economics and Business Administration, and participating in research projects. Depending on the day, I dedicate a little more or less time to each of these activities. In the afternoons, I regularly combine my work with my role as a mother, preparing meals and spending time with my family.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

I seek to establish myself as a renowned research professor, attract more students to the world of research, and be a good mentor, just as my professors were to me. I hope my research can offer useful solutions to social problems and help improve the social conditions of the most disadvantaged communities. I enjoy research, and it’s an activity I can work on with my husband, which is a great additional motivation.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

I love spending time with my family. We like to go to the movies, watch sports together, and travel. I enjoy having enough time to cook special meals and have a great dinner time with friends and family.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

I would tell them that I have found an extremely open and diverse environment in the world of science, which allows one to achieve the goals one sets by putting effort and dedication into every step. When one finds the topics one is passionate about, all stages of research are greatly enjoyed, and it is satisfying to be able to contribute to the knowledge on those topics.

My advice would be to find the topic you are passionate about, set goals, and keep going.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

I believe Artificial Intelligence is an element that has come to create enormous changes. What is needed now is the development of adequate guidelines and ethical rules for its use, to take advantage of its benefits in the pursuit of better socioeconomic conditions for the entire population.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

We need to encourage women to participate in scientific projects from a young age, so they gain confidence and realize that the collaboration between men and women produces better results in all fields. And speaking from the experience of a working mother, I would emphasize the relevance of having support services in terms of home care and developing a collaborative work mentality between men and women, to achieve the greatest development of both.