Xenia De Gracia Medina

Xenia De Gracia Medina is a Panamanian PhD student in Environmental Sciences at the University of Arizona, where she studies the molecular speciation and reactive transport of arsenic and heavy metals in mine tailings. Her research focuses on how legacy mine tailings weather under different climate conditions and how this affects contaminant mobility and potential exposure risks to nearby communities.

She holds bachelor's degrees in Environmental and Geological Engineering from the Technological University of Panama and has worked in the construction and mining industry for five years. As a Fulbright scholar, she moved to the United States and completed an MSc in Hydrology at the University of Arizona.

Her research integrates synchrotron-based X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and geochemical modeling tools such as PHREEQC and Larch to examine arsenic and lead behavior in weathered tailings. Her long-term goals include improving mining waste management practices, protecting groundwater in vulnerable regions, and inspiring young women from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in science and engineering.