SDSU Imperial Valley and the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) hosted the grand opening of the binational “b-lab” toxicology laboratory at UABC, Mexicali.
Both institutions will use the new space for faculty and student-led research projects. Researchers from SDSU Imperial Valley and UABC hope the data they formalize will inform the efforts of local organizations and government agencies to minimize public health issues in both U.S./Mexican regions.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Dr. Luis Enrique Palafox Maestre, Rector of UABC, and Dr. Adela de la Torre, President of SDSU, with the participation of Baja California state authorities and UABC educators who joined in the celebration.
Dr. Linda Lara, an associate professor of public health at SDSU IV, brings extensive experience in toxicology and international research to the program. “I spent around 10 years in Canada working on research focused on toxicology,” Dr. Lara said. “I saw this opportunity to return home, so I took it. I was hired to help launch the new public health program at SDSU Imperial Valley, and this is our first generation of students.”
The program aims to foster tangible collaboration between Imperial Valley and Mexicali beyond just words, according to Dr. Lara. “We share the water, we share the air—health problems do not stop at the border,” she emphasized. “Our main objective is to conduct research on public health problems affecting the region, including air and water quality.”
One of the lab’s key projects focuses on tracking potential pandemics through wastewater surveillance. “My expertise is in avoiding pandemics,” Dr. Lara said. “We are developing a system to detect outbreaks before they happen, monitoring antimicrobial resistance and emerging diseases in wastewater. Instead of reacting to a crisis like COVID-19, we are working on continuous surveillance to prevent the next pandemic.”
Another pressing concern is the misuse of antibiotics between the U.S. and Mexico. “Many Imperial Valley residents seek healthcare in Mexico due to cost or availability,” Dr. Lara explained. “However, antibiotics approved by the FDA in the U.S. differ from those available in Mexico. This lack of coordination can contribute to the creation of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs,’ posing a significant public health risk.”
Dr. Lara emphasized the growing challenges of extreme heat and the importance of preparing students for the realities of public health.
“We’re talking about temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit—this is a temperature disgrace. We know this isn’t going to get any better; it’s getting worse every year. That’s why we want our students to be ready to face it,” Lara said.
She highlighted the significance of hands-on experience at the border, calling it a vital lesson in public health.
“Diseases don’t stay in one place—we saw that with COVID-19. Illnesses move across countries, and our students need to be prepared. This collaboration with Mexico is invaluable, giving them a bigger perspective on what is public health,” she said.