Students and future researchers
The aquarium is a living laboratory: what you learn in class is applied here to real organisms, with real responsibilities. It receives students from Biology, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Ecology and Earth Sciences.
How to join the aquarium ↓What you can learn and contribute
Your training connects with the aquarium’s four objectives. These activities and learning opportunities guide the team’s work.
Ways in
Thesis
Research projects with your own data, within the laboratory's active lines and supervised by the aquarium's professors.
Social service
Formal participation in running the aquarium: tank maintenance, organism care and support for ongoing projects.
Teaching
Connections with Biology courses such as Aquaculture, Aquaculture nutrition, Foundations of aquaculture production and Scientific Research Laboratory VII and VIII. Ask the team how they relate to your training.
Graduate studies
Master's and doctoral work with your own projects, within the same active lines of the laboratory.
Training reported in 2025
Training and figures documented in the 2025 presentation. Ask the team about current options, requirements and availability.
62
theses and social service placements
20
master's degrees
2
doctorates
The laboratory’s trajectory includes courses, diplomas and professional development workshops. As of 9 September 2026, another edition of the Aquatic Organism Maintenance in Aquariums course is tentative, with no dates confirmed. The team also participates in FES Iztacala outreach activities and conferences.
From the classroom to the aquarium
The aquarium has supported Biology courses across successive curricula. The presentation highlights:
- Aquaculture
- Aquaculture nutrition
- Foundations of aquaculture production
- Scientific Research Laboratory VII and VIII
What is being researched
A thesis at the aquarium belongs to one of these lines. These are the ones active today, with projects and data in progress.
Alternative diets for rainbow trout
Investigating how to feed trout with plant ingredients instead of fishmeal.
Native freshwater prawn nutrition
Investigating what the native freshwater prawn needs to eat for healthy growth in culture.
Microplastics in aquaculture production systems
Measuring how microplastics accumulate in fish consumed as food.
Effects of temperature on trout physiology
Understanding how changes in water temperature affect the trout’s body.
Areas of training
- Prawn, tilapia and trout farming
- Invertebrate culture techniques
- Aquaculture fish pathology
- Rotifer culture
- Aquarium management
- Aquaculture nutrition
With whom
Meet the aquarium’s professors. Contact the team for guidance on who supervises your research interests.
M.Sc. Mario Alfredo Fernández Araiza
Full-time Full Professor, category C. Founder of the aquarium.
Dr. Luis Héctor Hernández Hernández
Full-time Full Professor, category C
Dr. Jorge Jiménez Contreras
Full-time Associate Professor, category C
Biologist Mauricio Castillo Domínguez
Teaching Assistant, category B
What it has led to
The laboratory's work has had an impact on rainbow trout production in Mexico and on the understanding of the freshwater prawn.
See the research and its impact →
How to join the aquarium
Write to the team with your degree programme, preferred form of participation and research interests. Ask about requirements, timing and project availability before starting your participation.