Jessie Abrego Bonilla was nine years old in 1998 when one of the largest El Ninos in recorded history hit Panama. That same year a solar eclipse occurred, and conversations ran rampant in her community about the end of the world.

"I started wondering what was that El Nino, which means 'the child' in English, and why that child was so bad," she joked. "My parents are engineers, so I asked them about it, and I started reading about it." 

Since then, Bonilla has become passionate about climate change and climate resiliency, which led her to the U of A's interdisciplinary doctoral program in environmental dynamics to study the effects of climate change on her home country. Now, Bonilla is taking another step in addressing the climate crisis after she was recently chosen as a member of the Roster of Experts for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty established in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Its primary objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. With 197 parties, including almost every country in the world, the UNFCCC serves as a critical framework for global efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The organization supports and coordinates international cooperation on climate action, including the creation and implementation of important agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. These agreements set binding and non-binding targets for countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change.

As a member of the UNFCCC Roster of Experts, Bonilla will contribute technical knowledge and support to various initiatives such as reviewing greenhouse gas inventories, providing guidance on climate policy implementation and assisting with developing adaptation and mitigation strategies.

"This position allows me to actively participate in the global effort to combat climate change and to help countries build more sustainable and resilient futures," she said. "This role provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading global climate science and policy figures, applying my knowledge to advance international climate action. As a member of the UNFCCC Roster of Experts, I am eager to develop sustainable solutions that address the urgent challenges of our time."

Bonilla participated in a rigorous application process that included an endorsement by the Panamanian government.

"It's an honor to represent my country and contribute to international efforts in combating climate change," she said. "This experience will complement my studies in environmental dynamics by providing invaluable practical experience in global climate governance and policy implementation. Engaging with real-world challenges will deepen my understanding of complex environmental systems and enhance my ability to translate scientific research into effective policymaking and adaptation strategies, ultimately contributing to my academic and professional growth."

Bonilla's doctoral research focuses on the effects of climate change in precipitation over the Pacific Coast of Panama, which has required the application of knowledge from different fields such as climatology, GIS mapping, statistics and hydrology. 

"It took me a while until I decided to go for the dream of that little Jessie, and U of A gave me, and is still giving me, the opportunity to complete the dream about getting to know more about climate, how it is changing and how can we get prepared to face those changes," she said.

After graduation, Bonilla plans to return to Panama to apply her research to help improve the country's resiliency to climate change - specifically around drought forecasts and how they impact crops and food chains.

"The University of Arkansas has empowered me as an international student to turn my passion into action by providing an interdisciplinary education beyond the classroom," she said. "The hands-on research opportunities, mentorship from dedicated faculty and a global perspective have prepared me to tackle complex climate challenges. The Environmental Dynamics Program has equipped me with the skills and confidence to advance my academic goals and make a real impact on climate resiliency in Panama and around the world. The U of A has not only shaped my academic journey but also ignited my commitment to global environmental stewardship."