Dr. Antonio Cantu is an Assistant Professor of Community Ecology at Sul Ross State University and a Research Scientist at the Borderlands Research Institute. His research spans wetlands, bird communities, vegetation, hydrology, and remote sensing, with a focus on applying quantitative and spatial tools to conservation problems.

A native of northern Mexico, Dr. Cantu earned a BS in Biology from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. He first came to West Texas in 2013 as an intern at Big Bend National Park, where he supported binational natural resource collaborations. In 2015, he joined Ducks Unlimited de México, A.C., working on wetland and waterfowl projects across the country. His passion for wetlands and waterbirds grew during this time, inspiring him to pursue graduate studies. He earned his MS in Renewable Natural Resources from Louisiana State University in 2021, researching how management practices for migratory birds influenced rare plant communities in arid wetlands. He later completed his PhD in Coastal and Marine Systems Science at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi in 2025, developing models to assess waterbird foraging habitat in intertidal systems on the Gulf Coast.

Dr. Cantu has published peer-reviewed articles, advised students, and participated in international collaborations. His experience across diverse ecosystems—coastal, subtropical, semi-arid, and arid—equips him to bring valuable perspectives to West Texas conservation. He is passionate about integrating ecological science with practical management to address pressing conservation challenges.