Professor Patricia Castilla Hernández has a degree in Biology from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) Xochimilco (1998). In 2000 she obtained a Specialization in Biotechnology at the Iztapalapa Campus of the same institution, focusing her studies on the anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater using a high-rate reactor. In 2006, she graduated from the Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Iztapalapa Campus of the UAM, with the thesis entitled "Anaerobic biodegradation of petrochemical compounds". 

From 2005 to 2007, she was a part-time professor at the Iztapalapa Campus of UAM. From 2008 to date, she is a Professor at the Xochimilco Campus of the UAM, where she is part of the Research Area Structure and Functioning of Renewable Natural Resources and the Academic Group Structure and Functioning of Biosystems. 

She develops research related to the biotreatment of municipal and industrial effluents to remove carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate compounds. She also conducts studies on water quality in epicontinental aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the states of Tlaxcala and Veracruz. She has been recognized with the Desirable Profile granted by the Program for the Professional Development of Teachers and is a member of the National System of Researchers, Level I.

She has trained 25 undergraduate and ten graduate students. She has published 16 articles and four book chapters and has presented more than 70 papers at conferences. She has participated in nine research projects.