UNM's ITCZ Researchers (IMAGE) University of New Mexico Caption The University of New Mexico research team was led by Professor Yemane Asmerom (3rd from left) and included (l. to r.): Valorie Aquino, Keith Prufer and Victor Polyak. The team found contraction of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) during a warming Earth, leading in turn to drying of the Neotropics, including Central America.. Credit The University of New Mexico Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.