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Recent News About University of New Mexico

  • A researcher from The University of New Mexico's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Jamie Gomez, is part of a team that has secured $36.3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for clean-energy projects. Gomez is involved in OxEon’s project focused on advancing electrolysis technologies to improve manufacturing and recycling capabilities for clean hydrogen systems and components.According to Gomez, "Techno-economic analysis is crucial for the advancement of early and very early-stage engineering projects, especially those that aim for...


  • Architecture student Ian Tibbetts from the University of New Mexico School of Architecture + Planning has emerged as the winner of the 2023 Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) Student Design Competition. His project, Harmony Nature Center, which focuses on the balance between nature, agriculture, and urbanization along the Rio Grande River, secured him first place in the graduate division.Tibbetts expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, "I am honored that I was selected for this award. The inspiration for the Harmony Nature Center is rooted in...


  • More than 463,000 people are sexually assaulted in the United States every year, according to RAINN.To shed light on this shocking statistic, the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center at The University of New Mexico will create an art installation titled “Sole Survivor.” More than 460 pairs of shoes, each representing 1,000 survivors of sexual assault, will be displayed in Smith Plaza on April 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to create a visualization of the issue’s prevalence. A campus advocate will also be present to offer support for anyone personally impacted by sexual violence.“It’s...


  • The University of New Mexico Symphony Orchestra is set to present a special performance at Popejoy Hall on the UNM campus on Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m.According to the event details, the orchestra, comprised of top music students in New Mexico, will be under the direction of U.S. Army Col. Jim Keene, a distinguished UNM alumni retiring from a 30-year career in the U.S. Army, notably leading the Grammy Award-winning U.S. Army Field Band.One of the highlights of the concert will be a performance by UNM horn professor Michael Walker of composer Dana Wilson’s Concerto...


  • A team of researchers, led by Caltech, has made significant discoveries about an obscure class of galaxies known as Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs). These active galaxies host supermassive black holes at their cores, from which two jets travel at high speeds in opposite directions. Contrary to previous beliefs that CSOs are young galaxies whose jets evolve over millions of years, the team's findings suggest that CSOs lead relatively short lives.Greg Taylor, a Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at The University of New Mexico, highlighted the unusual...


  • High school students participating in the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project are gaining valuable insights into their constitutional rights and legal careers. Junior Areli Garcia, a participant in the project, emphasized the importance of understanding rights when dealing with law enforcement, stating, "I would say I'm sorry, officer, but I do not consent to any searches."The project, led by law students serving as Marshall-Brennan Fellows, aims to educate underserved high school students about their rights and inspire them to consider pursuing law careers....


  • The upcoming Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference (UROC) at The University of New Mexico is set to highlight the innovative research projects of undergraduate students from various disciplines. According to the Director of URAD, Tim Schroeder, UROC provides students with a platform to present their research and interact with the academic community."Students can enter up to three times with one entry for each review/evaluation of each of the following: three poster presentations, three oral presentations, or eight UROC 180 presentations," stated the Engineering...


  • A new research paper published in Annual Reviews of Earth and Planetary Sciences sheds light on the significance of Grand Canyon's springs and groundwater, as well as the potential threats posed by uranium mining. The paper, titled Hydrotectonics of Grand Canyon Groundwater, emphasizes the importance of sustainable groundwater management and the need for better monitoring to address uranium mining threats.Distinguished Professor Karl Karlstrom from the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at The University of New Mexico, one of the authors of the paper, highlighted...


  • For the first time since before the pandemic, seven students were able to participate in a two-week-long trip to Nizwa, Oman. Thanks to the opportunity provided by the Department of Languages, Cultures, & Literatures (LCL), students deepened their connection to the Arabic language and culture.Janice Biondo, an undergraduate student at LCL, expressed her excitement about the trip, stating, “I wanted to improve my Arabic and experience living in an Arab country and experience the culture, food, and people up close and firsthand. There's no substitute for studying the...


  • The School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P) at UNM recently held the first On the Brinck Book Awards symposium for the spring semester, featuring authors Rosetta S. Elkin and Whitney Martinko. The event, moderated by Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture Catherine Page Harris, showcased the authors' award-winning books and sparked discussions on various topics.During the symposium, Rosetta S. Elkin, author of "Plant Life: The Entangled Politics of Afforestation," and Whitney Martinko, author of "Historic Real Estate: Market Morality and the Politics of...


  • Two students at UNM-Taos campus have been recognized for their academic achievements with national scholarships. Megan Beck and Colman Lee have been awarded prestigious scholarships that will help them pursue their educational and career goals.Megan Beck has been named a 2024 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa. Beck's outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, and service efforts set her apart from over 2,200 applicants, earning her the highest score in New Mexico. As part of this scholarship, Beck...


  • One University of New Mexico Ph.D. student, Joseph Kleinkopf, has recently made headlines by winning The American Institute of Biological Sciences' (AIBS) annual Faces of Biology Photo Contest. Kleinkopf's winning photo captured him in action atop Sheepshead Peak, collecting alpine plant specimens for his fieldwork in UNM's Biology Department.Kleinkopf expressed his surprise at winning the competition, stating, "I was surprised to win, because there are a lot of really cool science photos. At the same time, it's a really cool photo." He also highlighted the importance of...


  • UNM College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) professors Karen Lux Gaudreault and Victoria N. Shiver have been working diligently to highlight the significance of physical educators through their Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program. Gaudreault emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for children in under-resourced populations to engage in physical activity and wellness programs. She stated, “It's very, very important to both of us that we continue to work in that space and bring our passions here to New Mexico.”In their research titled The...


  • UNM sophomore and Elementary Education major Izzy Reeves posed a crucial question at the recent 9th Annual Educators Rising State Conference in Albuquerque, asking, “So just how worried are you all about going to college?” The conference session, attended by approximately 50 future educators from high schools across New Mexico, saw a mix of nervous laughter and anticipation as the UNM Educators Rising club aimed to instill confidence in the attendees.State Director of Educators Rising, Christine Reyes, highlighted the importance of the program in preparing students for...


  • The Department of Economics and the School of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico have received a significant boost in providing career development opportunities for students. A $500,000 endowment has been established by Goldman Sachs Gives to support unpaid or low-paid internship opportunities through the Goldman Sachs Gives Public Service in Health Care Award.Patria de Lancer Julnes, director of the School of Public Administration, emphasized the importance of this endowment in supporting students who face financial challenges while pursuing career...


  • Students and teachers from various institutions are gearing up for the third annual three-day Neuroscience Workshop, hosted by The University of New Mexico (UNM) and coordinated by Mubarak Hussain Syed, assistant professor of Biology at UNM. The event is scheduled to take place from April 11 to April 13 at San Juan College in Farmington and the UNM campus in Albuquerque.Syed, the head of the Syed Neural Diversity Lab, expressed his excitement for the upcoming workshop, stating, "Building upon the success of previous years, this year's workshop promises to be an even more...


  • The University of New Mexico’s Optical Science and Engineering program recently marked its 40th anniversary with a series of events celebrating its contributions to the field of optics. The program, jointly administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, offers graduate degrees in optical science, photonics, quantum optics, and imaging.Daniel Feezell, professor and general chair of the OSE Program, highlighted the uniqueness of the program, stating, “The OSE Program is unique because it is a cross-college...


  • The University of New Mexico is set to celebrate a significant milestone as the Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies reaches its 20th year in 2024. To honor this achievement, the Department of Native American Studies (NAS) will host the 20th Viola F. Cordova Memorial Symposium on Tuesday, March 26, from 12 to 2 p.m.Under the theme "Looking Back, Moving Forward: 20 Years of the Native American Studies Bachelor of Arts Degree," the symposium will feature NAS alumni from 2011. These alumni will participate in panels discussing the practical application of their NAS...


  • A recent study has shed light on the unique play dynamics within chimpanzee communities, particularly emphasizing the crucial role of mother chimpanzees in fostering their offspring's development. Conducted by researchers Kris Sabbi and Zarin Machanda, the study focused on the play behavior of wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The findings, published in Current Biology, reveal intriguing insights into the social interactions and nurturing behaviors of these primates.The study highlighted that while adult chimpanzees typically engage in play, the dynamics...


  • The University of New Mexico has solidified its dedication to sustainability by becoming a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Anne Jakle, UNM's director of Sustainability, emphasized the university's commitment by stating, "UNM’s strong commitment to sustainability is highlighted by its 2040 Strategic Framework, specifically Goal 4, Sustainability."AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser expressed gratitude for UNM's partnership, stating, "AASHE counts on the support of progressive institutions like The...