News from March 2024
Goldwater Foundation selects three UNM students as 2024-2025 scholars
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 29, 2024
The University of New Mexico has proudly announced that three of its students have been named as 2024-2025 Goldwater Scholars. Mia Baca, Victoria Nisoli, and Ariana Pritha have been selected for this prestigious honor from a competitive pool of candidates.In response to the news, Honors College Scholarship Coordinator Kiyoko Simmons expressed her congratulations to the three scholars, emphasizing the significance of their achievement. Simmons remarked, “Earning this prestigious award not only validates their academic excellence but also underscores their potential to make...
Notice of Possible Quorum at Citizen Police Academy Training
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 29, 2024
The Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board has issued a notice regarding a possible quorum at the upcoming Citizen Police Academy training session. The event is scheduled to take place on April 2, 2024, at the Albuquerque Police Academy located at 5412 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107.According to the notice, "A quorum of the Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board may be in attendance at the Albuquerque Police Academy, 5412 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107, regarding the Citizen Police Academy." The Board clarifies that no official business will be conducted...
NMSU names Mónica Torres next interim president, launches new search
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
NMSU Board of Regents has selected Mónica Torres, chancellor of NMSU system community colleges, as the next interim president of the NMSU system. Torres will take over the position from current Interim President Jay Gogue on May 1. Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali expressed confidence in Torres, stating, “Dr. Torres is an accomplished and visionary leader with a deep commitment to student success and a wealth of institutional knowledge of the NMSU system.”Devasthali also acknowledged Gogue's service, thanking him for his leadership over the past year and noting that he will...
NM Museum of Natural History & Science Earns Reaccreditation from AAM
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS) has proudly announced that it has been awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a prestigious recognition that only a small fraction of museums across the country achieve.In a statement, NMDCA Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego expressed her excitement, stating, “Visitors to New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science know the museum is one of our state’s crown jewels, and we’re thrilled to see the institution recognized at the national level.”The accreditation from AAM,...
NMSU students win 2024 regional Outstanding Leadership Awards
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
The National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) named two New Mexico State University students as its Undergraduate and Graduate Outstanding Student Leaders of 2024 at its Regional Conference on March 16. Nevaeh Smith and Ishtiaq Ahmed were awarded for their exceptional leadership skills and contributions to NMSU's orientation programs.Nevaeh Smith expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Earning the Outstanding Undergraduate Award was an unexpected, but well appreciated, surprise... makes the hard work I’ve put into NMSU’s orientation program worth...
Cohort Completes Scale Up NM’s Business Model Sprint for Tech Startups
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
The Scale Up New Mexico program recently celebrated the completion of its Business Model Sprint business acceleration program by its first 2024 cohort. The initiative, aimed at supporting founders of tech startups in New Mexico, helped startups advance in understanding their customer base, achieving product-market fit, and developing efficient sales tactics.Carlos Murguia, the Scale Up NM program manager, expressed his excitement about the progress made by the startups, stating, “We are incredibly thrilled with the remarkable progress our startups have made throughout the...
UNM Chemical Engineer Contributes to $36.3 Million Clean-Energy Projects
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
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...
NMSU’s College of Engineering Awarded $4.8 Million Department of Energy Grant
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
New Mexico State University has been awarded a $4.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management to enhance research and workforce skills in the field of radioactive tank waste management. The grant, which spans over three years, will benefit various departments within NMSU and collaborating institutions.Leading the project is NMSU Chemical and Materials Engineering Associate Professor Catherine Brewer, who expressed the goal of the initiative, stating, "The goal of this project is to give students the knowledge, experiences and...
Safe Ride Option Offered to Santa Fe County Residents During Easter Weekend Celebrations
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
Santa Fe, NM - In a collaborative effort, various organizations have come together to provide Santa Fe County residents with a safe ride option during the upcoming Good Friday-Easter celebrations in 2024.The program, named "Take A Ride on Us," aims to discourage driving under the influence by offering residents a convenient alternative. Residents can avail themselves of this service from 10 am on March 29th through 2 am on April 1st by using a special code on the Uber app."Take A Ride on Us” empowers Santa Fe County residents with the choice to take a safe ride option...
Our Doctors’ Stories
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
Doctors at The University of New Mexico Health System shared their personal stories and experiences in honor of Doctors’ Day, shedding light on the dedication and passion they bring to their work.Dr. Miranda Aragon, an assistant professor and associate residency program director in Family Medicine at UNM Hospital, emphasized the importance of serving patients in all stages of life. She shared, “I get to take care of newborn babies, and I get to take care of people who are dying, who are much older and have lived really beautiful lives, and are near the end of their life.”...
Middle Rio Grande Housing Collaborative Aims to Address Affordable Housing Crisis
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
The Middle Rio Grande Housing Collaborative (MRGHC) recently held its first meeting, marking an important step in addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in the region. The collaborative, established through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the city and county, aims to tackle the housing crisis by implementing strategic initiatives outlined in the agreement.The MRGHC, comprised of members including Talia Freedman, Dan Majewski, Serge Martinez, and Lawrence Rael, convened on Thursday, March 28th at the Mid Region Council of Governments to kick off their...
Architecture student wins 2023 MBMA Design Competition Award
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 28, 2024
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...
Shoes needed for sexual assault survivors art installation
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 27, 2024
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...
NMSU students earn scholarships from National Retail Federation
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 27, 2024
Two students from New Mexico State University, Hai Chau Le and Natalia Ochoa, both undergraduate students in NMSU’s Fashion Merchandising and Design program, have been awarded scholarships by the National Retail Federation. The scholarships include all-expense paid trips to New York City to attend the NRF’s annual conference and participate in its student program.According to Kelley Coffeen, an associate professor in the Fashion Merchandising and Design program at NMSU, "Hai and Natalie applied for these scholarships and competed against college students around the...
City Hall Hosts Employee Art Exhibition
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 27, 2024
The City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture and the Public Art Urban Enhancement Division recently celebrated the grand opening of Gallery One at City Hall, showcasing the creative works of city employees. The 2024 Employee Art Exhibit features artwork from seventy-one employees representing every City department, using a variety of methods and media such as glass, sculpture, embroidery, painting, drawing, and photography.Mayor Tim Keller expressed the significance of the exhibition, stating, "Albuquerque is a place that values its thriving artistic spirit....
Sandia Labs’ 20-year Economic Impact Reaches $140 Billion, Officials Announce
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 27, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories has announced a significant milestone in its economic impact over the past two decades. According to two studies commissioned by Sandia and the National Nuclear Security Administration, the lab's work has contributed a staggering $140 billion to the economy since the year 2000.The announcement was made during a news conference where key officials shed light on the findings. Deputy Labs Director and Chief Operating Officer David Gibson, along with Senior Manager of Business Development Mary Monson, among others, discussed...
UNM Symphony Orchestra to Perform Special Concert at Popejoy
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 27, 2024
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...
Initiative in New Mexico Aims to Empower Indigenous Communities through Data Sovereignty
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 27, 2024
A transformative initiative led by a team at The University of New Mexico is working to ensure that the real stories of Indigenous communities in New Mexico are accurately represented. The Tribal Data Champions (TDC) Fellowship is a yearlong training program designed to empower Indigenous people in New Mexico by enhancing their skills and knowledge in data, evaluation, and research.Rebecca Rae from the UNM College of Population Health emphasized the community-driven approach of the TDC Fellowship, stating, "We're not just teaching methods; we're also fostering a...
Santa Fe County Assessor Extends Notice of Valuation Deadline and Enhances Services for Residents
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 27, 2024
Santa Fe, NM- The Office of the Santa Fe County Assessor has extended the official mail-out of Notice of Valuation (NOV) for all County residents to May 1, 2024. This extension was granted by the Property Tax Division (PTD) in response to significant improvements and changes made to the NOV process, aligning it with statewide standards and enhancing service to constituents.The Assessor's office has also implemented several key initiatives to improve services, including the valuation of short-term rentals, in-office workflows, and enhancements to its website for better...
Sleeping supermassive black holes awakened briefly by shredded stars
By New Mexico Sun | Mar 26, 2024
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...