STEM SHOUTOUTS
Our STEM Shoutouts recognize UNM faculty who are doing interesting research, have won awards or been recently published. Have you done something great in STEM? Let us know. You also can request that we write about your colleagues too.
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jessica Richardson
Dr. Jessica Richardson has worked with people with post-stroke aphasia, or with other acquired cognitive or communication deficits, for more than 20 years. UNM associate professor of speech and hearing sciences works to detect rare communication disease Dr. Jessica Richardson, a UNM associate professor of speech and hearing sciences, alongside […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Ylva Pihlström
Dr. Ylva Pihlström, a professor in the UNM Department of Physics and Astronomy, was recently named the new associate director of The Center for Advanced Research Computing (CARC) at UNM. “Working with CARC is a way to partake in the ongoing development and improvement of the UNM research infrastructure, including high performance computing,” Pihlström said. CARC is […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Nora Wendl
UNM architecture professor named Executive Editor of Journal of Architectural Education Prof. Nora Wendl, an associate professor from the UNM School of Architecture and Planning was recently named Executive Editor of the Journal of Architectural Education (JAE) effective July 2021. “I was honored to have been chosen for this position: I believe that […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Lisa Broidy
UNM sociologist promoted to rank of distinguished professor The UNM College of Arts and Sciences recently promoted five UNM faculty to the rank of distinguished professor. Among them is Dr. Lisa Broidy, a professor of Sociology who is one of two women in STEM chosen for this distinction. According to the College of Arts and Sciences, […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. April Kamp-Whittaker
UNM postdoctoral fellow of anthropology awarded two prestigious grants UNM Postdoctoral Fellow of Anthropology Dr. April Kamp-Whittaker has been awarded the prestigious NSF SPARC Grant and an American Philosophical Society Franklin Research Grant. Kamp-Whittaker is using the NSF SPARC Grant to develop a ArcGIS StoryMap about the history and archeology of the Granada […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jingjing Wang
UNM economist publishes article on market efficiency during COVID-19, chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner UNM assistant professor of Economics Dr. Jingjing Wang recently published an article on COVID-19 effects on financial market efficiency in the journal Finance Research Letters. According to her paper, the Covid-19 pandemic caused the market […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Ranita Ray
First Maxine Baca-Zinn Endowed Professor joins Sociology Department Dr. Ranita Ray, an associate professor and the inaugural Maxine Baca-Zinn Endowed Professor of Sociology recently joined UNM’s Department of Sociology effective August 1, 2021. “I am a radical feminist sociologist. I primarily rely on ethnographic methods and am beginning to learn historical methods for my current project all […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter
UNM professor recently elected into the National Academy of Construction. Dr. Susan Bogus Halter, a professor from the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, was recently elected as a member of the National Academy of Construction (NAC). According to the NAC website, “the mission of the National Academy Of Construction is to recognize and honor individuals for their distinguished contributions to the industry and to share this reservoir of expertise as a service to the nation.”
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Emma Trentman
UNM professor aims to expand students’ Arabic skills through a summer program UNM Associate Professor of Arabic Dr. Emma Trentman is directing the STARTALK program at UNM which aims to teach and enhance students’ Arabic speaking skills during the summer. The STARTALK program encourages middle and high school students’ critical language skills. It […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Mousumi Roy
UNM researcher awarded two NSF grants to study effects of magma on continental plates Dr. Mousumi Roy, a Regents’ lecturer and associate professor in UNM’s Physics and Astronomy Department, was recently awarded two NSF grants including a Mid-Career Advancement grant for her work examining how the movement of magma affects continental plates. “I’m […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Sarah Dreier
Dr. Sarah Dreier recently joined UNM’s Political Science department as an assistant professor effective August 1, 2021. Dreier’s research interests encompass power, oppression, and resistance, specifically looking at how powerful legal, political, and religious institutions enable and restrict human rights for marginalized populations.
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jane Lehr
UNM engineering professor awarded grant to develop hazard inspection drone Dr. Jane Lehr, a professor in the UNM Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was recently awarded a grant from the Alpha Foundation to develop a hazard inspection drone that is safe to operate in underground mining environments. The project “Demonstration of an intrinsically safe drone propulsion […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. TyAnna Lovato
Biology professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner Dr. TyAnna Lovato, a research assistant professor in Biology was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Her project with Dr. Amalia Parra, a research assistant professor in Biology, is “Transcriptional Regulation of Stem Cell Function in the Drosophilia Central Nervous System.” The […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Amalia Parra
Biology professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner Dr. Amalia Parra, a research assistant professor in Biology was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Her project with Dr. TyAnna Lovato, a research assistant professor in Biology, is “Transcriptional Regulation of Stem Cell Function in the Drosophilia Central Nervous System.” The […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Susannah Davis
UNM researcher selected as National Academy of Education postdoctoral fellow Dr. Susannah Davis, a research assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, recently was selected as a 2021 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow. According to the National Academy of Education’s website, “The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship provides $70,000 to early-career scholars to focus […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Xiaoxue Li
Economics professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner Dr. Xiaoxue Li, an assistant professor in Economics was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Her project with Dr. Sarah Stith, an assistant professor in Economics is “Trick or Treat: Acute Sugar Consumption and Negative Health Effects in Humans.” The pair plan […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Eva Stricker
UNM biologist awarded grant for researching role of compost in arid rangelands Dr. Eva Stricker, a research assistant professor in the UNM Department of Biology, was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture/USDA for her research examining the role of compost in dry rangelands and microbial communities on soil and […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Anjali Mulchandani
Engineering professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner Dr. Anjali Mulchandani, an assistant professor in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Her project is “Waste as a resource: A thermo-chemical system to recover metals and produce oils from sewage […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Rosa Vallejos
Linguistics professor chosen as UNM Presidential Teaching Fellow Dr. Rosa Vallejos, a UNM associate professor of Linguistics, was recently recognized as the UNM 2021-2023 Presidential Teaching Fellow. “Being selected for this award is in fact the result of a series of events directly related to education,” she said. “I was born and raised in Lámud, a little […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Sarah Stith
Economist chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner, recently promoted to associate professor Dr. Sarah Stith, an associate professor in Economics, was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Her project with Dr. Xiaoxue Li, an assistant professor in Economics is “Trick or Treat: Acute Sugar Consumption […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Caroline Smith
Linguist promoted to full professor Dr. Caroline Smith, who teaches phonetics and phonology at UNM, has been promoted to full professor. “I’ve been a faculty member at UNM since 1998, and have always been impressed by my faculty colleagues,” Smith said. “I feel very honored that my promotion recognizes my place in this great group of professors.” Smith’s […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Drs. Pilar Sanjuan and Julia Stephen
UNM researchers resume study of PTSD in active duty service members and veterans Drs. Pilar Sanjuan and Julia Stephen are resuming their National Institute of Mental Health-funded study of active duty service members and veterans to better address concentration and attention difficulties associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After halting recruitment efforts due to COVID-19, Sanjuan, […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Lisa Marchiondo
Organizational studies educator promoted to associate professor Dr. Lisa Marchiondo, who teaches in the Department of Organizational Studies at the UNM Anderson School of Management, recently was promoted to associate professor. Marchiondo said she’s thrilled about the tenure and promotion. “I told family and friends that this experience is on par with receiving my PhD. It’s incredibly rewarding […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Alex Webster
Biology professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner
Dr. Alex Webster, an assistant professor in Economics, was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Webster will work with professors from several departments on the project “Perspectives on Innovative Approaches in Agriculture to Managing Water Scarcity.”
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Yolanda Lin
New GES professor continues natural hazards research at UNM Dr. Yolanda Lin, an assistant professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, brings research on computational modeling and disaster risk for natural hazards to UNM. Lin, who joined UNM in January 2021, said her research is focused on the intersection of human, environmental and built systems. “My training was […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Drs. Gabriel Sanchez and Shannon Sanchez-Youngman
Partnership seeks support for communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 Gabriel Sanchez and Shannon Sanchez-Youngman at The University of New Mexico are helping lead a national effort to understand effective COVID-19 vaccine messaging and hesitancy factors. The massive American COVID-19 Vaccine Poll is a partnership between the African American Research Collaborative (AARC), The Commonwealth […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Suzanne Oakdale
Anthropology professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner, recently promoted to full professor Dr. Suzanne Oakdale, a professor in Anthropology, was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Her project is “Claiming Celiac: Narratives of Illness and the Creation of New Worlds.” The […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Lydia Tapia
Computer science professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner Dr. Lydia Tapia, an associate professor in Computer Science was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Her project is ”Learning Conserved Robotic Features.” The work looks at ways to transfer knowledge one robot has learned to a new robot. “When machine learning […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Sonia Gipson Rankin
UNM Law Professor publishes work examining AI in the criminal justice system Dr. Sonia Gipson Rankin, assistant professor of Law at UNM, recently published an article in the Washington & Lee Law Review about her ongoing research examining the potential impact of untrustworthy or faulty artificial intelligence (AI) in the criminal justice system. “My scholarship and activism […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Felisa Smith
The American Society of Mammalogists announced University of New Mexico Professor Felisa A. Smith as president-elect at its 100th annual meeting last week. The Society, established in 1919, is the oldest and largest mammal society in the world. She is only the fifth woman and the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the position.
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Caroline Scruggs
Community and regional planning professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner Dr. Caroline Scruggs, an associate professor in Community and Regional Planning at UNM, was selected in June as a recipient of the Women in STEM Awards at UNM. Scruggs will work with professors from several departments on the project […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Elizabeth Korver-Glenn
UNM Sociologist Awarded 2021 Teaching Excellence Award UNM Assistant Professor of Sociology Dr. Elizabeth Korver-Glenn has been awarded a prestigious Teaching Excellence Award. The Teaching Excellence Awards recognize outstanding teachers at UNM. According to the Center For Teaching Excellence website, the awards “recognize the tremendous work and ingenuity instructors have demonstrated in response […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Miriam Gay-Antaki
GES professor chosen as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner Dr. Miriam Gay-Antaki, an assistant professor in Geography and Environmental Sciences was selected in June as a 2021 Women in STEM Award winner. Gay-Antaki will work on the project “Gendering Science and Technology at Climate Negotiations.” The project aims to amplify voices that aren’t regularly part […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Diana Northup
Dr. Diana Northup, a visiting associate professor in UNM’s department of Biology, was recently featured in an episode of Alien Worlds, a new docufiction series streaming on Netflix for her cave exploration work.
The four-part miniseries, according to Netflix, “blends fact with science fiction and conceptualizes what alien life might be like by applying the laws of life on Earth to imagined exoplanets.” The series was released in December of 2020.
Northup was featured in the second episode, “Janus,” which focused on extreme conditions we might think of as uninhabitable but that might be able to support alien life.
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Fabiano Amorim
UNM Associate Professor of Exercise Science studies effectiveness of a bodyweight workout for people working from home during the pandemic Dr. Fabiano Amorim in the UNM exercise science department recently finished a study on an exercise protocol that can keep people active in a remote working environment. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Kristianto Tjiptowidjojo
Engineering professor presents research and receives award during international symposium Dr. Kristianto Tjiptowidjojo, a research professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UNM, presented his research on coating and received the young investigator award during the 20th International Coating Science and Technology Symposium, held virtually September 20-23. Tjiptowidjojo’s presentation focused […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Melanie Moses
Computer science professor elected to national computing council Professor of computer science and biology Dr. Melanie Moses was recently elected as a council member of the Computing Community Consortium (CCC). Moses was elected in July of 2020 and will serve as a member for three years. According to the CCC website, the organization is dedicated to catalyzing and empowering the U.S. computing research community to pursue audacious, high-impact research. “It was an honor to
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Patricia Henning
UNM professor of physics and astronomy named assistant director at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Dr. Patricia Henning, a UNM professor of physics and astronomy, and associate vice president for research was named the assistant director of science support and research at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). “I look forward to working with […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Eirini Eleni Tsiropoulou
Engineering assistant professor appointed as associate editor in IEEE Networking Letters The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) named University of New Mexico Electrical and Computer Engineer assistant professor Dr. Eirini Eleni Tsiropoulou as an associate editor of their Networking Letters. “Being an associate editor, is not only an honorary position, but […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jin Zhang
Women in STEM award winner will study Mars geological interior Dr. Jin Zhang, an assistant professor at UNM’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is among the 2020 Women in STEM winners for her proposal to study Mars interior and grow knowledge of the planet’s geological history. The Women in STEM awards are hosted […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Heather Himmelberger
UNM researcher leads multimedia efforts on NM water sustainability and resource awareness Heather Himmelberger, the director of the UNM Southwest Environmental Finance Center, is leading multimedia efforts to spread awareness of New Mexico’s water resources as part of the UNM Grand Challenge on water sustainability. As the principal investigator of the pilot project Online […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Helen Wearing
Biology and Mathematics & Statistics associate professor promoted to professor Dr. Helen Wearing, an associate professor in the UNM Departments of Biology and Mathematics & Statistics, has been promoted to professor. Wearing is a scientist working at the interface of the biological and mathematical sciences. She uses mathematical models to understand the biological […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jessica Feezell
Political science assistant professor promoted to associate professor Dr. Jessica Feezell in the political science department was promoted to associate professor this summer. She said that the most important tool to have in order to achieve tenure is a strong support network she established inside and outside the department. “The most important thing I […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jessica D. Richardson
Associate professor of speech and hearing sciences named distinguished scholar for aphasia research Dr. Jessica D. Richardson, a University of New Mexico associate professor of speech and hearing sciences, was named one of four recipients of the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia Distinguished Scholar Award for her work studying the disorder. “The mission of the […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Felisa Smith
UNM biology professor selected as a Fellow of the Paleontological Society Dr. Felisa Smith, professor in the department of biology at the University of New Mexico, was recently selected as a Fellow of the Paleontological Society. “I am both humbled and honored to have been selected a Fellow of the Paleontological Society. These […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Stefi Weisburd
Stem UNM School of Engineering Education & Outreach Manager awarded 2020 Excellence in STEM Award Stefi Weisburd, University of New Mexico education and outreach manager in the School of Engineering, was recently awarded the 2020 Excellence in STEM Award by the Air Force Research Lab Tech Engagement Office. Over the years, Weisburd facilitated […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Kira Villa
UNM assistant professor of economics promoted to associate professor Dr. Kira Villa, former assistant professor of economics, was recently promoted to associate professor in the same department. She was inspired to teach economics at the University of New Mexico because of her love for research and working with students. “I have always loved […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Katie Witkiewitz
UNM clinical psychologist elected editor of the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors Dr. Katie Witkiewitz, professor of psychology and researcher at the UNM Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions (CASAA), was recently elected editor of the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors (PAB). “As a first generation college student and as a person who directly […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Melinda Morgan
Associate professor of geography and environmental studies named new director of sustainability studies Dr. Melinda Morgan took on the role as the new director of the sustainability studies program at the University of New Mexico in June after being affiliated faculty in the program since 2008. The director of the program also holds the W.K. […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Maria Lane
Geography professor to open center for community geography Dr. Maria Lane, a recently promoted professor in UNM’s Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, is set to open a student focused center for community geography in the next year. Lane’s research focuses on environmental knowledge in historical contexts. She studies claims from different actors such as […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Mousumi Roy
Women in STEM award winner will study effects of magma on continental plates Dr. Mousumi Roy, an associate professor at UNM’s Department of Physics and Astronomy is among the 2020 Women in STEM winners for her proposal to study continental plates. The Women in STEM awards are hosted by Advance at UNM in […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Sarah Stith
UNM economics professor publishes paper on effects of cannabis for medical treatments Dr. Sarah Stith, an assistant professor at UNM’s Economics Department, published in mid-July a paper on Cannabis effectiveness to treat headaches in the Journal of Integrative Medicine. Stith’s research generally focuses on examining the efficiency and equity effects of health care regulation […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Vanessa Svihla
Chemical and Biological Engineering Associate Professor awarded 2020 Harrison Faculty Recognition Dr. Vanessa Svihla, an associate professor in the University of New Mexico’s Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and Organization, Information & Learning Sciences Program (OILS), was awarded with the Harrison Faculty Recognition of 2020. The Harrison Faculty Recognition Award, established in 2005, honors Stanley […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jingjing Wang
Economics assistant professor selected as a 2020 AAGE Teaching Fellow Dr. Jingjing Wang, an assistant professor of economics at UNM, was recently selected by the Provost’s Office as an Academic Affairs General Education (AAGE) Teaching Fellow for 2020-2021. This fellowship aims to foster more engagement in general education classes. Wang says her experience as […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Meeko Oishi
ECE Associate Professor promoted to Professor, receives SoE Research Award and is part of a recently funded NASA initiative Dr. Meeko Oishi, an associate professor at University of New Mexico’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (ECE), has been promoted to professor, received the 2020 SoE Senior Faculty Research Excellence Award and is part of a […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Michael Angel Gonzalez
Civil Engineering lecturer receives Stamm Outstanding Teaching Award Michael Angel Gonzalez, a lecturer II in UNM’s Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Department, received the Stamm Outstanding Teaching Award during the spring 2020 semester. The Stamm award is named in honor of alumni Robert J. Stamm, a successful local civil engineer, general contractor and strong […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Davorka Gulisija
New biology faculty member conducts organism adaptation research Dr. Davorka Gulisija, a new Biology Department faculty member at UNM, is conducting mathematical and statistical modeling research examining fundamental questions about mechanisms of adaptation in organisms. Gulisija, who is from the Mediterranean coast in Croatia, joined UNM January 2020 as an assistant professor and […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Bruna Jacobson
UNM computer science research assistant professor promoted to assistant professor Dr. Bruna Jacobson, former research assistant professor in the University of New Mexico Department of Computer Science, has recently been promoted to assistant professor in the same department. “Since 2015, I have had fruitful collaborations at the computer science department, first as a […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Kamilla Venner
UNM psychology assistant professor wins Dora Goldstein award Dr. Kamilla Venner, an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, and research assistant at UNM’s Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), was recently awarded the second annual Dora Goldstein Diversity in Sciences Award for the year 2020. Venner received the award […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Maria Cristina Pereyra
UNM math and stats professor promoted to department chair Dr. Maria Cristina Pereyra will be appointed the department chair of mathematics and statistics in fall 2020. As the overseer of one of the largest departments at UNM, her responsibilities include managing faculty (collaborating with the National Labs and scientists all over the world), supporting […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Siobhan Mattison
Anthropology assistant professor promoted to associate professor Dr. Siobhan Mattison, an assistant professor in the UNM Anthropology Department, has been promoted to associate professor for fall 2020. “I am thankful for all the support I have got from Advance and from my colleagues in Anthropology. The promotion, for me, is a way to expand research […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Frances Hayashida
UNM anthropologist selected as new director of the Latin American and Iberian Institute UNM professor of anthropology Dr. Frances Hayashida has been appointed as the new director of the Latin American and Iberian Institute(LAII). Hayashida accepted the offer effective July 2020. As director, she will oversee the research, educational, and outreach efforts of the […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Emily Jones
Anthropology professor co-authors chapter in book Dogs: Archaeology Beyond Domestication Dr. Emily Jones, an associate professor in UNM’s Anthropology Department, co-authored a chapter in Dogs: Archaeology Beyond Domestication book along with graduate student Victoria Monagle. The chapter, “Dog Life and Death in an Ancestral Pueblo Landscape,” focuses on the role dogs played in human […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Laura Crossey
Earth and Planetary Sciences professor paper featured on May’s cover of Geology Magazine Dr. Laura Crossey, a professor in UNM’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, was recently featured alongside her research team in May’s Geology Magazine for their work in Grand Canyon. A photograph taken by Crossey during the research made the cover […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Yuting Yang
New economics faculty member to research environmental regulations and policies Dr. Yuting Yang has joined UNM’s Department of Economics to research and teach environmental regulations and public policies related to climate change. Yang, who recently completed her PhD from The Toulouse School of Economics in France, has made the move to UNM to serve […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Naomi Shin
UNM linguist awarded 2020 Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award UNM Associate Professor of Linguistics and Hispanic Linguistics, Dr. Naomi Shin has been awarded the prestigious 2020 Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award. “This award is a tremendous honor to me. I care so deeply about teaching and supporting students, so to know […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Marygold Walsh-Dilley
UNM associate professor researches impact of COVID-19 on food security of UNM students Dr. Marygold Walsh-Dilley, an associate professor in the Honors College at UNM, is currently leading a study to determine the patterns of food insecurity among students at UNM with her co-PI Dr. Sarita Cargas (Honors College) and research team members Dr. […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Amanda Bienz
Computer programmer joins UNM’s computer science department in fall 2020 Dr. Amanda Bienz will join UNM as a new computer science professor in fall 2020. Her current research focuses on developing software for supercomputers to optimize their computing speed. “We are on the brink of exascale computing and have the hardware capability to solve […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Melanie Moses
UNM professor awarded NSF funding to study human lung response to COVID-19 Dr. Melanie Moses, a professor of computer science and biology, has been awarded National Science Foundation funding to understand how human lungs respond to viral pathogens like COVID-19. With the help of Research Assistant Vanessa Surjadidjaja, Moses hopes to answer how […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Devorah Romanek
Maxwell Museum curator creates virtual COVID-19 exhibit In response to the global pandemic, UNM’s Maxwell Museum curator Dr. Devorah Romanek has created Covid 19: Concepts of Sickness and Wellness, a virtual exhibition dedicated to expanding visitor’s perspectives on the virus through a historical context. The exhibit, which can be found here, has had 2,000 […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Heather Canavan
UNM professor spearheads COVID-19 relief and education efforts for community Dr. Heather Canavan, a professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, is addressing the concerning trend of people attempting to make hand sanitizer out of denatured alcohol, which is a highly toxic substance. Canavan was first made aware of this issue through a colleague who […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Mala Htun
Political Science professor publishes series of papers on women rights Dr. Mala Htun, a professor at UNM Political Science Department, is a political scientist focused on comparative politics, women’s rights, and the politics of race and ethnicity. Dr. Htun is part of the Advance family and serves as a co-Pi and Deputy Director for the […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Helen Wearing
UNM biology and math professor on NM Covid-19 pandemic response Dr. Helen Wearing, a UNM professor in the biology and math departments, was interviewed by the New York Times about her opinion on New Mexico’s work against the Covid-19 pandemic. Wearing’s interests focus on “theoretical biology and disease ecology; using mathematical and statistical approaches to […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Siobhán Mattison
Anthropology professor publishes a paper on high-altitude health Dr. Siobhán M. Mattison, an assistant professor in the UNM Department of Anthropology, has published a paper on how high-altitude adaptations mitigate risk of chronic disease. The paper was published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology April 1, 2020 under the title “High-altitude adaptations mitigate […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Sonia Gipson Rankin
Law professor looks at protections if AI software for correctional system is hacked University of New Mexico Law Professor Sonia Gipson Rankin combines her computer science and law training to research the protections in place if software used in the legal system is potentially hacked. Her work has recently been featured on a local news […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Jose Cerrato
Engineering Professor selected for Fulbright award in Spain Dr. Jose Cerrato, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, has been selected for a Fulbright award to Spain to study the detection of arsenic. The Fulbright Program is devoted to increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter
Engineering Professor awarded NAHB Outstanding Educator of the Year Dr. Susan Bogus Halter, professor of civil, construction, and environmental engineering, was named the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Outstanding Educator of the Year at the International Builders Show (IBS) conference in January 2020. “After working in industry for 10 years, I made the decision […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Laura Crossey
UNM Earth and Planetary Science professor named AAAS fellow The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) named University of New Mexico Earth and Planetary Science Professor Dr. Laura Crossey as one of their 2019 fellows. “It is truly a highlight,” Crossey said. “I have had other recognitions from my discipline, such as being […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Corinne Myers
Earth and planetary science professor earned grant to research the last mass extinction Dr. Corinne Myers, assistant professor in the department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, received a $284,662 grant from the National Science Foundation to research the ecological, evolutionary, and paleoenvironmental changes that occurred during the last mass extinction, about 66 million years ago. […] Read More
STEM Shoutout: Dr. Catherine R. Rhodes
New UNM assistant professor studies how contemporary Yucatec Maya speakers are using their language to study linguistics UNM Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Dr. Catherine R. Rhodes, is studying the relationships between language and processes of social identification, working specifically with Yucatec Maya speakers in Mexico. “In Mexico, the Yucatec Maya […] Read More