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Join us at the Faculty Lightning Lounges 9/23, 10/28 and 11/11
Come hear colleagues give short talks about their research, creative works, teaching or outreach. Time is available for questions during and after the event, and you’ll be able to meet new people, network and learn.
The September lineup includes Sara Curran Ice, an assistant professor of costume design whose talk is Exploring India’s Textiles; Fred Gibbs, an associate professor of history whose talk is Expertise, Trust, and AI in Historical Perspective; Diana Dragomir, an associate professor of physics and astronomy whose talk is Patient Planet Hunting: Finding the Worlds That Take their Time; and Fernando Moreu, a professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering whose talk is Advancing Human-Machine Interfaces for Workforce Health and Prosperity.
There are two other Lightning Lounge events this semester, so mark your calendar for Oct. 28 and Nov. 11, also from 3:30 to 4:30 in the Stamm Commons. No need to register.
Congrats to recently promoted faculty!
We’re excited to see how many colleagues received tenure and promotion and who were promoted to full professor over the summer. We are acutely aware of the effort and commitment it takes to reach these career milestones, and we value and commend your contributions!
Using AI in your teaching or research? Send us your story
This semester, we’re collecting stories of how UNM faculty are using AI in teaching and research. We want to share a variety of uses across all disciplines as a way to explore and consider the application of artificial intelligence in academia. We’ll publish the stories on our AI at UNM information page.
Use this short form to share your information and we’ll be in touch.
Melanie Moses to give keynote at UNM AI launch event
UNM faculty, students and staff will have a chance to give input on the policies and procedures regarding AI on campus during the Sept. 3. UNM AI launch event.
The all-day event includes a variety of discussions and informational sessions on the current and future use of AI and related tools at UNM.
Distinguished Professor of Computer Science Melanie Moses will be the keynote speaker. Her talk is “Can We Build Trustworthy AI at Scale?”
Learn more on the UNM News website.
Rebecca Sánchez named senior vice provost
Rebecca Sánchez, a professor of elementary education who has served in a variety of leadership positions during her 20 years on campus, has been selected as the senior vice provost.
“Dr. Sánchez brings significant experience, sound judgment and a deep understanding of UNM to this role, along with a clear vision for supporting our faculty and advancing the University’s academic mission,” UNM Provost Barbara Rodríguez said. “Over the past year, I have seen firsthand the thoughtful and principled way she approaches complex issues, always with care for the people involved and the institution we serve. I look forward to working with Dr. Sánchez and our Academic Affairs leadership team as we strengthen the environment in which our faculty can succeed and advance strategic priorities across the University.”
Among other positions, Sánchez has served as senior vice provost in the past. She will start this post, which includes responsibility for academic personnel and faculty affairs, on Sept. 1. Read more on the UNM News website.
Submit your proposal for Research and Discovery Week by Sept. 15
Now’s your chance to get involved with this year’s Research and Discovery Week, Nov. 3 – 6. Calls for proposals are being accepted through Sept. 15. Find out more.
You can also read more about what’s planned for the week including why you should include some of the week’s activities in your syllabus!
2026 distinguished professors announced
Eight UNM faculty members have earned the title of distinguished professor, including Bob Berrens of economics and Melanie Moses of computer science and biology. Congrats to all!
Myrriah Gomez named as SHRI director
Myrriah Gómez has been named as the director of the Southwest Hispanic Research Institute after serving as interim director since last fall.
Gómez, an associate professor in the Honors College at UNM, is already planning SHRI’s first Research Fiesta for the fall semester.
“I am excited for SHRI to host our inaugural Research Fiesta this fall. SHRI researchers will be able to share their work with the UNM community and our community partners,” she said.
“This will be an open invitation for community organizations and individuals looking to partner with UNM faculty on projects to meet some of our incredible faculty.”
Lauren McQuisition receives Graham Grant for architecture history project
An assistant professor of architecture in UNM’s School of Architecture and Planning will work on a collaborative architecture history project as part of a competitive Graham Grant.
Lauren McQuistion and two colleagues have already started on an anthology of architecture information published between 1978 and 1983 in the influential monthly tabloid magazine Skyline. The magazine was considered groundbreaking in several senses, including for its mostly women editorial leadership and its variety of writing.
“One of the most striking things is how quickly Skyline’s contents move between criticism, gossip, interviews, announcements, and serious debate in ways that blur distinctions between scholarship, journalism, and professional culture,” McQuistion said. Learn more about the project in our latest UNM Faculty Fanfare.
Heng Zuo will explore ultrafast lasers in engineering with NSF CAREER Award
UNM Assistant Professor of mechanical engineering Heng Zuo is exploring how ultrafast lasers can be used for more precise engineering of polymer-derived ceramics and ceramic composite materials for applications in aerospace, energy, biomedical and semiconductor technologies using an NSF CAREER Award she has received. Learn more about her work in our latest UNM Faculty Fanfare.
Maryam Hojati receives NSF CAREER Award for fire-resistant materials research
A UNM engineering professor has received the prestigious NSF CAREER Award to support her work developing fire-resistant materials for use in areas prone to wildfires such as New Mexico.
Maryam Hojati, an assistant professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, said she is honored by the opportunity.
“It is especially meaningful to receive this recognition at this stage of my career, as I prepare for promotion to associate professor,” she said. “The award affirms the importance of my research direction and motivates me to continue advancing both the scientific and broader societal impact of my work.”
Read more about her work in our latest Faculty Fanfare.
14 faculty celebrated for completing online course improvement initiative
Faculty from across campus are being honored for completing an initiative aimed at enhancing online courses. As part of the program through the Center for Teaching and Learning, faculty who took part in the Foundational Course Design Review received instructional design guidance and course feedback. Find out who was involved and read more on the UNM News website.
Barbara Rodríguez chosen as UNM Provost
UNM’s interim provost will assume the job permanently on June 1. President Garnett Stokes announced today that she has chosen Barbara Rodríguez to continue her work as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Read more on the UNM News website.
New research examines support systems for faculty with disabilities
A new article by UNM English Associate Professor of English Marissa Greenberg and Rutgers Anthropology Professor Siobhán Cully examines institutional support systems for faculty with disabilities.
Among other things, the article explores the underrepresentation of faculty with disabilities, the barriers to meaningful support and suggestions for academia. Learn more about the research on the UNM News website.
Anthropology Professor Melissa Emery Thompson moving to Duke
After 18 years at UNM, AVPR Melissa Emery Thompson has been named chair of the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University. Emery Thompson has served in a variety of leadership positions at UNM including AVPR and on the leadership team of ADVANCE at UNM. Her work focuses on wild chimpanzee health. Learn more on the UNM News website.
Hear what’s happening with UNM research in new podcast episode
The latest episode of the UNM podcast It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science features Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher speaking about the university’s research portfolio, the role of her office, and the work to make New Mexico an innovator in areas like quantum science.
Join the April Faculty Lightning Lounge to hear about trust in AI, stressed out kidneys, expanding undergrad research and a New Mexican folklorist
The speaker lineup is here for the April 22 UNM Faculty Lightning Lounge, from 3:30-4:30 p.m in Zimmerman Library Waters Room. This is the last one of the spring semester, so we hope you’ll join us! This month’s speakers are Lydia Tapia, a professor of computer science whose talk is “In AI We Trust. Should We?;” Jake Greenberg, a lecturer III in University College whose talk is “Expanding Early Undergraduate Research at UNM;” Anna Nogar, a professor of Spanish and Portuguese whose talk is “US Latinx Digital Humanities: Aurora Lucero White-Lea’s Interactive Biographical Timeline;” and Fabiano Amorim, an associate professor of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences whose talk is “Heat Stress: The Kidney in a Vulnerable State.”
The Lightning Lounge is hosted by ADVANCE at UNM, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Vice President for Research. If you are interested in presenting your research at a fall lounge or want to recommend someone, email AVP for Faculty Affairs Christopher Lyons (clyons@unm.edu) or advance@unm.edu.
No need to register. Bring a friend!
22 faculty win Teaching Excellence Awards
The list of Teaching Excellence Awards presented by the Center for Teaching and Learning is out! See who you know on the list over on the UNM News website.
Faculty and staff to consider ethical AI at UNM
A new committee appointed by Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodríguez will guide the university on ethical and strategic uses of artificial intelligence on campus. Chosen faculty are from computer science, law and education, among other disciplines. Staff appointees represent UNM units including the Center for Teaching and Learning, Information Technologies and Library Sciences. Read more on the UNM News website.
Hernández-Durán named as regents’ professor
Ray Hernández-Durán, a UNM art history professor, was recently named as a regents’ professor for his teaching, research and community impact over the past 22 years. Read more on the UNM News website.
Join the February Faculty Lightning Lounge speakers on Zoom
Four UNM branch campus faculty are set to speak Feb. 18 from 3:30 – 4:30 as part of the first UNM Faculty Lightning Lounge of the semester.
Participants are: Tammi Duncan-Teller, an assistant professor of Biology at UNM-Valencia, whose talk is “Integrating Research into Microbiology Labs;” Virginia Grant, an assistant professor of English at UNM-Los Alamos, whose talk is “Landscapes, Trees, and Senses of Place in 20th-Century American Poetry;” Josh Wright, Faculty and Chair of Health Sciences at UNM-Taos, whose talk is “Worth a Thousand Words;” and Christopher Dyer, a professor of Anthropology at UNM-Gallup, whose talk is “Application of Community Action Response Team Training as a Community Mitigation Tool Against Global Disaster Compression.”
Meeting ID: 913 9166 0227
Passcode: LL2026
Major art collector acquires work by UNM professor
A sculpture created by UNM assistant professor of interdisciplinary art Stephanie Woods has been acquired by the Perry Art Collection. Woods completed the sculpture last summer during a prestigious art residency. Learn more about the work on the UNM News website.
Listening session for provost search is Feb. 12
Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in a public forum Feb. 12 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. to let the search firm and search committee know what they would like to see in UNM’s next provost. The forum takes place online and in person. Community members can also submit written comments.
New LoboLift offers free evening rides on main campus to faculty, students and staff
UNM Parking and Transportation Services has a new on-demand ride service for anyone on campus in the evening hours. Call 505-706-3430 for dispatch. Learn more.
Nine UNM faculty recognized for completing Foundational Course Design Review
UNM Online is recognizing nine online instructors who participated in fall 2025 Foundational Course Design Review. The review is “collaborative initiative to enhance the online learning experience for students. With support from the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL), instructors received personalized instructional design guidance and valuable feedback through an external review process. This initiative is grounded in UNM’s Online Learning Excellence Framework, a set of best practices focused on enhancing online teaching and student engagement. Their efforts reflect a deep investment in student success and a passion for continuous improvement in teaching.” Learn more about who went through the process and how you can too on the UNM News website.