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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.
Twelve UNM faculty receive Ovation Awards for high-impact work
A dozen UNM faculty from across campus have been named as the 2025 recipients of the Ovation Awards. The honor recognizes full-time UNM faculty at any career stage for “recent accomplishments with unusually high impact, addressing local or global challenges and/or elevating the scholar’s and UNM’s reputation on a national/international stage. These may include a significant innovation, discovery, exhibit, or scholarly/creative work, or the establishment of a research resource or program. The award recognizes singular accomplishments rather than career achievement,” according to the Office of the Vice President for Research. Learn more about who won.
Faculty to talk about mirror DNA, local news, community engaged descriptions, and photography at Nov. 19 Lightning Lounge
The last UNM Faculty Lightning Lounge of the semester takes place Nov. 19. Join colleagues from 3:30-4:30 in the Honors College Forum to hear short talks about innovative research and scholarship.
The speakers include Matthew Lakin, an assistant professor of computer science whose talk is Through the Looking Glass: Mirror DNA for Biomedicine; Sara Abbaspour, an assistant professor of photography whose talk is floating ocean; Gwyneth Doland, a professor of practice in journalism whose talk is Mapping the Local News Ecosystems of New Mexico; and Suzanne Schadl, a professor in the College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences, whose talk is Archives, Metahistory, and Community Engaged Description.
No registration is required. Time will be available for questions. Come meet new people, network and learn! 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 spring lounge or want to recommend someone, email AVP for Faculty Affairs Christopher Lyons (clyons@unm.edu) or advance@unm.edu.
Myrriah Gómez to lead SHRI as interim director
UNM Associate Professor Myrriah Gómez has been named as interim director of the Southwest Hispanic Research Institute at UNM. Gómez, who teaches in the Honors College, is a longtime member of SHRI and replaces former director Irene Vásquez, who will continue to lead the Department of Chicana & Chicano Studies. Gómez’s research interests include Chicanx and Indigenous literature; New Mexico critical regional studies; and nuclear cultural studies. In 2022, she published Nuclear Nuevo México: Colonialism and the Effects of the Nuclear Industrial Complex on Nuevomexicanos, which won several prestigious awards. She also is the faculty coordinator for UNM’s Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program and leads the Conexiones-Spain study abroad program in Cáceres, Spain.
Engineering professor will study quantum systems with DOE award
A UNM assistant professor will study technology that controls quantum systems as part of a new Early Career Award from the U.S. Department of Energy. Milad Marvian, who works with the Center for Quantum Information and Control (CQuIC) and teaches in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will explore the role of randomized protocols in the efficiency of information processing in quantum systems. Learn more on the UNM News site.
VPR Ellen Fisher honored with materials chemistry award
UNM Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher in September received the John A. Thorton Memorial Award from the scientific society AVS: Science and Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing for her work in materials chemistry. The award recognizes outstanding research or technological innovation in the areas of interest to AVS, with emphasis on the fields of thin films, plasma processing, and related topics, according to the AVS website. Fisher received the award for her “contributions to the advancement and understanding of plasma chemistries and plasma-surface interactions in thin film deposition and surface modification.” Read more on the UNM News site.
Faculty now have access to a DIY video recording studio on campus
Fancy yourself as a famous content creator? Or maybe you just need a quiet and professional place to make a video for class. Either way, UNM’s academic and content creators now have access to a studio with high quality video, audio and lighting equipment. The studio in Woodward 138 is open to faculty, staff and students. It has a teleprompter, Open Broadcast Software and more. You must complete a training video and quiz before making a reservation, which can be for between one and four hours. Use this link to learn more.
ADVANCE director retiring in 2026; search underway for new leader
ADVANCE at UNM Director Julia Fulghum has announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2026.
Fulghum, a chemistry professor, has spent 37 years as a faculty member. Her 24 years at UNM includes 23 years in various leadership positions including as chair of the former Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department in the School of Engineering, vice president for research, and associate dean for faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences.
“Founding and leading ADVANCE – now in its 10th year – has been some of the most deeply satisfying, most fun, and hardest work I’ve done in my faculty career,” Fulghum said.
After so many years in academia, Fulghum is looking forward to doing more of the activities she enjoys, including hiking, photography, and traveling with her husband, UNM chemistry professor Steve Cabaniss. He also will be retiring at the same time.
A UNM search committee is conducting an internal search for a new director, and Fulghum said the work of ADVANCE to support all faculty will continue.
“Together with collaborators across campus, we work to support faculty in having enjoyable and productive careers. Our efforts are developed based on campus data and experiences, and we pivot as events indicate different types of support are needed. I look forward to supporting the next director and the leadership team in continuing this ever-evolving work.”
Fulghum said she’ll be spending some of her post-retirement time in a part-time role supporting ADVANCE.
“I’m honored to have had this opportunity. Together, we’ve built something significant,” she said. “The substantive collaborations, friendships, and shared joys and sorrows have helped us all to continue moving forward.”
Faculty in economics, law, nuclear engineering and honors to speak at Lightning Lounge Oct. 15
Join colleagues at another round of UNM Faculty Lightning Lounge events on Oct. 15. If you haven’t attended before, please join! Faculty colleagues give short talks about their research and scholarship, and time is available for questions during and after the event. No registration required. Come meet new people, network and learn!
The October speakers are: Yuting Yang, an assistant professor of economics whose talk is The Economics of Energy Transition; Allison Freedman, an associate professor of law whose talk is Eviction Sealing: A Lifeline in the Fight for Housing Justice; Tomasz Falkowski, an assistant professor in the Honors College whose talk is Growing Food and Forests: Maintaining Milpa for Food Sovereignty and Ecological Restoration; and Minghui Chen, an associate professor of nuclear engineering whose talk is The Harmony of Atomics and AI.
Please note that there is a new location and time for the Lightning Lounges this semester. They are on Wednesdays and take place from 3:30 – 4:30 in the Honors College Forum.
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.
Engineering faculty named as Regents’ and Dean’s Excellence Professors and Lecturers
UNM School of Engineering faculty have been named to coveted titles including Regents’ Professor and Lecturer, and the Dean’s Excellence Professorship and Lectureship for the next three years. They are Meeko Oishi, Nathan Jackson, Rafiqul Tarefder, Abdullah Mueen, Adam Hecht, Fernando Moreu, Leah Buechley, Ali Bidram and Osman Anderoglu. Find out more about who received which of these important recognitions and why in this UNM News story.
Faculty connecting with graduate students through mentoring program
The UNM Graduate Community Mentoring program is connecting faculty with grad students through a series of story-based conversations this semester. The program, which aims to support mentoring relationships across campus, kicks off Sept. 26. Learn more on the UNM news site.
New research tutorial available for UNM faculty
Associate UNM Professor Todd Quinn has created a Zotero tutorial for faculty and student research. The tutorial covers how to use the reference management software as part of a research workflow, according to a UNM News story.
UNM faculty in linguistics, psychology and music kick off fall Lightning Lounge events Sept. 10
We’re excited for another round of UNM Faculty Lightning Lounge events this fall. We want to see you, and we already have some great speakers lined up. The dates are Sept. 10, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19.
The September event features three of the four winners of the 2025 Research and Creative Works Leadership Award; James F. Cavanagh of Psychology, whose talk is What’s Dopamine Got to do With it?; Melvatha Chee of Linguistics, whose talk is Eleven Hours Per Minute: Developing Indigenous Child Language Research; and Peter Gilbert of Music, whose talk is If it Never Ends, Does it Mean Anything?
Please note that we have a new location and time for the Lightning Lounges this semester. They will still be on Wednesdays, but will take place from 3:30 – 4:30 in the Honors College Forum.
If you haven’t attended before, please join! Faculty colleagues give short talks about their research and scholarship, and time is available for questions during and after the event. No registration required. Come meet new people, network and learn! 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 future lounge or want to recommend someone, email AVP for Faculty Affairs Christopher Lyons or advance at unm dot edu.