School of Medicine - UNM UCAM Newsroom

GO Bond 3 would invest in New Mexico’s future through higher education

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:14:00 GMT

General Obligation Bonds, or GO Bonds, come before New Mexico voters every two years and provide an important source of funding for capital improvements at higher education institutions across the state. The bonds help colleges and universities modernize facilities, expand educational opportunities and provide students with the resources they need to succeed.

This November, New Mexico voters will have an opportunity to consider GO Bond 3 for Higher Education, which could provide more than $351 million for higher education projects statewide, including $126.1 million for The University of New Mexico and its branch campuses. There are no tax increases associated with the bonds.

The proposed investment would support projects designed to strengthen student success, expand workforce training and ensure New Mexico's colleges and universities have modern facilities to educate the next generation of the state's workforce.

UNM's largest proposed project is a new $116 million School of Medicine education and research facility. The state-of-the-art facility would replace Fitz Hall, which has served the School of Medicine for more than five decades and no longer adequately supports modern medical education, research, technology and enrollment growth. The new facility could provide expanded classrooms, simulation and active-learning environments, research laboratories and collaborative spaces. It could also provide UNM the infrastructure needed to increase medical school capacity from approximately 103 to as many as 200 students per year, helping strengthen New Mexico's pipeline of physicians and other healthcare professionals.

UNM's four branch campuses could also benefit from the passage of GO Bond 3, which would provide critical investments at each campus helping students access modern learning environments and support services closer to home. Projects include a $3 million renovation of the north wing of Calvin Hall at UNM-Gallup, a $3 million Student Services and Success Center at UNM-Los Alamos, a $2.5 million renovation of Pueblo Hall at UNM-Taos and $1 million to transform an existing facility into an instructional center for Automotive Technology and Welding programs at UNM-Valencia.

At UNM-Gallup, the Calvin Hall renovation would modernize classrooms, laboratories, technology and collaborative learning environments, strengthening educational pathways in science, health care and related fields while supporting workforce needs in northwestern New Mexico. At UNM-Los Alamos, the Student Services and Success Center would centralize advising, academic support, career development and other student-facing services in a modernized facility.

Additionally, GO Bond approval would provide $600,000 could go to UNM to help provide needed funding for the New Mexico Reforestation Center, a collaborative statewide initiative focused on supporting forest restoration efforts in areas ravaged by wildfire throughout New Mexico and the Southwest. Located in Mora County ion northern New Mexico, the NMRC is a collaborative project founded by New Mexico State University, New Mexico Highlands University, The University of New Mexico, and the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forestry Division. In 2026, the NMRC broke ground on its first dedicated nursery facilities and expects to deliver one million seedlings for reforestation in the fall of 2028. In subsequent years, the Center will scale production to five million seedlings annually.

Beyond the direct benefits to students and campuses, GO Bond 3 would have a significant economic impact across New Mexico. Passage of the bond is expected to support approximately 3,500 jobs in architecture, engineering, construction, education and related industries while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity across 25 cities in 22 counties. Local businesses, contractors and communities throughout the state would benefit as projects move forward.

Continued investment in higher education also helps New Mexico compete for new businesses and industries seeking a highly skilled workforce. Modern classrooms, laboratories, research facilities and student support spaces can help attract and retain talented students and faculty, strengthen research and innovation, and prepare graduates for careers in health care, science, technology, skilled trades and other high-demand fields.

For students across New Mexico, these investments represent more than improvements to buildings. They provide the infrastructure needed to learn, conduct research, develop career-ready skills and prepare for the state's workforce needs.

New Mexico voters have consistently supported higher education GO Bonds, approving them in every election since 2012, including 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024. This year's proposal continues that tradition of investing in higher education, workforce development and economic growth without increasing taxes.

The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early in-person absentee voting begins Oct. 6, with expanded early voting running Oct. 17-31.

For complete information about the proposed UNM projects, visit UNM's 2026 General Obligation Bonds website.

]]>

UNM honors six with Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards

Kim Delker — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Six researchers from a wide range of disciplines at The University of New Mexico are the 2026 recipients of the Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards, announced by the Office of Academic Affairs.

This year’s recipients are innovators in their fields, which include medieval history, anthropology, smart infrastructure, exoplanets, vascular science and resuscitation.

The Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards honor recently promoted faculty who have accomplished outstanding research or creative works in their respective career stage.

The recipients, along with the 2026 distinguished professor honorees, will be recognized at a ceremony later this month at University House.

The 2026 Research and Creative Works Leadership Award recipients are:

Ross Clark

Ross Clark, M.D., associate professor, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine
Dr. Clark has developed a successful National Institutes of Health-funded research program focused on vascular science, particularly using hydrogen sulfide to improve diabetic limb salvage and wound healing, supported by multiple Small Business Innovation Research Program grants. His work includes industry collaborations and patent submissions with ongoing efforts to expand into mechanistic studies supported by a KL2 Career Development Award. He has also launched a new research direction investigating microplastics in vascular disease, generating widely recognized preliminary data and leading a large R01 proposal as well as participation in a multi-institutional P01 proposal. Dr. Clark’s work has national visibility and serves as departmental vice chair for research, where he oversees research infrastructure, organizes departmental initiatives and leads faculty development programs to grow the institution’s research capacity.

Sarah Davis-Secord

Sarah Davis-Secord, professor, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences
Davis-Secord is a historian who specializes in intercultural and interreligious relations in the medieval Mediterranean. In recent years, she has built on her award-winning pre-tenure book with an extensive record of scholarship, including a well-received monograph on migration in the Middle Ages; a collaborative teaching volume on global medieval contexts; and edited books and articles in top-tier journals. Her work is often cited for its relevance for understanding intergroup relations today, as well as its theoretical and methodological rigor. Davis-Secord is regarded as an international leader in her field, and her work has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University.

Diana Dragomi

Diana Dragomir, associate professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences
Dragomir studies the origin and evolution of exoplanets, or planets around other stars, with a particular interest in exoplanets that orbit far from their stars. She studies the composition and orbital properties of these exoplanets as well as the architecture of planetary systems. In her words, “Ultimately, I seek to answer the question of whether our solar system is common or rare, bringing us a little closer to understanding our place in the universe.” She is considered an international leader in the fledging but burgeoning field of exoplanet exploration. She has over 93 publications, including articles in Nature and Nature Astronomy. Dragomir has also received substantial research funding and numerous awards, including a 2025 NSF CAREER Award, the NASA Silver Achievement Medal, and the UNM Office of the Vice President for Research Ovation Award for Research and Scholarship.

Fernando Moreu

Fernando Moreu, professor, Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering
Moreu’s scholarship focuses on smart infrastructure and uses sensors and wireless communications to assess the health of large structures. Since his promotion to associate professor in 2022, Moreu has published over 35 journal articles and has received four patents and three provisional patents. His work has received over $9 million in external funding is regarded by those in the field as being important to the future direction of engineering. Moreu has received numerous honors for his research leadership, including a Fulbright-Hays Award, an Eminent Engineer award from Tau Beta Pi, and a recent induction as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Tatsuya Norii

Tatsuya Norii, M.D., FACEP, professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine
Dr. Norii is widely recognized as an international expert in resuscitation and airway management research. He has made key contributions to global resuscitation guidelines through the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and the American Heart Association. Dr. Norii has contributed to major institutional initiatives such as the UNM Health Sciences Clinical and Translational Science Center and the SW CACTI grant. He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications, 35 systematic reviews and multiple book chapters, along with leadership of national registries in Japan. His work spans disciplines and has an influence on clinical practice and in acute-care research around the world.

Ian Wallace

Ian Wallace, associate professor, Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences
Wallace is an evolutionary anthropologist who studies human morphology and the body’s response to physical activity. His particular focus is at the intersection of anthropology and medicine — degenerative diseases that, in his words, “appear to stem from deleterious interactions between our evolutionary heritage and modern environments.” His recent fieldwork centers on a geographically isolated indigenous people from Malaysia whose lifestyles have changed due to social, economic and environmental forces. Wallace’s research seeks to understand how and why lifestyle changes are occurring among this population and their consequences for health and risk of disease. His work is highly interdisciplinary, frequently cited, well-funded and published in journals such as Science and PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America). Wallace’s scholarship is regarded as inspirational, impressive and in the words of one reviewer, “truly transformational.”

]]>

Six UNM faculty promoted to distinguished professors

Kim Delker — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Each year, The University of New Mexico selects a handful of professors to be honored with the highest faculty title the University bestows — distinguished professor.

Announced jointly by the UNM Office of Academic Affairs in collaboration with the Health Sciences Center Office of Faculty Academic Affairs, the title of distinguished professor is reserved for academics who “have demonstrated outstanding achievements and are nationally and internationally renowned as scholars,” according to the UNM Faculty Handbook.

This year, six academics from across disciplines — ranging from DNA repair to economics — have been chosen for this honor.

The 2026 distinguished professors are Robert Berrens, Melanie Moses, Michelle Ozbun, Tassy Parker, Alan Tomkinson and Mark Unruh.

Information about each honoree’s scholarship and accomplishments is listed below:

Robert Berrens

Robert Berrens, a professor of economics in the College of Arts and Sciences, specializes in environmental and resource economics, which includes the areas of water resources, wildfire, public lands management, valuation of environmental goods and amenities, and endangered species. A significant amount of his research is in the field of non-market valuation, and he was an early pioneer in applying non-market valuation techniques to estimate the values of environmental goods and services. His work in this area — at the beginning of the internet age when non-market valuation surveys were being moved online — set the foundation for how economists viewed the credibility and reliability of online economic valuation surveys. In a series of papers on this topic, published in leading economics and political science journals, including in the highly regarded American Economic Review, Berrens showed under what conditions non-market valuation surveys could be used to obtain credible results and how researchers could minimize hypothetical bias in such surveys. To this day, economists cite the works of Berrens as being foundational for conducting non-market valuation research.

Melanie Moses

Melanie Moses, a professor in the Department of Computer Science in the School of Engineering, established an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary program that has pioneered research in biologically inspired computation, swarm robotics, computational immunology and trustworthy AI. This research has advanced understanding of how decentralized systems in computation and biology adapt to the environment and scale to large sizes. Moses’s research has shaped both theoretical foundations and practical applications of distributed computational and biological systems. As principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on over $20 million in research funding from National Science Foundation, NASA, DARPA, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, and industry partners, she has built sustained research capacity for UNM and the state of New Mexico. In addition, Moses has been a leader in the development of inclusive education programs, including NASA Swarmathon, which has engaged more than 1,500 students from minority-serving institutions in a national robotics competition; and New Mexico CS for All, which has trained dozens of teachers who have taught thousands of high school students, most from underrepresented groups, through a dual-credit computer science course that was the first computer science course to count toward New Mexico’s natural science course requirement.

Michelle Ozbun

Michelle Ozbun, the Maralyn S. Budke Endowed Professor of Viral Oncology and professor of molecular genetics and microbiology in the School of Medicine, is an expert and leader in the fundamental research on oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which contribute to nearly 5% of global cancers. Ozbun is internationally recognized as a molecular virologist and cancer biologist with a translational program that spans from basic science research to efforts aimed at HPV infection prevention and improving clinical outcomes. She has had NIH-funded research since 2000 and also has received substantial funding from industry and foundations. Her current studies involve early HPV infection events and the regulation of HPV gene expression. Ozbun utilizes monolayer cell culture, organotypic three-dimensional epithelial (“raft”) tissue cultures, as well as animal models, for the study of anogenital and oral infections and their neoplastic conversion.

Tassy Parker

Tassy Parker, a professor in Family and Community Medicine and the colleges of Nursing and Population Health, has made transformative contributions to Indigenous health, equity and education at local, national and international levels. A proud Seneca Nation citizen born and raised on the Cattaraugus Territory of New York, Parker has spent more than two decades transforming the landscape of Indigenous health by building bridges among science, culture, education, policy and community leadership. A medical sociologist, registered nurse, executive director of the UNM Center for Native American Health, and associate vice president for American Indian Health Research and Education, her work spans mental health, substance use recovery, chronic disease prevention, trauma, obesity, and Indigenous research governance, always grounded in the belief that Native communities hold the knowledge, strength and authority to shape their own health futures. Through more than $10.7 million in external funding, dozens of peer-reviewed publications, and leadership roles across Tribal, urban Indian, national, and global Indigenous health networks, she has helped build the infrastructure for a new generation of Indigenous scholars, health professionals, leaders and traditional knowledge keepers.

Alan Tomkinson

Alan Tomkinson, a professor in cellular and molecular biology in the Department of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine, has led groundbreaking research in DNA repair and genome stability, significantly advancing cancer biology and treatment. For more than 30 years, he has maintained continuous funding through the National Institutes of Health on DNA ligases I, III, and IV. His translational research has resulted in the development of DNA ligase inhibitors with therapeutic potential and the discovery of new cancer biomarkers. In addition to his extensive contributions in scholarship, he has played a key role in institutional leadership, directing graduate programs, mentoring students and guiding the UNM Cancer Center to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive status and renewal. Tomkinson’s management of the pilot grant program has generated over $20 million in NIH funding.

Mark Unruh

Mark Unruh, a professor and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, specializes in nephrology and has conducted groundbreaking research that has advanced both science and patient care. Over the past two decades, he has built an extensive publication record on kidney disease. Unruh’s research is especially known for pioneering the study of patient centered outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) – including the measurement of health-related quality-of-life in dialysis patients and the management of symptoms like sleep disorders and fatigue in end-stage renal disease. These contributions have been published in top-tier journals such as the Journal and of the American Medical Association, Internal Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, and has influenced clinical practice guidelines and national research priorities. Unruh has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on more than $100 million in NIH, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), Veterans Affairs, and foundation-funded studies, including leadership roles in landmark trials such as HEMO, Frequent Hemodialysis Network Trial, and PCORI-funded interventions to improve depression treatment in dialysis patients. He also played a central role in founding the Kidney Institute of New Mexico, securing a $6 million philanthropic gift.

Additional information about the distinguished professor process, criteria and a list of past recipients can be found on the Office of the Provost website.

]]>

Inspiring Grad: Danielle Cummings, UNM School of Medicine

Chris Ramirez | Photos and Video by Jeff Sargent — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Danielle Cummings, who will graduate from The University of New Mexico School of Medicine in May 2026, hasn’t just defied the odds—she has rewritten what people thought those odds were in the first place.

When doctors told her she probably wouldn’t run again, she didn’t accept that as the final word. Today, she is competing internationally in paratriathlon, with her sights set on the Paralympic stage.

And when she was warned that a needed surgery might prevent her from finishing medical school, she faced that challenge head-on too.

Even through a major medical setback, Cummings refused to let it define the boundaries of her future. She had a clear vision for the life she wanted, one that most people wouldn’t dare.

“I know what I need in order to live the life I want,” Cummings said. “There will always be people telling you what you can and can’t do. For me, I realized I’m the only one who gets to decide that.”

The Injury

In 2017, Cummings suffered a devastating fall while at a rock-climbing gym. Without being properly clipped in, she pushed off the top of the wall, only to freefall 25 feet all the way down to the ground, hitting it with great force. In the emergency room afterward, she learned she had shattered her talus, which is the ankle bone that plays a critical role in mobility and weight bearing.

“The doctors told me, ‘With this injury, we see people time and time again lose all their mobility, the bone will likely die, and you’re going to live with horrendous pain.’”

For years, that prediction became her reality.

“Danielle’s resilience is an inspiration to all of us. Her determination—through injury, multiple surgeries, elite athletic training, and the demands of medical school—demonstrates not only her strength, but her unwavering commitment to excellence. I have no doubt these experiences have shaped her into a deeply compassionate and empathetic physician. Congratulations, Danielle.”

— Patricia Finn, MD, Dean, UNM School of Medicine

Determined to preserve her natural limb, Cummings pushed forward through horrendous pain and multiple limb salvage surgeries all while juggling finishing her undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona.

Fast forward six years, and she was in her first year of medical school at UNM, still living with what she described as excruciating pain. There were days she couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and couldn’t concentrate. The activities she loved most—running, cycling, swimming, even simple time with friends—felt impossible.

After extensive research and working closely with an orthopedic specialist who truly listened to her experience and goals, she made a deeply personal decision: amputation.

But not everyone understood that choice.

“I had a lot of resistance early on. Many people told me I would fail out of medical school, that I would never get married, that I was ruining my life. But I knew I was the only one who could determine what I was capable of.”

The Turning Point

Two months after amputation, Cummings was cleared to be active again and she got back in the pool eager to have a safe space to push her body without damaging her limb. Her pain was finally gone. At six months after of her amputation, Cummings was cleared to start running again and received her first running leg. She also got back on the bike.

A friend noticed her swim and bike times were exceptional and encouraged her to submit her time trial times to USA Triathlon. To her surprise, her results caught attention immediately, and she was invited into the competitive paratriathlon circuit.

From there, she began balancing two demanding worlds: elite sport and medical school.

“I did not have 20-25 hours a week that the athletes I was competing against were training. I had to learn how to maximize the time I had to train and to be fully present on either working out or studying.

In her first international race, near the end of her third year of medical school, she competed against athletes from across North and South America. She finished second, then went on to earn silver medals again in her next race, and again at the World Championships.

Looking Ahead

When Cummings walks across the graduation stage this year, she will do so ranked seventh in the world in paratriathlon. And she is already setting her sights on the 2028 Summer Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

The path forward won’t be easy. Training at an elite level while beginning a medical residency will bring familiar challenges.

Cummings matched into an Emergency Medicine residency at UNM. Programs like this are known for demanding schedules, often requiring 50–70 hours per week with rotating shifts, nights, and weekends.

But Cummings is going into her residency feeling confident. As she has already proven to herself and to the world, she is the only one charting her own course.

More Than Athletics and Medicine

Along the way, Cummings has also become an advocate for others living with limb loss. She has shared her story with lawmakers and members of Congress, pushing for a simple but powerful idea: the ability to move is not a luxury but a human right.

Her advocacy has helped support efforts to ensure insurance companies treat prosthetic devices as essential medical care on par with other medical devices that restore health and function.

This Inspiring Graduate’s story is still unfolding. But for those who have watched Danielle Cummings journey so far, one thing is already clear: she is not waiting for permission to define what is possible.

“Danielle’s resilience is an inspiration to all of us ,” said UNM School of Medicine Dean Patricia Finn, MD. “Her determination—through injury, multiple surgeries, elite athletic training, and the demands of medical school—demonstrates not only her strength, but her unwavering commitment to excellence. I have no doubt these experiences have shaped her into a deeply compassionate and empathetic physician. Congratulations, Danielle.”

]]>

Diverse paths, shared success: UNM's 2026 Inspiring Graduates

Sat, 16 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Each year in the days leading up to Spring and Fall commencement, the University Communication and Marketing team honors graduating Lobos whose stories reflect the many paths that lead to success at The University of New Mexico. It has become a meaningful tradition celebrating the leadership, resilience, determination, and individuality that define the Lobo experience.

For the campus community, commencement is more than a ceremony — it is a celebration of journeys shaped by different experiences, backgrounds, and ambitions. As graduates cross the stage to receive their diplomas, they represent the many schools, colleges, programs, and communities that make up the fabric of UNM. Though their paths may differ, they are united by a shared commitment to learning, growth, and making an impact beyond the University.

The Class of 2026 reflects the spirit of UNM: diverse paths, shared success. These graduates are researchers, artists, educators, advocates, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and future leaders whose stories demonstrate the strength found in community and the power of perseverance.

While it is impossible to feature every graduate, we hope these stories offer a glimpse into the diversity, spirit, and achievements of the Class of 2026.

Congratulations, Lobos — you’ve earned this moment.

Danielle Cummings | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology
By Chris Ramirez | Photos and Video by Jeff Sargent

Danielle Cummings, who will graduate from The University of New Mexico School of Medicine in May 2026, hasn’t just defied the odds—she has rewritten what people thought those odds were in the first place.

When doctors told her she probably wouldn’t run again, she didn’t accept that as the final word. Today, she is competing internationally in paratriathlon, with her sights set on the Paralympic stage.

And when she was warned that a needed surgery might prevent her from finishing medical school, she faced that challenge head-on too.

Read the full story...

Mutazz Jaber | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology
By Cameron Goeldner

Mutazz Jaber will become the ninth member of his family to graduate from The University of New Mexico this spring as he walks across the stage with a double major in political science and psychology.

Jaber, who lost his father during his freshman year, used his memory as motivation to get involved on campus.

“I didn’t have any strive to do anything, but entering my sophomore year I decided to get involved and actually make a difference,” Jaber said. “My father was an immigrant from Palestine and he and my mom built such an amazing life for me and my siblings and I thought how privileged of me to throw that all away because I’m grieving. I decided to not let his legacy be in vain.”

Read the full story...

Kingsley Nelson Jr. | Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
By Cameron Goeldner

Kingsley Nelson Jr.’s impact on The University of New Mexico will remain long after he graduates. Nelson, who is majoring in chemical engineering with a minor in economics, plans to complete a master’s degree at UNM in December via the shared credit program, which allows students to complete graduate credits during their undergraduate studies.

“I grew up around engineering my entire childhood,” Nelson said. “Choosing chemical was the struggle for me, I was fortunate to take part in an LPN nursing program while I was in high school and that’s where I got introduced to a lot of medical principals, anatomy and physiology. That’s where my love for medicine grew and I wanted something that combined the two.”

As a freshman, Nelson walked into African American Student Services and found a community.

Read the full story...

Emily Notsinneh | Bachelor of Arts Journalism and Mass Communication
By Anna Padilla

Emily Notsinneh is what she calls a parenting student. She received her associate's degree right out of high school from Central New Mexico College. Nine years later, she’s returning to school with the support of the family she built in that time.

“UNM was the right choice because of all the support they offer students, especially parenting students,” Notsinneh said.

As a first-generation, non-traditional student, Notsinneh felt out of place amongst students who were in a different stage of life that she was. “No one ever made me feel unwelcome or uncomfortable. It was something I had to get through for myself, for the sake of furthering my education,” Notsinneh said.

Read the full story...

Jasmine Hobbs | Doctor of Nursing
By Christina Rodriguez | Video By Martín Castaneda

Jasmine Hobbs, RN, grew up in Grants, N.M., spending time in the hospital with her grandfather and watching nurses show up with compassion and warmth for families on their hardest days. That memory stayed with her.

This spring, she will graduate from The University of New Mexico College of Nursing with her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, ready to return to her rural community as the kind of provider she always admired.

Hobbs is very close with her grandfather, who she described as a miracle man. He survived multiple heart attacks over the years.

Read the full story...

Rachel Swanteson-Franz | Juris Doctor
By Anna Padilla

As a child, Rachel Swanteson-Franz used to run and play on what is now UNM’s School of Law campus. She never thought she would end up right back at that school years later to complete her juris doctorate.

She attended the University of New Mexico for both her undergraduate and graduate studies, something she says ultimately changed the trajectory of her academic career.

“I initially wanted to major in dance, but in high school I fell in love with biology. At that point was when the impacts of climate change were becoming very apparent in New Mexico,” Swanteson-Franz said. “I was super lucky to know someone from the biology department, Dr. Ben Hanelt, who brought me on as a volunteer when I was 17 and that really solidified that UNM was where I wanted to go for undergrad."

Read the full story...

Macaiah Shendo | Master of Public Health
By Bryan Schroeder and Photos & Video by Allan Stone

Macaiah Shendo, a student in The University of New Mexico College of Population Health (COPH), is pioneering a new field of brain health care for Indigenous peoples in New Mexico. But if you ask him, he’s no trailblazer. He believes he’s simply doing what he was raised to do: help his community.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shendo, who is from the Pueblo of Jemez, saw his community struggling and knew he had to do something to help.

He switched his educational track from mechanical and aerospace engineering to psychology, eventually landing at the COPH. In a matter of days, he will graduate with a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in epidemiology—and he will be one step closer to becoming potentially the first-ever “Indigenous neuropsychological epidemiologist,” he said.

Read the full story...

Solomon Gbara | Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication
By Megan Borders and Video Dylan DeYapp

If you’ve spent any time in the McKinnon Center for Management on The University of New Mexico’s central campus, chances are you have crossed paths with Solomon Gbara. He is a constant presence in the second-floor open study area. It’s his favorite place to connect with his fellow students, study, and coordinate impactful meetings and events, all of which make him a cornerstone at the Anderson School of Management.

Gbara entered UNM knowing he wanted to get the most out of his education. He learned early on that it's not just what you know, it’s also who you know. So, he hit the ground running, knowing that an education from the Anderson School with a concentration in entrepreneurship would leverage his skills and future.

Read the full story...

Malia Dumlao | Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication
By Dani Rae Wascher and Video Justin Otsuka

Malia Dumlao’s college experience took an unexpected turn, leading her from the track & field all the way to the sidelines of an NFL stadium. She is living proof that nothing is out of reach — if you’re willing to try.

Growing up in Roswell, New Mexico, Dumlao came to The University of New Mexico on the Presidential Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards a student can earn.

“Being able to be one of those students, to represent the scholarship, is amazing,” Dumlao said. “I got to know my donors and seeing them every year at the Presidential Dinner is such a cool feeling. Being able to thank the people who helped support my education means so much.”

Read the full story...

Dava Manes | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
By Megan Borders

Dava Manes is living proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story for yourself, your family, and every future student who has ever wondered whether they waited too long to earn a college degree. Making her an inspiration to everyone she meets.

She has reframed education as a lifelong endeavor rather than a youthful requirement. She is the mother of two teenagers, a successful TikTok creator, an entrepreneur, and a lifelong learner.

At this spring’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, Manes will walk across the stage, highlighting years of hard work, perseverance, and navigating life’s challenges to earn her bachelor's degree in sociology. A dream she has had for more than 20 years, and at 40, she will achieve it.

Read the full story...

Taya Perales | Bachelor of Business Administration
By Dani Rae Wascher

“My perspective on UNM has definitely changed throughout my time here and has become more and more positive each year.”

While Taya Perales calls Albuquerque home, she has also found a new one at The University of New Mexico. Originally drawn to the university because of the Lottery Scholarship, her perspective quickly shifted once she set foot on campus.

t was during her sophomore year that her journey truly began to unfold. At the time, Perales was serving as an American Indian Student Services ambassador when one of her supervisors encouraged her to apply for student employment full-time positions. That’s when she discovered Anderson’s SEED — Student Engagement, Empowerment and Development.

Through her work with SEED, Perales helped organize events and guided students as they navigated scholarship and internship opportunities. Working primarily with seniors, she gained early insight into what was possible.

Read the full story...

Rebecca Merzke | Doctor of Pharmacy
By Tamara Lopez and Photos & Video by Allan Stone

“It was terrifying.”

Those are the words Rebecca Merzke used to describe going back to school.

“I was going from making a six-figure salary to selling my house and moving in with my in-laws,” said Merzke, a soon-to-be graduate of The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy.

She was chosen as this year’s “Inspiring Graduate” for the College, in recognition of Merzke’s years of dedication to her education.

She said she’s what society calls a “non-traditional student.”

Read the full story...

]]>

'U.S. News & World Report' announces 2026 graduate school rankings

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:27:00 GMT

U.S. News & World Report today released its 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings, showcasing a number of The University of New Mexico's graduate programs. UNM has several programs in the top 100 with Nursing Midwifery leading the pack at No. 7, up three spots from No. 10 last year.

UNM has long been a cornerstone of nurse-midwifery leadership and practice in New Mexico. UNM college of Nursing graduates make up more than one-third of the state’s practicing certified nurse-midwives.

“We are proud of the national reputation of our program. It reflects the dedication of our faculty, students and community-based preceptors,” said Abigail Reese, UNM College of Nursing Nurse-Midwifery Program director. “ We are preparing midwifery leaders to serve New Mexico’s communities.”

This ranking reflects the program’s consistently strong national reputation among peer programs. Faculty, staff and students are contributing to new approaches in education, research and clinical training that support the future nurse-midwifery workforce.

Continued support for nurse-midwifery education and practice is a priority for the UNM College of Nursing.

“Midwifery care is foundational, and it is a privilege to be part of strengthening that foundation for families and communities across the state,” said UNM College of Nursing Dean Rosario Medina. “Midwifery has deep roots in New Mexico and that is something that we carry with us in everything we do.”

Nurse-midwives are essential health care providers. They are licensed advanced practice professionals with full-scope practice and prescriptive authority. They provide care across the patient lifespan, including primary care, prenatal and postpartum care, birth, newborn care, sexual and reproductive health, gynecologic care, and culturally respectful counseling to support informed decision-making.

Overall, 41 UNM colleges/schools and or programs were ranked in the top 100 either as graduate programs or survey-based rankings for various disciplines.

Business
#67 in Part-time MBA (tie)
#80 in Information Systems (tie)
#85 in Management (tie)
#100 in Executive MBA (tie)
#107 in Accounting (tie)
#123 in Finance (tie)
#158 in Business Analytics (tie)

Engineering
#14 in Nuclear Engineering
#74 in Electrical/ Electronic/ Communications Engineering (tie)
#78 in Chemical Engineering (tie)
#82 in Environmental/ Environmental Health Engineering (tie)
#91 in Computer Engineering (tie)
#92 in Civil Engineering (tie)

#105 in Best Engineering Schools (tie) - The School of Engineering corrected an error in how research expenditures have been reported in previous years to U.S. News and World Report, resulting in a change in the school's overall ranking for Best Engineering Schools.

#106 in Best Computer Science Schools (tie)
#114 in Biomedical Engineering / Bioengineering (tie)
#115 in Mechanical Engineering (tie)

Tier 1 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
#7 in Nursing-Midwifery (tie)
#44 in Pharmacy (tie)
#51 in Occupational Therapy (tie)
#53 in Clinical Psychology (tie)
#54 in Speech-Language Pathology (tie)
#89 in Public Health (tie)
#91 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (tie)
#57 in Physical Therapy (tie)
#75 in Physician Assistant (tie)

Tier 3 in Best Medical Schools: Research
#17 in Most Graduates Practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas
#39 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care (tie)
#63 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas (tie)

Law
#12 in Law Schools With the Most Graduates in Public Interest Law (tie)
#15 in Clinical Training (tie)
#31 in Environmental Law
#66 in Legal Writing (tie)
#89 in International Law (tie)
#92 in Health Care Law (tie)
#98 in Contracts/Commercial Law (tie)
#100 in Criminal Law (tie)
#108 in Constitutional Law (tie)
#116 in Tax Law (tie)
#117 in Best Law Schools (tie)
#121 in Trial Advocacy (tie)
#124 in Business/Corporate Law (tie)
#127 in Intellectual Property Law (tie)

Other ranked graduate programs
#34 in Best Fine Arts Programs (tie)
#53 in Clinical Psychology (tie)
#58 in Earth Sciences (tie)
#56 in History (tie)
#71 in Sociology (tie)
#73 in Physics (tie)
#74 in Political Science (tie)
#78 in Statistics
#80 in English (tie)
#89 in Public Health (tie)
#92 in Public Affairs Programs (tie)
#92 in Biological Sciences (tie)
#93 in Mathematics (tie)
#104 in Education Schools (tie)
#105 in Economics (tie)
#107 in Psychology (tie)
#111 in Chemistry (tie)

Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks professional schools and programs in business, education, law, engineering, medicine and nursing. The Best Graduate Schools rankings in these areas are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research, students and post-graduate outcomes for them.

Data for the rankings in the six disciplines came from statistical surveys and often from peer assessment surveys sent to academics and professionals in their respective fields, conducted in fall 2025 and early 2026. In some cases, data from these surveys was combined with third-party information.

The rankings focus only on graduate programs, as opposed to other rankings released from U.S. News & World Report that focus on undergraduate and online programs. The publication releases rankings every year but focuses on different programs with each release.

]]>

Two UNM undergrads return from Johns Hopkins medical research program

Anna Padilla — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:00:00 GMT

University of New Mexico students Celeste Maldonado Taheri and Anthony Languit recently participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Johns Hopkins University. Their area of study was the pulmonary and critical care medicine program.

This was Languit’s second time returning to the summer program. He said when he received the offer to participate again this summer, he immediately accepted. “That’s mainly the reason I came back, is because of the people like my principal investigator and the grad students,” Languit said. “It was really great. It was a very supportive environment for mentorship.”

Both students spent nine weeks in Baltimore. A highlight for them was the opportunity to shadow in the ICU at the Hopkins Hospital. “Celeste impressed a world-renowned pulmonologist by asking really good questions,” Languit said. “She did a really good job representing us Lobos.”

Maldonado Taheri, who will start in the nuclear medicine program this fall, shared that when she was in her second semester at UNM, she applied to three labs that she was interested in working in. She had two interviews that didn’t end up panning out.

“That honestly deterred me from trying any type of research for a good while. It wasn’t until later that I started looking into maybe more unorthodox research opportunities,” Maldonado Taheri said.

She spoke with a professor about securing a research opportunity, and he sent out her application to everyone he knew. A professor from Auburn University reached out and that’s how she ended up participating in her first research experience.

“It was completely not what I expected at all—it ended up being fantastic. I had a wonderful time working with him,” Maldonado Taheri said. “Putting myself out there is what opened a lot of doors for me.”

Both students were able to leave Baltimore with friends and mentors whom they can still lean on to help guide their budding careers. “Applying for these programs is worth dealing with the rejection,” Maldonado Taheri said. “Then you have to remind yourself that they chose eight students out of close to 1,100 applicants. Remind yourself that you got in for a reason.”

Languit, who is currently applying to medical school, said he encourages students to apply to REU programs for several reasons, two being the fact that it’s financially accessible and allows you to travel.

“On top of that, you get to do extremely impressive research at a young age with these renowned scientists and colleagues there," Languit said. “It helped me grow my technical skills and made me a better researcher. When I came back to UNM this past year, I felt more confident. I think that is reflected in my work.”

]]>

UNM professors publish rock climbing guidebook to support local recreation and safety

Dani Rae Wascher — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:00:00 GMT

With ropes, notebooks, and a shared mission, two UNM professors have turned passion into purpose—developing new rock-climbing routes in the Sandias and publishing a guidebook to benefit mountain rescue teams and outdoor access across the state.

Dr. Michael Russo, assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Benjamin Warner, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, recently co-authored Nova Canyon: A Rock Climber’s Guide, a community-driven climbing resource that also serves as a fundraising tool for outdoor safety.

Nova Canyon guidebook flyer

This guidebook is part of a broader community-driven effort to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities in central New Mexico.

Collaborating with local climbers and organizations, the duo helped establish several new rock-climbing routes in the Sandia Mountains and meticulously documented the area for Nova Canyon. The book features contributions from the climbing community—including photos and route details—and serves as both a climbing resource and a fundraising tool.

All proceeds from the guidebook benefit the Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council (AMRC), a key volunteer-based organization that supports outdoor safety in the region. The book is on track to sell over 200 copies and generate more than $5,000 in donations.

“The goal of the guidebook is to usher in a new community of outdoor recreationalists and climbers into the local Sandia Mountains, and in turn support the critical outdoor recreation infrastructure and organization that keeps them safe; i.e., the Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council,” said Warner. “In doing this, we aim to support the governor's new mission, which is to increase access to the outdoors for New Mexicans, ensuring healthy outcomes, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity.”

The project builds on the outdoor recreation legacies of both faculty members’ departments. Warner’s research in environmental management through UNM’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (GES) has responded directly to the governor’s call to expand outdoor access statewide. Meanwhile, the Department of Emergency Medicine, home to the International Mountain Medicine Center, has a long-standing focus on wilderness medicine and outdoor safety.

“We hope that this Nova Canyon project inspires more cross-campus collaborative research on outdoor recreation opportunities across the state in the coming months and years. If anyone in the UNM community has questions or related research ideas, we would welcome them to reach out,” said Russo.

With more than 40 years of combined global climbing experience, Warner and Russo saw an opportunity to use their skills and research platforms to make a local impact. They began developing the Nova Canyon project with support from UNM, including university-provided time and resources. Throughout the project, both professors mentored graduate students, incorporating hands-on training in research, publishing, and community engagement.

“Working with UNM students and local community members to design and build a project that gives back to that very same community has been one of the real pleasures of this work. It makes the work feel more tangible, and I’m proud that UNM is a leader in the effort to develop and sustain healthy and accessible environments for New Mexicans,” said Warner

The Nova Canyon project reflects a shared belief between Warner and Russo that outdoor recreation is not just a hobby—it’s a public good with far-reaching benefits for health, economic development, and environmental stewardship.

Guidebooks are available at both Stone Age Climbing Gyms in Albuquerque and the Santa Fe Climbing Center. They may also be sold at future AMRC events, with 100% of funds continuing to support mountain rescue operations.

]]>

2025 Inspiring Graduate | Josh Marquez

Kandace Donaldson & McKaela Arviso — Fri, 16 May 2025 17:48:00 GMT

Like most kids his age, at 13-years-old, Josh Marquez was much more interested in landing kick-flips on a skateboard than studying for school. Today, he is preparing to graduate from The University of New Mexico School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine degree and will soon begin his neurosurgery residency at UNM.

In recognition of his incredible journey, resilience, and dedication to patient care, Marquez has been named this year's School of Medicine "Inspiring Graduate."

Marquez’s journey into medicine followed an unconventional path. A first-generation college student who grew up in Las Cruces, he originally focused on skateboarding, traveling to places like Arizona and California with local sponsors.

"Not a lot of people want to fall on cement eight to twelve hours a day for tiny, incremental progress," he said. "The resilience of skateboarding and how hard you have to work just to get incrementally better is something that I brought into medical school."

Early in college, Marquez said he struggled academically while balancing skating and studies. Then, a blunt meeting with a college advisor changed everything.

"I told her I wanted to go to medical school, and she looked me straight in the eyes and said, 'You're never getting into med school,'" Marquez said. "From that point on, I shifted my focus completely."

Proving her wrong, he said he earned straight A’s, pursued research opportunities and immersed himself in shadowing physicians, building a strong foundation for his future career.

"Just choose the thing that you love most, what you're passionate about in medicine. Follow what you want to do and then just go for that 100%."

– Josh Marquez, UNM School of Medicine

His passion for medicine was also deeply personal.

"My mom’s parents died really early. I never got to meet my grandparents," he said. "That was something that was a huge influence for me getting into family medicine and rural care."

When it came time to apply to medical school, he said UNM quickly rose to the top of his list.

"I wanted to stay. I was born and raised here," Marquez said. "UNM has a lot to offer, especially its emphasis on rural medicine and family medicine. So many patients travel to Albuquerque and UNM, specifically. There are a lot of patients who have to drive hours just to get care."

After completing neurosurgery rotations during medical school at the University of California San Diego, the University of Colorado and Emory University and receiving more than 20 residency interview offers, Marquez made a similar decision to keep UNM high on his list for the possibility of staying in New Mexico for a neurosurgery residency.

"I believe in this program’s growth and potential,” he said. “I had put a lot into it, and I wanted to continue to be a part of that growth."

Josh Marquez will soon begin his neurosurgery residency at UNM.

That family now includes a newborn daughter, who Marquez said has added even deeper meaning to his journey.

"With parenting, figuring it out at first was kind of tough," he said, recalling many intermittent two-hour naps. "But going into residency, sleep deprivation is not what I think is the hardest part. I think the hardest part is just going to be being away from my partner Emily and my daughter."

When reflecting on what he’s most proud of, Marquez points to the resilience that shaped him.

Everything built on everything else, he said. From bouncing back after setbacks, to mentoring classmates, to publishing research, it’s all about never giving up.

As he prepares for a demanding seven-year neurosurgery residency, Marquez already has a clear vision for the kind of doctor he hopes to be.

"I want my patients to feel heard," he said. "They might not remember every detail of their surgery, but they will remember if their doctor listened to them, made them feel safe, and helped them understand what was happening."

His advice to future students reflects the same passion and determination that earned him the title of Inspiring Graduate.

"Just choose the thing that you love most, what you're passionate about in medicine," he said. "Follow what you want to do and then just go for that 100%."

From the skate parks of Las Cruces to the operating rooms of UNM Hospital, Josh Marquez’s story shows how hard work, heart, and a love for learning can build a life of impact one patient, one conversation and one step at a time.

]]>