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The summer research season is upon us, and it’s a great opportunity to not only focus on our work but to provide our students with a deeper dive into the concepts they’ve been studying throughout the year. Research opportunities provide an extra layer of value to their coursework by turning knowledge into action, and there’s no better time than the summer for them to take advantage of these opportunities.
One incredible opportunity that our students will soon be able to take advantage of is the new Center for Advanced Sample Analysis of Astromaterials from the Moon and Beyond (CASA Moon). Led by Chip Shearer of the UNM Institute of Meteoritics (IOM), CASA Moon is one of five research teams throughout the country that has been selected by NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) to analyze lunar samples for the Artemis Program which will bring astronauts back to the moon in 2025.
Last year, the College partnered with the Center for Regional Studies to bring the Community-Based Research Initiative (CBRI) and I am happy to announce that two more deserving projects have been selected for this important initiative. Congratulations to Leah McChesney, Curator of Ethnology in the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, who will be focusing on a project titled, “Families in Pueblo Pottery: Re-Generating Art, Experience, and Practice”. Tiffany Lee, Chair and Professor of Native American Studies has also been selected to receive funding from the CBRI this year for her project titled, “Improving research to understand the link between holistic wellbeing of Diné children and families, and Diné bizaad”.
Finally, one of the proudest examples we have here at the College of developing our students’ passion for research is the Arts & Sciences Support for Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE) program. Over the past two years, 88 students have had the opportunity to develop their research with a mentor of their choosing and I am happy to announce that the Fall 2023 cohort has been selected (see below). This program has already helped to support two Truman Fellows and a Goldwater Scholar, and I look forward to seeing how this new cohort, as well as ASSURE alumni, make their own marks.
These are just a few of the examples of how your work here at UNM is inspiring our students to find their passions, and I hope that the summer allows you the time to not only expand upon your research interests but to ignite a new excitement for the work that you do in a future researcher.
Until next month,
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