Good afternoon Lobos –

For 20 years, The University of New Mexico’s Combined BA/MD program has been strengthening health care in every corner of our state by investing in homegrown talent. Launched in 2006 as a partnership between the UNM School of Medicine and the College of Arts & Sciences, the eight-year pathway recruits promising New Mexico high school seniors—many from rural and underrepresented communities—and provides them with a seamless journey from undergraduate education to medical school.

With sustained legislative support, the BA/MD program removes financial barriers, offers enriched coursework, MCAT preparation, and immersive rural practicums that connect students directly with the communities they aspire to serve. And the impact couldn’t be clearer or more exciting: more than 300 students have advanced through the program, and many graduates now practice across New Mexico—often in primary care and frequently in their hometowns.

As the state’s only academic medical center, The University of New Mexico is uniquely positioned to educate the next generation of physicians while directly addressing New Mexico’s most pressing workforce needs and—as always—the health care needs of New Mexicans. Programs like the Combined BA/MD pathway reflect our deep commitment to improving health outcomes statewide and ensuring that every community has access to high-quality, compassionate care.

UNM Redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research Through 2030


The University of New Mexico has once again been redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R), extended through 2030—an honor that reflects the strength of our interdisciplinary collaboration and research excellence. Led by faculty in the Anderson School of Management, the Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, this achievement highlights UNM’s leadership in advancing cybersecurity education and innovation, and I’m proud that the rigorous federal review process has reaffirmed the quality, impact, and sustainability of our research enterprise. This designation expands opportunities for our students and ensures our graduates are exceptionally well prepared to meet the nation’s growing cybersecurity workforce needs.

UNM Music Launches Landmark Partnership in China

The University of New Mexico College of Fine Arts has taken an exciting step forward in global engagement, as string faculty members Carmelo de los Santos and Christoph Wagner recently traveled to Hangzhou, China, to formalize a landmark partnership with the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, one of the nation’s premier music institutions. During their visit, our faculty performed in a prestigious New Year’s Concert and led masterclasses, strengthening artistic ties between the two institutions. The agreement establishes new student exchange pathways and future study abroad opportunities for Lobo musicians, expanding the educational and cultural experiences available through the power of music.

UNM Hospital Earns National Recognition for Maternity Care



For the second year in a row, UNM Hospital has been named one of U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, the only hospital in New Mexico to earn this distinction. This national honor reflects the extraordinary teamwork of our Labor & Delivery unit and Women’s Services team, whose interdisciplinary collaboration ensures exceptional outcomes for families across our state. As New Mexico’s only academic medical center and Level I Trauma Center, UNM Hospital provides world-class, compassionate care while training the next generation of health professionals. This recognition affirms decades of dedication to innovation, education and excellence in caring for moms and babies.

FiRES Center Ignites Wildfire Resilience Efforts Across New Mexico

As New Mexico faces hotter, drier conditions and an increasingly complex wildfire season, The University of New Mexico is stepping forward with solutions. UNM’s Center for Fire Resilient Ecosystems and Society (FiRES) brings together interdisciplinary experts from across campus, partners at Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, and elsewhere to help communities prepare for and respond to wildfires. From advancing smoke modeling and landscape-scale risk analysis to improving post-fire reforestation and watershed recovery, our team is quickly translating their research into action. Through FiRES, UNM is strengthening resilience, protecting public health, and helping safeguard New Mexico’s future.

Podcast Looks at the Motivated Mind

UNM’s award-winning podcast, It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, continues to showcase the groundbreaking work happening across our campus. In the latest episode, host Cameron Goeldner sits down with Professor James Cavanagh of the Department of Psychology to explore how the brain processes rewards and goals in real time. Using advanced EEG brain-imaging techniques, Cavanagh studies a signal known as “reward positivity,” offering new insights into motivation, decision-making, and conditions such as depression that could one day help tailor mental health treatments more effectively. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts to learn more about how UNM researchers are advancing science and improving lives.