Good afternoon Lobos –

As New Mexico’s premier Carnegie-designated R1 institution, research and discovery are at the heart of The University of New Mexico’s mission. This November 6–14, Lobos will celebrate that spirit during UNM’s 2025 Research & Discovery Week (R&D Week), a campus-wide showcase of innovation, creativity, and impact.

The week features exhibitions, workshops, performances, and lectures open to the public, including two renowned keynote speakers: neuroscientist and technologist Poppy Crum, presenting “From Data to Mind: How Technology is Reshaping Our Minds and Performance” on November 13, and Nobel Laureate Paul Modrich, delivering “DNA Mismatch Repair in Human Cells: Mechanisms and Some Functions” on November 14.

R&D Week also includes the UNM Research Advances New Mexico expo highlighting how Lobo research improves lives across our state. This year, attendees can plan their experience using the new Sched calendar, which makes it easy to create a personalized event lineup. This exciting and informative expo takes place on November 14, in the SUB Grand Ballroom.

Together, these events celebrate UNM’s bold curiosity and transformative research—the work that keeps New Mexico at the forefront of discovery. R&D Week is a reminder that every breakthrough, performance, and creative endeavor at UNM contributes to a shared mission: advancing knowledge, inspiring innovation, and improving lives across our state—and beyond.

UNM Showcased in Sunport’s New “Knowledge Concourse”



Travelers arriving at the Albuquerque International Sunport now get a warm Lobo welcome, thanks to UNM’s featured presence in the airport’s new Knowledge Concourse exhibit. The display—part of the Sunport’s “Dream of Flight” renovation—celebrates New Mexico’s vibrant higher education landscape through glass showcases curated by eight state institutions. UNM’s exhibit, titled “The Land of Achievement,” highlights the University’s academic excellence, groundbreaking research, compassionate patient care, and spirited athletics—while reminding visitors that world-class museums, performance halls, and venues are just minutes away. The Knowledge Concourse is open on the Sunport’s lower level, proudly showcasing the innovation, creativity, and impact of New Mexico’s flagship university.

Gonzales Honored with CERL Award

The Lobo community is invited to an inspiring evening of celebration and connection on Wednesday, November 12, as UNM hosts its annual Principal Investigator (PI) Reception and Community Engaged Research Lecture (CERL) in George Pearl Hall. The event begins at 4 p.m. with the PI Reception honoring the remarkable research and scholarship conducted by UNM faculty across disciplines. Immediately following, Moises Gonzales, professor of Urban Design and the chair of the Community and Regional Planning Program within the School of Architecture and Planning, will deliver this year’s CERL lecture, “Querencia, Reciprocity through the Co-Production of Knowledge.” This is one of UNM’s most prestigious and popular events—but space is limited so registration is required to attend. Come spend an evening celebrating UNM’s commitment to discovery, collaboration, and community impact.

CAMINOS Program Transforms Addiction Care at UNM Hospital



When patients are hospitalized at The University of New Mexico Hospital, their primary concern may be an infection, surgery, or other urgent condition—but many also struggle with substance use disorders. Thanks to CAMINOS—short for Coordinating Addiction Medicine with Inpatient and Outpatient Services—that aspect of care is no longer overlooked. Led by Dr. Sergio Huerta and Dr. Chris Smith, CAMINOS provides addiction treatment directly during hospital stays and connects patients with ongoing recovery support after discharge. Beyond transforming patient outcomes, CAMINOS is reshaping how hospital teams approach addiction, training medical students, residents, and staff to recognize and treat substance use disorders with compassion and expertise. By meeting patients where they are, CAMINOS embodies UNM Hospital’s commitment to healing, hope, and holistic care for all New Mexicans.

Performance Santa Fe Foundation Invests in UNM’s Creative Future

Performance Santa Fe Foundation has made a generous, legacy-building investment in UNM’s College of Fine Arts, establishing the Performance Santa Fe Legacy Scholars Endowed Scholarship and a Student Enrichment Fund. Focused on students from Santa Fe County and across northern New Mexico, these funds support degrees in music, dance, and theatre—covering scholarships, mentorship, and enrichment experiences like travel for auditions and specialized training. The gift is already opening doors for students, expanding opportunity while honoring Performance Santa Fe’s 88-year commitment to education and artistic excellence. Together, we’re nurturing the next generation of creators who will shape New Mexico’s cultural future.

UNM Engineer Awarded $1.8M NIH Grant to Advance Gender-Specific Nanomedicine



Doctors may soon be able to time treatments for conditions like fibroids or ovarian cancer to align with the body’s natural hormonal rhythms—using medicines designed to target only affected tissues and minimize side effects. That breakthrough could be on the horizon thanks to Olivia Lanier, assistant professor in UNM’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, who has received a $1.8 million, five-year NIH MIRA grant to study how males and females respond differently to nanomedicine throughout their lives. Lanier’s lab will investigate how hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, hysterectomy, and menopause affect drug efficacy, then re-engineer nanoparticles for sex-specific applications. By addressing long-standing gaps in women’s health research, Lanier aims to make nanomedicine more precise, equitable, and transformative for patients.

Lobo Athletics on a Roll



The University of New Mexico football team gave fans plenty to cheer about this weekend, turning in its most complete performance of the season in a 33–14 victory over Utah State. Scoring on offense, defense, and special teams, the Lobos thrilled a home crowd of more than 20,000 and moved to 4-0 at home for the first time since 1962, while putting the team within one win of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016.

As fall sports hit their stride, another season is just beginning. Basketball is back, and The Pit is ready to roar as the women’s team opens its regular season on Monday, November 3, against Northern Arizona University, followed by the men’s opener on Wednesday, November 5, versus East Texas A&M.

Meanwhile, Lobo pride continues to soar thanks to standout performances from our nationally ranked cross-country teams. At last week’s Nuttycombe Invitational, Habtom Samuel earned Mountain West Men’s Athlete of the Week—and national honors—after a record-breaking win, while Marion Jepngetich was named Women’s Freshman of the Week. With both teams ranked in the nation’s Top 10, it’s another thrilling chapter in an already unforgettable season for Lobo Athletics.

Lobo Food Pantry is Here to Help

With the continued shutdown of the federal government, there is a possibility that federal SNAP benefits will expire at the end of this week. Our Lobo Food Pantry is available to assist students who need help—all you need to bring is a student ID and a bag or box to carry your groceries. If you’d like to help, donations are always appreciated. If you can’t make it to the Lobo Food Pantry, you can check here for other available food pantries and distribution sites in our area.

Public Records Reminder



I want to take a moment to remind all employees that the University of New Mexico is subject to New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). As the state’s flagship university, UNM receives nearly one thousand requests each year, many of which include requests for university employee emails. This means that, like my own communications as President, the emails and records we create in the course of conducting University business may be subject to inspection and disclosure under IPRA, with limited exceptions.

When a request is received, UNM’s Custodian of Public Records works closely with our IT team and other departments to identify and review records that may be responsive. For more information about IPRA and the University’s process for responding to requests, please visit publicrecords.unm.edu/faq.html.

Election Day is November 4

New Mexicans head to the polls on Tuesday, November 4. Take a few minutes to check your voter registration status, find your polling place, and review your sample ballot at the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Voter Information Portal. Early voting is already underway in many locations—if you’re a registered Bernalillo County voter, you can even vote early at Louie’s Lounge in the Student Union Building through November 1. Whether you vote early, by mail, or in person on Election Day, make your voice heard through the power of your vote.