Building a Rainforest in the Desert | August 2025

UNM Rainforest Innovations is pleased to announce that Dr. Donna Riley, the Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing at the University of New Mexico (UNM) has been named Vice Chair of the UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors. She succeeds Dr. James Holloway, who was recently appointed President of the University of Toledo. Dr. Riley has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2023 and joined the University of New Mexico that same year.

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UNM Rainforest Innovations (UNMRI), the University of New Mexico’s technology-transfer and economic development organization, has wrapped up another successful fiscal year. Metrics for technology-transfer and commercialization activities from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, included 94 invention disclosures and 63 new U.S. patent applications filed. There was a significant increase in the issuance of U.S. patents, increasing from 33 in FY2024 up to 46 patents in FY2025.

The commercialization activity from this past fiscal year included 44 option/license agreements signed with new startups and established companies for UNM technologies. The fiscal year also saw 7 new startup companies form from UNM technologies.

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The University of New Mexico has received critical early-phase funding to support the launch of a clinical trial for a new Alzheimer’s vaccine, developed by scientists at the University of New Mexico and exclusively licensed to TheraVac Biologics, Inc. The Phase 1a/1b trial, supported in part by a $1 million grant from the Alzheimer’s Association’s Part the Cloud initiative, will assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the novel vaccine targeting pathological tau protein which is one of the key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease progression.

TheraVac Biologics, a Canadian biotechnology company focused on advancing immunotherapies for chronic and neurodegenerative diseases, will manufacture the vaccine under FDA-compliant good manufacturing practices. The trial will be conducted at the UNM Center for Memory & Aging and will likely start enrolling patients early next year.

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YEEO Eco-Safe, Inc., a startup headquartered in Albuquerque, is working to commercialize an environmentally friendly insect control technology developed at the University of New Mexico. Their product uses yeast-encapsulated essential oils to specifically target and kill mosquito larvae without harming pollinators and other important animals.

The company’s decision to stay in New Mexico was influenced by strong local support, including a $250,000 grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department and other investments from in-state entities. Their product has been tested in the U.S., Africa and Brazil, and is currently undergoing EPA registration. They plan to expand globally to serve areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent such as Southeast Asia.

See Molly Callaghan’s July 21 article, “How New Mexico beat Florida for a startup firm’s HQ,”

UNM Rainforest Innovations will be announcing the call for proposals for Wellborn Gap Funding at the beginning of September. UNM Faculty, now is the time to start preparing your proposal. This year, thanks to the generous support from Chuck and JD Wellborn, UNMRI will be able to fund up to 8 proposals.

If you have a new invention (not yet disclosed) that you are thinking of submitting for Gap Funding, get a head start and submit your disclosure here: https://unm.wellspringsoftware.net

Review qualifications, proposal outline, submission process and more at: https://innovations.unm.edu/wellborn-gap-fund/



New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) Secretary Rob Black will discuss the state’s ambitious and multifaceted strategy for sowing the seeds for accelerated economic growth. Since becoming Secretary, Rob has launched initiatives designed to attract foreign investment, foster local business growth, and establish New Mexico as a national leader in key emerging industries.

Rob believes NM is on the cusp of significant economic expansion. He’ll detail the concrete steps being taken to transform the state’s economic landscape. A cornerstone of this strategy is the newly established NMexus Center. It's envisioned as a dedicated conduit for attracting foreign direct investment from companies ready to bring jobs and capital to New Mexico.

In this episode, hear from Denee Bex, a registered dietician (RD) and owner of Tumbleweed Nutrition. Denee talks about how she transitioned from working as an RD at the hospital, to running and growing her own Nutrition and Dietetics business to serve her community and the Rez.

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Hear about important updates on the New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program.

Cecilia Becenti, Program Manager for NMTEEP, discusses the transition plan, discovery report, liaison updates, strategic partnerships and new opportunities.

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UNM Rainforest Innovations is collaborating with the City of Santa Fe Economic Development Department to bring this roundtable event to Santa Fe for Native American owned-businesses and entrepreneurs.

These monthly gatherings create space for Native American entrepreneurs, artists, and business owners to connect, share resources, and build pathways to success. Mark your calendar—this roundtable will meet monthly, 10:00 a.m. at the Santa Fe Business Incubator!

Scheduled Dates for Roundtable Events:

• Tuesday, August 12th
• Tuesday, September 9th
• Tuesday, October 14th
• Tuesday, November 12th
• Tuesday, December 9th
• Tuesday, January 13th
• Tuesday, February 10th
• Tuesday, March 10th

Meet with SCORE mentors at the Lobo Rainforest Building! Dar Johnson and Vik Berniklau will be available for one-on-one, confidential discussions and mentoring to inventors, students, and start-up companies.

SCORE mentors are successful business people and entrepreneurs who want to give back to the community by helping other entrepreneurs become and stay successful. SCORE has been helping small businesses start and grow in the Albuquerque area for over 50 years through mentoring and workshops and seminars. SCORE is the largest National resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with about 11,000 SCORE volunteers sharing their time and talents to help America's small businesses.

IN-PERSON at the Lobo Rainforest Building. Click "Sign up" to select the time frame you plan to attend.

Meet the Mentors:

Dar Johnson has over 57 years in the aerospace private sector and with the Government, including over 38 years in senior and C-level management positions. He has been responsible for achieving growth nation-wide, obtaining new customers, cost containment, turning around marginal operations, increased profitability, customer satisfaction, staffing, and policy and procedure development. He also has worked in business development, proposal support, capture manager and proposal manager. He has owned a successful consulting business.

Areas of Expertise:

• Business Plan
• Government Regulations
• Management & Operations
• Marketing
• Product Development

Vic Berniklau is retired from the US Department of Energy as Senior Executive after filling positions in Technical and Administrative Leadership. Started two small businesses in electronic security with wife and son growing them to 30 employees ($2M sales) and turned them over to son who continues to grow them. Consultant in technology management and business management. Instructor at University of New Mexico at Graduate Level in Public Administration (Research Methodology) and Business Administration (Management of Technology).

Areas of Expertise:

• Accounting & Finance
• Business Plan
• Government Regulations
• Management & Operations
• Product Development
• Technology