Monthly news, events & updates | |
Building a Rainforest in the Desert | February 2026 | | | | UNM Rainforest Innovations Welcomes New Board Member | |
Founder & Former CEO
IntelliCyt Corporation
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Creative People, Places and Technologies on the Mother Road
February 5 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
At the Lobo Rainforest Bldg.
Join us for the first of this seminar series, in honor of the Route 66 Centennial, focusing on creative people and places at the University of New Mexico. Panelists include James Stone, Department Chair, Associate Professor, Film & Digital Arts, Stewart Copeland, Assistant Professor, Experimental Art & Technology, Director of ARTS Lab, and Alyshia Bustos, Computer Science.
| | | Documentary Highlights UNM Program Breaking Down Barriers to Care Across New Mexico | | |
HEROs for Health—a documentary film about a unique program within The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (HSC) and a national model for improving community health was featured on PBS. "HEROs" stands for Health Extension Rural Offices. Arthur Kaufman, MD, a distinguished professor of Family and Community Medicine in the UNM School of Medicine and vice president for Community Health, started the program a decade ago to link community health needs across the state to the University and other supportive resources. Read more
Watch the documentary
| | NMEDD University Team Awardees Present Progress at UNM Rainforest Forum | | |
On January 29, the UNM Rainforest Forum was hosted at the Lobo Rainforest Building to highlight the progress of awardees from the NMEDD Research University Team Pilot Program. This state-funded initiative was designed to support the commercialization of science- and technology-based research created at New Mexico universities.
The panel discussion was moderated by Nora Meyers Sackett, Director of the Technology and Innovation Office (TIO) at the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD). TIO plays a critical role in administering the program, which helps university-born technologies transition into successful New Mexico-based businesses.
In 2024, Research University Team Awardees received $200,000 in grant funds to support technology commercialization and business development. Additionally, each company also received $50,000 worth of entrepreneurship consulting by the New Mexico Angels and their partnership network, providing strategic guidance, brand development, and investment readiness.
The success of these three teams underscores the vital role of the NMEDD Research University Team Pilot Program. The combination of funding and mentorship support has proven instrumental in helping early-stage companies advance towards commercialization.
Looking ahead to 2026:
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Carbon Swarm is preparing for SXSW in Austin where they’ll be competing in the Intelligent Systems, Robotics & Multisensory Technology category. See the press release, SXSW Unveils 2026 Pitch Competition Finalists.
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YEEO Eco-Safe is focusing on securing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval, with plans to begin sales shortly after.
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Sandia Medical Technologies continues to move their ZEPART thumb implant through the development pipeline and is preparing for its next FDA 510(k) submission.
Read more
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In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor | | | |
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Heng E. Zuo, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Optical Science and Engineering (OSE) Program
The University of New Mexico
Dr. Zuo's research areas include:
- Ultrafast laser advanced manufacturing and process engineering
- Finite Element Modeling (FEM) of Material Behavior & Laser–Matter Dynamics
- Materials and structures design for space optics and harsh environments
- Advanced material characterization and structural testing
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| | MRN, UNM, and VA Research the Effects of Using CO2 to Stimulate Brain Waste Removal | | |
Collaborative research among the Mind Research Network (MRN), The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is exploring how using controlled, rhythmic CO2 exposure can treat neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s by stimulating the brain’s natural waste-removal system.
The newly published paper, “The influence of intermittent hypercapnia on cerebrospinal fluid flow and clearance in Parkinson’s disease and healthy older adults,” in NPJ Parkinson’s Diseases further describes the research. See the publication here.
Learn more
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Rainforest Accelerator
Accepting Applications for the 2026 Spring Cohort
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Are you interested in accelerating your innovation and understanding its market potential? Researchers from the University of New Mexico are encouraged to join the Rainforest Accelerator to explore commercial viability of their technologies, create new start-up businesses, generate business models, and submit proposals to other funding opportunities.
Participants will have a dedicated mentor who will provide one-on-one guidance throughout the program.
Program dates are from February 16 – April 6, 2026 with weekly Zoom meetings on Mondays from 4:00-5:00 p.m. The final presentation will be held in-person on April 6 at the Lobo Rainforest Building and Zoom.
Learn more
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Unlocking Cash Flow: How to Leverage R&D Payroll Tax Credits
February 12 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Learn how qualifying businesses can offset payroll tax liabilities using the federal R&D tax credit. Presented by Patrick Gately, tax incentive specialist at Leyton, where he advises companies on maximizing federal and state R&D tax credits and related innovation incentives.
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March 3, 2026
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Join us for the 2026 Innovate New Mexico® Showcase!
Experience the cutting-edge research, latest technology developments, and startup activity happening across the state’s major research institutions and national laboratories. This event brings together all the key players driving innovation in New Mexico; entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, startup founders, the business community, and more.
Attendees will have the unique chance to explore emerging technology and commercialization opportunities from The University of New Mexico, the Air Force Research Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, Sandia National Labs, NASA, New Mexico Tech and New Mexico State University.
Register here: https://2026InnovateNM.eventbrite.com
Event Location:
Lobo Rainforest Building
(101 Broadway Blvd. NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102)
We’re thrilled to bring this year’s event to the Lobo Rainforest Building in Albuquerque New Mexico; a hub of activity and collaboration located in the heart of the innovation district in downtown Albuquerque.
Traveling from out of state?
Convenient accommodations are located across the street at the Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Downtown and Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Downtown. UNM offers a discounted room rate for Innovate New Mexico® attendees.
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Indigenous Entrepreneurs Podcast | | | The Indigenous Entrepreneurs podcast aims to tell the story of the Entrepreneur’s Journey, specifically that of the indigenous entrepreneur, through candid conversations featuring successful indigenous entrepreneurs. | | Native American Business Roundtable - City of Santa Fe Economic Development | | |
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.
The next Roundtable event will be on February 26 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe Business Incubator (3900 Paseo del Sol, Santa Fe, NM 87507).
| | SCORE Mentors Available for One-on-One Meetings | | |
Meet with SCORE mentors at the Lobo Rainforest Building or on Zoom! Mentors are 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.
Interested? Contact Cara Michaliszyn at cmichaliszyn@innovations.unm.edu to arrange.
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