UNM Rainforest Innovations - June 2023 E-Newsletter

Monthly news, events & updates

Building a Rainforest in the Desert | June 2023

Innovate ABQ Teeming with Possibilities

Innovate ABQ was recently featured in an article by New Mexico Inno, highlighting the potentials of the site and the success of the Lobo Rainforest Building.

The seven-acre innovation district, dubbed Innovate ABQ, currently houses the old First Baptist Church and the Lobo Rainforest Building, the first and largest structure on the site, which provides student housing, offices and startup and entrepreneur incubation space. Plans for the seven-acre site include developing several smaller buildings surrounding the Lobo Rainforest Building and renovations to the old First Baptist Church. Dubbed “The Jungle,” the old church could serve as a multi-faceted incubator space to support collaboration and community activities.

These types of developments take time, but their impact is great. A tech and innovation hub could provide valuable resources to local entrepreneurs and startups and bring more opportunity into New Mexico.

Dedicated Mentor Susan Cornelius Announces her Retirement

Susan Cornelius, a dedicated mentor and advisor for entrepreneurs and startups, has announced her retirement.

There are many important people that make up our innovation ecosystem here in New Mexico including students, established entrepreneurs, research scientists and investors; there’s a range of people that add value and diversity. One such important member is Susan Cornelius, Principal of Accelerate2Solutions.

Susan’s passion for advancing entrepreneurs and organizations on the path to success can be seen from her time as a dedicated mentor, providing support to over 600 startup entrepreneurs and innovators and advising over 80 emerging startups. Drawing from her 30 years of experience in the startup realm, her depth of knowledge has helped others on the path in developing their startup.

“We are grateful for the time Susan has spent supporting many of UNM Rainforest Innovations’ programs,” said Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer of UNM Rainforest Innovations. “Susan was a dedicated mentor to her students and her expertise proved to be invaluable to many of our programs. Her impact will be remembered by all those she worked with.”

Local Startup Skout Strategy Selected as Honoree for New Mexico Inno’s Innovation Awards

Skout Strategy has been chosen as a recipient of New Mexico Inno’s Innovation Awards. Selected by the Albuquerque Business First editorial team and New Mexico Inno reporter Jacob Maranda, only five honorees were chosen this year for their business drive, growth, and innovations shaping the ecosystem here in New Mexico.

Skout Strategy specializes in indoor farm projects and works as project advisors and channel partners to support the design, build and operations of indoor farms.

Skout Strategy is part of UNM Rainforest Innovations’ Cecchi VentureLab program. This incubator provides shared office facilities, business services, mentoring, advice, and proximity to downtown. The CVL also provides co-working/virtual program ideal for start-up businesses just getting off the ground.

In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor

Denis E. Bragin, PhD, FAHA

Associate Professor

Translational Neuroscience

Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute

Adjunct Associate Professor

Department of Neurology

Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

The University of New Mexico

Active Startup: ShearIT, LLC

Dr. Bragin’s research areas include:

Circulation and metabolism of the brain after traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other cerebrovascular and metabolic diseases.
The role of cerebral microvascular shunting in the development of hyperemia, brain edema, tissue ischemia and blood-brain barrier degradation during intracranial hypertension after severe cerebral insults.
The potential of hemodynamics modulation with drag-reducing molecules for treating acute and chronic cerebral microvascular disorders and ischemia, including stroke, traumatic injury, diabetic encephalopathy and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Non-invasive transcranial direct current, pulsed electromagnetic field and low-level light brain modulation for recovery after acute brain injuries.

Startup MNT SmartSolutions Reports Positive Findings from Preclinical Trial

A local oral healthcare startup, MNT SmartSolutions, has been making big strides in the oral healthcare industry. Recent preclinical testing has validated the safety and efficacy of their nanotechnology-based toothbrush and toothpaste solution. The product can be remotely controlled to scrub areas unreachable by current products on the market, fighting against periodontal disease, gingivitis infections, and complications of orthodontic devices, wires, crowns and bridges.

MNT SmartSolutions has also been invited to attend the 2023 RESI Conference in Boston (Redefining Early-Stage Investments), a prestigious international event that connects start-ups with investors and resources to support technology development and help move companies from SEED to Series B investment funding.

Health Insurance for

Entrepreneurs & Native Americans

New Mexico Rainforest Seminar

Thursday, June 8 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (MDT)

Join UNMRI, beWellnm, and Randy Benally for this event to learn more about health insurance options for entrepreneurs and Native Americans.

Randy is the Native American Community Outreach Manager for the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is the primary contractor for BeWellnm to do their outreach, educational events, and enrollment events. BeWellnm is the marketplace for affordable healthcare for those between the ages of 19 thru 64 who are not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or an employer health plan. BeWellnm is focused on educating and enrolling New Mexicans in an affordable healthcare insurance coverage that promotes better access to timely and high-quality healthcare. This includes our Native communities and business entrepreneurs who may need coverage other than Indian Health Services or 638 clinics.

This event is offered in-person at the Lobo Rainforest Building and virtually via Zoom.

Meet Angelo McHorse, Former Tribal Liaison for the New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program

Angelo McHorse is a former tribal liaison for the New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program. He is the Operations Manager of Bison Star Naturals, a family operated body care company in Taos, NM using organic, natural, and locally sourced ingredients. He comes from the Red Willow People of Taos Pueblo and is passionate about community organizing through entrepreneurship.

Angelo recently resigned from the program to focus more on his growing business, however, during his year as a liaison he added tremendous value through his mentoring and support of young entrepreneurs. Tribal liaisons are essential to this program; they connect with established and aspiring entrepreneurs within tribal communities across the state to serve as navigators, dedicated mentors, and connection points to within the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

UNM Rainforest Innovations was awarded an Economic Development Administration (EDA) American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance grant in April 2022 to help break down barriers and generate opportunity through entrepreneurship in historically underserved communities in New Mexico with a primary focus on coal-impacted tribal communities. Through this grant, the program aims to create new jobs, higher incomes, and inclusive growth through entrepreneurship by linking resources and assisting entrepreneurs in filling voids.

Student Interns @ UNM Rainforest Innovations

Alexandria Forester

Innovation Intern

Our featured intern this month is Alexandria (Alex) Forester. She currently serves as an innovation student intern and graduated this past semester magna cum laude at UNM with bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish and a minor in chemistry. “I plan to apply to UNM medical school this cycle and travel this summer. I know I want to go into medicine, and I’m very excited to see what life is like outside of college.”

Growing up in New Mexico, Alex attended Sandia Preparatory School for middle and high school. “My dad’s family is from New Mexico, and my mom is from Wisconsin.” She spent her freshman year of college at the University of Colorado, Boulder, however, decided to attend the University of New Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When asked what she enjoys most about her job, she said: “I enjoy getting to expand my knowledge to the business and marketing side of the technology world. Being a science major, I never had the opportunity to take business classes if I wanted to graduate on time. UNMRI gives me the option to broaden my knowledge of different technologies and apply my degree background while also learning about the business side of this industry. I also love getting to see my peers on our weekly Zoom call.”