Monthly news, events & updates |
Building a Rainforest in the Desert | May 2023 |
|
2023 Innovation Awards Recognizes Achievements of UNM Inventors |
On April 26, UNM Rainforest Innovations hosted its twentieth annual Innovation Awards to recognize the accomplishments of University of New Mexico (UNM) inventors who have received issued U.S. patents, registered trademarks, and copyrights within the past year.
Between March 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023, 42 UNM inventors received 48 issued U.S. patents. There were 33 U.S. patents for technologies developed on UNM main campus, 11 patents developed on the health sciences campus and 4 patents that were a collaboration between UNM main campus and health sciences.
Congratulations to all the awardees!
|
|
Karin Westlund High, Ph.D. Selected as 2023 Rainforest Innovation Fellow |
Relieving chronic pain and understanding the complex mechanisms of the pain system have been at the forefront of Dr. Karin Westlund High’s research activities. Her work to find effective, non-opioid therapeutics is on the path to being realized: a life goal she never thought she would be able to reach.
Her research fights against the devastating effects and social consequences of opioid addiction and dependence around the world and right here in New Mexico. Effective non-opiate therapeutics are finally on the horizon, as well as other pharmacologics, to treat opioid addiction and provide better outcomes for those suffering with chronic pain.
|
|
The University of New Mexico ranks on Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2022 |
The University of New Mexico has ranked #81 on the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2022, a list published by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
|
|
|
2023 Lobo Hackathon Fast-Tracks Ideas in Collaborative and Supportive Environment |
On April 13th and 14th, participants gathered at the Lobo Rainforest Building where they would take their innovative ideas and collaborate within teams to fast-track them to being realized.
The Lobo Hackathon helps teams intensely focus and collaborate on improving an idea to address a problem, utilize a technology, or create something new. Participants included UNM students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs, and others in the community. On the final day, ten teams pitched their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes from a prize pool of $25,000.
|
|
In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor |
|
|
John Plumley, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Center for Micro-Engineered Materials
The University of New Mexico
Active Startup: Andluca Technologies, Inc.
Dr. Plumley’s research areas include:
- Regenerative solid oxide fuel cells
- Solid-state reversible electrochemical mirrors
- Solar cell cover glass coating
- Passive cooling surface technology
- Applied stress effects on pitting corrosion and cracking on stainless steel
|
|
|
Students Pitch Their Ideas for Cash Prizes at the Spring 2023 Rainforest Pitch Competition |
University students, friends, and family gathered at the Bow and Arrow Brewery Co. on April 4 to watch the final pitch presentations of the 2023 Rainforest Pitch Competition. This spring event recruited New Mexico university students to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas for a chance to win from a pool of over $5,000 in cash prizes.
|
|
Bloom Where You're Planted
Tuesday, May 16 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (MDT)
New Mexico Rainforest Fireside Chat
|
Join Tribal Liaison, Mytegia Lee, as she shares her experiences growing up in the rural community of Manuelito, New Mexico, selling jewelry to trading posts for her grandparents, participating in local SWAP meets to help support her family, and eventually landing in her banking, lending, and financial literacy education career.
Mytegia will discuss how over time she has grown to love and value her home community, building a career on serving those around her. During this discussion, Mytegia will also share how she believes financial literacy education and entrepreneurship can help others in her community thrive and "bloom where they are planted."
|
This event will be held virtually via Zoom. Please register to receive the meeting link. |
|
|
|
Tribal Liaison Zachariah Ben Attended U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services for Children & Families Conference |
|
Zachariah Ben, a Tribal Liaison for the New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program, joined the first ever federally sponsored national conference in Washington D.C. called the National Convening: Building an Inclusive Human Services System. He joined three other parent leaders to plan the conference and participate in the two-day national convening with 2,000 attendees.
|
|
Student Interns @ UNM Rainforest Innovations |
|
|
Kaitlyn Stewart
Innovation Intern
Our featured intern this month is Kaitlyn Stewart. She plans to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology and two minors in psychology and chemistry. She will also be granted honors designations.
Kaitlyn joined UNMRI in October 2022 and currently serves as an Innovation Student Intern. “What I truly enjoy the most about this job is how much I can learn not only about technology in the fields I am interested in, but also other fields I would have never previously had the opportunity to discover and research.”
Kaitlyn works with four other Innovation Student Interns under the direction of Hannah Russert, the Technology Marketing Manager for UNM Rainforest Innovations. “I must also mention my incredible coworkers and Hannah Russert who has made working at UNM Rainforest so memorable. Everyone on this team works to motivate each other! Working in technology transfer… as an intern, I have received experience marketing to companies that may be interested in our technologies, refining searches to determine novel research, and providing non confidential summaries.”
|
|
|
Attend Upcoming Open Office Hours
Providing Mentoring for Your Startup/Idea
|
|
|
Mentoring for Entrepreneurs with Mytegia Lee
May 18, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. (MDT)
|
Come to virtual 1:1 mentoring with Mytegia Lee where she will provide guidance, coaching, perspective, and connections to enhance entrepreneurship and connections to resources at UNM and in the community. There are many resources available to those who have ideas that they may want to turn into a business! Join Mytegia on Zoom and learn more about what is available and which connections are the best fit for you.
Ms. Lee is the Executive Director of the Southwest Native Assets Coalition (SNAC). Prior to joining SNAC she worked in the commercial banking and financing services industry providing credit analysis, financial education as well as small dollar loan origination and servicing throughout western New Mexico.
|
These are VIRTUAL office hours, please register to select the time frame when you can attend your meeting on Zoom. After you register, a Zoom link and calendar invitation will be emailed to you.
|
|
Rainforest Mentor Hours - Access to Capital with Stacy Sacco
May 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
|
Join Stacy Sacco IN-PERSON at Taos H.I.V.E. for insights into gaining access to capital.
For the past 20 years, Mr. Sacco has taught entrepreneurial studies at the UNM Anderson School of Management, and served as the Director of the UNM Small Business Institute. He currently is the President of Sacco Connections, a management consulting firm, and hosts a free, informational website, with 3,000+ links to local jobs, events and resources.
Mr. Sacco will be available for one-on-one mentoring where he will give guidance, coaching and perspective to enhance entrepreneurship and provide connections to resources at UNM and in the community. There are many resources available to those who have ideas that they may want to turn into a business!
|
|
These are IN-PERSON hours at Taos H.I.V.E., 1146 Gusdorf Rd, Taos, NM 87571
|
|
SCORE Mentors at the Lobo Rainforest Building
May 26, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
|
UNM Rainforest Innovations collaborates with SCORE to offer mentoring and confidential discussions for aspiring and established entrepreneurs, inventors, students, and start-up companies.
SCORE’s certified mentors are successful business people and entrepreneurs with the goal of giving 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.
In addition to their work with the SBA, SCORE mentor Dar Johnson is on the board for the New Mexico American Indian Chamber of Commerce (AICC) and has helped many Native American clients take advantage of his advice and experience. If you are a Native American entrepreneur in New Mexico, you are encouraged to take advantage of this FREE resource in partnership with UNMRI and the NM Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program (NMTEEP).
|
IN-PERSON at the Lobo Rainforest Building. Click "Sign up here" to select the time frame you plan to attend.
|
|
ADVANCED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
|
|
Job creation across America faces numerous, challenging, contemporary issues. Today’s successful economic development professional must make intelligent decisions and provide unparalleled leadership as communities vie for new, quality jobs and economic growth.
The core curriculum of the Advanced Economic Development Leadership program is built on a foundation of exploring innovation, managing change, and surviving disruption in the unique field of economic development. We know each of you is facing new challenges unique to your city or region and shared by others in your field, and we have prepared topics to help you navigate your evolving role in uncertain times. Learn more below about the newest topics in curriculum and how AEDL is your professional development partner every step of the way.
The fall cohort will be an intense, comprehensive, one-week program!
|
|
JOIN THE 2023 COHORT
November 13-17, 2023 at the Kauffman Conference Center
Kansas City, MO
|
|
UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website
Sign Up to receive our e-newsletters and event emails
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
