Building a Rainforest in the Desert | September 2026

A group of researchers at the University of New Mexico are reporting promising results from a study evaluating a dynamic prosthetic interface (DPI) mounting system designed to improve cycling performance for people with transfemoral amputations.

The study, titled “Dynamic Prosthetic Interface Cycling Mount for Transfemoral Amputees: A Single Subject Kinematic Study,” examined the biomechanical performance of the novel mounting system compared with a conventional mounting system.

The research team included Auron Joyner, Paul Bonilla, Evan Long, Leilani Baker, Selina Silva, and Christina Salas. The study also included UNM alumnus and Paralympian Kyle Stepp as the participant.

The mounting technology was developed to provide users with multiple degrees of freedom and greater adjustability while maintaining stiffness and strength necessary for cycling. Initial prototypes were created as part of the UNM Mechanical Senior Design course, with input from UNM Alumni and current U.S. Paralympian, Kyle Stepp. Initial testing was promising, as researchers observed that the DPI demonstrated the following improved outcomes:

• Improved load transfer and distribution through prosthetic interface
• Increased muscular demand in the primary cycling muscle groups
• Decreased demand in supporting muscle groups, which suggests a reduction in compensatory motion
• Overall trend was towards a more efficient cycling behavior

The research team plans to pursue additional grant funding to expand the study to a larger group of prospective users. While additional research is needed, the initial findings represent a promising step toward developing prosthetic systems that could increase opportunities for athletic participation.

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Earlier this year, in partnership with Roanhorse Consulting LLC, UNM Rainforest Innovations hosted the Scaling Work With Indigenous Entrepreneurs event. Key stakeholders within New Mexico’s Indigenous Entrepreneurial Ecosystem convened to reflect on the New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program (NMTEEP) and ways in which similar efforts can be built and scaled to support Indigenous entrepreneurs throughout New Mexico.

Today, we are proud to launch the 2026 Discovery Report – Scaling Work with Indigenous Entrepreneurs building on the initial insights gained from the 2025 Discovery Report launched in April 2025 as a final deliverable for the three-year NMTEEP initiative funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration April 2022 – June 2025.

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New Mexico is opening a pathway for technology companies to leverage outside investment and bring additional capital to groundbreaking, high-impact projects through the state’s Capital Leverage Grant program.

Economic Development New Mexico's Technology and Innovation Office (TIO) opened applications for the new Capital Leverage Grant, which allows advanced technology companies and research institutions that secure at least $1 million in federal, philanthropic or private investment to receive at least $1 million in state funds to boost growth and maximize impact. This grant program represents the state's second offering out of the $150 million Research, Development & Deployment (RD&D) Fund.

Eligible projects span New Mexico's key technology strength areas — quantum systems, advanced energy, aerospace and defense systems, biosciences, and agriculture, water and ecosystem technologies — along with other sectors TIO identifies as strategic to the state's economy. Any businesses registered, or committed to registering, to do business in the state is eligible to apply.

Two award levels will speed up the evaluation process, allowing smaller, well-defined awards to move quickly while larger commitments receive additional diligence. Companies can begin the process by submitting a short letter of intent. Full eligibility requirements, application materials, evaluation criteria and deadlines can be found on the grant webpage.

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Accepting Applications for UNM Rainforest Innovations Fall Rainforest Accelerator

The Rainforest Accelerator encourages and supports entrepreneurial researchers from the University of New Mexico to explore commercial viability of their technologies, create new start-up businesses, generate business models, and submit proposals to other funding opportunities. Participants must be a faculty, staff, student, post-doc or other member at the University of New Mexico and have disclosed the underlying technology in your application to UNM Rainforest Innovations – please inquire if you have any questions about eligibility.

This program walks you through the customer discovery process along with conducting interviews directly with your target audience to help you gather necessary data, which is also essential for preparing stronger SBIR/STTR proposals or other funding opportunities.

Is your technology ready for the market?

• Explore the transition of your technology to the marketplace through entrepreneurial training.
• Determine the value proposition, customer, the size of the market, and market trends for your technology.
• Receive a dedicated mentor to provide one-on-one guidance through the program and the responsible Innovation Manager from UNM Rainforest Innovations will also participate.
• Prepare a formal presentation to investors at the end of the program to receive feedback on the commercialization opportunity of your technology. 

Program dates:

The program will run on Mondays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. from September 21-November 9, 2026, online via Zoom meetings.

Deadline to apply

Submit your application by Friday, September 11.

The University of New Mexico Technology Showcase

About this event:

Join us on Tuesday, October 27 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Lobo Rainforest Building for this featured event, hosted by UNM Rainforest Innovations, to learn about innovative technologies from the University of New Mexico (UNM).

UNM researchers will present their latest innovations and answer questions.

This event is ideal for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone looking to discover new opportunities for startup company formation, investments and collaboration.

Light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

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.

Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program Accepting Applications for the 2026 Cohort

November 2–5, 2026 in Fort Worth Texas

Participants receive an Economic Development Master Practitioner certificate from the partner universities.

AEDL immerses participants in a collaborative, team-centric approach that fosters learning through exploration, debate, exercises and team competition. The program attracts practitioners from across the U.S. bringing a wide range of thought, ideas and experiences to these sessions. Through this approach and the diversity of thought represented, participants often learn as much from interaction with fellow professionals as they do from faculty instruction.

Learn more and apply

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