The next data collection dates for UNM METALS Community Exposure Studies continue in May with the next events scheduled for May 30th and 31st in Paguate. These studies aim to inform interventions to reduce health risks from exposures to metals and help inform uranium mine remediation decisions and review of proposed new mining projects in the area.

The data collected from new and continuing participants at the Pueblo of Laguna will allow our researchers to learn about overall metals exposure from the Jackpile-Paguate mine through collection of biospecimens to see how metals exposures affect health.

These study dates in May will be the last scheduled dates for new enrollees.

WELCOMING OUR NEW TRAINEES!

Eresay Alcantar-Velasquez is a second-year master’s student in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences. She is co-advised by Drs. Jose Cerrato & Johanna Blake. She is a student trainee hydrologist at the USGS New Mexico Water Science Center, and a part of the E-H20 lab. Her master’s work is focused on how the geochemical reactions between pinewood ash and mine waste solids affect metal mobility to downstream waters. She is passionate about understanding geochemical water reactions and sustaining reliable drinking water sources to support healthy communities.

Her advice for fellow or future trainees is to reach out to other trainees, learn about their research, and consider how their research connects to others in order to grow as a scientist and expand perspectives regarding research.

Raphael Rivadávia is a 4th-year Ph.D. candidate working under the supervision of Dr. Jose Cerrato within the EH2-O Research group at UNM. His research focuses on understanding the biogeochemical processes that influence the mobility of metals in mining legacy-affected areas, such as the Animas River. His project aims to develop effective remediation strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of mining and to explore methods for removing and recovering critical minerals from acid mine drainage.

Raphael's advice to fellow trainees is to embrace the complexity of environmental systems by seeking perspectives outside their immediate niche, as the most effective remediation strategies 

often come from bridging the gap between microbiology, geochemistry, and engineering.



Alice Rindestig Sjöberg is a third-year MS student in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, working in Dr. Esther Erdei’s lab. Her focus is on environmental health issues, specifically in rural communities impacted by hard rock mining legacy. Her B.S. in Biochemistry introduced her to the complexity of the human body and immune system. Soon after she discovered the world of public health and community work alongside wet-lab research. Her current work focuses on looking at the impacts of long-term arsenic and uranium exposure on the immune system. She has found working with Indigenous populations has profoundly enriched her professional and personal perspective.

Her advice to trainees is to participate in community work. It can help to obtain a good perspective and add valuable experience. Communicating with colleagues and seeking support for a second opinion when needed is also important. Science is all about communication and asking questions.

TRAINEE RECOGNITION

Paige Haley has been awarded the Resilience Innovation Fellowship supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and administrated by the UNM Graduate Studies Office (GSO) for her work on the mobility and bioavailability of metals particulates from the Jackpile-Paguate uranium mine.

Jorge Moreno won 1st place for best graduate student poster at the UNM College of Pharmacy Research Day on April 15th, 2026 for his poster "Development of an autoimmune prone disease state following inhalation exposure to uranium bearing dust in MRL/MpJ mice."

Charlotte McVeigh won 2nd place for best graduate student poster at the UNM College of Pharmacy Research Day on April 15th, 2026 for her poster "Analysis of metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers and urinary tungsten concentrations in human serum samples from the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study."

DISSERTATIONS

Brenna Baird defended her dissertation titled "Wildfire Smoke-Induced Neuroinflammation and the Interventions to Prevent and Modulate Peripheral Immune Infiltration Into the Brain" on March 19th, 2026.

Theodros M. Woldeyohannes defended his thesis titled "Multi-scale analysis of environmental contamination and exposure from the mining and waste management industries in the United States" on March 25th, 2026.