NEWS
Building New Mexico's Scientific Future: Record Student Participation Marks Research Symposium Milestone
5 minutes
By
Brittney Van Der Werff
ALBUQUERQUE — On November 15, the 12th annual New Mexico Research Symposium (NMRS) drew 77 student researchers for its poster session, nearly double the participation from previous years. More than 200 students, faculty, scientists, researchers, and community members from across the state came presented their work, networked with peers, and experienced a professional scientific conference.
Overview
This year’s event featured one opening keynote talk, 24 oral session talks, 77 research posters, two outstanding science teachers, four faculty experts in a NASA research showcase panel, eight poster competition award winners, and seven event partners.
A Keynote to Remember
Sara Del Valle, Chief Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, delivered a keynote that bridged scientific rigor and personal triumph. In her talk, “Forecasting the Future of Pandemics: The Role of Math, Data, and Human Behavior,” she discussed pandemic forecasting and how mathematics, data, and human behavior converge in public health, while sharing her remarkable path from a 16-year-old immigrant from Mexico who spoke no English to a leading scientist at one of America's most prestigious research institutions.
Research Sessions
The oral presentation sessions showcased a diverse range of cutting-edge research across disciplines, including genomics, environmental engineering, advanced materials, and aerospace. Presenters delivered in-depth analyses on topics such as sustainable energy solutions, space science, and biomedical innovations, emphasizing both theoretical frameworks and practical applications.
Complementing the oral presentations, the poster session featured an extensive array of projects spanning environmental science, engineering, health, and education. Researchers presented visually engaging posters that explored themes like climate adaptation, water quality, renewable energy, and STEM education initiatives. This interactive format encouraged one-on-one dialogue between presenters and participants, fostering networking and deeper engagement with emerging scientific ideas and methodologies.
Honoring Exceptional Educators
The Symposium recognized educators who create the foundation for student research success. The Outstanding New Mexico Science Teacher Awards, presented annually since 1968 by the New Mexico Academy of Science, honored two exceptional STEM educators in partnership with American Chemical Society's Central New Mexico chapter.
Tyza Faith Aregna Iwag of Raton High School was recognized for integrating diverse teaching strategies and technology to engage students while fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry.
Deb Novak from the Air Force Research Lab’s STEM Outreach program was honored for her decades of work as a science classroom teacher, science department head, grade 6-12 science electives instructor, K-5 teacher, science coordinator, and co-curricular team leader, among numerous other roles.
Connecting to Broader Research Networks
A NASA EPSCoR Research Showcase, led by Paulo Oeming, director of both New Mexico Space Grant and New Mexico NASA EPSCoR, demonstrated how local research connects to national priorities. The panel included Dongchang Chen from UNM on fiber optics-based spectroscopic sensing of battery systems, Borys Drach from NMSU on quality monitoring for reliable 3D printing in space applications, and Andrei Zagrai from New Mexico Tech on a structural health monitoring payload destined for experiments on the International Space Station.
The showcase exposed students to cutting-edge research being conducted at New Mexico institutions while highlighting the state's contributions to space exploration and technology development.
Celebrating Excellence
Before the final awards ceremony, Symposium organizers paused to honor Malva Knoll, current Secretary of the New Mexico Academy of Science, who plans to retire from the role after joining the volunteer board in the 1980s. Minus a few short breaks, she has dedicated decades to improving science education across New Mexico. Surprising no one, Malva received a standing ovation after a brief summary of her service by NMAS president-elect Deb Thrall.
Poster Competition
2025 Poster Competition Winners:
1st Place – Graduate Category
Getrude A. Amoah, ENMU
“The Biological Role of Garlic and Chile in Fighting Foodborne Bacteria: Exploring Natural Alternatives to Antimicrobial Agents”
2nd Place – Graduate Category
Zoe Hutcherson, ENMU
“Understanding the Distribution of Rio Grande Cooters and Examining Spatial Variation in their Bacterial Microbiota”
3rd Place – Graduate Category
Reuben Enchill, ENMU
“Antimicrobial Properties and Mode of Action of Cinnamon and Cumin on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus”
1st place – Undergraduate Category (tie)
Aleksandra N Maruszak, CNM
“The Influence of Urban Microclimates on Summer Insect Activity in a High-Desert Ecoregion: A Case Study in Albuquerque, New Mexico”
1st place – Undergraduate Category (tie)
Christian Juarez, UNM
“Urban Heat Island Effect Amplifies Cabin Temperatures in Parked Vehicles”
2nd place – Undergraduate Category (tie)
Kaitlyn Rivera, ENMU
“Microplastic Monitoring in the Rio Grande: A Baseline Study”
2nd place – Undergraduate Category (tie)
Christiana Concepcion, UNM
“SIRT1's Impact on Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling in Hair Cells of Danio rerio”
3rd place – Undergraduate Category
Abigail Coffman, UNM
“Thermally Responsive Smart Microcapsules for Enhanced Geothermal Energy Recovery”
The awards ceremony closed with many thanks to the volunteer moderators, poster judges, and invaluable event partners: The New Mexico Academy of Science, American Chemical Society Central New Mexico Chapter, New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, New Mexico NASA EPSCoR, the Center for High Technology Materials at University of New Mexico, Eastern New Mexico University, Central New Mexico Community College, and Explora.
Building an Ecosystem
The 12th annual New Mexico Research Symposium’s success (measured not just in participation numbers but in the quality of student presentations and the energy that filled the SUB) points to a healthy and growing research culture across New Mexico. As more students seek these professional development opportunities, the Symposium fulfills its mission of preparing the next generation while strengthening connections among institutions.
For the 77 students who presented posters, the 23 researchers who delivered oral presentations, and the many more who attended to learn and network, the message was clear: New Mexico's research community welcomes you, values your contributions, and invests in your professional development. The Symposium creates a space where students can step forward as researchers, and year after year, in growing numbers, they do.