NEWS

This project brings together twenty undergraduate students for a one-month intensive research course during the summer term. Students will explore how large language models can be applied to compiler education by developing small-scale systems that clarify compiler feedback, detect syntax issues, and support conceptual understanding through dialogue. By embedding authentic research into a structured course, the project bridges the gap between education and discovery—allowing students to experience how modern AI relates to the systems they study in theory. It directly supports NM EPSCoR’s SURE Award objectives by expanding undergraduate research engagement, building institutional capacity in AI and computing, and advancing New Mexico’s Science and Technology priorities in intelligent systems and data-driven education.

The objectives of this project are to: 1) Provide hands-on experience for undergraduate students that will facilitate a career in conservation biology. The addition of thermal and radio trackers in student training will provide a unique skillset otherwise unavailable for students at a small rural university such as ENMU, making our students considerably more prepared for conservation careers and competitive against graduates of larger universities. 2) Produce real world data on tolerance of abiotic stressors for the threatened species P. gorzugi that will directly inform conservation efforts. Students will be involved in field and laboratory experiments assessing habitat usage and selective tolerances of temperature and salinity. These data will be utilized in a larger model to understand current habitat usage and suitable habitat for potential translocations. 3) Use real data to communicate conservation concepts to the wider population of eastern New Mexico, especially concerning P. gorzugi. 

This project will provide stipends and research materials for NMHU undergraduates. By supporting student-driven fungal ecology projects, we will enhance experiential research training, build interdisciplinary collaboration between Forestry and Biology, and contribute new knowledge about fungal communities in New Mexico’s ecosystems. We propose to support three undergraduate lead researchers and embed mycology-focused projects into course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) that will engage ~25 additional students. Our objectives are: 1) Isolate and DNA barcode fungi cultured from wildfire smoke samples to characterize species diversity. 2) Extract DNA from decaying wood in watershed restoration projects and identify fungal communities using high-throughput sequencing. 3) Determine fungal communities associated with reforestation nursery stock under experimental inoculation treatments. 4) Implement a CURE in Wildland Pest Management to study conifer wood decay fungi in Northern New Mexico in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. 5. Conduct a soil fungal community assessment at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) across grassland–woodland ecotones managed for cultural bison herds.