2026 Participants

The UNM Research Opportunities for Science Educators (ROSE) Program held its 5th annual summer program for Middle and High school science teachers from Monday, June 9 to Friday, July 11, 2025. 

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Twenty ROSE Scholars from across the state of New Mexico participated in a 5-week immersive research program on the UNM Albuquerque campus, hosted by principal investigators from four schoolsa and colleges:

  1. College of Arts and Sciences (Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biology)
  2. School of Engineering (Chemical and Biological Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering)
  3. College of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
  4. School of Medicine (Pathology)

as well as affiliations with the following campus interdisciplinary Centers and Programs:

  • Center for Biomedical Engineering
  • Center for Theoretical and Evolutionary Immunology
  • UNM Health Sciences Center
  • Center for Native Environmental Health Equity Research
  • Center for Microengineered Materials
  • Center for Advancement of Spatial Informatics Research and Education
  • Sevilleta Long-Term Ecological Research Program
  • Center for Advanced Research Computing
  • Center for Quantum Information and Control

ROSE Program Geographic Diversity

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The Program is co-organized by the following UNM faculty members: Profs. Jeff Rack, Steve Cabaniss, and Cari Hushman; with financial and administrative support from the State of New Mexico Higher Education Department Research and Public Service Projects (RPSP);Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Prof. Terefe Habteyes, Chair); UNM Interdisciplinary Science Cooperative; UNM Office of the Provost and EVP for Academic Affairs; UNM Office of the Vice President for Research; UNM College of Arts and Sciences; and NM Science Teachers Association.

The Summer 2026 ROSE Program gave teachers the opportunity to expand their scientific knowledge, develop new laboratory skills, and participate in innovative research at UNM. The program also strengthened collaborations between UNM faculty and science educators throughout New Mexico, helping inspire the next generation of STEM students.

Twenty UNM laboratories and Principal Investigators participated in the Summer 2026 ROSE Program, offering scholars a wide range of advanced research experiences. They are listed below in alphabetical order:

  • Maribel Bernal (Gadsen Middle School, Anthony, NM) Mentor- Prof. Nicholas Jaegers
  • Ana Rosa Carmona (Zuni Middle School, Zuni, NM) Mentor - Prof. Jen Rudgers
  • Tomas Diego III (Lynn Middle School, Las Cruces, NM) Mentor - Prof. Sungjin Kim
  • Florence Fiegalan (Kirtland Central High School, Kirtland, NM) Mentor - Prof. Panjak Kumar
  • Judith Guyod  (Laguna-Acoma High School, Casa Blanca, NM) Mentor - Prof. Anisha Shakya
  • Arturo Herrera (Capitan High School, Capitan, NM) Mentor - Prof. Panjak Kumar
  • Ana Jacobs (Socorro Middle School, Socorro, NM) Mentor - Prof. Dongchang Chen
  • Kamala Kilari (Socorro Middle School, Socorro, NM) Mentor - Prof. Xiang Xue
  • Mirasol Laberinto (Grants High School, Grants, NM) Mentor - Prof. Jen Rudgers
  • Ericson Macapuno (Santo Domingo School, Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM) Mentor - Prof. Jen Rudgers
  • Jahn Clarisse Madlangbayan (Capital High School, Capitan, NM) Mentor - Prof. Davorka Gulisija
  • Alexis Maranan (Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad, NM) Mentor - Prof. Eliane El Hayek
  • Vania Meetze (Lincoln Middle School, Rio Rancho, NM) Mentor - Prof.Joe Endicott
  • Jennifer Nilvo (Belen Consolidated Schools, Belen, NM) Mentor - Prof. Abhaya Dayte
  • Ethel Nunez (Gadsden Middle School Mentor - Prof. Tae-Hyung Kim
  • Ariel Ora (Grants High School, Grants, NM) Mentor - Prof. Lomeli Shull
  • Irish Quidet (Coronado Middle and High School, Gallina, NM) Mentor - Prof. Jean-Hubert Olivier
  • Reagan Ramirez (Bloomfield High School, Bloomfield, NM) Mentor - Prof. Achraf Noureddine
  • Jordan Saner (Santo Domingo School, Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM) Mentor - Prof. John King
  • Amanda Simmons (East Mountain High School, Sandia Park, NM) Mentor - Prof. Irene Salinas
  • Romalyn Ubaldo (Santa Rosa High School, Santa Rosa, NM) Mentor - Prof. Jennifer Gillette
  • Naomi Vijeila (Coral Community Charter School, Albuquerque, NM) Mentor - Prof. Abhaya Dayte