NMSU must craft its own Carnegie R1 culture

By Dr. Luis Cifuentes, Vice President for Research, Creativity, and Economic Development

Shortly after arriving at NMSU in July 2018, I was tasked with leading the university toward achieving Carnegie R1 status. That vision has been met.

But what does it mean to be a Carnegie R1 institution? For NMSU, this prestigious designation signifies a shift from recognition in name to a culture defined by research excellence, operations, and reputation.

In a Carnegie R1 culture, research and academics thrive together. Unlike research conducted in industry or government, university research is deeply intertwined with education, particularly at the doctoral level. Students are integral to research success, benefiting directly from hands-on learning experiences.

A Carnegie R1 culture is defined by a commitment to continuous improvement in research, teaching, and service. Faculty, students, and staff are supported through resources, mentoring, and professional development. Interdisciplinary collaboration, open inquiry, and ethical research practices are valued, with diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core.

The misconception that research-focused faculty are less effective in the classroom is dismissed in a Carnegie R1 institution. NMSU faculty bring research into their teaching, fostering a culture of lifelong learning. This integration of research enhances—not detracts from—teaching and learning outcomes. Research must also infuse service, the other pillar of a land-grant institution.

While increasing research funding is important, the true essence of an R1 culture lies in building an ecosystem that fosters knowledge transfer, talent development, and research commercialization. Research should extend beyond academic circles to drive industry innovation, inform policies, and address global challenges with local impact.

One such challenge is preparing a workforce for a high-tech, 21st-century economy. With a Carnegie R1 main campus, NMSU can better guide students into meaningful careers while contributing to economic development and social mobility.

How can NMSU establish a unique Carnegie R1 identity? This will be explored in a panel discussion during Research and Creativity Week, April 23-29. More details to come soon!

Dr. Luis Cifuentes, NMSU

News from Research Administration: Intellectual Property Terms in Grants and Contracts

By Ms. Alisha Giron, Associate Vice President for Research

Comprehensive terms and conditions relevant to researcher and university intellectual property (IP) are increasingly necessary in grants and contracts. The Office of Research, Creativity, and Economic Development recognizes this importance, especially as the institution is poised to become an R1 university soon. Arrowhead Center and Research Administration Services (RAS) have already begun collaborating on the review and interpretation of provisions concerning IP on a larger range of agreements. Effective this month, RAS will consult with Arrowhead on IP-related terms that are identified in awards received from all non-state and non-federal prime entities. Additionally, for these agreements, if IP is not addressed or is considered silent, Arrowhead will review and offer language to be included in the negotiations. This additional layer of review will require extra time and patience for all involved parties. We appreciate the commitment by the research community on understanding the significance of this step in the overall process. 

News from Workforce and Strategic Engagements

By Dr. Patricia Sullivan, Director, Workforce and Strategic Engagements

The Office of Workforce and Strategic Engagement recently participated in a site visit and alternative water technology briefing at Texas Pacific Water Resources in Midland, TX. The briefing demonstrated the trust that industry has placed on cutting-edge research underway by the NMSU faculty affiliated with the NM Produced Water Research Consortium (NMPWRC). One of the key NMPWRC research areas recognized by the industry participants included the creation of protocol standards for testing and the extensive characterization of produced water, which has opened opportunities for the potential recycling and reuse of the produced water under fit-for-purpose applications. The NMSU team, comprised of President Ferme, DACC Chancellor Torres, VPR Cifuentes, Dr. Patricia Sullivan,  and Clayton Abbey, was also joined by State Representative Nathan Small.

Arrowhead Center at NMSU Secures $1 Million in DOE Funding to Advance Energy-Water Innovation

By Ms. Dana Catron, Deputy Director, Arrowhead Center

Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University (NMSU) has been awarded $1 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions through the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) initiative. This funding will support the launch and expansion of the Arrowhead RenewTech Incubator and Accelerator, an initiative designed to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of energy-water technologies and provide underserved communities with equitable access to sustainable solutions.

Through a collaborative engagement model, Arrowhead Center is leveraging partnerships with Sandia National Laboratories and NMSU’s College of Engineering, among other key stakeholders, to address critical energy and water challenges in New Mexico. The RenewTech program fosters cross-sector collaboration among startups, national laboratories, and industry leaders while ensuring that marginalized communities benefit from cutting-edge innovations.

Phase II of the project has seen significant progress, with the finalization of the incubator and accelerator design, the establishment of strategic partnerships, and commitments from communities including Taos, Roswell, Questa and Los Lunas. The EPIC funding will allow Arrowhead Center to further scale its programs, with a roadmap that includes recruiting additional startups, expanding community demonstration projects, and strengthening collaborations with Sandia National Laboratories. Over the next three years, the program aims to serve 75 startups, secure additional funding, and achieve a 75% success rate for participating companies in obtaining follow-on investment.

Research & Creativity Highlight: 3ɟutures Performance

By Dr. Allison Layfield, Senior Proposal Development Specialist, RAS

Dr. Jacob Dalager, Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Jazz, will perform his original composition, 3ɟutures for trumpet and orchestra, with the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, March 29th at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 30th at 3pm in Atkinson Recital Hall. This concerto uses climate literature to create sonic imagery of extreme weather events that are already occurring with greater force and occurrence, like hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and tornadoes. Dalager integrates cutting edge green technology and collective action to depict the optimistic possibilities of overcoming the climate crisis. Each movement depicts addresses the tension between potential climate futures:

An ambitious piece, 3ɟutures is over 20 minutes long and requires over 60 musicians; it has received recognition from the American Prize, International Music Grand Prix, and College Music Society. The concerts will be professionally recorded for commercial release thanks to NMSU’s Arts & Humanities Seed Grant, the Puffin Foundation, and the Las Cruces Symphony. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at lascrucessymphony.com.

Dr. Jacob Dalager, NMSU

Recognizing Submitters of Large Proposals (November 2024-January 2025)

By Dr. Allison Layfield, Senior Proposal Development Specialist, RAS

Congratulations to Drs. Andrew Conway and Brian Gold for submitting a large proposal in the last quarter.

Dr. Andrew Conway, working with colleagues in Hungary, Belgium, and Austria, submitted a COG-Enhance Synergy grant to support NMSU for $2.5 million. 

The aim of the proposed Cog-Enhance research program is to investigate the mechanisms influencing enhanced cognitive abilities across generations and throughout development. We will test two predictions: (1) environmental variables that contribute to the increase in verbal abilities, both in development and across generations, are primarily related to schooling and socioeconomic status, while nonverbal abilities, such as working memory, are primarily influenced by biological aspects of the environment (e.g., nutrition); (2) in early adolescence, there is a shift in the mode of learning from predominantly implicit to predominantly explicit, and this shift is related to biological maturation.

Dr. Andrew Conway, NMSU

Dr. Brian Gold, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, submitted a $1.75 million proposal to National Institute of General Medical Sciences MIRA grant. Titled, "Modular Synthetic Tools for Chemical Biology," the grant would support the Gold lab's research on "click" chemistry, a method of creating complex chemical molecules, particularly useful to biomedicine.

Biomedicine relies on chemical synthesis. Modular approaches have overtaken the laborious target-driven syntheses of isolated natural products; at the forefront is “click” chemistry, which has driven innovation throughout the molecular sciences. The overall goal of the proposed research is the development of click strategies in the pursuit of modular synthetic tools for drug discovery and other applications in biomedicine.

For further information, contact Dr. Brian Gold at bgold@nmsu.edu

Dr. Brian Gold NMS

 Call for Proposals: Cowboys for Cancer Research

By Dr. Jessica Houston, Professor, Chemical Engineering

Cowboys for Cancer Research (C4CR) is currently inviting applications from NMSU investigators for pilot-project cancer research support. C4CR (https://c4cr.com/) is a Las Cruces based nonprofit, making contributions to cancer research in the state of New Mexico for over 40 years. The C4CR Endowed Fund at New Mexico State University supports all domains of cancer research including basic, preclinical, clinical, population-based and translational. Support also includes funding for the acquisition of equipment/instruments that support collaborative cancer research.

Applications from all disciplines are invited to apply. Applications may also include requests for equipment or instrumentation for collaborative multi-investigator use.  Examples of previously supported cancer research projects include discovery of cancer biomarkers and molecular targets, novel drugs, new technologies for detection, cancer epidemiology and prevention, cancer health disparities, understanding barriers to cancer screening and cancer care, and exploration of cancer behavioral sciences and comparative effectiveness.

Submissions are due April 30, 2025 @ 5:00 pm. The application should be a single PDF file labeled using last name-C4CR-FY2023.

Access the full call for proposals and application template: 

https://flowcytometry.nmsu.edu/houston-team/index.html

Join Us for Grants & Coffee in Spring 2025

By Dr. Allison Layfield, Senior Proposal Development Specialist, RAS

Been meaning to write that grant (or article, or book)? Drop in for coffee and dedicate an hour to your research. A proposal specialist and research deans are on site to answer grant questions. We provide the snacks and you bring your laptop. There are two rules at write club: no emails and no grading!

This event is for faculty only.

February 21, 10:30-11:30 in Devasthali Hall 106

Michele Shuster and Allison Layfield welcome faculty from all departments, especially those who want to work on re-submitting a grant proposal.

March 17, 11:30-12:30 in Goddard Hall 200

Jay Misra and Allison Layfield welcome faculty from all departments. This event follows the NSF Career Discussion (see below).

April 23, 3-4pm in O'Donnell Hall 300

Michael Hout and Allison Layfield welcome faculty from all departments. This event follows the Planning NSF Broader Impacts session (see below).

Commit to Submitting Your Best NSF Career Proposal

By Dr. Allison Layfield, Senior Proposal Development Specialist, RAS

This workshop series is designed to help NMSU faculty prepare applications for NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program. Participants will learn how to prepare for the application process, develop a proposal, and will have opportunities to meet other NMSU applicants.

Eligible applicants must be engaged in research in an area of science, engineering, or education supported by NSF, and:

• Hold at least 50% tenure-track position as Assistant Professor
• Are untenured
• Have not received a prior CAREER award

NSF Career Discussion: March 17, 11-12:30, Goddard Hall, rm 200

Come for a discussion of the NSF Career Solicitation and application planning. Stay for pre-writing at the Grants & Coffee writing hour.

Writing Effective NSF Career Proposals: April 11, 8:30-3:30, Zoom

Lucy Deckard, founder of Academic Research Funding Strategies (ARFS), LLC and former research engineer will lead a workshop on developing effective NSF Career Proposals. Registration required.

To register, email Allison Layfield: layfield@nmsu.edu

Planning NSF Broader Impacts: April 23, 2-3pm, O’Donnell 300

Michael Hout, HEST Research Dean and former NSF Program Officer, will lead a workshop on writing the broader impacts section of NSF Career proposals.  

Limited Submission Funding Opportunities

Research Administration Services maintains a list of limited submission funding opportunities for NMSU research community. The list is accessible through a link on the Research website, through the Research Administration tab. NMSU users can also access the list directly on SharePoint. We encourage NMSU researchers to periodically visit the site and if they are interested in any of the opportunities to please inform us by sending email to ras@nmsu.edu, subject line Limited Submission, and the name of the agency and the title of the funding opportunity in the body of the email.

Pivot Funding Opportunity Database

This is a reminder that in order to assist NMSU faculty and staff in locating external funding opportunities, the RCED has purchased a subscription to ProQuest’s Pivot available at https://pivot.proquest.com/session/login.  

To create an account with Pivot for the first time

 To request a one-on-one or group Pivot training, send email to layfield@nmsu.edu. 

Questions and comments regarding NMSU’s Research Digest should be directed to Dr. Allison Layfield at layfield@nmsu.edu, (575) 646-1590.