UNM Academics & Innovation

This is where most Lobos spend most of their time. At least in the beginning. Twenty-three departments in all, this is where you start to lay a solid liberal arts foundation. One that you can build almost any degree on. And your life. And a lifetime of career opportunities. Biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics. Every STEM degree begins right here. Every philosophy, psychology, sociology and anthropology degree. This is where poets and playwrights start to dig into their craft, too. Alongside some of the finest, most dedicated faculty on earth. Each more than ready to go the distance with you. Challenge you. And educate you in a little bit of everything so you’ll be ready for anything. g o . u nm . e d u /a r t s c i e n c e 1 0 A C A D E M I C S & I N N O V A T I O N | 1 1 FACULTY FOCUS P A T R I C I A C R O W N Distinguished Professor, Department of Anthropology Member, National Academy of Sciences Did you know that early inhabitants of the Southwest really liked their ca˜eine? Neither did we. Nobody knew. Not until Professor Crown and her team pointed it out. What does it mean? It means that 8th-century inhabitants traveled farther and had a stronger trade relationship with Mesoamericans than previously thought. Early inhabitants made CAFFEINE-RICH DRINKS FROM CACAO & HOLLY PLANTS. She’s a mountain biker, road cyclist and protégé to the world’s top scientists. And this place, she chose it. To be overwhelmed and humbled. To be inspired, yet she continues to inspire us. Co-leading the Advance Women in Science Club, collecting student award after student award, all while earning apprenticeships that a˜ect climate change in Albuquerque and well beyond. AWARDED PROTÉGÉ STATUS AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH. One of 150 applicants nationwide. STUDENT PROF I LE H O L L Y O L I V A R E Z Senior BS Earth & Planetary Sciences FACULTY FOCUS Y E M A N E A S M E R O M Professor, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences He’s one of those people who people turn to when they need answers. For example, when an international team needed to determine the age of the oldest-known well-preserved human skeleton in the Americas, they asked him. Through careful research in our state-of-the-art Radiogenic Isotope Lab, the results were conclusive, and helped confirm a link between Paleoamericans and Native Americans. NAMED A 2016 GEOCHEMICAL SOCIETY FELLOW. — Geochemical Society FACULTY FOCUS J E N N I F E R N E Z D E N E T D A L E Associate Professor of American Studies There had never been a Diné/Navajo with a PhD in History. The Navajo Nation had never had a fearless advocate for the LGBTQI population. But she blazed those trails. Building a teaching style that’s often described as “transformative.” She didn’t set out to become the voice of indigenous peoples, but now generations of students have a better understanding of what it means to be a Native American in America. SHE’S AN AUTHOR, LECTURER AND LEADER OF THE NAVAJO NATION HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION