UNM Research Brochure

“ R E S E A R C H I S L E A R N I N G T H A T H A P P E N S O U T S I D E T H E C L A S S R O O M . W H E T H E R Y O U ’ R E D I S C O V E R I N G N E W O R G A N I S M S T H R O U G H A M I C R O S C O P E , T R A C K I N G F L I G H T P A T T E R N S O F B I R D S T H R O U G H S O U T H A M E R I C A O R WA D I N G T H R O U G H T H E R I V E R S O F N E W M E X I C O . R E S E A R C H I S T H E A D V E N T U R E O F A L I F E T I M E . ” Vanessa Tan, UNM M.A. Learning Sciences There are more than 500 abandoned uranium mines on Navajo Nation land throughout New Mexico and neighboring states. How do these contaminated mines affect people? How do we clean them up? That’s what Dr. José Cerrato, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, is investigating as part of the UNM METALS Superfund Research Program Center. The effects of the mining legacy were especially apparent after heavy snowfalls and during the monsoon season, when he and his team observed heavy concentrations of uranium in soil and vegetation in the path of the drainage. Dr. Cerrato would like to better understand the reactivity of mine wastes and how the wastes react with water, organic matter or plants in the area. Through partnerships with Native American communities, Dr. Cerrato is finding the path forward. And he credits a culture of collaboration at UNM for the success of his work. READ MORE AT GO.UNM.EDU/MINES SERIOUS SUPERFUND RESEARCH FEATURE STORY RESEARCH LEADS TO AN INNOVATIVE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR WORLD AND BEYOND. FROM NEW WAYS OF INTERPRETING PHILOSOPHY TO THE DISCOVERY OF ORBITING SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES. IT’S THE CATALYST FOR COUNTLESS PATENTS AND INDUSTRY-CHANGING STARTUP COMPANIES. IT FUELS THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMY AND CAN SOLVE CRITICAL GLOBAL ISSUES. AND BEYOND ALL THAT, RESEARCH IS EDUCATION. STUDENTS NOT ONLY ABSORB KNOWLEDGE , BUT THEY LEARN HOW TO CREATE KNOWLEDGE , WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL , INDEPENDENT THINKERS. AND PERHAPS THAT’S THE RICHEST REWARD. UNDERSTANDING OUR WORLD BY VIEWING IT DIFFERENTLY W H Y R E S E A R C H I S I M P O R T A N T 0 4 U N M R E S E A R C H | 0 5