The BREP Team
The BREP team support students and learners within many School of Medicine research education programs in terms of recruitment, admissions, advising and progress tracking. We also provide interface with offices and departments throughout the UNM community and are dedicated to the success of every student.
Program Directors
Deborah Helitzer, ScD
Assistant Dean for Research Education, MSCR Program Director
Office: Family and Community Medicine 333b
Phone: (505) 272-1601
BREP@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Helitzer's role is to support the large umbrella under which all of the
research education programs will reside. These programs include the BSGP,
the MD/PhD Program, the MSCR Program and many others. Her focus is to
facilitate the important goals of each of these training programs, to
support all the program directors and enable the respective Steering
Committees or Curriculum Committees to carry out their work.
Helen Hathaway, PhD
BSGP Program Director
Office: BMSB 149
Phone: (505) 272-1469
hhathaway@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Hathaway is an Associate Professor in Cell Biology and the Director of
the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BSGP). She studies reproductive
biology and cancer biology and has been at UNM for ten years. Dr. Hathaway
chairs the BSGP Steering Committee and oversees graduate admissions,
curriculum and student issues.
Fernando Valenzuela, MD, PhD
MD/PhD Program Director
Office: BMSB 235
Phone: (505) 272-3128
fvalenzuela@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Valenzuela's BREP duties include overseeing the recruitment process of
new MD/PhD candidates, providing advice to current MD/PhD students during
their education at UNM, and providing updates to the MD/PhD Steering
Committee and Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies. He is an Associate
Professor in the Department of Neurosciences.
BREP Staff
Ignacio Ortiz
Program Manager
Office: HSSB 228
Phone: (505) 272-1921
ijortiz@salud.unm.edu
Ignacio oversees the day-to-day operations for Research Education at the
School of Medicine. This includes many exciting programs which requires a
balanced approach to complex issues. Ignacio has been at UNM for 5 years
and has a bachelors degree in Psychology from ENMU and a Master of Education
in Student Affairs from Northern Arizona University.
Mary Fenton
Program Coordinator
Office: HSSB 227
Phone: (505) 272-6876
mfenton@salud.unm.edu
Mary is the admissions guru of the group. After years of teaching blind or
neurologically- impaired skiers, she is now utilizing those motivational
skills to nurture BSGP applicants from the recruitment stage to the first
day of classes. Mary has been with UNM for two years, and has studied the
effects of parasitic infection on the immune system.
Lissa Muscari
Administrative Assistant III
Office: HSSB 221
Phone: (505) 272-1117
lmuscari@salud.unm.edu
Lissa is the newest addition to the BREP team. She takes care of BREP's day-to-day administrative work, along with managing
Dr. Helitzer's busy schedule. Lissa graduated from UNM with a bachelors
degree in communication, and came to us from LandAmerica Albuquerque Title. In
her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends, her husband and dogs.
She's very excited to be a part of the team and looks forward to working with
everyone!
Natalie Bruner
Academic Advisor
Office: HSSB 225
Phone: (505) 272-0150
nbruner@salud.unm.edu
Natalie works closely with the BSGP program, providing the day-to-day advisement
for our students and helping them successfully navigate the various program
mileposts towards graduation. Natalie's background is a great fit for this
position. She has degrees in Chemistry, Microbiology and Public Administration
and has taught secondary education science for the last few years.
Michael McMillen
Academic Advisor
Office: HSSB 221
Phone: (505) 272-1117
mmcmillen@salud.unm.edu
Michael works part-time with the MS Clinical Research (MSCR) program, providing
the day-to-day advisement for our students and helping them successfully
navigate the various program mileposts towards graduation. Michael is new to
UNM, but has previously worked in the Education field as an Academic Advisor,
Program Manager, and Adjunct Instructor. As a matter of fact, he currently
teaches online Business and Management courses for Chaminade University of
Honolulu. He earned a BS in Personnel Administration and Legal Studies, as well
as an MA in Organizational Management, from Wayland Baptist University.
Sarah Stoliker
Student Assistant
Office: HSSB 223
Phone: (505) 272-1887
sstoliker@salud.unm.edu
Sarah is key in keeping the BREP Office running smoothly. She is
responsible for student support, including: collecting and filing paperwork,
updating student databases and assisting in orientation and other special
events. Sarah is currently working on her bachelors degree in nutrition.
Rachel Lucero
Student Assistant
Office: HSSB 223
Phone: (505) 272-1887
rlucero4@unm.edu
Rachel is an essential part of preserving the daily flow of the BREP Office.
She assists the staff and students with various issues and activities.
Rachel is in her third year of her bachelor's degree at UNM studying arts
and sciences. She is interested in business and broadcast journalism.