Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Click Here to learn more about the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Click here to learn about the Land of Enchantment 

Click here to learn about the vibrant and diverse city of Albuquerque New Mexico 

Please Click here to visit the Celebrating Diversity Months activities and events. 

Women's History Celebrations can be viewed here

I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I am the first college graduate in my immediate family, and the first woman and Hispanic to be named Chair of a Basic Science Department in the UNM School of Medicine.  I led the development of training courses in the UNM CTSC that use evidence-based interventions to create a diverse culture of inclusive excellence in science.

I look forward to my continued engagement in DEI issues through my participation in the Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

I am established Health Services Researcher with experience in clinical translational and community-based participatory research studies in minorities including American Indians and Hispanics of NM. I have worked for more than 32 years toward establishing / promoting the community-partnered research as a way to address many of the health disparity issues in order to deepen the scientific base of knowledge in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities for chronic diseases with special emphasis in diabetes, heart and kidney disease. The pre-eminent contribution I have made is in home-based health care services that are sensitive to the culture and traditions of American Indian communities being served.

I grew up in western Illinois – farm and manufacturing country – and I was taught that racist white people lived in the South, not in the friendly Midwest.  Boy, was I naïve!  The western Illinois of my youth was shockingly segregated, and I recognize now that people’s ideas about “other” groups tended to be at best ignorant, and at worst hateful.  Even with the best of intentions, it is awfully hard to develop a healthy understanding of, and appreciation for, people who are different from you, if you virtually never meet anyone who is different.  I am blessed to have raised my own children in New Mexico.  I love the rich diversity of this beautiful state – its people, its cultures, and even the diversity of its physical landscapes and microenvironments.  Of course, there is still plenty of work left to do in New Mexico to make it a truly just and equitable place for everyone, but I am proud to call New Mexico home. 

PI Hines has a long history of mentoring women and other underrepresented groups; e.g., of the 23 students mentored over the past ten years, 20 have been women, each of which are currently establishing their careers in research (11), medicine (8), or education (1). The lab is currently staffed with one postdoctoral researcher; one graduate student (year2), two post-baccalaureate students, and two undergraduate students. We also have a partnership with a local STEM charter school, Altura Preparatory School, that serves an economically disadvantaged area in Albuquerque.​

DEI to me, means productivity power, deeper trust, and more commitment from the group to me. The diversity initiatives and strategies are designed to attract, develop and advance the most talented individuals regardless of race, age, gender, religion, disability status or any other dimension of diversity.

I have a passion for mentoring and teaching underrepresented and first-generation students. Since joining UNM I have served as a FASEB MARC Faculty Peer Mentor at ABRCMS (the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students), and as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Representative for the Autophagy, Inflammation, and Metabolism Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. I have also mentored underrepresented and first-generation students in my own lab, who have included participants in the UNM McNair Scholars Program, The New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation, the Undergraduate Pipeline Network, the Continuing Umbrella of Research Excellence program, and the Frank O. and Sadie M. Lane Scholars program, among others. I am very proud of all of these amazing students, many of whom have now gone on to graduate school or medical school. I hope that my approach of wondering "what do I wish someone had told me when I was in their shoes" helps to inform my mentoring, and I look forward to continuing to work with more amazing students, both within our department and here at UNM more broadly. I also look forward to hearing directly from any of our students who have questions about any of the programs mentioned above, or about anything else they feel I may be able to be any help with.

I am Assistant Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UNM, which is a Hispanic Serving Institute and Minority Serving Institute. My class and research lab are always inclusive and welcome all students who are passion about scientific research regardless of their diverse backgrounds. I have worked with many underrepresented minority student groups. My lab at UNM has provided equal training opportunities for 3 technicians, 2 postdocs, 8 graduate, 2 post-baccalaureate and 14 undergraduate students. I value DEI by serving as a poster judge and UNM faculty representative at Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS).

As a Hispanic educator and scientist who has worked in different countries, I have been very thankful for the opportunity to engage in a diverse and multicultural environment.  I am supporting diversity, equity and inclusion through different experiences.  As a MARC mentor at ABRCMS and SACNAS, I integrate students by judging their research presentations, and collaborate in fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans students in attaining advanced degrees and positions of leadership in STEM.  Moreover, as mentor in Biomedicine at IMFAHE, an International Mentoring Foundation, I have a commitment with Hispanics graduated students, leading them to professional accomplishments.

I am very grateful and happy to work at UNM, a multicultural University full of diversity, and be involved in expanding the access to high quality science education and to inspire the next generation of professional, scientists and innovators in New Mexico.

New Mexico has always been home for me. I grew up in Northern New Mexico and started my undergraduate studies in Las Cruces. I have found my home in Albuquerque NM. I am grateful to live in a region full of vibrant life and diversity.

As a first-generation college graduate, I struggled early in finding my calling. After finding a passion in Chemistry (Biochemistry) I received my PhD at UNM in Chemistry. During my time as a graduate student and the years following, I gained an appreciation and passion for teaching. I am associated with the Premedical Enrichment Program (PrEP) and am currently the DEI director for our department.  As a Lecturer III in our department, I have the privilege to interact and guide our diverse student body.