ASERT-IRCADA Faculty Research Mentors cover diverse disciplines, including Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering and Biology.
Our Education mentors serve institutions throughout the state with many different populations.
One Postdoctoral position in Vascular Physiology Research and Immunology is available in the laboratory of Dr. Laura Gonzalez Bosc, Vascular Physiology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA. The project focuses on understanding the role of collagen V-specific Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Techniques used in the project involve the use of genetically modified mouse models, multi-color flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, precision cut lung slices, co-cultures of pulmonary smooth muscle cells and T cells, isolate and cannulate mouse pulmonary arteries to measure changes in arterial diameter and arterial wall calcium, measure changes in gene and protein expression by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. A background in pulmonary physiology or cell biology with experience in mouse models, cell culture, and molecular biology is preferred. Applicants should hold a doctoral degree (MD, DVM, PhD). Applicants must be NIH T32-eligible (US Citizen or Green Card). Contact Dr.Laura Gonzalez Bosc, email: lgonzalezbosc@salud.unm.edu
Katherine Zychowski, PhD, Assistant Professor College of Nursing
The Zychowski Laboratory (UNM-Health Sciences) is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to work in an exciting Environmental Toxicology research laboratory. The focus of our research involves examining basic biological mechanisms of air pollution exposures. We are also spearheading clinical and translational studies related to Environmental and Occupational Health. The ideal candidate will have a background in molecular biology, mechanistic toxicology, vascular biology, molecular epidemiology and/or neuroscience. The selected candidate will be responsible for assuming his/her own independent project, generate data, deliver seminars and write scientific manuscripts. Our lab is currently funded through R-level grants via the National Institutes of Health.
Thomas Resta, PhD, Professor Cell Biology and Physiology
A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Thomas C. Resta at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Health Sciences Center (HSC; https://hsc.unm.edu/directory/resta-tom.html), Current projects focus on;
1) vascular smooth muscle mitochondrial oxidant signaling and membrane cholesterol trafficking in the development of pulmonary hypertension;
2) novel mechanisms of calcium-sensitization and vasoconstriction in vascular smooth muscle;
A variety of experimental approaches will be utilized in these studies including whole animal hemodynamics, ultrasound imaging, isolated perfused lungs, dimensional analysis of isolated, pressurized small pulmonary arteries, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and molecular and mitochondrial biology techniques. This position provides a rich academic training environment, including the resources, technical approaches, communication skills, mentoring opportunities, and professional interactions that will aid the trainee becoming an independent investigator in cardiovascular research. We are looking for self-motivated individuals who will be responsible for planning and execution of experiments, data collection and analysis, preparation and submission of scientific abstracts/manuscripts, and developing a postdoctoral/early career grant proposal.
Scott Ness, PhD, Professor Molecular Medicine
Post-Doc opportunity in cancer molecular biology, transcription factors, differentiation, cancer genomics and bioinformatics. Join us and do great science in the Land of Enchantment! Applicants must be NIH T32-eligible (US Citizen or Green Card). Contact Scott Ness, Dept of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM.
Email: sness@salud.unm.edu
Website: https://unmhealth.org/cancer/research/programs/labs/ness.html
Nikki Jernigan, PhD, Professor Cell Biology and Physiology
Dr. Nikki Jernigan is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow with a strong interest in cardiovascular and metabolic physiology research and teaching. The focus of the NIH-funded research program has been on a unique class of voltage-insensitive, non-selective cation channels, acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), and its contribution to the metabolic-mitochondrial dysfunction associated with pulmonary hypertension. More recently we have expanded our research interests to investigate how a mutation of ASIC1a leads to profound differences in age- and sex-related energy, metabolic, and cardiovascular homeostasis. This is an exciting new area of research that has the potential to provide new insights into the development of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
Email: njernigan@salud.unm.edu Website: https://hsc.unm.edu/directory/jernigan-nikki.html
Jay Naik, PhD, Assistant Professor Cell Biology and Physiology
Dr. Naik's research focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms by which endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells communicate to regulate blood flow to meet the metabolic demands of body organs. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous vasodilator compound produced in endothelial cells that regulates blood pressure and local blood flow. Indeed, the production and/or activity of H2S is decreased in most cardiovascular diseases. The current understanding of how H2S signaling is mediated is poorly understood, limiting therapeutic options to activate or repair the H2S signaling system. Dr. Naik's work has identified the novel concept that inherent regional variation in endothelial cell plasma membrane cholesterol is an essential determining factor in establishing these divergent signaling pathways in different size arteries. We are investigating the functional significance and mechanisms leading to heterogeneous membrane cholesterol content among endothelial cells from different sites and identifying the role of membrane cholesterol content in regulating H2S signaling targets in the endothelium to understand how this molecule signals in healthy systems, identifying potential targets that may be dysregulated in disease. His work's long-term goal is to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Email: jnaik@salud.unm.edu Website: https://hsc.unm.edu/directory/naik-jay.html
* Denotes mentors who are mentoring a current ASERT fellow and are not available to accept another trainee until the indicated year.
Sarah F. Adams, MD Gynecologic Oncology
Translational research focused on tumor immunology and the development of novel strategies for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Kiran Bhaskar, Ph.D. Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Neurodegenerative disease, specifically Alzheimer’s disease and related tauopathies.
Tione Buranda, Ph.D. Pathology
Pathogen-host cell interactions: attachment and entry, effects on signal transduction, identification of new molecular targets relevant to viral and bacterial pathogenesis.
Matthew Campen, Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Mechanisms underlying the systemic, particularly neurovascular and placental vascular effects, stemming from inhaled toxicants.
Judy Cannon, PhD Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Discovering mechanisms whereby signaling molecules can drive both normal and leukemic T-cell migration leading to effective immune responses or metastasis of leukemic cells.
Bryce Chackerian, Ph.D. Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Interactions between virus particles and the immune system; vaccine development using nanoparticle-based platforms.
Vojo Deretic, Ph.D. Chair Molecular Genetics and Microbiology & Director Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolism Center of Biomedical Research Excellence
Autophagy is a cell homeostatic process that maintains the cellular interior (organelles and cytosolic components) in a functional state but sometimes can go awry and cause cell death.
Jeremy Edwards, Ph.D. Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Interfacing biology, bioinformatics, and engineering to advance Next Generation Sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools.
Changjian Feng, Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Structure/function and reaction mechanism of nitric oxide synthase and role of metal ions in structure and function of biological molecules.
Laura Gonzalez Bosc, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Physiology
Inflammation and transcriptional regulation in pulmonary hypertension.
Steven Graves, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering
Development of extreme throughput and high information content cellular/particle analysis systems to enable revolutionary biomedical tools that make new measurements possible and make a significant impact on medical research.
Yan Guo, Ph.D. Internal Medicine, Director Bioinformatics
Development of bioinformatics methodology and analysis tools for genomic studies.
Helen J. Hathaway, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Physiology
Mammary gland development and tumor microenvironment in breast cancer.
Nikki Jernigan, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Physiology
Alterations of vascular smooth muscle Ca2+ handling and signal transduction that occur with pulmonary hypertension.
Nancy Kanagy, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Physiology
Elucidation of the altered signaling mechanisms responsible for elevated vascular contractility in hypertension and the development of pharmacological tools to reverse this hypersensitivity.
K.J. (Jim) Liu, Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Free radical and oxidative stress in disease development, including carcinogenesis and brain injury.
Meilian Liu, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Roles of white and brown adipose tissue in inflammation, obesity, and cancer and identifying therapeutic targets for disease treatment.
Debra MacKenzie, Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Mechanisms of immune regulation and suppression; including immunotoxicology of metals and metal exposures in populations
Michael Mandell, Ph.D. Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Intersections of autophagy and inflammation, with a particular interest in proteins, have roles in both processes.
Erin Milligan, Ph.D. Neurosciences
Role of glial cells and infiltrating immune cells in the spinal cord in generating neuropathic pain.
Shiraz Mishra, PhD Pediatrics, Family and Community Medicine
Characterization of individual, interpersonal, organizational/community, and societal risk factors leading to disparities in health and in access to and utilization of preventive services, including cancer prevention.
Jay Naik, PhD Cell Biology and Physiology; Research on the cellular mechanisms by which endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells communicate to regulate blood flow to meet the metabolic demands of body organs.
Aaron K. Neumann, PhD Pathology
Biophysics of host-pathogen interaction in the context of innate immune recognition of pathogenic fungi.
Seth Newsome, Ph.D. Biology, Director Center for Stable Isotopes
Effects of habitat, anthropogenic disturbances, and diet variation (measured via controlled feeding experiments and novel isotopic methods) on individuals, populations, and species.
Michelle A. Ozbun, Ph.D. Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Elucidating the cellular and viral mechanisms that regulate the life cycle of papillomaviruses, and determine how virus-cell interactions can become unbalanced, leading to malignancy.
Stefan Posse, Ph.D. Neurology
Functional and metabolic MRI in neuroscience, cancer, and clinical research
Thomas Resta, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Physiology
Regulation of vascular smooth muscle; chronic hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension.
Vallabh (Raj) Shah, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine
Translational clinical research program focused on the molecular epidemiology of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease through patient-engaged research with American Indian communities.
Andrew Shreve, Ph.D. Chemical and Biological Engineering
Development of: 1) optically active nanomaterials to probe local environments in biological systems, 2) new technologies and optical instrumentation for biological sensing and imaging, and 3) knowledge of biological systems and synthetic materials interfaces.
William Shuttleworth, Ph.D. Chair, Neurosciences and Director Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Brain Recovery and Repair Mechanisms underlying degenerative calcium signaling in central neurons.
Alan Tomkinson, Ph.D. Molecular Medicine
Delineating the molecular roles of DNA ligases and interacting proteins in maintaining genome stability and as therapeutic targets in cancer.
C. Fernando Valenzuela, M.D., Ph.D. Neurosciences
Investigation of the odulation of developing and mature neuronal circuits by alcohol (ethanol), with the long-term goal of contributing to a better understanding of the neurobiology of alcoholism and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Angela Wandinger-Ness, Ph.D. Pathology
Ovarian cancer and targeted therapeutics for Ras-related GTPases.
Jason P. Weick, PhD Neurosciences
Delineating the basic mechanisms of neural differentiation and plasticity and the mechanisms of disorders that result in intellectual disability.
Katherine Zychowski, Ph.D. College of Nursing;
Research examining basic biological mechanisms of air pollution exposures. We are also spearheading clinical and translational studies related to Environmental and Occupational Health
Authorized by the New Mexico Legislature in 1963, CNM was approved by district voters in 1964 to provide adults with the skills necessary to gain employment and succeed in the workforce. Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1978, degree-granting power was approved for CNM by the State Legislature in 1986, signaling the college’s transformation into a full-fledged community college.
Since its inception, CNM's career-technical programs in business, health, technologies, and trades have continually been redesigned to provide students with the most current and relevant skills needed by local employers.
For more information on CNM, including budget and financial data, institutional research and assessments, and accreditation details, visit CNM's College Information page.
Christine Woods, PhD
Courses: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Pathophysiology I & II, Microbiology, General Biology, Non-majors Biology
2022-2023: Nicole Maphis
(505) 224-4000 ext 53685
cwoods16@cnm.edu
Ivy Crockett, MS
Courses: General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II
2018-2019: Crystal Vanderzanden
2020-2021: Tye Martin
(505) 224-4000 ext 53541
icrockett@cnm.edu
Leah Freeman, PhD
Courses: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, General Biology, Non-majors Biology
2012-2013: Russell Morton
2016-2017: Alfreda Nelson
2019-2020: Victoria Balise
(505) 224-4000 ext 50261
lpulling@cnm.edu
Melissa Franklin, PhD
Courses: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Pathophysiology I & II, General Biology, Non-majors Biology
2016-2017: Katie Zychowski
2021-2022: Emmanuel Rosas
(505) 224-4000 ext 50862
mfranklin9@cnm.edu
James Niforatos, MD
Courses: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Pathophysiology I & II
(505) 224-4000 ext 52899
jniforatos@cnm.edu
Heather Simpson, PhD
Courses: Majors Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology
New Mentor
(505) 224-4000 ext 52760
hsimpson6@cnm.edu
Terri Koontz, MS
Courses: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Non-majors Biology
2016-2017: Laura Weise-Cross
2018-2019: Neil Detweiler
2019-2020: Tammy Duncan
2021-2022: Emily Morin
2022-2023: Marcus Garcia
(505) 224-4000 ext 50929
tkoontz@cnm.edu
Amanda Ashley
Biochemistry (grad and undergrad), Toxicology, Molecular Genetics (grad)
ashleyak@ad.nmsu.edu
https://chemistry.nmsu.edu/people/faculty/amanda-k-ashley/
Bill Boecklen
Ecology, Biometry
wboeckle@nmsu.edu
https://bio.nmsu.edu/directory/faculty/char/B/
Jen Curtiss
Developmental Biology, Cell biology (undergrad and grad), CURE authentic research course
curtij01@nmsu.edu
https://bio.nmsu.edu/directory/faculty/
Avis James
Introductory Biology (majors and non-majors), Evolution, Zoology
avis@nmsu.edu
https://bio.nmsu.edu/directory/faculty/char/J/
Boris Kiefer
Introductory Physics (majors and non-majors), Mechanics, Computational Physics, The Search for Water in the Solar System
bkiefer@nmsu.edu
http://physics.nmsu.edu/people/facstaff/BorisKiefer.html
Michele Nishiguchi
Symbiosis, Microbiology. Microbial Genetics, Zoology, Invertebrate Zoology, Climate Change
nish@nmsu.edu
http://nishsymbiosislab.com
Elba Serrano
Neuroscience, Ethics
serrano@nmsu.edu
https://bio.nmsu.edu/directory/faculty/
Michele Shuster
Cancer Biology, Introductory Biology (majors and non-majors), CREATE Scientific Thinking
mshuster@nmsu.edu
https://bio.nmsu.edu/directory/faculty/char/S/
Brad Shuster
Cell Biology (grad and undergrad), Developmental Biology, Introductory Biology (majors), CURE Research course
cshuster@nmsu.edu
http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/~shuster-lab/
Todd Nims, M.S.
Courses: General Biology, General Zoology, General Ecology, Wildlife Management, and Wildlife Management techniques
2017-2018: Tracy Dohn
505-346-7729 office
todd.nims@bie.edu
Alfonso Heras Llanos, PhD
Courses: Advanced College Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus I & II
2018-2019: Sheldwin Yazzie
505-922-6552
Alfonso.Herasllanos@bie.edu
