ABQ Times

Gabriel López, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The University of New Mexico (UNM), has been awarded one of six inaugural NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Awards. This $18 million initiative aims to support researchers with a history of creativity and innovation to explore new research areas. López's project, titled "TRAILBLAZER: Overcoming the Lignin Barrier for Valorization of Forest Biomass — A New Paradigm for Mitigation of Catastrophic Wildfires," will receive $3 million over three years starting September 1.

López’s work involves developing enzymatic methods to utilize thinned biomass waste, typically disposed of through controlled burns. These burns can sometimes lead to wildfires instead of preventing them. His personal connection to the issue stems from the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak Fire, which became the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history, affecting areas including his beloved Pecos Wilderness.

“Much of north central New Mexico is currently a ‘tinder box’,” López stated, attributing this to climate change, tree die-off, and increased aridity. He emphasized that many communities affected by wildfires are agrarian and rely on land conditions for cultural survival.

López hopes his project will offer safer and more profitable alternatives to controlled burns through bioengineering technologies that break down biomass effectively. He collaborated with several colleagues at UNM and other institutions to develop his ideas. Key contributors include Matt Hurteau from UNM's biology department; David Peabody from molecular genetics and microbiology; Martin Kirk from chemistry; Nick Carroll from chemical and biological engineering; Plamen Atanassov from the University of California, Irvine; and Davinia Salvachua from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Additionally, López is partnering with the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas. The institute aims to reduce catastrophic wildfires through partnerships and community engagement.

“We would like to be able to continue to build inroads into these communities and eventually come up with sustainable, green solutions to utilize biomass and help keep forests safe,” López said. “This issue is not going away. It’s a matter of New Mexico’s cultural survival.”