ABQ Times

Six faculty members from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences have been recognized with the institution's 16th annual Excellence in Research Awards. The awards ceremony took place on November 5, 2024, at the Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education.

Hengameh Raissy, PharmD, Interim Vice President for Research at UNM Health Sciences, noted that more than 40 nominations were received this year. "It has always been a very humbling experience reviewing all the nominees and their achievements. Their dedication, innovation and efforts toward advancing science have inspired all of us," Raissy stated.

Mike Richards, MD, MPA, interim Executive Vice President for the Health Sciences Center, emphasized the importance of research in serving New Mexicans. "If science is going to be discovered in the biomedical and health fields, it’s going to be here with the folks in this room. It’s not just about improving lives tomorrow through science but improving lives today," he said.

The awards were distributed across six categories:

Changjian (Jim) Feng, PhD, professor and assistant dean for Research in the College of Pharmacy, was honored with the Basic Science Research award. His work focuses on understanding nitric oxide synthase's biophysical mechanisms related to cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Ursa Brown-Glaberman, MD, an associate professor in Hematology/Oncology within Internal Medicine, received the Clinical Science award. She is recognized for her clinical care to cancer patients and her contributions to cancer genomic sequencing for American Indian patients.

Donald Godwin, PhD, dean of the UNM College of Pharmacy, was awarded for his Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. He has significantly contributed to pharmacy education through initiatives like “Diversifying the Healthcare Pipeline.”

Chuck Wiggins, PhD, a tenured professor in Epidemiology within Internal Medicine, earned the Population Science Research award. His work over four decades has advanced cancer epidemiology knowledge among New Mexico’s Hispanic and American Indian populations.

Alison Kell, PhD, assistant professor in Molecular Genetics & Microbiology received the Junior Faculty Research award for her studies on hantavirus pathogenesis.

Nancy Kanagy, PhD, chair of Cell Biology & Physiology was given the Team Science award for discovering pathways by which hydrogen sulfide causes vascular dilation through endothelial signaling.