ABQ Times

Working alongside Dell Technologies and NASA, undergraduate students from The University of New Mexico (UNM) have gained recognition in two significant competitions, highlighting the university's dedication to preparing students for careers in high-tech fields such as supercomputing and space technologies.

In November, the UNM Roadrunner team took part in the International Student Cluster Competition at Supercomputing 2024 held in Atlanta. Competing against some of the world's top-ranked universities, they secured second place among U.S. teams and eighth overall. "The Roadrunner team exemplifies New Mexico’s history of technological innovation and diversity," said their representatives. Sponsored by Dell Technologies, Penguin Solutions, and Intersect360 Research, the team was equipped with a state-of-the-art supercomputer for the competition. Under the guidance of coaches Troy Redfearn, Alexandra Knigge, Nicholas Bacon, and supervisor Matthew Fricke, they are already planning to compete again in 2025.

Meanwhile, in August, another group from UNM known as the Chili House team won the grand prize at NASA MINDS (MUREP Innovative New Designs for Space) competition for their innovative robotic gardening system. This marks their second grand prize following a previous win in 2021. Their project involved transforming a broken 3D printer into an autonomous gardener capable of tending crops like Hatch green chilis—an initiative vital for long-term space missions. Team lead Trinity Griffus noted that this work not only enhances astronauts' meals but also contributes to their psychological well-being during missions.

The Chili House team's success is a collaborative effort across multiple UNM departments with guidance from Professor David Hanson and Dr. Fricke from Moses Biological Computation Lab.

Matthew Fricke expressed pride in both teams: "The students I get to work with at UNM continually amaze me with their dedication, perseverance, and talent." These achievements underscore UNM's commitment to providing hands-on experience that prepares graduates to tackle global challenges through innovation.