The University of New Mexico (UNM) is running a Grand Challenge Water and Climate Science Communication Fellowship that pairs undergraduate students with research mentors in water and climate science. The fellowship requires students to create a communications project based on their mentor’s research, using formats such as paintings, podcasts, or videos. Students work together as a group to develop their projects, which are then presented at the UNM Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference (UROC) in the spring and published on UNM websites.
In the Spring 2025 cohort, 14 STEM majors from UNM participated. Each fellow received a $1,000 stipend.
Maya Niblett, a fourth-year architecture student, said she joined the program to connect more with the university and community. “I was looking forward to working with like-minded peers who care deeply about the future of our community and planetary health and establishing connections with research opportunities and mentors, such as my mentor, Dr. Maryam Hojati,” Niblett said.
Niblett explained that working in Hojati’s lab allowed her to apply her studies to practical projects. “I was able to better understand how innovation and research within my field will drive change to create a better planet,” she said.
Her project involved designing and building a green wall using 3D-printed soil and chia seeds. This method is intended to be a low-carbon and accessible solution that improves indoor environments. According to Niblett, integrating greenery into architectural spaces can improve air quality, manage stormwater, support mental wellness, enhance microecosystems, and reduce material waste. She said her project combined sustainable materials with biophilic design to address climate-conscious innovation in architecture. “This opportunity kick-started many other opportunities and opened many doors for me,” Niblett said. “This fellowship gave me the confidence to push my boundaries and to find my design niche.”
Arisvet Garay, a second-year construction engineering major, joined the fellowship after encouragement from her teaching assistant. Garay focused her project on raising awareness about air quality in Albuquerque’s South Valley community. She created a zine describing Criteria Air Pollutants, their health risks, and the timing of their peaks. She also translated the zine into Spanish to improve accessibility. Garay said, “I’ve learned a lot through this fellowship, especially related to my communication project. One major takeaway is the importance of getting involved on campus. As a first-generation student, I was initially unsure about navigating college life. This fellowship helped shape my academic goals, and thanks to Dr. Mulchandani’s mentorship, I plan to pursue a graduate program and hopefully continue working alongside her within the research field.”
Applications for the Spring 2026 fellowship open online on November 5. More information is available on the Grand Challenges page of the Undergraduate Research, Arts & Design website.
