NEWS

View the original NSF press release here

The NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement FEC Program awards support interdisciplinary research teams working across state lines to advance climate change research and build resilience in disproportionately affected communities nationwide. Check out the newly announced 2024 awards that involve New Mexico researchers below.

Advancing Quality and Climate-Resilient Water Management with Community Partnerships and Enhanced Sensor Network, University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, David Dubois, PI (NMSU), and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — Guided by Indigenous knowledge, this project aims to develop affordable water monitoring systems using advanced sensor networks to address water quantity and quality issues affecting underserved communities. This project includes partnerships across Vermont, New Mexico (NMSU and NTU) and South Dakota. 

Harnessing Controlled Environment Agriculture to Secure Sustainability and Economic Growth, Kevin Lombard, PI (NMSU), Jingjing Yang, PI (UNM), University of South Dakota, University of Wyoming and Stephen Gomez, co-PI (SFCC) — This project aims to develop and assess modern controlled environment agricultural practices that will help tribal communities secure food production, develop a climate-smart workforce and stimulate economic growth. This project includes partnerships across New Mexico (UNM, NMSU, SFCC), South Dakota, and Wyoming. Read the UNM press release here.

Enhancing Indigenous Community Resilience to Climate Change Impacts through Partnerships and Co-Development of Adaptation Planning, University of Oklahoma and Lani Tsinnajinnie, PI (UNM), Leola Paquin, co-PI (UNM), and Elspeth Iralu, co-PI (UNM) — In collaboration with tribal organizations, this project aims to create sustainable research and education partnerships that integrate Indigenous knowledge and Western science to enhance the resilience of Indigenous communities against climate change. This project includes partnerships across Oklahoma and New Mexico. Read the UNM press release here.

Transforming Wastes Into Economic Assets for Sustainability, Resilience, and Prosperity by a Novel Negative Emission Technology, University of Alabama, University of Idaho, Maryam Hojati, PI (UNM), Susan Bogus Halter, co-PI (UNM), Madura Pathirage, co-PI (UNM), and Sungjin Kim, co-PI (UNM) and Alabama A&M University — This project intends to use Negative Emission Technology to convert hazardous industrial wastes into low-cost, low-carbon construction materials, generating economically viable pathways to enhance the climate resilience of disadvantaged communities. This project includes partnerships across Alabama (UA, AAMU), Idaho, and New Mexico. Read the UNM press release here.

Accelerating Community-Centric Energy Transformation through AI-driven Digital Twinning for Climate-Aware Resilience, Di Shi, PI (NMSU) and Patricia Sullivan, co-PI (NMSU) — This project intends to develop an artificial intelligence-driven digital twin framework that will improve energy efficiency, integrate renewable sources and optimize the energy infrastructure of underserved communities, fortifying their climate resilience. This project includes partnerships across New Mexico, Montana, Oklahoma and Alabama. Read the NMSU press release here.