Message from the Vice President

New Mexico State University is extremely proud of its tradition of carrying out research for the improvement of society and, particularly, providing solutions to some of the most pressing problems for the state of New Mexico and the nation. Water and energy research provide an example of such focus.

As you will see in the feature articles in this issue, NMSU scientists and graduate students have attracted widespread recognition for their work on water quality, availability and conservation. On the energy front, researchers are developing new technologies to utilize alternative and renewable energy resources to reduce national dependence on oil, while solving environmental issues at the same time.

NMSU researchers are engaged in work with implications far beyond the borders of New Mexico. During spaceflight, for example, astronauts are at risk of exposure to hydrazines, colorless liquids that are used in rocket fuels that can affect the nervous system and damage the liver and kidney. Chemistry Professor Gary Eiceman is helping to ensure that any such exposure is detected at the earliest possible opportunity through the use of ion mobility spectrometry.

A common theme underlying all research at NMSU is the involvement of undergraduate and graduate students in faculty-mentored research projects. We are continually seeking resources to increase such opportunities. Our students constitute not only our raison d’etre, but also the scientific and engineering workforce of tomorrow.

We hope you will enjoy the stories that follow. We believe they exemplify NMSU’s commitment to serving our state, nation and the world through relevant and responsible research.

Vimal Desai Chaitanya
Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies and International Programs