Contact : Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627 October 31, 2005 UNM Welcomes National Science Foundation to New Mexico University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera and UNM Vice President for Research and Economic Development Terry Yates will welcome the leadership of the National Science Foundation to New Mexico on Friday, November 4, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Albuquerque. Dr. Arden L. Bement Jr., director of the National Science Foundation, will give opening remarks for the three-day conference for university researchers. The purpose of the conference, arranged through Sen. Jeff Bingaman's office, is to identify the most promising research opportunities and to hone New Mexico's competitive edge in securing additional NSF research investments in areas of study that will help spur the state's economy. The conference comes at a time when research universities are facing greater competition for research dollars, especially in the physical sciences. Medical research is experiencing more generous funding, but there has been increasing pressure from the NSF and other federal granting agencies to encourage research on short-term projects aimed at applications for research rather than long-term research into basic scientific questions. Discussions will include the NSF proposal and merit review process, special interest and cross-disciplinary programs and EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) regional collaborations. Afternoon sessions include information about research possibilities in biological sciences, computer and information science and engineering, education and human resources, engineering, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, and social behavioral and economic sciences.
The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation. www.unm.edu |
