UNM and Los Alamos National Laboratory Sign Memorandum of Understanding

October 17, 2003

UNM and Los Alamos National Laboratory Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Seated from left: UNM President Louis Caldera, University of California interim Vice President of Laboratory Management Bruce Darling, and Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Pete Nanos, sign both a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a science and technology partnership and an Intellectual Property Agreement, the first between the two institutions. Standing is UNM Vice Provost for Research Terry L. Yates, who was instrumental in establishing the agreements.

Researchers at the University of New Mexico and Los Alamos National Laboratory have worked together on individual projects for years, but until this week there has never been a formal memorandum of understanding between the two entities. That changed on Thursday when UNM President Louis Caldera and LANL Director George Pete Nanos signed a MOU.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to sign this document," said Caldera. "This opens up new research and employment opportunities for UNM." The MOU includes the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, the School of Medicine, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research. It also establishes an executive committee to oversee the UNM/LANL Joint Science and Technology Laboratory.

The MOU is designed to cover three specific kinds of proposals. Student programs, in which sophomores, and juniors with specific compatible research interests may participate in a combined work and study program at the two institutions are a major element of the agreement. Graduate students may also do thesis work at the Laboratory, and if money is available full fellowships for doctoral dissertations may also be supported. The Executive Committee, which will design the programs, may also allow postdoctoral work.

Faculty and staff are expected to have a greater opportunity for collaborative research projects. Mentors and faculty advisors for the student and graduate programs may also participate. The agreement says the Laboratory will provide office space for UNM participants, and UNM will provide space on campus for Lab researchers. The MOU also anticipates a visiting scholars program for faculty and staff members.

The third major element of the MOU is the Collaborative Research Program. This encompasses the areas of bioscience, materials, quantum information science, and computer science. The MOU specifically states that all joint work will be unclassified.

A spokesman for the University of California, which has the contract to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory, says Governor Bill Richardson was instrumental in urging the MOU be completed as soon as possible.