The University of New Mexico

I wanted to express some of my opinions about the place of my employment.

The University of New Mexico (UNM) was founded in 1889.  It is a state funded university in a relatively poor state.  As with many universities in the USA, funding is a year to year concern, and most faculty would agree that we are not paid as we deserve, nor are university facilities at a standard that reflects the dawn of the 21st century.  Nevertheless, the research potential of UNM is incredibly high, due in part to the presence of several federally funded research facilities within Albuquerque and in surrounding New Mexico locations.  When combined with the relatively large Hispanic and Native American populations, there is a rich resource here for research inquiry into human health and disease in several minority populations.

UNM is classified as a "Research 1" institution.  However, and I am glad to say, it does not function as one.  There is still an emphasis on the quality of faculty teaching, and as such the requirements for faculty grantsmanship and research are not as demanding as the typical "Research 1" institution.  This is especially true in the College of Education that has a proud focus on the quality of teaching.

I work in the Exercise Science Program, located within the Division of Physical Performance and Development.  We have three faculty and one part-time laboratory coordinator (staff position) who helps me run the Center For Exercise and Applied Human Physiology (CEAHP).  The Exercise Science Program is extremely productive despite having only three faculty.  Faculty write books, conduct and publish scientific research, and implement all aspects of undergraduate and graduate university education, as I explain for myself in other sections of this site.

The UNM campus is also located in a geographically rich region of the USA - Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the transition slopes between the flood plains of the Rio Grande river (~4,500 ft ) (1,372 m) and the foothills of the Sandia Mountains (~6,000 ft) (1,829 m).  The UNM campus is located close to "downtown" Albuquerque at 5,100 ft (1,555 m).  The UNM campus is internationally recognized for the architecture of all buildings, which have a consistent south-west stuco-Adobe theme.

I enjoy my tenure at UNM for a variety of reasons.  The Albuquerque and surrounding communities provide a culturally rich and easy-going lifestyle.  My university life is equally rich due to being a part of a relatively young and vibrant faculty, having a well equipped teaching and research facility, little competition for use of research equipment from fellow faculty, and the independence of being the director of the teaching and research facilities.  The university experience is also conducive to conducting good quality research. The potential for collaboration with other faculty (Biology, Medicine, independent research labs) is enormous, and in fact has served me well during my time since I first came to UNM in 1990.