January 2022 Issue

This is a correction, to the previous newsletter issue, with regards to the dates for completion and graduation in May.

Student Profile

 Mendi Marquez

PhD Student

 

Biotechnology Program

Chemical Engineering Department

 

 

Advisor

Michaelann Tartis

 

Dawn Walatis

Mendi Marquez was born in southern New Mexico, where she graduated high school and the New Mexico Junior College, but was also raised in California and Colorado as her parents worked in the construction field requiring her family to move often. At one point she attended 4 different schools within a single year, but what remained common in all four were the STEM curriculums. She excelled early on within STEM classes, but never thought that a career would come of it. Mendi participated in Upward bound during high school at the prodding of school counselors which helped bridge the college and STEM gap. Those who knew her in high school are not surprised by the career path she has taken, but as a first-generation immigrant and college student, every step after high school has been foreign. It has been a surreal experience having the opportunity to complete a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and M.S. in Materials Engineering at New Mexico Tech. During her undergraduate, Mendi was awarded the Alliance for Minority Participation scholarship leading to her research introduction with Dr. Michaelann Tartis’ on the characterization of novel compounds in drug delivery vehicles.

 

For her master’s training, Mendi continued to work with Dr. Michaelann Tartis, further expanding her skillset within tissue culture, medicinal chemistry, and in vitro ultrasound triggered drug delivery applications. This work led to a first-author publication in which she received the Langmuir Award from New Mexico Tech. From her academic studies and research experiences Mendi has developed a transdisciplinary background in biomaterials and drug delivery techniques. Having the opportunity of pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology in the Chemical Engineering department under Dr. Michaelann Tartis’ guidance is one of those rare opportunities of a lifetime in Mendi’s opinion. Why? Because working with someone like Dr. Michaelann Tartis whom inspires a passionate work ethic by imparting kindness and compassion is what separates Dr. Tartis from other mentors.

 

Mendi’s research has developed into a multi-institutional interdisciplinary project focused on utilizing ultrasound for the therapeutic enhancement of inoperable or rare cancers. Recently, Mendi had the privilege of giving an oral presentation encompassing a manuscript in preparation at the Acoustical Society of America’s winter meeting in Seattle, WA made possible by the meetings travel subsidy contribution and New Mexico Tech’s Graduate Student Association travel grant. From past and future opportunities, Mendi aspires to become an independent researcher focused on contributing to the advancement of therapeutic applications and hopes to inspire others with their career aspirations.

 

Important Dates

01/13

Spring 2022 TA Training

New graduate TAs are required to attend this TA training but all current TAs are welcome and are encouraged to attend.

01/20

Spring 2022 New Graduate Student Orientation

All new graduate students are required to attend this orientation to learn about NMT and its resources, the Center for Graduate Studies and its processes, and how to navigate their graduate program.

01/18

Spring 2022 Semester Starts

We wish you a great spring semester and please don't hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can do to help you succeed.

04/15

Completion paperwork for Spring graduation

If you are planning to graduate in May the completed report of the advisory committee, iThenticate report from academic advisor, and ProQuest submission of the final thesis/dissertation must be submitted to and accepted by the Center for Graduate Studies or one final copy of an accepted independent study paper must be submitted to the student’s advisor and advisory committee. Please refer to the Completion Guideline on the CGS website.

 

Student degrees are not complete until final materials have been approved by the Center for Graduate Studies and the student receives final acceptance via email from the ProQuest system. 

 

Scholarships

There are some Endowed scholarship opportunities open to graduate students, which are listed here on the Endowed Scholarship website. Native American graduate students should contact the Financial Aid Office for information for additional scholarship opportunities (financial_aid@nmt.edu).

 

Graduate Student Association

Mariana Huckabee

President

Jacob Gochenour

Vice President

Jessica Aerts

Information Officer

Luis Contreras-Vidal

Appropriations Officer

 

Magdalen Grismer

Travel Officer

Qingqing Ling

Events Officer

 

Center for Graduate Studies

Barbara Reynolds

Recruiting & Contracts

Karen Chavez

Admission & Student Success

Nahid Samimimotlagh

AA Technology Support & Data Analytics

Aly El-Osery

Dean of Graduate Studies

 

We love to hear from you

https://www.nmt.edu/gradstudies

Fidel Center - Room 275

Tel: (575) 835-5513