Science communication fellowship provides mentorship for student researchers

The University of New Mexico's Grand Challenge Water and Climate Science Communication Fellowship pairs undergraduate students with research mentors who study water and climate science to develop a communications project based on the mentor's research.

Students select their own communications venues (paintings, podcasts, videos, etc.) and work together as a cohort to develop and refine their individual projects. Projects are then presented at the UNM Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference (UROC) in the spring semester and are posted on UNM websites.

The Spring 2025 cohort consisted of 14 UNM students with various STEM majors participating in the event. Each Grand Challenge Fellow who is accepted to participate receives a $1,000 stipend.

Fourth-year architecture student Maya Niblett said she was interested in this program because she wanted to become more involved with the university and the community.

"I was looking forward to working with like-minded peers who care deeply about the future of our community and planetary health and establishing connections with research opportunities and mentors, such as my mentor, Dr. Maryam Hojati," Niblett said.

Niblett said that through Hojati's lab, she learned to apply her studies to create real-world solutions through hands-on projects. "I was able to better understand how innovation and research within my field will drive change to create a better planet," Niblett said.

For her project, she designed and built a green wall using 3D-printed soil and chia seeds. This approach offers a low-carbon, accessible solution while enhancing indoor environments. Integrating greenery into architectural spaces improves air quality, absorbs and manages stormwater effectively, supports mental wellness and productivity, enhances microecosystems, and reduces material waste-making the 3d printed green wall a perfect option to be integrated into building design and construction.

She showed that by merging sustainable materials with biophilic design, her project explored the future of architecture and construction, aligning with the pressing need for climate-conscious innovation in design.

"This opportunity kick-started many other opportunities and opened many doors for me," Niblett said. "This fellowship gave me the confidence to push my boundaries and to find my design niche."

As for second-year construction engineering major Arisvet Garay, her teaching assistant at the time encouraged her to apply for the fellowship.

In Albuquerque, the South Valley community has air quality concerns, so Garay's goal was to increase community awareness to improve public health. By educating residents about air quality and the timing of pollutant peaks, the community can make informed decisions about outdoor activities.

For this communication project, she created a zine that describes each of the Criteria Air Pollutants, displays their potential health risks, and explains when and why they peak at certain times of the year. She also translated the zine into Spanish for easier accessibility.

"I've learned a lot through this fellowship, especially related to my communication project. One major takeaway is the importance of getting involved on campus," Garay said. "As a first-generation student, I was initially unsure about navigating college life. This fellowship helped shape my academic goals, and thanks to Dr. Mulchandani's mentorship, I plan to pursue a graduate program and hopefully continue working alongside her within the research field."

Students interested in participating in the Spring 2026 fellowship can apply online in November before Thanksgiving. For more information, visit the Grand Challenges page on the Undergraduate Research, Arts & Design website.