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Amanda K. Ashley

 

 

Paul W. Bosland

Regent’s Professor: Plant & Environmental Sciences

pbosland@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-517

 

 

• University of California B.S. 1976 Genetics Davis, CA
• University of California M.S. 1977 Vegetable Crops Davis, CA
• University of California Voc. Ag. Cred. 1980 Vocational Ag. Teaching Davis, CA
• University of Wisconsin Ph.D. 1986 Plt. Breeding & Genetics Madison, WI

 

Research Area: Chile Breeding and Genetics

Dr. Paul W. Bosland, Regents professor of horticulture, is popularly known as the “Chileman.” He leads the chile breeding and genetics research program at New Mexico State University. Dr. Bosland is recognized internationally as one of the foremost experts on Capsicum. He has published more than 100 scientific papers dealing with chile genetics, breeding, and germplasm evaluation. He is also the co-founder and director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University. The Chile Pepper Institute is the world’s foremost research-based resource center for chile pepper information. He serves as co-chairman of the International Chile Pepper Conference. The Conference has grown to become the world’s largest conference dedicated to the chile pepper. He is the founder and curator of the Capsicum Genetics Cooperative and served as the chairman of the USDA Capsicum Crop Advisory Committee.

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Kenneth C. Carroll

Associate Professor: Plant & Environmental Sciences
kccarr@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-5929

 

Ph.D., University of Arizon

• Major: Hydrology and Water Resources
• Minor: Soil, Water, and Environmental Science

M.S., Ohio University

• Major: Aqueous/Environmental Geochemistry

B.S., Ohio University

• Major: Geological Science

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Plant & Environmental Sciences 

My research interests include evaluating the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes that impact the transport and fate of chemicals in environmental systems. I use a multidisciplinary approach to research by integrating aspects from several scientific fields to investigate processes at a multitude of scales from the molecular scale to the basin scale. I believe a multidisciplinary approach is required for the evaluation of coupled processes that influence hydrobiogeochemical cycles. I also extend this multidisciplinary approach to my teaching.

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Maria Castillo

Assistant Professor: Biology Department
mcastill@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-7664

 

 

 

• PhD. Comparative Biomedical Sciences, 2005; University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; Thesis title: Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic cell-Schistosoma mansoni sporocyst surface membrane interactions.
• M.S. Biology, 1995; University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX; Thesis title: Intestinal fluid secretion in rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematode) and/or administered cholera toxin.
• B.S. Microbiology, 1991; University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX

Research Area: Immunology

Our laboratory focuses on the study of the immunological aspects of the relationship between the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes and its beneficial partner, the luminous bacteria Vibrio fischeri (1). The interaction between these two organisms is very specific and limited to a specialized light organ located in the ventral cavity of the squid. The bacteria find within the host shelter and nutrients, while the squid utilizes the light produced by the bacteria as counterillumination to avoid predation during its nocturnal activities (2).
Our research investigates the presence, diversity, and function of complement-like proteins in the squid E. scolopes and their potential role in beneficial symbiosis. The complement system consists of a group of proteins that play an important role in immune processes such as cytolysis, opsonization, inflammation, and linking the innate and adaptive immune systems. Orthologs of several vertebrate complement components were recently identified in deuterostomes, ecdysozoans, and lophotrochozoans including tunicates, horseshoe crab, and squid respectively. The finding of complement molecules in invertebrates suggests a more primitive origin of these immune components than previously thought and presents an opportunity to study the changes of the immune system through evolution.
In addition, the specific association between E. scolopes and V. fischeri is a unique model system that allows us to study various aspects of immune interactions between organisms of different species in a context that differs from pathogenesis.
References: (1 )Nyholm S. V. and McFall-Ngai, 2004. (2) Jones B. W. and Nishiguchi M. K., 2004).

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Christopher S. Cramer

Professor: Plant and Environmental Sciences
cscramer@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-2657

 

 

 

• Ph.D. in Horticultural Science. Minor in Genetics and Statistics. Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. May 1997. Dissertation: “Specific combining ability for fruit yield and shape, yield, and yield components of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) populations improved using recurrent selection.
• M.S. in Horticulture. Department of Plant Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs. May 1994. Master’s Thesis: “In vitro and in vivo studies of Mussaenda.
• B.S. in Horticulture. Department of Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. Graduated with honors and distinction. May 1991. University Scholar’s Program. Undergraduate Thesis. “Hybridization between diploid and tetraploid Pelargonium xhortorum Bailey.”

Research area: Breeding, Genetics, Onions, Quantitative Genetics, Crop Production

Our breeding program develops onion cultivars for growers in New Mexico. Very few commercial onion cultivars are adapted to the growing conditions found in New Mexico. In addition, the onion acreage in New Mexico is too small to warrant specific cultivar development by commercial seed companies. Our program develops high yielding, high quality, disease resistant, and bolting resistant cultivars that allow growers in New Mexico to be competitive with other onion markets in the United States.

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Jennifer Curtiss

Associate Department Head & Associate Professor: Biology Department
curtij01@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-5611

 

 

 

During development, the cells of a multicellular organism differentiate into thousands of distinct cell types. Remarkably, both selector genes and signaling genes are well conserved in all metazoans. In the Drosophila head the eye and antenna develop right next to one another. One focus in the lab is to understand how the eye and antennal selector genes are controlled. We are using genetics and histological techniques to find out what these signaling genes are and how they work. I welcome students who are interested in how an eye gets made, and how different cell types become different from one another. We will work together to design a project that utilizes both genetic and molecular techniques to address current and relevant questions about cell specification.

 

 

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Jennifer A. Hernandez Gifford

Associate Professor: Cell & Developmental Biology
jgifford@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-5090

 

 

 

• B.S., Animal Science, New Mexico State University, 1999
• M.S., Animal Science, New Mexico State University, 2001
• Ph.D., Washington State University, 2004

 

 

Research Area: Reproductive Physiology

Changes in the capacity of follicles to mature properly and/or respond to appropriate preovulatory events could be involved with altered follicular development, failure of the follicle(s) to ovulate at the appropriate time, and abnormal embryonic development. The long-term goal of the research proposed in our lab is to provide fundamental knowledge about the physiological role and mechanism of action of ovarian signaling molecules involved in follicular development in the adult ovary and steroid production.

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Kathy A. Hanley

Regent’s Professor: Biology Department
khanley@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-4583

 

 

 

 

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Molecular Biology

In the Hanley lab, we investigate the molecular biology, evolution and ecology of emerging RNA viruses like dengue and Zika, with the goal of using this basic knowledge to design better methods to control the spread of these dangerous pathogens.

We currently focus on five main avenues of research (see Projects link for more details):

• Mechanisms of sylvatic arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) emergence, with a focus on sylvatic dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
• Mapping the distribution of the mosquito vectors of Zika virus  in New Mexico.
• Interactions between arboviruses and  RNA interference (RNAi).
• Competition among dengue virus serotypes, ecotypes and strains.
• Novel synergies for antiviral drug design.

Students interested in an inter-disciplinary approach to the
study of RNA viruses are always welcome to contact Dr. Hanley about research opportunities in her lab.

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Immo Hansen

Associate Professor: Biology Department

immoh@nmsu.edu | (575) 646-7719

 

 

 

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Molecular Vector Physiology

The Hansen lab does cutting-edge applied- and basic research in molecular biology, molecular cellular physiology, and cell biology of disease-transmitting mosquitoes. We use the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti and the West-Nile-Virus mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus as models for in our research.

We are primarily interested in the molecular mechanisms by which cells and tissues sense nutrients and in response activate signal transduction pathways which regulate expression and/or deactivation of mosquito genes. A second focus of the Hansen lab is on the regulation of water homeostasis in mosquitoes. We also have multiple ongoing successful collaborations with other groups in physiology, entomology, vector biology, physics, computer science, on and off-campus on related topics including sterile insect technique.

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Kevin D. Houston

 

• B.S. Biochemistry, New Mexico State University 1998
• B.A. Chemistry, New Mexico State University 1998
• Ph.D. University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center 2004
• Postdoctoral Research, Rice University 2006
• Postdoctoral Research, Los Alamos National Laboratory 2009
• College Assistant Professor, NMSU 2011

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Molecular Mechanisms of Ovarian Steroid Receptor Action in Cancers and Tumors

The Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), tamoxifen, acts as an ERα antagonist in breast cancer and is the most widely used adjuvant treatment for breast cancer patients.  However, some breast cancers are insensitive to tamoxifen treatment and most breast cancers develop resistance over time.   Tamoxifen is an agonist for the membrane-bound G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) and this receptor has been implicated in the acquisition of tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells.  Little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the altered sensitivity.  The working hypothesis in my group is that GPER1 plays an important factor of the sensitivity of  breast cancer cells to tamoxifen.  A major research goal in my laboratory is to define the role of GPER1 in tamoxifen treated breast cancer cells.

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Shanna L. Ivey

• B.S., Animal Science, New Mexico State University, 1993
• M.S., Ruminant Nutrition, University of Nebraska, 1995
• Ph.D., Animal Science, New Mexico State University, 2002

 

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Investigation of novel means to assess nitrogen status of ruminants grazing native range. Development of strategies to detoxify plant and environmental toxin with the microbial population of the rumen.

The central objective of my research program is to understand the effect of different 
dietary constituents including biofuel co-products on rumen microbial ecology and the subsequent impact on animal production. My research program has focused in three areas: 1) the influence of feedstuffs on rumen microbial ecology, 2) impact of the host microbiome on animal performance, and 3) understanding how and what impacts rumen bacteria communication and migration. We use a variety of techniques that involve tightly controlled in vitro and molecular biology studies with pure cultures of ruminal bacteria and animal metabolism models. We also work closely with Dr. Tanner Schaub’s analytical chemistry laboratory study metabolites and quorum sensing molecules. Additionally, in an effort to mentor a
young faculty colleague I have participated in horse research projects looking at the effect of age on glucose metabolism and hind gut bacterial metagenome. Additionally, we are in the process of validating external markers (chromic oxide and titanium dioxide) in horses to use in determination of feed digestibility.

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Clint Loest

 

 

Research Area: Animal Science

Focuses on optimizing nutrient utilization by evaluating and developing feeding programs that meet animal requirements, and by improving digestibility, bioavailability, and metabolism of nutrients through nutritional and management strategies. Research activities include evaluation of mechanisms controlling nutrient utilization and metabolism, and their biological regulation in the whole animal. Major areas of research are to investigate limiting amino acid for cattle and sheep, to evaluate the impact of specific nutrients on animal performance and health, and to evaluate factors (e.g. precursors or cofactors for protein and energy metabolism, stress, infection and disease) that affect the efficiency with which nutrients are used for livestock production.

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Hongmei Luo

• Ph. D.,  Chemical Engineering, Tulane University (2006)
• B.S., Chemistry, Fuyang Normal University, China (1992)

 

LAB WEBSITE

 

Research Area: Functional oxide, nitride, and nanocomposite thin film heterostructures for microelectronics, optoelectronics, magnetism, superconductors, catalysts, and energy applications.

Thin film technology is the process of depositing and characterizing functional material layers on a substrate. Metal-oxides, nitrides, and carbides exhibit an amazing range of functional properties, such as superconducting, colossal magnetoresistance, ferroelectricity, multiferroicity, high hardness and strength. These films are often grown epitaxially on single crystal substrates, which control the crystallographic order of the epitaxial films. As a result, epitaxial films are routinely used as active layers to build high-performance electronic and optical devices. We study the synthesis, microstructure, and physical properties of thin films for applications in superconductors, magnetism, optoelectronics, catalysts, photovoltaic solar cells, and batteries.

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• A.A. Sacramento City College 1994
• B.S. University of California, Santa Barbara 1998
• Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Madison 2002
• Postdoctoral, University of Wisconsin, Madison 2004

 

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Cellular genome maintenance processes of DNA replication, recombination, and repair

The Lusetti lab is specifically interested in the elucidation of the biochemical roles of novel enzymes involved in DNA damage response pathways. We employ comparative biochemistry to explain the differential DNA damage tolerance of multiple bacterial organisms. Further, our research seeks to expand the understanding of bacterial DNA damage response enzymes to combat the growing problem of acquired antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria.

 

 

Research Area: Our laboratory is interested in determining the three-dimensional structures of small proteins in solution by multidimensional multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Current projects underway in the laboratory focus on relating structure to function and specificity in the Grb7 protein family. Members of this protein family have all been implicated in an increased occurrence of cancer. Specifically, Grb7 expression is up-regulated in 20-30% of breast cancers and these patients have a poor long-term survival rate. Our research is focused on unraveling the structural basis for the propensity of this protein family to bind only to specific up-stream and down-stream signaling partners. Study in this field spans a wide breadth of experimental approaches, including molecular biology, expression, and purification of proteins of interest, knowledge and implementation of data acquisition techniques using the NMR spectrometer, extensive data analysis and interpretation using available software on Unix based computers, and calculation and refinement of three-dimensional structures derived from NOE distance constraints.

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Paola E. Mera

• B. S. (Honors), University of Colorado – Denver 2003
• Ph. D., University of Wisconsin – Madison 2009
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University 2015

 

 

 

Research Area: Pathogenic bacteria

The goal of my lab is to identify unique species-specific genetic modules that control cell proliferation in pathogenic bacteria in order to uncover novel targets for new antibiotics. Our strategy is to focus on a conserved bacterial regulator that, in addition to controlling the initiation of DNA replication, also coordinates the progression of the cell cycle. Our methodology combines microbial genetics, biochemistry, and high resolution imaging to produce a system’s level understanding of the bacterial cell.

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Michele Nishiguchi

 

LAB WEBSITE

 

 

 

Research Area: Evolution and marine symbiosis

Understanding the evolution of animal and bacterial associations has been an underlying theme in establishing the development and specificity of symbiotic relationships. There is a need to develop better systems to resolve interactions among symbiotic species where population dynamics and environmental processes clearly play an important role in the evolution of the association. These model systems should promote integrated approaches that take into account the response within as well as between various symbiotic populations and their host partners. My laboratory studies the mutualistic association between sepiolid squids (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) and their Vibrio symbionts which provides a versatile and experimentally tractable model system to study the population dynamics and cospeciation between bacterial species and their diversity among host squids.

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Gary W. Roemer

Research Area: Mammalogy, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Population Dynamics

Since coming to NMSU, I have continued various lines of research focusing on the ecology, conservation and management of vertebrates with an emphasis on mammals inhabiting the Southwest. I have active research projects in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and México and am working on both public and private lands. Click on the links below for more detailed explanations of past, current and future research projects. 

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Alvaro Romero

• Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, 1995, National University, Colombia
• MSc in Veterinary Entomology, 2005, Kansas State University with Drs. Alberto Broce and Ludek Zurek
• PhD in Medical Entomology, 2009, University of Kentucky with Drs. Ken Haynes and Mike Potter
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Project: “Sensory Ecology of the Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius: Host-Seeking Behavior” North Carolina State University with Dr. Coby Schal (Oct 2010-Dec 2011)

Research Area: Urban Entomology

My research interests and activities are based upon my desire to work at the interface of urban entomology, chemical ecology, toxicology, and animal behavior. The approach I endeavor to take is one that strikes a balance between basic and applied research. My career objectives are to 1) explore research opportunities into insects in the urban environment at an institution fostering collaborative relationships; 2) serve as an educator and mentor to future scientists; and 3) serve as a bridge between the scientific community and minority groups to educate on identification, biology, and effective ways to prevent and reduce the impact of urban pests.

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Brian Schutte

Research Area: Weed Science 

The goal of my research program is to develop weed management strategies that are appropriate for agricultural ecosystems in the southwestern United States. For many weed species, reserves of seeds in soil (i.e., seed banks) are critical to long-term population growth rates. Accordingly, my research aims to develop tactics that directly target weed seed banks. Previous projects have clarified weed seed defenses, seed-predator interactions and abiotic factors that influence weed seed fate. Currently, my research group is conducting field and laboratory experiments on seed mortality and seedbank dynamics of agricultural weeds of southern New Mexico. In addition to enhancing knowledge of weed seed survival, we hope to provide farmers the information needed to deplete weed seed banks through natural ecological processes including seed decay and fatal germination.

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C. Brad Shuster

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Cell & Developmental Biology

My laboratory studies how cell division and the cytoskeleton are regulated within the context of early development. Cell division is a process fundamental to all organisms, and coordinate regulation of the actin and microtubules is essential for cells to correctly segregate the replicated sister chromatids and partition the two daughter cells. This has been intensely studied in a variety of systems, but significant questions remain regarding how changes in cell shape are regulated in space and time. In an effort to answer these questions, we employ molecular, biochemical and imaging approaches to study these processes in model systems ranging from yeast and the eggs of marine invertebrates to cultured human cells.  From these lines of experimentation, we hope to understand how the final events of cell division are regulated in space and time during development and disease. 

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Adam Summers

LAB WEBSITE

 

Research Area: Neuromuscular physiology, Developmental Neurobiology

Precise specification of cell fate and synaptic connectivity are at the heart of the remarkable formation and functioning of complex neuromuscular networks. Defects in some of these processes early in development and adulthood have been implicated in many health disorders. Studying animal models with simpler and well-defined motor circuits with functional correlates to those of mammals can make significant advances in the elucidation of mechanisms of differentiation and plasticity of electrically active cell phenotypes.

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Tim Wright

LAB WEBSITE

 

Research Area: Animal behavior & evolution

Research in the Wright Lab focuses on the function, evolution and underlying mechanisms of learned vocal signals in birds. Across the animal kingdom, the ability to learn vocal communication signals is restricted to a few evolutionarily distinct groups (songbirds, hummingbirds and parrots among birds; humans, bats and whales among mammals). Parrots, in particular, are renowned for their vocal mimicry abilities in captivity, but less is known about how learning is used in the wild. Thus they present exciting opportunities for understanding how learning shapes communication behavior, how the function of learned vocalizations might differ between species, and how the underlying neural and endocrine mechanisms have evolved. 

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Jiannong Xu

 

LAB WEBSITE

 

Research Area: Genomics

We are interested in the ecological interactions of mosquitoes and the microorganisms that are associated with mosquito life history. The symbiotic interactions between the mosquitoes and associated microbes play essential roles in various mosquito life traits, therefore understanding of the symbiosis will facilitate to develop novel intervention strategy for the control of mosquito borne diseases.

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Erik T. Yukl

 

LAB WEBSITE

 

Research Area: Bacterial zinc acquisition and homeostasis

In the Yukl lab, we are interested in investigating the structure and function of bacterial metalloproteins with the long-term goal of developing improved antibiotic therapies for resistant infections. We use a wide range of molecular biology, biochemical and spectroscopic techniques to characterize metalloproteins involved in various processes including metal transport and environmental sensing. One major focus of the lab is the elucidation of previously unknown protein structures using X-ray crystallography. Two current projects in the lab involve the heme, nitric oxide / oxygen (H-NOX) family of sensor proteins and transition metal import by  bacterial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Details on these projects can be found in the appropriate tabs.

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Yanyan Zhang

• Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering – 2012, University of Missouri- Columbia
• M.S. in Environmental Engineering – 2008, Beijing Normal University, China
• B.S. in Environmental Engineering – 2005, Beijing Normal University, China

 

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Pathogen detection & inactivation

• Bacterial adhesion, biofilm and their resistance to disinfection processes
• Antibiotic resistance in urban and natural enviroments
• Fate and transport of CECs in natural and engineered systems
• Integrated biochemical and physicochemical treatment systems

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Stefan Zollner

 

LAB WEBSITE

Research Area: Ellipsometry

The Ellipsometry group at New Mexico State University is a research group led by Department Head Dr. Stefan Zollner. We specialize in the characterization of the electronic and atomic structures of thin films and bulk materials. By use of a variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometer and a cryostat we are able to precisely study the temperature and strain dependence of a materials dielectric function among other things. X-Ray diffraction and reflectance allows us to determine the film quality, thickness, relative orientation to the substrate, etc.

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