Major Research Instrumentation Funding for EPSCoR Faculty

Two Energize New Mexico faculty members at the University of New Mexico, Dr. Marty Kirk and Dr. José Cerrato, recently received National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) funding.

Marty and colleagues Victor Acosta, Daniel Feezell, Francesca Cavallo and Abdelghani Laraoui acquired a sensitive device that measures magnetic fields, called a magnetometer (or, more officially, a magnetic property measurement system (MPMS)). Marty and his team will use this device to to measure the magnetic properties of molecules, molecule-based materials, solid state materials and devices. Faculty at four additional Hispanic serving institutions use the instrument (Western New Mexico University, New Mexico Tech, New Mexico Highlands, and New Mexico State University).

José is a co-principal investigator on the acquisition of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) capable of high resolution imaging and elemental composition analysis. Though housed at the UNM Department of Physics and Astronomy, the TEM is accessible to cross-departmental and interdisciplinary faculty and post-docs, and will provide valuable training to undergraduate and graduate students. This instrument is the first open access aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (S/TEM) in the Rio Grande corridor

In keeping with collaborative goals of NM EPSCoR, these instruments are available to researchers at other academic institutions and industry, and will provide world-class research opportunities for students and faculty for years to come. Read more about Marty's award here, and José's award here.