News - The Daily Lobo

Participants of the Family Fit Challenge wear matching tea shirts that have the "east smart be active" slogan on them. The challenge is a nine week program that is intended to help families stay active with workouts and activities.

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UNM program aims to reduce childhood obesity

Elizabeth Sanchez | January 27

Next month, the University of New Mexico Healthy and Fit Children’s Clinic’s partner, the Live Fit Family Challenge Program, will begin sessions. Sylvia Negrete, the director and founder of the bilingual clinic, said she began the program in 2009 when she noticed many children were visiting her with obesity-related issues and discovered there were no programs in New Mexico dedicated to this community. In order to be part of the clinic, children must have a Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 85 percent and be between the ages of two and 17, she said. The “comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinic” provides families with education on weight gain through nutritionists, medical providers, physical activity counselors/providers, full medical evaluations and more.

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University of New Mexico professor honored with Eisenberg Award

Sayyed Shah | January 26

Ian Rabinowitz, a professor in UNM’s Division of Hematology/Oncology, has been honored with the 2016 Eisenberg Award. According to a UNM Health Sciences Center press release, the award honors a New Mexican cancer survivor whose work with Cancer Services of New Mexico has benefited other New Mexican cancer patients. "Dr. Rabinowitz made tremendous contributions to Cancer Services of New Mexico before he began his personal cancer journey, and he has continued to be an important part of our organization since his diagnosis,” the statement quoted CSNM President Kathleen Kreider as saying.

Camber Arnhart, a freshman Computer Science major, draws in her sketch book Monday afternoon in Hokona Hall. Amhart was one of three winners of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contest.

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UNM student wins prestigious international award for her artwork

Elizabeth Sanchez | January 26

A sophomore computer science major, is among the winners of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contest. Camber Arnhart $500 for her submission of two digital art pieces and one traditional pencil piece. Arnhart said she is extremely grateful for her success and believes the contest will create new opportunities for her future.

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Clinical trials at UNM target pancreatic cancer

Sayyed Shah | January 26

Researchers at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center have started clinical trials using an aggressive treatment approach to treat pancreatic cancer, according to a UNMHSC press release. The clinical trials combine the latest in chemotherapy and radiation treatment with immunotherapy, a novel treatment which harnesses the body's immune system to help fight cancer, according to the press release.

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UNM researchers listed as most cited academicians

Sayyed Shah | January 26

Two UNM researchers, Xuexian Yang and Vince Calhoun, have been recognized as “Highly Cited Researchers” for 2015 by Thomson Reuters, according to a UNM press release. Thomson Reuters is an intellectual property and business firm that lists highly cited researchers in different fields, according to the press release.

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Hoverboards banned on campus due to safety concerns

Kayla Root | January 25

In his welcome back email on the first day of classes for the spring semester, University President Bob Frank announced that, due to widespread safety concerns, the University of New Mexico is placing an interim ban on the use, possession and storage of hoverboards on all UNM campuses. This temporary ban is in place until the University can assess and research the safety of the self-balancing scooters, informally known as “hoverboards”, and develop a long-term policy, Frank said.

Members of the Lobo football team bow their heads as speakers tell stories of Markel Byrd Sunday afternoon in the SUB Ballroom. Incorporated into the memorial service was an opening prayer and several slideshows featuring Byrd.

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Memorial held for Lobo football player Markel Byrd

Chirrisse Bryce Owens | January 25

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate the life of student-athlete Markel Byrd, the Lobo football player who died in a car accident in December. Among those in attendance was head football coach Bob Davie, the first person to speak and share his memories about Byrd. Davie remarked on the turnout for the memorial, which was held in the SUB Ballroom, saying it’s a confirmation of the impact Byrd, and his loss, has had on the entire community.

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Monday on the Street: Hoverboards

Matthew Reisen | January 25

What do you think about the recent ban on hover boards from UNM campus?

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Maximum sentence handed down for driver in crash that killed 2 UNM students

Matthew Reisen | January 25

A local man was sentenced to a maximum of 18 years in prison for multiple charges for taking the lives of two UNM students and harming two others. Last week’s sentence stemmed from Joshua Leal’s role in the November 2014 car crash that took the lives of UNM students Briana Hillard and Matthew Grant, and put seniors Joseph Mendoza and Julia Thompson in the hospital. According to the District Attorney’s office, a plea agreement would put Leal in prison for a minimum of 12 years, with the remaining six at the discretion of the court. However, Judge Brett Loveless, who presided over the sentencing, imposed the full 18 years in the Department of Corrections.

Carolyn Flynn presents to her and Mike Marcottes Inocations in Media Entrepreneurship course Friday afternoon at Dane Smith Hall. The course is offered through the Communication and Journalism Department but hosts students with intrests in international relations, resign performance and various other majors.

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New entrepreneurial course merges journalism and business

Denicia Aragon | January 22

The Department of Communication and Journalism added a new entrepreneurial media course this semester. The course, CJ 393, is being taught by both Communication & Journalism professor of practice Michael Marcotte and instructor Carolyn Flynn. The course is focused on innovation and media entrepreneurship, combining business and journalism to keep up with the modern needs of the field. "Many people entering journalism will at some point or another probably start their own business or be an entrepreneur...so we want to offer something to equip students to navigate this rapidly changing market," Flynn said.

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Brand rollout to foster a new image at UNM

Sayyed Shah | January 22

The UNM Communication and Marketing Department held an event in the SUB ballroom C to rollout the new UNM brand concept. The brand concept has been introduced to the University in order to increase enrollment and create awareness about the offerings of UNM, UNM officials said. “We have challenged ourselves to consider and reflect upon who we are, what we do and why it matters – in other words, to develop the UNM brand for the 21st century.

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UNM program pairs volunteers with refugees to aid in their transition

Elizabeth Sanchez | January 21

University of New Mexico Associate Professor of Sociology Jessica Goodkind spearheaded the Refugee Well-being Project (RWP) here on campus in 2006, and it has since blossomed into a program that benefits all parties involved. Goodkind said by enrolling in her Health and Social Inequalities two-semester course, student volunteers can work directly with refugee families while other volunteers assist with different aspects of the project. When students volunteer for RWP, they must commit to nine months of work, she said, and after two and a half months in class, students are paired with refugee families from November through May. After this pairing they focus on learning and advocacy, as students help guide them through acclimating to their new lifestyles.

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Lottery deficit a focus for UNM administration, student leaders

Matthew Reisen | January 21

Lottery scholarship woes are front and center as the New Mexico legislative session ramps up. Associated Students of UNM President Jenna Hagengruber said that currently the lottery is only able to fund about 95 percent of tuition for qualifying students for the scholarship instead of the previous practice of 100 percent funding. The lottery funds are depleting quickly, she said, and while the Liquor Excise Tax has been able to provide a supplemental $19 million to lottery funds, that source of funding is set to expire at the end of next year.

ASUNM President Jenna Hagengruber discusses plans for the spring semester at her office in the SUB, which include institutional bonds, various initiatives and UNM Day at the roundhouse in Santa Fe.

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Q&A: ASUNM President Jenna Hagengruber

Denicia Aragon | January 21

A new semester brings new business to the University, most of which goes through the Associated Students of New Mexico (ASUNM) at some point. ASUNM, the undergraduate student governing body for the University, has many events and developments coming up that concern students, faculty members and administration. ASUNM President Jenna Hagengruber goes through everything that is new, what has changed and how the student body can get involved.

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UNM professor and human rights activist Sei Tokuda passes away at age 85

Denicia Aragon | January 20

Sei Tokuda, professor and chair of the UNM School of Medicine, recently passed away Jan. 2, after a year-long battle with various medical issues. He was 85 years old. Tokuda was an active staff member at the University who dedicated his life to protecting the human and civil rights of all individuals. Tokuda was honored with a Career Development Award from the National Institute of Health in June of 1968, when he was an associate professor in microbiology. The grant given with the award, totaling $125,000, paid his salary for five years. The Career Development Award is one of the oldest grants given by NIH, an organization originally designed to establish outstanding young professors and encourage them to stay in the field of medical education.

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UNM HSC working to determine best treatment for Hepatitis C

Sayyed Shah | January 20

A team of UNM Health Sciences Center researchers plan to implement a study that they hope will determine which treatment model works best for patients afflicted with Hepatitis C. According to a UNM HSC press release, the study is part of a national effort that aims to determine “why some patients develop resistance to certain therapies for the treatment of Hepatitis C.” The study will be funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), UNMHSC officials said.

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UNM professor receives excellence in teaching award

Sayyed Shah | January 20

A UNM professor has received the 2016 Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Medieval Academy of America Committee on Centers and Regional Associations, according to a UNM press release. Timothy Graham, professor of history and director of the Institute for Medieval Studies, said that he was honored to receive the award, according to the press release.

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UNM scientists detect deep carbon emissions associated with continental rifting

Sayyed Shah | January 20

Scientists at UNM conducted research to better study carbon emissions through fault systems in the East African Rift, according to a UNM press release, part of an effort to understand carbon emissions from the Earth’s interior and how it affects the atmosphere. The research is funded by the NSF Tectonics Program, and is being directed by UNM Professor Tobias Fischer as part of a continued effort to quantify global emissions of CO2 from the Earth’s interior.

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UNM to host VEX Robotic Competition

Sayyed Shah | January 20

UNM’s Continuing Education Conference Center will host VEX Robotics Competition on Jan. 23, according to a UNM press release. According to the statement, middle and high school students from across New Mexico will participate in the competition sponsored by the UNM School of Engineering.

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Administration working on budget as UNM renovates the campus as well as its image

Matthew Reisen | January 19

UNM administration has a lot on its plate this semester, from renovations and marketing to the University’s budget and the upcoming legislative session. President Bob Frank said one of the big issues facing administration is working on the University’s budget for next year, which determines salary decisions and funding for programs. He said all those things will happen between now and May.