ACES UG Research Scholars Program

About the Program:

The ACES Undergraduate Research Scholars Program engages undergraduate students in research. Faculty members serve as mentors while students gain valuable experience working on cutting-edge research projects alongside experts in the field. The program provides undergraduates with a solid foundation in research methods to better prepare them for entry into professional and scientific fields.


*Application for the 2025-2026 cycle will open on August 25th* 


Eligibility Requirements:

  • Classified as an “undergraduate” at New Mexico State University in the College of ACES.
  • Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at New Mexico State University.
  • Achieved a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • Classified as a sophomore, junior, or senior.
  • Commit to a minimum of 10 hrs/week for research for each semester.

Program Benefits:

  • Learn how to conduct research by working directly with ACES faculty.
  • Apply course content to your own independent research project.
  • Be part of making new discoveries.
  • Develop critical thinking and communication skills.
  • Present research and scientific meetings.
  • Gain a competitive edge for professional or graduate school. 

Contact Information:

Dr. Jennifer Hernandez Gifford

Title: Program Director, Professor - Department of Animal Range Sciences, Knox Hall #219

Email: jgifford@nmsu.edu


Research Project Summaries 

 

2024-2025 ACES Open House Poster Awards Recipients 

1st Place - Artibeus Jamaicensis as a Novel Model: Quantifying and Comparing Leptin Receptors in Bat Placentas

  • Alana K. Pedersen-Kamaka
  • Thomas Eiting
  • Sheena Bettis
  • Teri Orr (Faculty Research Mentor)

2nd Place - Using eBird Data to Explore Trends in Wintering Abundance of American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius) in Mesilla Valley

  • Ellary Battle
  • Megan Lemmo
  • Martha Desmond (Faculty Research Mentor)

3rd Place - Effects of CXCL12 Inhibition/Activation on Cytokine Expression in the Developing Sheep Placenta

  • Kassandra Valdez
  • Ema Alvarez
  • Samantha Baez
  • Ryan Ashley (Faculty Research Mentor)

4th Place - Exploring Biostimulant Impact on Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) Growth and Nutrient Uptake

  • Anahi Flores
  • Maria Alvarez
  • Dr. F Omar Holguin (Faculty Research Mentor)

Honorable Mention - Impacts of Manipulating the CXCL12/CXCR4 Chemokine Axis During Implantation on Glucose and Amino Acid Transporters in the Developing Placenta

  • Makayla Mullins
  • Kyla Saucedo
  • Samantha Baez
  • Ryan Ashley (Faculty Research Mentor)

ACES Undergraduate Research Program

ACES Undergraduate Program

ACES Undergraduate Program