Pioneering Researcher's Reception
The dedication of UTEP’s research faculty places The University among the top five universities in Texas in research expenditures for non-medical school research institutions. Their work is frequently recognized among the world’s leading researchers.
The Pioneering Researchers’ Reception, hosted by R&I on January 29, 2025, celebrated 22 first-time principal investigators whose newly funded projects span health, nursing, business, science, liberal arts, and engineering. These faculty members were recognized for their leadership in advancing research and scholarship across disciplines.
Awardees Names
College of Health Sciences
Shashwati Geed
Rehabilitation and Research Training Center on Health and Function for People with Physical Disabilities Focused on Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction
Yun-Pai (Beatrice) Lee
VISN 23 Homelessness Project & Improving Employment Among Veterans and Asian Americans with Disabilities
College of Nursing
Jacob Martinez
Assessing Disparities in HPV-Associated Cancer Screening and Diagnosis Outcomes Among Hispanic Men
College of Business
Nicolas Cachanosky
Center for Free Enterprise - Apgar Foundation
Jose R. Bucheli
Assessing the Effectiveness of School District Safe-Zone Policies in Narrowing Achievement Gaps Among Minority Students: Evidence from California
College of Science
Brett M. Seymoure
REU Site: Summer Program in Chihuahuan Desert Biodiversity
Hamidreza Sharifan
PFAS Fate and Effects in Soil-Plant Dry Hot Climate Systems as Affected by Engineered Nanomaterials
Amol Anant Kulkarni
R21: Development of NLRP3 Inhibitors for HIV-Associated Neuroinflammation in Cocaine Use
College of Liberal Arts
Kelly C. Burke
SRG: Collaborative Research: Algeverse: Learning College Algebra with Virtual Reality
Naomi R. Fertman
Platicando con Comadres: Creating Systems of Support for Student Parents at UTEP
Melissa Melpignano
Somatics and Movement for Healthcare Equity
Annie C. Tremblay
Enhancing the Perception and Recognition of Spoken Words in a Second Language: A Cue-Weighting Approach
College of Engineering
Hector Erives-Conteras
Visiting Faculty Program, The United States Air Force Academy
Rajib B. Mallick
Evaluation of Rapid Mix Design for Lime Treated Materials
Ana C. Martinez Maciel
ISRU-Based 3D Printed Solid Polymer Electrolyte for NA-Ion Batteries (Ispolyte)
Priyadarshini Pennathur
Design for Equity in Policies, Processes, Places, and Pedagogy for People: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Graduate Research Training
Wilson Poon
Nanoparticle-Enabled Immunomodulation for Sepsis Prevention in Trauma and Combat Casualty
Davi Valerio De Queiroz Rodrigues
Student Travel Support for 2025 IEEE Radio and Wireless Week (RWW)
Mayra Chavez
U.S. Mexico Border Affairs Program Support Project
College of Education
Cynthia A. Wiltshire
Associations Between Mexican-American Early Childhood Education Workforce Stress and Mexican-American Child Executive Function and Vocabulary
Rodolfo Rincones
SRG - Building Capacity in a Rural ISD to Support Teacher Development in STEM Areas
