Five University of New Mexico researchers in fields ranging from music to data science have been announced the 2024 Leadership in Research and Creative Works Award by the Office of Academic Affairs.
The Research and Creative Works Leadership Award recognizes recently promoted faculty who have achieved outstanding research or creative work at their respective career stage. The winners were recognized at a ceremony at University House this fall.
The 2024 award winners are:
Jeremy Hoheveen
Jeremy Hogeveen, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Hoogeveen’s research combines cognitive neuroscience and clinical psychology. He uses a variety of methods to study how the brain creates emotions and makes decisions. His research uses self-report questionnaires, brain imaging, performance-based behavioral tests, non-invasive brain stimulation, and computational modeling to understand how neurodevelopmental, brain injury, or mental illness affects motivation, emotion, and decision-making. We are investigating what kind of impact it will have. His research findings include the effects of socio-economic disadvantage on the motivation centers of the brain.
Yu Xiao
Associate Professor Yu Xiao, Department of Individual, Family and Community Education, Faculty of Education and Human Sciences
Hsiao is an educational psychologist who specializes in refining and applying quantitative methodologies. His research has evaluated the properties of psychological and educational instruments and revolutionized hierarchical linear modeling and structural equation modeling. He is known for several methodological advances as well as collaborative research efforts in a wide range of fields including education, exercise science, substance use disorder treatment, resilience and brain injury.
carmelo de los santos
Carmelo de los Santos, Professor, Faculty of Music, University of the Arts
De Los Santos is an internationally recognized violinist with over 100 solo performances in Europe, Latin America, and the United States. He is known for consistently achieving the highest level of artistry, performing and recording some of the most technically demanding pieces in classical music. He performs a very wide repertoire and premieres new music by living composers. In addition to his solo and chamber music accomplishments, he also serves as concertmaster of the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra.
Abdullah Muen
Abdullah Muen, Professor, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering
Mueen is a data scientist focused on creating efficient algorithms for data mining and machine learning. Applications of his research include renewable power systems, identifying opinion manipulation and misinformation bots on social media, detecting small seismic events, sequencing rare immune cells, and monitoring high-performance computing behavior. . He has received multiple awards for the novelty of his research and is widely respected for his commitment to open science principles and the ethical application of computer science.
Vanessa Svira
Vanessa Svihla, Professor, Department of Organization, Information and Learning Sciences, College of Library and Learning Sciences
Svira is a learning scientist who focuses on how people learn when constructing design problems. She measures how students are influenced by the opportunity to make consequential choices about how to frame a problem, rather than solving a predefined problem. Her work is highly collaborative and includes curriculum experimentation and measuring student learning and agency. Her research has contributed to innovations in instructional design, engineering education, health education, and organizational learning. In addition to sharing coding tools and protocols, she is known for the practical application of many of her discoveries.
The 2020 Research and Creative Works Leadership Award is based on the recommendation of the Faculty Senate Research Policy Committee to recognize a faculty member who has achieved particularly significant impact in their field at the time of promotion to associate or full professor. It was founded in .
As part of the review process, candidates are nominated by the Chancellor’s Advisory Review Committee and selected by the Chancellor after a rigorous external review of the quality and impact of the candidate’s academic and creative accomplishments.