YOUR STATE OF SCIENCE

As part of the Summer 2025 YSoS series, two engaging events captivated science enthusiasts of all ages. On June 19, Dr. Spencer G. Lucas, Curator of Paleontology at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, delivered a thought-provoking public lecture titled “Rethinking Mass Extinctions” at Fuller Lodge. In it, he challenged prevailing scientific interpretations of mass extinction events, drawing on decades of paleontological research. The talk complemented the museum’s newly updated “Ancient Life” exhibit, which features fossil discoveries from across New Mexico. This event brought to you by the New Mexico Consortium, Zia Credit Union, ScienceFest, and The J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee.

The following days highlighted the spicy science of Capsicum with chile pepper expert April Beauchemin from the New Mexico State University Chile Pepper Institute. She shared insights into the agricultural and scientific history of chile peppers—from Fabian Garcia’s pioneering work in the late 19th century to current research—at both the Los Alamos ScienceFest Night Market on June 20 and Discovery Day on June 21.

This two-day event was the second in a planned yearly ‘Cosmic Frontiers’ series for New Mexico, following a very successful Cosmic Frontiers 2024 – Stephen Hawking and the Universe. The 2025 program brought together eminent planetary scientists and astronomers for three main scientific sessions: Planets in our solar system, Exoplanets, and Tools and Technology for Planetary Study.

Cosmic Frontiers included participation from scientists, faculty, and students from all over New Mexico including from New Mexico Statue University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, University of New Mexico, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. See the speakers list here.

A book sale, planetarium shows, free films, the LANL Challenge Tomorrow Trailer, stargazing and more were part of the event. All components were free and open to the public. Learn more at www.cosmicfrontiers.org

Dr. Benjamin Tobin, the Director of The National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  NCKRI is one of the jewels in the scientific crown of New Mexico, and was formed by an Act of Congress in 1998, in partnership with the National Park Service, the State of New Mexico, and the City of Carlsbad.  It is a nexus of research, stewardship, outreach, and information for caves and karst while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.  NCKRI is a research center of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

In his presentation, Dr. Tobin described NCKRI and the role it plays through his lecture entitled “Exploring Caves through Interdisciplinary Science”.  He has been involved with cave and karst research and resource management for more than 20 years.  He comes to New Mexico after 6 years as a hydrogeologist at the Kentucky Geological Survey at the University of Kentucky.  Before that, he was a cave resource specialist for 10+ years for the National Park Service at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and at Grand Canyon National Park.  Dr. Tobin earned a Ph.D. from Texas State University, a M.Sc. from Western Kentucky University, and a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire.

This event was made possible by the New Mexico Consortium “Your State of Science” program, in partnership with the LANL Frontiers in Geoscience Seminar series, Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District, Los Alamos ScienceFest, and the J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee.

Summer 2024 speakers were a joint effort between the New Mexico Consortium and Los Alamos ScienceFest Powered by Los Alamos Mainstreet. Topics and speakers included:

• Agnes Chaves, the founder and director of STEMarts Lab, a nonprofit sci-arts organization located in Taos, New Mexico, dedicated to empowering youth through the fusion of art, science, and technology.
• Professor Curtis O’Malley, with the  New Mexico Tech Robotic STEM Outreach Program Their mission is to promote interest in STEM education at all levels of education and skills development through the challenging and thrilling robotics projects and competitions.
• Denise Coon, a Research Specialist of the Chile Pepper Institute and the NMSU Extension Vegetable Program. She featured research and education related to Capsicum and chile peppers.
• Professor Patricia Henning, the lead of operations of the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), the continent-wide Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), and the Domenici Science Operations Center in Socorro.
• Professor Nelia Dunbar, State Geologist, NM Bureau of Geology, New Mexico Tech, gave a public lecture on the geology of Northern New Mexico.