Albuquerque, NM – March 3, 2026 – This year marks the 10^th anniversary of Innovate New Mexico, a landmark collaboration of major research institutions across the state that promotes and annually reasserts the state’s commitment to collaboration in support of innovation that benefits all New Mexicans. The anniversary is marked today with the 10^th Innovate New Mexico Showcase, held at the Lobo Rainforest building in Albuquerque.

Innovate New Mexico brings together the state’s three leading research universities – New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, and the University of New Mexico – with its three research laboratories: the Air Force Research Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia National Labs. They come together annually for a Showcase that highlights new inventions and innovations resulting from those collaborations, but the Showcase plays a fundamentally broader and more catalytic role: it confirms; it connects, and it catalyzes.

The Showcase confirms and annually reasserts the state’s commitment to research collaboration. It connects the institutions’ representatives with each other and with many additional participating researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and their champions. Those connections in turn help animate a “rainforest” environment of unexpected interactions and catalyze resulting innovation.

Over the past 10 years, Innovate New Mexico has achieved the following, among many other accomplishments:

• Showcased 135 innovations from across the region spanning a range of technology areas including biosciences, energy, space and materials, accelerating commercialization across multiple sectors;
• Consistently attracted investors locally and nationally such as Sun Mountain Capital, the New Mexico Angels, Osage University Partners, Crosslink Capital, Tramway Venture Partners, Cerracap Ventures, and others, creating meaningful pathways for commercialization and capital formation;
• Highlighted and exhibited more than 145 start-up companies creating new opportunities and strategic partnerships.

“For the past decade, the Richard P. Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory has viewed the Innovate New Mexico Showcase as a key platform for our scientists and postdocs to connect with partners and resources needed to accelerate commercialization,” said James Zahler, Program Director for the Feynman Center for Innovation, Los Alamos National Laboratory. “Bringing New Mexico’s research institutions together each year reaffirms our shared commitment to collaboration and catalyzes an innovation ecosystem that advances scientific discovery and economic opportunity statewide.”

“For the past decade, Innovate New Mexico has played a vital role in strengthening New Mexico’s innovation ecosystem by connecting research, entrepreneurship, and industry,” said Mary Monson, Senior Manager, Technology Partnerships and Business Development, Sandia National Laboratories. “Sandia National Laboratories is proud to be an active partner in this effort, advancing technology-based economic development that translates world-class research into new companies, high-quality jobs, and lasting economic impact for the state. Innovate New Mexico’s collaborative model has proven essential to ensuring that innovation developed in New Mexico benefits New Mexicans, and we look forward to continuing this important work in the years ahead.”

“Innovate New Mexico exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that defines our state’s innovation landscape,” said Sara Telano, Branch Chief, Technology Engagement Office, Air Force Research Lab. “By fostering partnerships between research institutions, entrepreneurs, and industry, we’re turning today’s ideas into tomorrow’s technologies, and AFRL is honored to be part of that journey.”

“Innovate New Mexico is an extraordinary collaboration of premier research institutions that energizes innovation across the state and underscores our longstanding commitment to work together to create a more dynamic economy for all New Mexicans,” said New Mexico State Representative Meredith A. Dixon, opening speaker at the 10^th Innovate New Mexico Showcase. “I had the privilege of sponsoring and championing HB20, which led in 2025 to the creation of the state’s new Technology and Innovation Office and the allocation of $90 million for tech startups, research & development, and other support for innovation. It’s, therefore, a great honor for me to be the opening speaker at the 10^th Innovate New Mexico Showcase and to continue to champion New Mexico’s preeminence in innovation statewide.”

“NMSU Arrowhead Center takes full advantage of the forum, participants, and energy that we experience at the Innovate New Mexico Showcase,” said Patricia Knighten, Director of Innovation Commercialization, Office of Intellectual Property, Arrowhead Center, New Mexico State University. “We believe that the face-to-face engagement with the researchers, investors, and other stakeholders at this event has made significant impact. Our researchers have broadened and strengthened their collaborations with other NM research universities and the federal laboratories. Many of those collaborations result in licenses, start-up companies, and internships. It is remarkable to observe New Mexico’s ‘innovation ecosystem’ evolve since the first Innovate New Mexico Showcase, and we sure look forward to contributing and to benefiting from the future evolution of the event as part of the energy around New Mexico’s ‘inflection point’.”

“New Mexico is experiencing a watershed moment for innovation and economic development,” said Lique M. Coolen, Vice President of Research and Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs, New Mexico Tech. “By forging essential partnerships between inventors at research institutions and industry stakeholders, Innovate New Mexico is positioned to leverage this inflection point. New Mexico Tech is proud to contribute to this journey, strengthening our state’s science and technology ecosystem for generations to come.”

“As we celebrate 10 years of the Innovate New Mexico Showcase, we are reminded that innovation flourishes only when we break down silos and collaborate,” said Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer, UNM Rainforest Innovations. “UNM Rainforest Innovations is proud to be a part of this effort, bringing diverse partners together to ensure our state’s research moves efficiently from the laboratory to the global marketplace. This decade of partnership has proven that by connecting our world-class expertise with the business community, we can catalyze true economic development for New Mexico.”

The Innovate New Mexico partnership affirms and broadens the collaborations among its partner institutions in a way that sets it apart from other states. Through Innovate New Mexico, an exceptional level of cooperation has been achieved.

For more information, contact Savanah Romero at sromero@innovations.unm.edu.

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The 2025 Innovate New Mexico® Technology Showcase brought together the state’s leading research institutions to showcase new advancements in research and technology. The event, which attracted over 150 attendees both online and in-person, included investors, entrepreneurs, industry representatives, local start-up companies, and members of the business community.

Held at the Event Center at Sandia Golf Club on Tuesday, March 4^th, the event featured five panel discussions, a keynote address by Mahmoud R. Taha, PhD, PE, a lunchtime panel on venture capital in New Mexico, and ample networking opportunities during scheduled breaks.

View the recording of the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epJGrGCJVmU

Welcome Remarks and Keynote Speaker

The welcome remarks were delivered by Nora Sackett, the Director for the Office of Strategy, Science & Technology for the New Mexico Economic Development Department, followed by the keynote address, The Journey of a Faculty Entrepreneur, presented by Mahmoud R. Taha, PhD, PE.

Dr. Taha is a Distinguished Professor and Regents’ Lecturer for the University of New Mexico’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Taha has more than 25 years of experience in research and development at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and he brings a wealth of knowledge on using polymer materials and nano-technology. In addition to his role at UNM, he is the CEO of TS-Nano, an ESG energy and climate tech company that manufactures nano-modified polymer. This is used to seal abandoned oil and gas wells to fight methane emissions and mitigate climate change. Dr. Taha is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (FACI), and a licensed Professional Engineer in the U.S. and Canada.

Panel Discussions

Throughout the day there were five panel discussions along with a panel of sharks to provide clarifying questions after the discussions. The sharks included Mike Freeman, CEO of Innosphere Ventures, and Alejandro Muñoz Mendieta, Co-Founding Managing Partner of No Border Ventures.

Energy & Water Panel, moderated by Sandra Begay, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories. Members of the panel included:

• Feng Chu, Scientist, P-4 Thermonuclear Plasma Physics, Los Alamos National Laboratory – PLX, Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion
• Ansel Blumenthal, R&D, S&E Mechanical Engineer at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility, Sandia National Labs – Agrivoltaics & Food Processing Through Thermal Energy Storage (TES)

Biosciences & Agriculture Panel, moderated by Devin Fell, Vice President of Engineering at Sentire Medical Systems. Members of the panel included:

• Christina Salas, Associate Professor, The University of New Mexico – Dynamic Prosthetic Interface for Competitive Cycling: Enhancing Performance for Transfemoral Amputee Athlete
• Weston Medlock, Program Manager Sr., New Mexico State University – Path to Plate: An online marketplace making local food accessible

Lunch Panel – Venture Capital in New Mexico, moderated by Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer of UNM Rainforest Innovations. Members of the panel included:

• Adam Hammer, Co-Founder and CEO, Roadrunner Venture Studios
• Katie Rice, Managing Partner, Tramway Venture Partners
• Mike Freeman, CEO – Innosphere/NSF CO-WY Climate Resilience Engine, General Partner – Innosphere Funds

Aerospace & Space Panel, moderated by Chris Corbine, Director of Student Entrepreneurship Programs at the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University. Members of the panel included:

• David Mitchell, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Mexico State University – Lowering the power consumption of resilient next-G communications and storage devices
• Micco Estrada, Research Engineer, COSMIAC, The University of New Mexico

Quantum & Artificial Intelligence Panel, moderated by Jake Douglass, a Technical Business Development Specialist for Sandia National Laboratories. The member of the panel included:

• Susan R. Atlas, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Center for Quantum Information & Control, and Quantum New Mexico Institute – “A tale of two technologies”: Quantum materials design and quantum computing in the age of AI 

Closing Remarks

Brian Birk, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sun Mountain Capital, wrapped up the event with closing remarks, reflecting on the highlights of the day.

Innovate New Mexico® would like to thank the supporters of this year’s event including the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University, the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, NASA, Sandia National Laboratories, and Spaceport America.

Read more about the event, including the exhibitors and partners on the Innovate New Mexico website here: https://www.innovatenewmexico.com/2025showcase/

Innovate New Mexico®, a network of the state’s seven leading technology-transfer organizations, held its annual event featuring representatives and researchers from the state’s major research universities and national labs on Tuesday, March 1.

The showcase was held online via Zoom and featured 12 technology pitches from the University of New Mexico, Air Force Research Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, Sandia National Labs, NASA-White Sands Test Facility, New Mexico Tech, and New Mexico State University.

Jon Clark, Deputy Chair and Secretary at the New Mexico Economic Development Department kicked off the event with opening remarks followed by keynote speaker Abhi Mukherjee, Operating Partner of CerraCap Ventures. CerraCap is a technology venture capital firm that works to build global companies using a “sales and scale™” model, enabling disruption and producing significant value.

Mr. Mukherjee’s keynote, entitled “The Innovation Quotient,” focused on how an innovation framework involving technology, talent, infrastructure, capital, and corporate produces significant and disruptive change. Part of utilizing that framework is determining which individual components are already supplied in one place and filling in, so to speak, the rest. Part of CerraCap’s goal is to understand how they can be a part of the innovation ecosystem already cultivated here in New Mexico to add value to convert dreams into innovations.

Left to right: Abhi Mukherjee and Lisa Kuuttila

Technology Pitches

Throughout the morning there were nine technology presentations in the physical sciences followed by five minutes of questioning by friendly “sharks” from the business community. The morning session “sharks” included Matthias Weber, Venture Partner of Mighty Capital; Julia Davourie, Venture Capital Investor at Phoenix Venture Partners; and John Chavez, Managing Director of New Mexico Start-Up Factory.

Left to right: Matthias Weber, John Chavez, and Julia Davourie

The first morning session was moderated by Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer of UNM Rainforest Innovations, and presentations included:

• “NASA White Sands Testing Facilities Capabilities,” by Joe Bullington, Commercialization Manager, Jacobs Technology, Inc.
• “High Quality AlSb for Radiation Detection,” by Ganesh Balakrishnan, Ph.D., Director of the New Mexico EPSCoR and Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering; and Adam Hecht, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering, both at the University of New Mexico.
• “Two-dimensional Silicon Carbide: An Emerging Semiconducting Material,” by Sakineh Chabi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of New Mexico.

The second morning session was moderated by Matt O’Brien, Technology Engagement Branch Chief at Air Force Research Laboratory and the technology presentations included:

• “ReTRACe: Verifiable Blockchain Rewrites to Meet Privacy Regulations,” by Roopa Vishwanathan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, New Mexico State University.
• “Novel Spacecraft Heat Pipes,” by Jon Allison, Thermal Trust Lead, Air Force Research Laboratory.
• “ASSESS: Faster Inspections, Faster Launches,” by Ian Cummings, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The third morning session was moderated by David Kistin, Manager of Technology and Economic Development at Sandia National Laboratories and the technology presentations included:

• “Bio-Inspired GeoTechnics,” by Paola Bandini, Ph.D., P.E., Wells-Hath Professor, Civil Engineering Department, New Mexico State University.
• “Revolutionizing Manufacturing through Machine Learning,” by Hojun Lim, Ph.D., Principal Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories.
• “Engineered Carbons for Biomedical Applications,” by Nikolai Kalugin, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, New Mexico Tech.

There was a break for lunch followed by six technology presentations in the life sciences.

The friendly “sharks” included Mike Freeman, General Partner at Innosphere Ventures; Kirsten Leute, Partner of Osage University Partners; and Matthew Ongaro, Junior Partner of Cottonwood Technology Fund.

Left to right: Kirsten Leute, Mike Freeman, and Matthew Ongaro

The first afternoon session was moderated by Mariann Johnston, Project Manager at the Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the technology presentations included:

• “Transforming Cancer Cells into Microbe Mimetics,” by Rita Serda, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, the University of New Mexico.
• “MycoDelens: a novel, drug-resistance-insensitive and human skin-compatible antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral disinfectant,” by Snežna Rogelj, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Biology, New Mexico Tech.
• “Pignostics: Faster Testing for Better Herd Health,” by Dan Jacobsen, Ph.D., Postdoc Researcher, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The second and final afternoon session was moderated by Myrriah Tomar, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at New Mexico Tech and the technology presentations included:

• “GenomicAI: find your next biotech opportunity with an AI lens,” by Shounak Banerjee, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• “Breezy Robotics,” by Matthew Ennis, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Officer, Build with Robots.
• “Bovine Respiratory Testing,” by Craig Gifford, Ph.D., Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Department of Extension Animal Sciences & Natural Resources, New Mexico State University.

Innovate New Mexico ended with closing remarks from Jennifer Sinsabaugh, CEO of the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

To learn more about Innovate New Mexico, visit https://www.innovatenewmexico.com/.

A recording of the event will be available on YouTube.

Local startup OptiPulse, Inc. is developing their breakthrough optical wireless technology and are seeking public investment through their new crowdfunding campaign launched on WeFunder.

The company was founded in 2015 and their patented technology addresses current connectivity issues relating to last mile wireless connections and long-distance infrastructure. Their technology uses a high-power chip to beam wireless data across a new type of network which can span long distances at high bandwidths without the use of fiber-optic wires. This technology has the potential to provide affordable high-speed internet access to all and work to close the digital divide.

Visit their crowdfunding page on WeFunder at: https://wefunder.com/optipulse

See below Kevin Robinson-Avila’s February 24^th article, “OptiPulse launches crowdfunding campaign,” on the Albuquerque Journal Website at https://www.abqjournal.com/2362871/optipulse-launches-crowdfunding-campaign.html

OptiPulse launches crowdfunding campaign

By Kevin Robinson-Avila / Journal Staff Writer

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque-based startup OptiPulse Inc. is inviting public investment in the company’s breakthrough wireless technology through a crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder.

The company has developed novel optics technology that uses proprietary high-power laser chips to beam wireless data across a new type of network in urban and rural areas at speeds potentially up to 100 times faster than most current commercial services, according to the company. OptiPulse has already proven the technology in a pilot project at Central New Mexico Community College’s main Albuquerque campus.

It’s now seeking $1 million through WeFunder to finish developing and deploying its first “minimal viable product” for commercial use. The crowdfunding campaign will go live on Wednesday, March 3.

Minimum investments start at $100 to buy OptiPulse stock priced at $2 per share, said company CEO John Joseph.

“Assuming we reach the $1 million target, we could raise the goal to $5 million later on,” Joseph said. “This WeFunder campaign reflects our vision of inviting direct public participation in the development of a totally new type of network communications rather than a small number of high-wealth investors directing things.”

Unlike today’s wireless communications through cell phone towers, OptiPulse uses compact transceivers, or nodes, mounted across cities or communities that directly beam high-speed internet back and forth. Any end user who wants to can then hook into the node network.

The transceivers are powered by OptiPulse’s proprietary laser chips, which provide low-cost but lightning-fast optical communications between the network nodes starting at 10 gigabits per second. That, in turn, would allow end users to access the network at speeds of 1 GBPS or more.

The company will first offer its network nodes to telecommunication providers to help them lower costs when constructing their networks, by leapfrogging over environmental obstacles like rivers, highways or train tracks when laying fiber-optic lines. Those first sales will raise revenue for OptiPulse to begin more broadly deploying its technology in urban and rural areas for direct public access to new community wireless networks built with company technology, said OptiPulse Chief Operating Officer Mathis Shinnick.

OptiPulse, which launched in 2015, previously raised $3.6 million from institutional and angel investors. But other companies have had significant success through WeFunder, encouraging OptiPulse to try crowdfunding too, Shinnick said.

To date, nearly 600 companies have collectively raised about $230 million through WeFunder, according to the crowdfunding site. The Meow Wolf artists collaborative in Santa Fe, for example, raised $1.3 million in August 2017.

“Crowdfunding has taken on a whole new dynamism to raise equity,” Shinnick said.

For more information, see OptiPulse’s WeFunder investor pitch at https://wefunder.com/optipulse .

Innovate New Mexico is a collaborative event featuring representatives and researchers from seven major research institution across New Mexico to highlight the latest research and technology opportunities, startup companies and economic development resources. The research institutes include the University of New Mexico, the Air Force Research Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, Sandia National Labs, NASA, New Mexico Tech and New Mexico State University.

Just one year ago, the seventh Innovate New Mexico event took place at the Event Center at Sandia Golf Club. That was before COVID pandemic which has impacted the way in which we now host events. Moving to an online format, the 2021 Innovate New Mexico was spread over two-days and included six technology and company presentations running simultaneously over two tracks via Zoom. Attendees could jump between technology presentations to company presentation seamlessly. All presentations were recorded and are uploaded to the UNM Rainforest Innovations’ YouTube channel.

The first day kicked off with opening remarks by Jon Clark, Deputy Chair Secretary at the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Then the technology and company presentations took place relating to physical sciences. See below for links to the recordings of their presentations.

The moderator of the technology presentations was Mary Monson, Senior Manager of Technology Partnerships and Business Development at Sandia National Laboratories and company presentations were moderated by David Kistin, Manager of Technology and Economic Development at Sandia National Laboratories. After the presentations, closing remarks were given by Jennifer Sinsabaugh, Chief Executive Officer at New Mexico MEP. The last hour included virtual networking where attendees could chat with the presenters.

Physical Science Technology Presentations

• Fluid-Infused Elastomers for Improved Resistance to Degradation in High Temperature Applications – Erica Redline (Sandia)
  
• Pressure-Induced Synthesis of Highly Uniform Metal Nanostructures – Hongyou Fan (Sandia)
  
• Adaptimize: Smarter and Faster UAV/drone Radiation Mapping for Enhanced Decision Making – Tony Shin (LANL)
  
• Integrated Trigger PCSS – Joseph Teague (AFRL)
  
• Separation Unit for Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Remediation – Dr. Reza Foudazi, Associate Professor, Chemical and Materials Engineering (NMSU)
  
• In-line Angular Optical Multi-Point Scatterometry for Nanomanufacturing Systems – Juan J. Faria-Briceno, Post-Doctoral Fellow (UNM)
  

Physical Science Company Presentations

• Osazda Energy – Sang Han, Chief Technical Officer
  
• NASA White Sands Test Facility Technology Update – Joe Bullington, Commercialization Manager, Jacobs Technology
  
• Build with Robots, Inc. – Chris Ziomek, CEO and Matthew Ennis, CSO
  
• Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds using Tandem Differential Mobility Spectometry – A. Eiceman, President, GP Ionics, LLC
  
• SoniView: See the Unseen in your Production Processes – Eric Davis, LANL
  
• OptiPulse – Mathis Shinnick, COO
  

The second day kicked off with opening remarks by Myrriah Tomar, Director of the Office of Science & Technology at the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Next came the technology and company presentations relating to life sciences. See below for links to the recordings of their presentations.

The moderator of the technology presentations was Matt O’Brien, Technology Business Specialist at the Air Force Research Laboratory and company presentations were moderated by Mariann Johnston, Project Manager at the Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory. After the presentations, closing remarks were given by Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer of UNM Rainforest Innovations. Her speech highlighted the many ways in which New Mexico is achieving high rankings in innovation and entrepreneurial areas. The last hour included virtual networking where attendees could chat with the presenters.

Life Science Technology Presentations

• EnPeel: High Yield Recovery of Plastic Waste – Tatyana Elkin (LANL)
  
• Inhibition of Cellular Uptake to Treat Bacterial Infections – Larry Sklar (UNM)
  
• Multifunctional Central Pattern Generator-Based Neuromimetic Control Systems – Jeremy Wojcik (AFRL)
  
• Bio-inspired Cancer Vaccines – Rita Serda (UNM)
  
• Novel Vascular Access Device – Sam Pedrotty and Gus Pedrotty (UNM)
  
• ScFv Antibodies as Non-opioid Therapeutic for Pain Management – Karin High (UNM)
  

Life Science Company Presentations

• Nob Hill Therapeutics – Yun Li, CEO
  
• BennuBio, Inc. – Matthew Hess, COO
  
• Just Breathe Free, LLC – Antonio (“Tony”) García, Ph.D. and George W. Lucky, Professor of Chemical Engineering (NMSU)
  
• GPER G-1 – John Elling, CEO
  
• RS21 – Angelica Bruhnke, Division President, RS21 Health Lab
  
• BioSafe Defenses – David Whitten, CEO & Scientific Advisor
  

To learn more about Innovate New Mexico, visit https://www.innovatenewmexico.com/

View all of the presentations on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvSGf0aK1KNJ358sYJ8_IRQ/videos