McNair Scholars
Alejandro Gomez
Alejandro Gomez, studying wildlife ecology, was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education.
Gomez graduated in May 2025 and is continuing his education at NMSU, where he will study for a master’s degree under the advisement of Obed Hernández-Gómez, assistant professor of wildlife disease ecology in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Their research will focus on disease dynamics in native and non-native ungulates in New Mexico, exploring parasite and bacterial load and presence. Ungulates are any of a group of typically plant-eating four-footed hoofed mammals.
Karyme Gomez-Sanchez
Karyme Gomez-Sanchez, a 2025 graduate of New Mexico State University from Columbus, NM, joined the McNair Scholars Program to advance her academic goals as a first-generation student. She highlighted how many graduate preparation programs overlook the challenges faced by first-gen and Hispanic women. As a counseling and community psychology major and campus writing tutor, she gained valuable research experience and presented at national conferences like the National Association of School Psychologists. She credits McNair for providing both financial and academic support, as well as giving her lasting connections with fellow scholars.
Ruben Morales
Ruben Morales, a first-generation student from Los Lunas, NM, is double-majoring in sociology and justice, political philosophy, and law, and is set to graduate in spring 2027. He discovered the McNair Scholars Program during his freshman year at NMSU at a Hispanic Scholarship Fund event, which he describes as life-changing. As a TRIO mentor and Honors College ambassador, Morales credits McNair with helping him find a sense of belonging, empowerment, and purpose. The program has fueled his passion for policy research and supporting underserved communities.
Saul Hernandez
Saul Hernandez, a U.S. Army veteran and physics major from Deming, NM, is set to graduate in spring 2026. He discovered the McNair Scholars Program through a flyer. Initially unsure about his academic path, McNair helped him define both his career and research goals. His current research explores molecular dynamic simulations of the KIF-14 motor protein, and he presented his findings at a national conference in March 2025. Saul credits McNair with igniting his passion for physics and giving him a sense of purpose and direction in college.