NM AI Consortium announces its first class of AI Scholars

The New Mexico AI Consortium (NMAIC) has named its first class of AI Scholars at universities around the state. The selected graduate students will work with faculty at The University of New Mexico, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and New Mexico State University on a variety of AI topics.

Recognition of each AI Scholar is accompanied by a $25,000 award from the New Mexico Consortium.

"These awards to scholars from the three research universities in the NMAIC are emblematic of how AI is already transforming computer science, the natural sciences and engineering. This groundbreaking work will catalyze further collaborations between New Mexico faculty, graduate students and the National Labs that will benefit us all," said Melanie Moses, a founding member of NMAIC, professor of Computer Science and Special Advisor to the Vice President for Research for Artificial Intelligence at UNM.

Temair Shorty | The University of New Mexico

Temair Shorty is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at UNM. She uses AI methods and other computational tools to study biochemical systems. Working in Associate Professor Yi He's lab, Shorty utilizes DeepMind's AlphaFold, an AI program that predicts protein structures, and other AI models. She first became interested in AlphaFold after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry.

"I am very grateful to be named an AI Scholar and I'm excited to see AI-driven work cultivated here in New Mexico," Shorty said.

Shorty would eventually like to create STEM opportunities for rural and Indigenous youth.

Sungjun Seo | New Mexico Tech

Sungjun Seo is a Ph.D. student in the New Mexico Tech Department of Mechanical Engineering. Seo first became interested in studying AI after watching Sedol Lee, one of the world's best Korean Go players, lose four out of five games in a match against Deepmind's AlphaGo.

"I realized how rapidly the future changes. and I felt that I needed to adapt to it. It was then that I decided to pursue a Ph.D. and study more about robotics, control and AI," Seo said.

Seo looks forward to the opportunity to expand and apply his knowledge to new problems, broaden his professional network and work with experts and scientists in the region. He also looks forward to learning more about how the project is managed and progresses.

Ly Ly Trieu | New Mexico State University

Ly Ly Trieu is a Ph.D. student in the New Mexico State University Department of Computer Science. Trieu discovered her passion for science and technology at an early age.

"I was always curious about everything around me, often driving my parents crazy by taking apart toy cars and electric fans, just to see how they worked and try to reassemble them. As I grew up, my interests evolved and through learning from my teachers and experiences, I discovered the incredible potential of AI," she said.

Trieu plans to cover educational expenses to focus fully on expanding her knowledge and accessing new technologies. She is eager to meet and collaborate with scientists working professionally at LANL.

The New Mexico AI Consortium was formed last year to help the state unite its resources and expertise to advance its artificial intelligence research and economic opportunities. The collaboration includes Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, UNM, NMSU, New Mexico Tech, Central New Mexico Community College, and the New Mexico Consortium.