New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) have begun a partnership to pursue research in brain and behavioral health. The collaboration involves faculty and staff from several departments at both universities.
In early September, UTEP hosted a workshop that brought together participants from both institutions to discuss research questions affecting regional communities. The event was organized by UTEP Research and Innovation.
“NMSU is proud of the important research our faculty are leading in brain and behavioral health,” said Patricia Sullivan, interim NMSU vice president of research, creativity and economic development. “This collaboration with UTEP reflects a shared commitment to advancing research that not only deepens knowledge but also delivers solutions to challenges facing New Mexico and our border region. Building on this strong foundation, NMSU is committed to expanding opportunities, pursuing competitive partnerships, and ensuring our research makes a lasting difference in the communities we serve.”
Michael Hout, associate dean of research in the NMSU College of Health, Education and Social Transformation, commented on the significance of the initial meeting. “This meeting was an important first step in developing collaborations and partnerships with our regional neighbors and researchers at UTEP,” Hout said. “We have an extraordinary amount of complementary expertise across institutions in neuroscience, mental health, behavioral health, rehabilitation and more. I look forward to forthcoming events and to the research projects and collaborative grant proposals that will come from these new relationships.”
Following the workshop, leaders from both universities began identifying funding sources for future joint projects based on discussions during the event.
“Our next steps are to start identifying specific funding opportunities that can be pitched to our teams of potential collaborators,” Hout said. “We’re doing this following the group identification of several ‘grand challenges’ in the research spaces surrounding mental health, neuroscience, rehabilitation science and more. We’re also going to be discussing ways to create space for the researchers to work on proposals together, and ways for us to remove barriers to their execution.”
Hout noted that one area under consideration is addressing burnout among mental health professionals.
Ahmad Itani, UTEP vice president for research and innovation stated: “Hispanic health disparities research is a major research priority for UTEP. This interdisciplinary brain and behavioral health research workshop builds on our institutional strengths in behavioral health and neuroscience. We look forward to expanding our collaborations with NMSU as a regional partner in brain and behavioral health, working together to serve our border communities.”
The partnership includes 24 representatives from NMSU and 25 from UTEP covering fields such as biology, economics, chemistry, psychology, kinesiology, sociology, public health, nursing, pharmacy among others.
Thenral Mangadu, UTEP associate vice president for interdisciplinary research added: “We are excited by the enthusiasm, engagement and ideation demonstrated by participating faculty from both our institutions to move forward with team science to address brain and behavioral health disparities.”
