NEWS
2026 NM EPSCoR Mentor Award Recipients Announced
4 minutes
By
Brittney Van Der Werff
Behind every successful student is someone who took the time to encourage, guide, and simply believe in them. This year, NM EPSCoR is proud to honor individuals who have done exactly that: Anu Ogunleye of Eastern New Mexico University, Thiagarajan Soundappan of Navajo Technical University, and Lisa L. Losada-Rojas of the University of New Mexico, the 2026 recipients of NM EPSCoR’s Mentor Awards.
Anu Ogunleye, Eastern New Mexico University
Anu Ogunleye, Assistant Professor of Agriculture at Eastern New Mexico University, was nominated by multiple students who praised her ability to inspire confidence while creating meaningful learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
Students described Ogunleye as a mentor who makes complex ideas approachable and who genuinely invests in helping others succeed. One nominator credited her encouragement with giving them the confidence to apply to graduate school, writing that her belief in their potential helped them pursue a dream they otherwise might have abandoned. Another highlighted her commitment to hands-on learning through outreach activities, educational trips, and programs that connect agriculture students with younger learners in their communities.
Beyond the classroom, Ogunleye leads with an open-door approach that emphasizes accessibility, collaboration, and encouragement. Through her Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health Lab, she mentors students from a wide range of backgrounds while promoting community-engaged research and agricultural education.
Eastern New Mexico University
Her mentoring philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student has unique strengths and potential. Rather than applying a single formula, she adapts her mentoring style to individual goals and circumstances, helping students build resilience, confidence, and critical thinking skills. As she explains, success is measured not only by personal achievement but also by the positive impact we have on others. Her guiding principle is simple: “We rise by lifting others.”
Thiagarajan Soundappan, Navajo Technical University
Thiagarajan Soundappan, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Navajo Technical University, was recognized for his extraordinary dedication to helping students discover possibilities they may never have imagined for themselves.
One student nominator recalled meeting Soundappan during a difficult period marked by personal loss and health challenges. Rather than focusing on those obstacles, the student wrote that Soundappan saw their potential.
“He saw someone who wanted to grow. During that first conversation, I told him about my dream of one day starting my own biofuel company to help my community through sustainable energy solutions. Instead of dismissing it as unrealistic, he listened with genuine interest and encouraged me to pursue it. That moment changed everything.”
Over his career, Soundappan has developed a mentoring approach focused on individualized guidance, hands-on research experiences, and long-term professional development. Working primarily with Native American and first-generation college students, he helps mentees build technical skills while also cultivating confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging in STEM.
Navajo Technical University
His mentorship has helped students secure competitive internships, contribute to publications, present at conferences, and pursue advanced degrees at leading institutions. Yet at the heart of his philosophy is a simple conviction: every student can achieve academic and professional excellence when given personalized support, meaningful opportunities, and a community that believes in their success. Through this approach, he is helping prepare the next generation of scientists, innovators, and community leaders while expanding pathways to STEM excellence.
Lisa L. Losada-Rojas, University of New Mexico
Lisa L. Losada-Rojas, Assistant Professor in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Mexico, was nominated for a mentorship style described as personalized, thoughtful, and transformative.
According to her nominator, Losada-Rojas has a remarkable ability to meet students where they are and help them grow into independent scholars. Whether working with undergraduate researchers or graduate students navigating career decisions, she tailors her guidance to each individual’s goals, strengths, and challenges.
Students under her mentorship are tackling issues that directly affect New Mexico communities, including transportation access, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and transportation equity. Along the way, she actively encourages participation in research projects, professional organizations, conferences, and career development opportunities that help students expand their networks and advance their careers.
University of New Mexico
Losada-Roja’s mentoring philosophy is shaped by her own journey as a first-generation engineer from rural Colombia. She describes mentorship as a way of multiplying opportunity by helping students access the resources, relationships, and experiences that can change the course of their careers. Her approach centers on listening, reflection, and continuous learning. She strives to support the whole person, not just the researcher, while creating space for students to develop their own voices and ambitions.
For Losada-Rojas, some of the most rewarding moments come when students become confident, independent thinkers capable of charting their own paths. Those moments, she says, are a sign that mentoring is working, and we couldn’t agree more.
A hearty congratulations to our 2026 NM EPSCoR Mentor Award recipients.
Learn more about the NM EPSCoR Mentor Awards and view previous recipients here.