October 23, 2023
Dr. Nelia Dunbar, director of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and state geologist for New Mexico, will be honored as an outstanding role model and mentor for women who are or are considering becoming scientists and engineers. She will receive the 17th annual IMPACT! Award from the New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering (NMNWSE) at its Annual Meeting and Technical Symposium Oct. 20–21, 2023, in Albuquerque. The award is given each year to a New Mexico woman for her extraordinary efforts in encouraging and helping women enter and succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well as promoting networking and communication among women in these careers.
New Mexico Tech Interim President Daniel H. López said that in selecting Dr. Dunbar as this year’s IMPACT! Award, the network will be honoring not only a distinguished scholar and outstanding faculty member at the university, but also an excellent leader and role model for future scientists and engineers.
“Dr. Nelia Dunbar is known for her enthusiastic promotion of careers in science and engineering to students, especially women,” he said. “She is such a strong example of a scientist and researcher who has had a successful career in geology and wants to share her passion for learning and discovery with others. I am so grateful for her leadership at the bureau and across New Mexico Tech, her dedication to others’ success, and the precedent she has set for us all in mentoring, encouraging, and promoting women in science and engineering. This award is well deserved.”
Dr. Dunbar received her master’s and doctoral degrees in geology from New Mexico Tech and has worked as a researcher and faculty member in the Earth and Environmental Science Department. She has served as director of the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources since 2016, overseeing research and service activities for New Mexico's state geological survey. From March 2022 to January 2023, she served as NMT’s interim vice president for research. More information about Dr. Dunbar is available on our website.