UNM Biophysics
The University of New Mexico is the hub of a strong and growing biophysics research environment in New Mexico. If you're looking for a graduate research experience that includes exciting cellular and molecular biophysics research and a beautiful southwest climate, then we encourage you to look at our many programs!
Investigators
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Steve Koch, Physics, Optics, CHTM
Research group page
Single-molecule biophysics, kinesin, DNA unzipping, Open Science -
Keith Lidke, Physics
Research group page
Fluorescence Imaging Techniques: Single Particle Tracking, Single Molecule Imaging and Superresolution techniques for measuring protein-protein interactions at the sub-cellular level. -
Susan Atlas, Physics, CARC
Research group page
Reactive molecular dynamics simulation of motor proteins and nano/bio systems using density functional theory and novel multiscale charge-transfer force fields; machine learning, pattern recognition, and network analysis of gene expression in cancer; structural bioinformatics. -
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Peter Goodwin, Adjunct Physics, LANL/CINT
Research group page
Single-molecule spectroscopy and high-resolution optical imaging. Correlated atomic force and single-molecule fluorescence imaging for simultaneous single-molecule force-extension and fluorescence measurements. Single-molecule imaging of cellulase activity on cellulose and studies of riboswitch conformational dynamics. -
Jim Werner, Adjunct Physics, LANL/CINT
Research group page
Instrument development (microscopes, flow cytometry systems, microfluidics); Laser spectroscopy (fluorescence, time-resolved, and Raman); Single-molecule biophysics (cellular signaling processes, membrane dynamics, protein folding and conformational fluctuations); -
Diane Lidke, Pathology
Research group page
Molecular mechanisms of signal transduction, Quantitative fluorescence microscopy -
Evan Evans, Biomedical Engineering, CHTM
Optical tweezers, single-molecule biophysics, ligand-receptor interactions -
Kevin Cahill, Physics
[http://bio.phys.unm.edu/ Research group page
Medical physics. Particle theory, lattice-gauge theory. -
David Keller, Chemistry
Bio-physical Chemistry, Molecular Machines, Single-Molecule Experiment and Theory, DNA Polymerases, Atomic Force Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy
How to Apply
The faculty and adjunct faculty carrying out molecular biophysics research at UNM and LANL belong to many academic programs. You can choose a graduate program best suited for you, or contact an investigator for guidance. Here are some of the programs:
- Physics PhD and MS programs.
- Optics PhD and MS programs.
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program in the school of medicine.
- Chemistry graduate program.
- Biomedical Engineering graduate program.
- Nanoscience and Microsystems graduate program.
About Albuquerque
Albuquerque is about a mile high and is in the Rio Grand Valley next to the Sandia Mountains. The climate is best described as sunny and dry. Combined with the beautiful scenery, this makes the University of New Mexico a great graduate school for those who like the outdoors. One of the unique things about Albuquerque is the International Balloon Fiesta, which fills the October skies with beautiful hot air balloons. You will also see roadrunners, cacti, and tumbleweeds around Albuquerque. Summer high temperatures average in the low to mid 90s, but very dry. Winter highs are in the mid 40s and sunny. The ABQ airport has free wifi internet and is growing, with direct flights to many airline hubs and Southwest destinations, including Baltimore, Oakland, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and others. Check out the wikipedia article for more information on Albuquerque and New Mexico.
Funding
The molecular biophysics research groups at UNM and LANL receive funding from diverse sources, including National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Department of Energy (DOE), American Cancer Society (ACS), Human Frontier Science Program, and many others.
