This month, the National Academy of Inventors is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and has highlighted the work of University of New Mexico associate professor Christina Salas.
Salas is a tenured associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNM, with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering and a secondary appointment in the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation. She is also the Director of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, and is recognized not only for her academic leadership, but for her innovative research initiatives that combine engineering, medicine, and community service.
Salas’ research is highly translational, with an emphasis on biomechanics, biomaterials, and medical device development. In her labs, she and her team work on creating new tools and techniques to help people with bone injuries or joint problems. One of their approaches is using advanced 3D printing to build custom materials that can help the body heal itself. This novel approach aims to transform current approaches to joint replacement and tissue repair. Another recent project with promising outcomes is the development of a dynamic prosthetic interface cycling mount for transfemoral amputees. The novel mount enhances biomechanical performance with the goal of elevating accessibility to athletic activity, which is currently being used by U.S. Paralympian team member Kyle Stepp.
Before transitioning to the school of engineering, Salas spent a decade in the UNM School of Medicine, where she served as Director of Basic Science & Preclinical Research in the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation. Her work has had direct clinical impact by improving surgical planning and developing new treatment options for fractures and musculoskeletal disorders.
A longtime advocate for equity in STEM, Salas serves as chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Accessibility Committee for the Orthopaedic Research Society. She also co-chairs the Advisory Board for the Perry Initiative, a national organization inspiring young women to pursue careers in engineering and orthopaedics. Salas also teaches a graduate Biodesign course, where students design engineering solutions to medical problems, pitch the idea, and have ability to win a grant to further develop. This course has created a number of marketable technologies, one of which resulted in the formation of startup company Sandia Medical Technologies which is developing an implant to repair the CMC joint in arthritis patients and maintain range of motion and grip strength.
In 2024, she was named a Distinguished Young Alumni from the UNM School of Engineering which recognized her significant contributions to research, education, and service. Under her guidance, UNM’s biomedical engineering program continues to grow as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation and community-focused impact.