Recently, UNM Rainforest Innovations welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors. The Board plays a crucial role in guiding the organization in its mission to support the University of New Mexico and its partners as the source for innovation management and commercial development in strategic areas of service to the University. These areas include technology transfer in university-based economic development; support of UNM faculty, staff, and student technology commercialization; support for UNM research and education; corporate engagement; and income generation. These newly appointed members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will further strengthen UNMRI’s impact across New Mexico and beyond.
Patricia (Pattie) G. Williams
UNM Board of Regents; Civil Litigator & Partner, Wiggins, Williams & Wiggins, P.C.
Ms. Williams brings extensive legal expertise as a practicing civil litigator and a partner in the law firm of Wiggins, Williams & Wiggins, P.C., regularly representing governmental entities in complex litigation. Before embarking on her legal career, she taught at Albuquerque Public Schools for years. She holds degrees from the University of New Mexico including a BA in Anthropology, MA in Education, and a Juris Doctorate.
Ms. Williams has served on the boards of various non-profit organizations and is currently on the Board of the New Mexico Biopark Society. She has previously served New Mexico as an Insurance Nominating Commissioner, which is the Commission with oversight over New Mexico’s Office of the Superintendent of Insurance. Ms. Williams has one son, two granddaughters, and two pugs.
Dr. Barbara Rodríguez
Interim Provost & Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, The University of New Mexico
Dr. Barbara Rodríguez, recently appointed as Interim Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at The University of New Mexico, brings decades of academic leadership expertise to the UNMRI Board. She is a professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences and has held numerous leadership roles at UNM, including Senior Vice Provost, Department Chair, and Director of the UNM Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic. Her scholarly work focuses on bilingual language acquisition and culturally responsive assessment practices, especially for young English/Spanish bilingual children.
Dr. Rodríguez has received multiple awards from professional organizations, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Washington, among others. She holds a BA and MS in Communicative Disorders from the University of New Mexico and received her PhD in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington.
Dr. Christina Salas
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of New Mexico
Dr. Christina Salas is a leader in translational biomedical research with a joint appointment in UNM’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical & Biological Engineering. She also directs the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program and previously spent a decade in the School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopaedics. Her lab specializes in biomechanics, medical device development, and tissue generation using advanced additive manufacturing techniques. In 2024, she was honored with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from the UNM School of Engineering for her contributions to research and education.
Beyond the lab, Dr. Salas is a dedicated mentor and community advocate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her students produced and distributed thousands of 3D-printed PPE items to frontline workers and vulnerable communities. She has earned multiple awards for her service and outreach, including the Dolores Huerta Si Se Puede Award. Dr. Salas also serves in national leadership roles promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering and orthopaedics. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Manufacturing from California State University, Chico; MS in Mechanical Engineering and PhD in Biomedical Engineering and PhD Minor in Nanoscience & Microsystems Engineering from The University of New Mexico.
Learn more about the UNMRI Board of Directors here: https://innovations.unm.edu/board-of-directors/