Moises M. Gutierrez will join a yearlong Hispanic Serving Research Universities program focused on mentorship, leadership and academic career pathways.
Vladimir Avina, New Mexico State University
LAS CRUCES – A postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at New Mexico State University has been selected for the second cohort of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities’ Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
Moises M. Gutierrez, Ph.D., was chosen as one of the scholars in the 2026–2027 HSRU Postdoctoral Fellowship Cohort, a competitive, year-long professional development program designed to prepare postdoctoral researchers for future faculty and leadership roles at research-intensive Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
“I am truly honored and excited to be selected for this program and to represent NMSU among a community of scholars committed to excellence, innovation and student success,” Gutierrez said. “This opportunity will strengthen my growth as an educator, researcher and leader, preparing me to make meaningful contributions at Hispanic-Serving Institutions and beyond. I look forward to learning from distinguished mentors and peers while contributing to the program’s mission of expanding opportunity and fostering academic excellence.”
The Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities is a coalition of research-intensive universities dedicated to advancing student success, expanding research opportunities and strengthening pathways into the academic workforce. The fellowship program brings together emerging scholars from institutions across the country for mentorship, networking, collaborative learning and leadership development.
“As a Hispanic Serving Institution, New Mexico State University has a responsibility to continue to prepare the next generation of university faculty members,” said Joseph Holles, chemical and materials engineering department head. “It is an honor to have Dr. Gutierrez in the department both as an instructor and as a researcher. We are excited to work with him and help him grow as a classroom teacher through delivery of our required CHME 201 Energy Balances and Basic Thermodynamics course. Our students are happy to welcome him into the classroom.”
According to HSRU, fellows in the program participate in virtual professional development sessions, cohort discussions, institutional site visits and networking opportunities with university leaders and faculty mentors. The initiative is intended to strengthen the pipeline of future faculty members at Hispanic-Serving Institutions while promoting research excellence and inclusive academic leadership.
Gutierrez serves as a postdoctoral researcher in Chemical and Materials Engineering at NMSU, where his work focuses on sustainable bioprocessing and research connected to the food-energy-water nexus. Gutierrez’s research interests include food waste valorization, microbial applications in bioremediation, engineering living materials, sustainability and the recovery of rare earth metals.
Originally born in Mexico and raised in California, Gutierrez earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Riverside in 1996. After spending more than two decades working as a process engineer and department manager in the food industry, he returned to academia to pursue graduate studies. Gutierrez completed his master’s degree through Kansas State University in 2019 before earning his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 2025.
For more information and the full list of the 2026-2027 HSRU Postdoctoral Fellowship Cohort, visit hsru.org/initiatives/postdoc-program.
Vladimir Avina writes for New Mexico State University Marketing and Communications and can be reached at 575-646-7235, or by email at vlad23@nmsu.edu.
