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EMTech Creatives
New Mexico is teaming with Emerging Media & Technology Creatives!

In the SPOTLIGHT:

Myrriah Tomar and New Mexico Economic Development Department

​

New Mexico TechWorks had the opportunity to interview Myrriah Tomar.
Myrriah manages the State of New Mexico’s Office of
Science and Technology (OST) programs which "enables start-up companies to grow and
commercialize their technologies." 
​In this interview, she explains how technology can move New Mexico's economy forward.

Picture
Name: Myrriah Chavez Tomar


Business/Organization: New Mexico Economic Development Department


Where were you born: New Mexico


Where do you live now: Santa Fe


Email: Myrriah.Tomar@state.nm.us


Phone: 505-827-0300



Questions:

Where are you from and how did you end up in Santa Fe?

I am originally from Northern New Mexico and moved out of state after I graduated from UNM-Albuquerque. I recently moved back to New Mexico after being away for almost 10 years to work on behalf of the state and help connect businesses and startups to resources that will help grow our science and technology community.


How did your personal and professional background influence where you are today?

From the time I was in high school, I remember having a keen interest in science and technology.  As an undergraduate at UNM, I started my first job working in a university laboratory while completing my studies and later received my B.S. in Biology. Naturally, Biology was always a subject that interested me and I went on to pursue my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School.


What kind of work do you do?

My work with the state is focused on leading and executing programs and activities that meet our legislatively mandated science and technology initiatives. My role entails leveraging the strength of our state’s technology and collaborating to generate a vibrant technology based industry network. I manage the State of New Mexico’s Office of Science & Technology (OST) programs that enable start-up companies to grow and commercialize their technologies. The two most recent programs in the Office of Science and Technology are the New Mexico Innovation Voucher Program and the New Mexico Small Business Research (SBIR) Award Matching Grant.  Both programs offer competitive funds to eligible science and technology companies to offset the costs associated with running a startup business and/or move their technology from the research and development stage to the point of product commercialization. The grants offered by the NM Office of Science & Technology are one of many financial tools available statewide and are focused on helping companies bridge the funding gap often termed “the valley of death”. Our statewide network allows the OST to connect early-stage startups to resources via our collaboration with the national laboratories (Sandia, Los Alamos, and the Air Force Research Lab), incubators/accelerators, and the angel investors and venture capital funds.


What business or organization do you work with?

I currently work for the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD).  The Office of Science & Technology is one of several NMEDD business development programs which includes a finance development team, an office of international trade, and a job training incentive program. The NMEDD is one of several divisions overseen by our Cabinet Secretary, Alicia J. Keyes and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.


Why did you decide to work in tech, or this kind of work?

Science & Technology has always been a passion of mine and having the opportunity to return to my home state of New Mexico and lead the Office of Science and Technology was the best decision I made. Before coming to New Mexico, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at The Ohio State University, was a scientist in an Ohio based startup company, and completed an internship working in technology transfer.


Describe your perspective on technology and its capabilities for the future.

Technology is a broad topic that encompasses a variety of disciplines that includes Agriculture, Biotechnology, Material Science, Communications Technology, Electronics, Energy and Clean Technology, Software and Information Technology, Aerospace, and Manufacturing to name a few. With respect to technology, New Mexico’s key industries are energy and natural resources; aerospace and defense; value-added agriculture; distribution, logistics and transportation; advanced manufacturing; digital and emerging media.


Do you use social media? Why or why not?

Yes, I primarily use LinkedIn to stay in contact and share updates of events happening around the state with colleagues, peers, and members of the science and technology start-up community. Social media is a powerful connecting tool!


What advice would you give to younger people that are interested in entrepreneurship and technology or living and working in Santa Fe?

My advice for the youth in the state interested in entrepreneurship and technology is to attend meetups around Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Albuquerque that feature local entrepreneurs and workshops for entrepreneurs. Many of these events are sponsored by incubators and co-working spaces like Project Y, Santa Fe Business Incubator, The Arrowhead Center, and WESST. Another great local resource is New Mexico TechWorks.  NM TechWorks is a community based organization in Santa Fe that is committed to expanding technology access and education and increase technology enterprise throughout the community.


How has inventing technology or using technology helped you move forward?

Technology is changing at a rapid pace and has changed so much from the time I was in grade school to the present day.  I remember being in high school and getting my first flip cellular phone.  Today, we basically have phones that are pocket sized computers. I am amazed by the exponential growth of technology and I am looking forward to the exponential growth of this broad field. Interestingly, recent reports suggest the most major technological disruptions will include emerging technologies in Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, Augmented Reality, Blockchain, IOT, Smart Robots, and Intelligent Vehicles.


What role do you think IT will play in Santa Fe? How do you see Innovation as a part of our current or future economy?

IT is poised to play an important role in the New Mexico economy, especially given the initiatives around the state sponsored by tech works, deep dive coding boot camp, and the supercomputing challenge. The Albuquerque Journal (March 4th, 2019) reported software developers as one of the fastest growing jobs in New Mexico and is projected to be in demand well beyond 2023. Innovation and career opportunities in tech jobs are growing and now is the time for NM youth to choose degrees and gains skills that will be needed to fill positions in this growing field. Our role as New Mexicans is to support legislative efforts and programs that encourage skills training in fields of emerging technologies such as IT and software development.


What is your favorite thing about working with technology?

My favorite aspect of technology is how quickly it changes and how we as a society find new innovative ways to solve problems using technology.


Were you born or raised in New Mexico? 

both.


Why did you decide to leave New Mexico and where did you go?

I left New Mexico for graduate school in Denver, Colorado and subsequently went on to live and work in Ohio for a small startup company and complete a postdoctoral fellowship with the university.


Why did you return to New Mexico?

I returned to New Mexico because I see the potential for further growth in technologies generated by research in our universities and world-class national laboratories. I want to see New Mexico thrive and become one of the top states for science and technology businesses to grow and expand.


What kind of skills did you acquire while away?

The skills I acquired while away include experience working in academia, start-up research and development, and technology transfer.


What would influence you to stay in New Mexico?

The quality of life, a sense of community, and access to high-paying job opportunities/ job growth are the most important factors that influence a young professional’s decision to live and work in New Mexico.





Interview by New Mexico TechWorks, Emily Cole 

    Enjoy meeting local EMTech Creatives? Leave Your Contact Information and we will add you to our mailing list to receive updates and interviews on others and even invites to events where you can meet local EMTech Creatives in person!

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New Mexico TechWorks is an initiative launched in partnership with the non-profit CommUNITY Learning Network (CLN) and a wide range of community advocates and supporters.
info@nmtechworks.com
© COPYRIGHT 2016  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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