Dennis Nicuh Lozada

Title: Principal Investigator

Email: dlozada@nmsu.edu

Dennis Nicuh Lozada joined the Chile Pepper Breeding Program at NMSU as an Assistant Professor in July 2020. He holds a PhD degree in Cell and Molecular Biology (Plant Breeding and Genetics) from the University of Arkansas. When not in the laboratory or in the field, you can see him exploring Las Cruces and the surrounding areas. He likes both red and green chiles (Christmas), and thought of making some Filipino-New Mexican chile pepper recipes in the future.

Shahab Nourbakhsh

Title: Senior Program Specialist

Email: nshahab@nmsu.edu

Shahab Nourbakhsh is the Senior Program Specialist of the Chile Breeding Program and the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU. He was born and raised in Iran where he received a BS in Agronomy and Plant Breeding. He also received an MS in Plant and Environmental Sciences from NMSU. Shahab is currently pursuing his MBA from NMSU, with an Agribusiness concentration. He prefers red chile and enjoys making chile infused Persian dishes.

Ehtisham S. Khokhar

Title: Ph.D. Candidate

Email: ehtisham@nmsu.edu

Ehtisham S. Khokhar is pursuing his Ph.D. in the Chile Pepper Breeding Program. Hailing from Pakistan, he holds master’s degree in agriculture with a concentration in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Agriculture (UAF), Faisalabad. He's a "Green Chile" enthusiast who integrates green chiles into the preparation of Pakistani Biryani, a cherished traditional rice dish.

Muhammad Ibrar Khan

Title: Ph.D. Candidate

Email: mibrarkh@nmsu.edu

I'm Muhammad Ibrar Khan, all the way from Pakistan, on a chile-filled adventure. Holding a master's degree from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. at New Mexico State University. My fascination with the world of chiles goes beyond just culinary delight – it's a passion that drives my academic pursuits. As an avid chile lover, I have centered my Ph.D. project around a topic very close to my heart: the captivating realm of heat content in chile peppers. With each fiery bite, I delve into the intricacies of chile heat, striving to uncover the secrets behind these vibrant pods.

Amanda Velazco

Title: Student Aide

Email: avel611@nmsu.edu

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas. I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Horticulture at NMSU. I joined the Chile Program "Spicy Team" in March 2024. I graduate in May 2025. I like my enchiladas red and my salsa green.