“Bringing research development support for The Texas A&M University System members

to support the research enterprise across the System.”

June 2025

Issue 40

IN THIS ISSUE

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TAMIU Earns RCU & OCU Designation

RAISE Workshop

IEP Designee

Research Development Resources

Around the System

Events

Funding Opportunities

Research Development Communities of Practice

Sponsor News

Chief Research Officers

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) has earned dual recognition in the newly released 2025 Carnegie Classifications, designated as both a Research College and University (RCU) and an Opportunity College and University (OCU), a distinction achieved by only 33 institutions nationwide. This prestigious combination reflects TAMIU’s growing research enterprise and unwavering commitment to access, equity, and student success. The university’s placement in these categories underscores its ability to deliver meaningful research activity while focusing on serving underrepresented and economically disadvantaged student populations. These dual honors show how regional universities can lead in academic innovation and educational opportunity.

The RCU designation acknowledges institutions supporting substantial research activity, particularly in settings emphasizing teaching and student engagement. The OCU classification highlights universities with strong access missions, helping students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. TAMIU’s selection was based on performance metrics and qualitative assessments that align with the new Carnegie framework's more holistic understanding of institutional mission and impact.

Interim President Juan J. Castillo described the designations as a powerful affirmation of TAMIU’s mission to serve South Texas and beyond through academic excellence, research, and opportunity. He emphasized that the recognition is a testament to the faculty, students, and staff whose efforts have driven progress in scholarship and student success. As the Carnegie Classification system evolves, TAMIU's dual recognition positions it as a model for regional institutions committed to inclusive, research-informed education.

RESEARCH IN AI FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (RAISE) WORKSHOP

Texas A&M University hosted its inaugural Research in AI for Science and Engineering (RAISE) Workshop at the Zachry Engineering Education Complex. Organized by Dr. Shuiwang Ji, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, and sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Texas A&M Institute for Data Science (TAMIDS), the event brought together nearly 200 participants, including faculty, researchers, and students, to explore artificial intelligence's transformative potential in advancing scientific discovery and engineering solutions.

The program featured a mix of tutorials and panel discussions focused on large-scale foundation models like ChatGPT and Gemini and domain-specific applications in drug design, semiconductor analysis, atomic simulations, and turbulence modeling. Speakers emphasized the importance of integrating scientific knowledge into AI systems and discussed the need for responsible AI research practices, including transparency and open science to prevent “AI-washing.” The event underscored the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in aligning AI innovations with real-world challenges.

A significant announcement at the workshop was the launch of a $45 million SuperPOD GPU cluster, which will significantly boost AI and high-performance computing capabilities across the university. The RAISE Workshop marks the beginning of a broader initiative to position Texas A&M as a national leader in AI for science and engineering, with plans already underway for an intensive summer bootcamp and expanded research collaborations across Texas.

Texas A&M University

2025 IEP DESIGNEE

Texas A&M University has been named a 2025 Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) Designee by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). The designation recognizes public research universities demonstrating excellence and leadership in regional economic engagement through innovation, talent, and place-based development. Texas A&M now joins more than 80 institutions across the U.S. that have received the IEP designation, which reflects the university’s commitment to advancing economic opportunity and public impact through research, teaching, and service.

The university earned this designation following a comprehensive self-study process conducted in fall 2024, led by the Office of Community Engagement and the Division of Research. The study incorporated feedback from faculty, students, staff, and external stakeholders and assessed the university’s strengths in supporting entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community partnerships. Texas A&M was recognized for its ability to bridge disciplines, scale efforts statewide, and embed engagement in its institutional priorities.

Two examples of Texas A&M’s engagement efforts are the Texas Target Communities program and the Advancing Discovery to Market (ADM) initiative. In Nolanville, interdisciplinary student teams collaborated with city leaders to develop an inclusive master plan addressing health care access, mobility, and housing. Meanwhile, ADM distributed nearly $5 million to accelerate commercialization for 22 campus-based innovations. These programs exemplify Texas A&M’s strategic approach to fostering innovation and serving as an engine for economic growth and resilience in Texas and beyond.

RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Carnegie Classification system is undergoing its most significant overhaul in decades. It introduces a new three-part framework, research, social and economic mobility, and community engagement, to provide a more nuanced understanding of how institutions serve students and society. This shift, already prompting strategic responses from institutions like the Texas A&M University System, moves the focus from traditional prestige markers to transparency, equity, and mission-driven excellence in higher education.

We have a Candid (https://candid.org/) License now! Candid is a nonprofit that provides the most comprehensive data and insights about the social sector. Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Contact us if you need support in this area.

The Texas A&M University System Research Development website has federal agency resources to support System researchers with checklists, outlines, templates, graphic and design concepts, and other information for NSF, NIH, USDA, DOE, DOD and NASA. We are continually adding new resources for specific research opportunities.

RDO Website

Undergraduate Opportunities: A collection of federal research opportunities that provide funding for undergraduates.

Undergrad Opportunities

Around the System: Headline News

Texas: Texas bill establishes Higher Education Research Security Council for R-1 research institutions

TAMUS: Regents Approve Major Campus Construction Projects Across The Texas A&M University System

TEES: TARC 2025 Collaboration Awards

TAMUT: City of Texarkana, Texas Receives $2 Million Grant to Foster Economic Development, Workforce Expansion, and Business Development

TAMU-CT: A&M–Central Texas Signs MOU Agreement with Iqra University in Pakistan

Tarleton: Tarleton State Partners With Dublin City University To Enhance Global Education

TAMU: An innovative "ice battery" system is being used to cool buildings and lower energy costs

TTI: Texas A&M Transportation Institute celebrates 75 years of innovation

Around the System: Funding Successes

Dr. Ninfa Peña-Purcell, Dr. Joy Alonzo, and Dr. Marcia G. Ory of Texas A&M Health Science Center received up to $25 million from the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council to lead the Texas Opioid Prevention for Students (TOPS) initiative. The team will deliver statewide K–12 programming focused on opioid use prevention, student education, and community engagement.

Dr. Jenny Qiu and Dr. Shiren Wang of Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station are developing a new method to extract rare earth elements from electronic waste. Their project is one of 14 efforts supported by a $17 million investment from the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce reliance on foreign sources and strengthen the domestic supply chain for critical materials.

Texas A&M Health Science Center has been awarded $11.7 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to advance cancer research, prevention, and recruitment initiatives. The award includes funds to recruit cancer genomics expert Dr. Andrew Feinberg, to establish a drug discovery resource center led by Dr. Peter Davies, to re-establish a cancer prevention program for underserved women led by Dr. Anna Lichorad, and support early-stage immunotherapy research led by Dr. Yubin Zhou.

Dr. Leslie Ekpe, Assistant Professor at East Texas A&M University, received a $5,000 Channing Briggs Small Research Grant from the NASPA Foundation to study alumni engagement at HBCU homecomings. Her “Tell Me Something Good” project will document how these events foster alumni reconnection and sustain campus traditions through a documentary format.

Dr. Vinu Unnikrishnan, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at West Texas A&M University, has been named the university’s second Twanna M. Powell Fellow, receiving $50,000 to advance his research on biofidelic materials. His work focuses on developing fluid-filled composite materials that mimic human tissue, aiming to improve treatments for cysts and seromas through enhanced surgical meshes, diagnostics, and wound healing techniques.

Dr. Mohsen Taheri Andani, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, leads a team awarded $1.6 million by DARPA to revolutionize the certification process for 3D-printed metal components. Their goal is to reduce evaluation time from 18 months to just three days using AI-driven defect detection and real-time sensor data.

Ashley James, Program Leader at Prairie View A&M University, secured over $1.5 million from the USDA Forest Service for the Small Landowner Carbon Collective Engagement Project. The initiative supports small East Texas landowners in accessing the forest carbon marketplace by providing personalized management plans and cooperative support to monetize natural resources for carbon storage.

Dr. Rusty Feagin, Professor at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, is leading a $897k NASA-funded effort to forecast ecological tipping points in U.S. wetlands. His team uses satellite imagery and climate data to identify early signs of ecosystem collapse and improve conservation strategies.

Around the System: Publications

Dr. Simon F. Haeder, Associate Professor at Texas A&M University School of Public Health, co-led a national study examining public perceptions of organ transplant eligibility. Findings published in Social Science Quarterly revealed that individuals with alcohol use disorder were viewed as less deserving of liver transplants compared to those with genetic kidney disease or occupational lung conditions, highlighting persistent stigma despite medical recognition of addiction as a disease.

Dr. Jinbo Wang, Associate Professor of Oceanography at Texas A&M University College of Arts and Sciences, co-led a study, published in Nature, using the SWOT satellite to reveal powerful submesoscale ocean eddies previously undetectable from space. These small currents, now shown to carry significant energy, play a crucial role in heat transport, marine ecosystems, and global climate dynamics.

Dr. Abhishek Jain, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, and graduate student Jennifer Lee have developed a customizable "vessel-chip" that replicates the complex architecture of human blood vessels. As published in Lab on a Chip, this microfluidic device enables more accurate modeling of vascular diseases and offers a patient-specific, non-animal platform for drug discovery and research.

Dr. Julie Piccione, Clinical Associate Professor at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, authored an invited review in Veterinary Pathology highlighting the utility of digital pathology in veterinary clinical pathology. Her work underscores how digital tools are transforming diagnostics, education, and collaboration in the veterinary field.

Dr. Zenon Medina-Cetina, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, has developed a predictive model published in the journal Landslides for submarine landslides using sequential site characterization data. His Bayesian framework enhances offshore infrastructure safety by integrating geophysical, geological, and geotechnical insights to assess landslide risks before construction.

Dr. Shrihari Sridhar, Senior Associate Dean at Texas A&M University Mays Business School, studied the long-term economic impact of fatal school shootings across the U.S. Published in the Journal of Marketing Research, his research shows that these events can significantly reduce local employment, wages, and business activity for years.

Researchers at the Biosecurity and Pandemic Policy Center at Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service are advocating for updated indoor air quality policies to curb both chronic and acute health risks associated with poor ventilation and outdated HVAC systems. Published in Health Security, the study recommends that the EPA adopt voluntary, health-based guidelines for indoor pollutants like CO₂ to enhance resilience against respiratory illnesses and future outbreaks.

Around the System: Awards and Accomplishments

Dr. Emily Hunt, Dean of the College of Engineering at West Texas A&M University, has been elected to the executive board of the national Engineering Research Council (ERC). In this role, she aims to advocate for the research needs of rural communities, focusing on areas such as water sustainability, energy access, and resilient infrastructure.

Dr. Daniel Tabor, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M University College of Arts and Sciences, utilizes artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of materials for next-generation energy and electronics. His innovative approach has earned him the 2025 Journal of Physical Chemistry C Lectureship Award from the American Chemical Society.

Dr. Mian Riaz, associate head of the Department of Food Science and Technology at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, has been named a 2025 Fellow by the American Oil Chemists’ Society. This prestigious honor recognizes his over 32 years of impactful work in food processing, particularly in extrusion technology, plant-based proteins, and shelf-stable products, as well as his leadership in training more than 7,000 professionals from over 80 countries through the university's extrusion program.

Dr. Ananya Tiwari, Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University College of Education & Human Development, has been appointed to Springer Nature’s U.S. Research Advisory Council. In this role, she aims to elevate the visibility of educational psychology research and support early-career scholars in enhancing the societal impact of their work.

The Texas A&M University System’s Research Security Office (RSO) has received the 2024 Jack Donnelly Excellence in Counterintelligence Award from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, marking its fourth such honor since 2017—a record unmatched by any other academic institution. Led by Chief Research Security Officer Dr. Kevin Gamache, the RSO has been recognized for its proactive measures in identifying and mitigating threats, fostering a culture of security, and collaborating closely with U.S. government agencies to deter, detect, and disrupt foreign intelligence activities.

EVENTS

Workshop on Smart Robots for Sustainable and Resilient Future of Agriculture

Join leading experts in robotics, agriculture, and public policy to address the challenges limiting the adoption of agricultural automation.

Date: June 30, 2025

Location: Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center

Website

The 22nd International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots

Explore how robots can enhance daily life across diverse fields.

Date: June 30 – July 3, 2025

Location: Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center

Website

2025 Texas Semiconductor Summit

Explore the future of semiconductor technology in Texas and beyond.

Date: October 29-30, 2025

Location: Hilton College Station and Conference Center

Website

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute (TSI), on behalf of members of the A&M System, is a member of NSTC (awarded through Natcast). NSTC NOFOs are often limited submissions. Please let TSI (tsi@tamus.edu) know when you plan to apply for a Natcast/NSTC NOFO so they can set up a limited submission review.

Funding Opportunities

Funding Archives

Research Development

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE (CoP)

The Texas A&M University System faculty are invited to join our monthly gathering of the Research Development Communities of Practice (CoP) group, meeting via Zoom on the final Friday of each month. We aim to facilitate learning from and about RD offices within TAMUS, offering valuable resources to enhance your endeavors. For further information, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to connecting with you.

Join our next virtual meeting by registering for the CoP

TOPIC

How to Connect with School Districts and Resources presented by Amy Jurika, Outreach Manager at TAMU SEHD REO

DATE

August 29th

TIME

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

SPONSOR NEWS

Joint Associations Group (JAG) Presentation of Provisional Indirect Costs Models to the Research Community [Slide Deck]

Recommendations from the Joint Associations Group's subject-matter experts on developing a new federal indirect-cost funding model potentially replacing the current F&A reimbursement system. Presenters highlighted key findings and invited stakeholder feedback ahead of a town hall session on June 17 to address questions and gather additional input.

TAMU Government Relations Office - Federal Government Transition (2025)

While new policy changes may make quick headlines, the university is carefully reviewing all policies, regulations, and executive orders, in addition to pending legislation, for any potential impacts to the university. The Government Relations Office works in partnership with The Texas A&M University System Office of Governmental Relations and Office of General Counsel to understand the impacts of these decisions on the university and your work. They also work collaboratively with the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), Council of Government Relations (COGR), American Council on Education (ACE) and other organizations to understand federal policy changes and advocate on behalf of our institution and higher education.

Department of Education

Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities interactive tool for U.S. Department of Education Student Aid Grants

National Institutes of Health

Tips for Effectively Preparing NIH Research Project Grant Applications for Due Dates in 2025 and Beyond

New Home for Extramural Nexus on the NIH Grants and Funding Website

Department of Energy

Those researchers who will be submitting Department of Energy (DOE) proposals on or after May 1, 2025 are required to complete research security training PRIOR to proposal submission. This applies to all Covered Individuals, including any principal investigator (PI); project director (PD); co-principal investigator (Co-PI); co-project director (Co-PD); project manager; and any individual regardless of title that is functionally performing as a PI, PD, Co-PI, Co-PD, or project manager, as well as anyone designated by DOE.

To meet this requirement, course 2114875: Research Security Training (Combined) is now available in TrainTraq and will meet this requirement; however, if you have previously taken all four NSF training modules (TrainTraq courses 2114744 NSF Introduction to Research Security; 2114745 NSF The Importance of Disclosure; 2114746 NSF Manage & Mitigate Risk; and 2114747 NSF The Value of International Collaboration) this will also meet DOE’s training requirement.

Please note that Covered Individuals must certify via their Current and Pending Support disclosure that they have completed research security training. SRS must also certify that all Covered Individuals who are listed on the application have completed the training prior to submission.