RIED Quarterly Newsletter

Fall 2026

As I share my final message as Tarleton State's inaugural Vice President for Research, Innovation & Economic Development, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude and pride. 

It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve this university and to work alongside so many talented, dedicated and inspiring members of the Tarleton State community. Together, we have built and strengthened our research enterprise, expanding research capacity, launching new centers and institutes, strengthening research infrastructure and partnerships, achieving record external submissions, posting our highest research expenditures, and moving Tarleton State closer to our R1 aspirations. In doing so, we also strengthened Tarleton State's role as an engine of economic development and a catalyst for innovation and societal progress.

But what I will remember most is not the numbers or milestones, it is the people. I will remember our faculty members who believed in their ideas and kept submitting proposals, even when the answer was no. I will remember our researchers who took bold chances and pursued questions that could make a difference. I will remember our students whose curiosity and ambition reminded us why this work matters. I will remember my colleagues who stepped forward and supported me when the path was not always easy.

Research is hard work, and building a thriving research enterprise truly takes a village. Every grant secured, proposal submitted, student mentored, discovery pursued and partnership forged has contributed to our success. 

These accomplishments belong to all of us.

As I close this chapter, I leave with something more meaningful than a list of accomplishments. I leave with faith in this community and in what Tarleton State can become. The foundation we have built together is strong, and I know those who follow will build upon it with even greater vision, courage and purpose.

It has been an extraordinary honor to serve as Tarleton State’s first Vice President for Research, Innovation & Economic Development. I am proud of what we have built together and deeply grateful for the relationships, friendships and memories I will carry with me.

Thank you, and may you forever bleed purple. 

Research Expenditures (FY19 - FY25)

Source: National Science Foundation, Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey

Awarded Grants

Grant Submissions

Each semester, RIED hosts workshops and events that bring research faculty together to share ideas, explore collaborations and learn about external funding opportunities. Be sure to visit the RIED webpage and newsletters for upcoming workshops and events.

This cross-disciplinary event, hosted by the Division of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development on April 28, connected faculty from across campus to discover shared research interests and spark new interdisciplinary partnerships. Participants engaged in open discussions designed to map out potential research collaboration. By connecting researchers across diverse fields, the mixer laid the groundwork for future collaborative proposals and integrated research projects. It served as a vital step in expanding Tarleton State’s collaborative network and fostering long-term interdisciplinary innovation.

Faculty participated in two interactive grant development workshops this summer, presented by Hanover Research, focused on strengthening applications for both private and federal funding opportunities. The May 27 session explored non-governmental and philanthropic funding, helping researchers align their proposals with foundation missions and expectations while receiving hands-on feedback to refine their submissions. On August 5, an experienced grant development consultant provided specialized strategies for pursuing USDA and DoD funding, including guidance on application structure, evaluation criteria, agency priorities, technical narratives, and common proposal pitfalls. Together, the workshops equipped faculty with practical strategies and actionable feedback to strengthen the competitiveness of their grant applications. 

On April 27, Plug and Play and Tarleton State Division of Research brought together dairy producers, industry leaders, founders and technology innovators for Dairy Innovation Day. The event sparked conversations and connections around the future of dairy, exploring how innovation and technology can help build a more profitable, efficient and sustainable industry.

A huge shoutout to our very own RIED staff member, Maria Ross, for earning her Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential - the first at Tarleton State! 

This is an incredible achievement that reflects Maria's dedication, expertise and commitment to advancing research administration. We're proud to celebrate this exciting milestone and the impact it will have on supporting Tarleton State's growing research enterprise!

RIED staff recently enjoyed an out-of-this-world visit to Tarleton State's Observatory! We had the opportunity to learn more about Tarleton State's Astronomy Education and Research program, explore the impressive 32-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope, and see how students gain hands-on experience conducting astronomical research and share the wonders of the universe through outreach and planetarium programs. 

A huge thank you to Dr. Shaukat Goderya for welcoming us, sharing his expertise, and giving us such a fascinating look into the incredible work happening through Tarleton State's astronomy program. 

Research led by Dr. Kimberly Wellmann, Assistant Professor in Animal Science and Beef Cattle Specialist, is evaluating the effects of Bovacillus™, a probiotic formulated to enhance rumen function by improving fiber digestion, on the performance of beef cows and their calves. Although probiotic supplementation has shown promise in controlled settings, its application and effectiveness in grazing beef cattle systems have been limited, highlighting the need for this research.

Because nutrient requirements are greatest during the last trimester of pregnancy and lactation, the probiotic was administered during this critical period. Dr. Wellmann and her doctoral student, Bradley Franke, are assessing cow performance through measures including body weight and condition, milk production and composition, fecal composition, circulating metabolites and calf growth.

This research will improve the understanding of the role and importance of probiotic supplementation in beef production. Funding for the project was provided by Novonesis.

Dr. Nicole Mishnick, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Ed Tech Program, is spearheading Empowering Online Educators, a research initiative supported by the Sid Richardson Foundation. The project began in 2025 with a statewide professional development conference for K-12 online educators, exploring the impact of targeted training on teacher self-efficacy. Results indicate that even brief, focused professional development boosts teacher confidence and effectiveness. Recognizing the need for continued support, the project has expanded into a year-round online learning community, offering ongoing resources, modules and collaboration.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship University Center, under the Division of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development at Tarleton State University, partnered with the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce to host a Build Your Business workshop in Mineral Wells, Texas, on April 7, 2026.

Dr. Jamie Collins, Department Head of Management and Dr. Sam & Carol Pack Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at Tarleton State University, was the featured speaker for the recent event. Beyond his academic leadership, Dr. Collins has extensive, hands-on experience as an entrepreneur and investor across diverse industries, including agriculture, aerospace, energy, financial services and real estate.

At the Mineral Wells event, Dr. Collins spoke to 16 attendees in an open-question, storytelling format designed to foster a collaborative, engaging environment for sharing real-world lessons and practical solutions for small-business success.

Be sure to check our web platform at https://www.tarleton.edu/tieuc/ for future event details as they become available.

Dr. Jessica Leatherwood, Associate Professor & ANSC Graduate Program Coordinator, presented at the Board of Regents (BOR) meeting in May, speaking about her ongoing research to improve the health of young performance horses. You can find Dr. Leatherwood's segment at 48 minutes in the meeting recording.

Dr. Iyer was invited to serve as a panelist for the Technology, Healthcare, and Entrepreneurship panel, alongside TCU Chancellor Daniel Pullin; William Stigall, Chief Research Officer at Cook Children’s Health Care System; and Chris Ray, Provost of UNT Health Science Center. The panel was moderated by Cameron Cushman, Founder of Sage Innovation.

Co-sponsored by YTexas and the Texas A&M University School of Law, the event convened academic leaders, industry executives, and government experts from across Texas to examine emerging opportunities in workforce development, innovation, technology, and high-growth economic sectors. The regional forum highlighted collaborative approaches to advancing innovation and strengthening economic growth across the state.

Meet our Research Services Coordinator, Kat Keith. Kat supports the Research Development team and assists faculty with finding funding opportunities. We're excited to have her on board! 

Kat enjoys spending time outdoors, whether ranching, gardening, hiking or enjoying live music. She is a proud fire wife and mother of a current Army soldier. As a Tarleton State alumna, she will always bleed purple and cherish the opportunity to serve and give back to Tarleton State and the community that played such an important role in shaping who she is today. 

Tarleton State Researchers Secure More Than $3 Million Through TAMUS Research Excellence Fund Programs

Tarleton State University faculty achieved significant success in the latest Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Research Excellence Fund (REF) competition, advancing 26 proposals to the system level and securing more than $3 million in awards. Funding was awarded across multiple Tarleton State Academic Divisions and Colleges from numerous highly competitive TAMUS REF programs, further strengthening the university's growing research enterprise and commitment to research excellence.

The FY 2026 TAMUS REF submission cycle has officially closed following a highly successful year for Tarleton State University researchers. Faculty interested in pursuing these opportunities in the next funding cycle are encouraged to begin planning now, as the FY 2027 program announcements and internal submission process are anticipated to open on December 1, 2026.

The Division of Research, Innovation & Economic Development will provide updated guidelines, timelines and proposal support resources as additional information becomes available.

Great work Tarleton State!

Explore RIED's New Innovation Tab!

The Division of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (RIED) invites Tarleton State faculty to explore our new Innovation tab. Discover resources to protect and advance your research, access TAMUS intellectual property and funding tools, connect with regional and industry partners, and explore translational research and innovation opportunities. Please avail yourselves of these resources and join us in driving an entrepreneurial ecosystem at Tarleton State.

RIED has launched a new Curated Finding Funding web tool on our webpage! This enhanced tool offers Tarleton State faculty and staff a more efficient and personalized approach to identifying competitive research funding opportunities. It will make it easier to explore targeted funding opportunities and programs that align with your research interests.

Texan Research Program

Ready to supercharge your research? The Texan Research Program is your one-stop tool for finding faculty expertise and research equipment within Tarleton State. Built to fuel collaboration and innovation, it’s helping us drive toward R1 status one search at a time. 

This platform is continually evolving, with plans to integrate more institutions and expand its reach.

Disclaimer: All information in the Texan Research Program comes directly from Tarleton State faculty and staff contributions.

To ensure research integrity and compliance, Tarleton State University requires investigators to disclose and manage any financial interests that could influence research activities.

Investigators must log into MAESTRO and submit Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) disclosures:

- Within 30 days of employment

- Within 30 days of acquiring a new Significant Financial Interest (SFI)

- Prior to participating in PHS-funded research

Disclosure Review : The COI Official reviews disclosures to determine whether a Significant Financial Interest (SFI) is related to the investigator’s research and constitutes a Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI).

Conflict Management: If an FCOI is identified, the COI Official will work with the investigator to develop a Management Plan outlining steps to manage, reduce, or eliminate the conflict and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

Contact Dr. Veena Naik, Senior Research Compliance Coordinator and FCOI Official at vnaik@tarleton.edu if you have questions.

Check out these helpful research compliance resources:

IRB (Human Subjects) Highlight: Need assistance with submitting new studies, amendments, continuing reviews or study closures via the Cayuse platform? Visit our IRB webpage for guidance and resources.

IRBNet will remain available under a Data Maintenance Plan for one year, allowing investigators to access and download current and archived protocols submitted through IRBNet as the University transitions to Cayuse. Please note that no new protocols, amendments, continuing reviews, or closures can be submitted through IRBNet. All new submissions must be completed in Cayuse.

Institutional Biosafety Committee: The IBC protocol submission process will also transition to Cayuse online platform in September. This new system is designed to simplify protocol management and enhance the review process. Watch for upcoming training sessions and website updates as we prepare for implementation.

CITI Training Reminder: Tarleton State University uses the CITI Program for its research ethics and compliance training needs, fostering integrity and professional advancement of its learners. Register for courses required under your approved protocols and permits by clicking the CITI training button.

September 18, 2026 | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Location: Research and Economic Development Building, Stephenville, TX

Presented by Dr. Stacy Pritt, Associate Vice Chancellor, Chief Research Compliance Officer, Texas A&M University System

For assistance with your grant proposal projects, our team is available for face-to-face or virtual meetings to provide support that fits your needs.

Got news? Share with us! Send in brief information on your ongoing research activities so we can share on our webpage! We love to hear about it! Send info to Dulce Vidal (dvidal@tarleton.edu).

1225 N. US Hwy 281, Stephenville, TX 76401 | 254-459-5448

1225 N. US Highway 281 | Stephenville, TX 76401 US
254.595.7068
research@tarleton.edu
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