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

to support the research enterprise across the System.”

Issue 41

July 2025

IN THIS ISSUE

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Introducing
Texas A&M - Victoria

TCTE Named ENGINES
Semifinalist

Tarleton SACSCOC Classification

Research Development Resources

Around the System

Events

Funding Opportunities

Research Development Communities of Practice

Sponsor News

Chief Research Officers

Texas A&M–Victoria Officially Joins The Texas A&M University System

It’s official: The University of Houston-Victoria soon will become Texas A&M University-Victoria, the 12th university in The Texas A&M University System. Following the end of the governor’s signing period, the A&M System today announced the historic transition, a move years in the making and backed by overwhelming legislative support.

As part of this milestone, The Texas A&M University System Emeritus Chancellor John Sharp also announced that Texas A&M University-Victoria received $25 million in the new state budget for the effort, and commended the work of Victoria-area State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst in the Senate Finance Committee for securing the funds needed to grow the university and its services to the region.

“This is a transformational moment for Victoria and for South Texas,” said Sharp. “The people of this region deserve a world-class regional university, and that’s exactly what we’re going to help build. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Abbott, Senator Kolkhorst, and Representative Louderback, and with this new $25 million investment, Texas A&M–Victoria is ready for takeoff. I am especially happy about this milestone, since I grew up in Victoria County.”

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TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

TCTE Named Engines Semifinalist

Texas A&M University leads the Texas Chemical Transition Engine (TCTE), now selected as one of 29 semifinalists in the National Science Foundation’s highly competitive Regional Innovation Engines competition, which features a $160 million funding pool. Spearheaded by Dr. Karen Wooley, a National Academy of Sciences member and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, the initiative includes over 50 partners across academia, industry, government, and the philanthropic sector, aiming to reimagine chemical production through circular-economy principles.

Participants in the ENGINES Workshop held in June...

TCTE’s central mission is to transform waste and low-value feedstocks, from agricultural residues and plastic pollution to water-treatment byproducts, into high-value chemical products using advanced recycling and conversion technologies. This statewide effort builds on Texas’s legacy in oil, gas, and agriculture, while fostering sustainable innovation, job creation, and new market pipelines. It also seeks to strengthen domestic chemical supply chains and bolster U.S. leadership in critical materials and sustainable manufacturing.

A successful proposal will enable TCTE to establish regional innovation ecosystems that channel research breakthroughs into commercialization and workforce training. With semifinalist status secured, TCTE is moving into the next evaluation phase, aiming for a final selection in early 2026. If awarded, the project will revolutionize chemical manufacturing in Texas and serve as a national model for disciplined research-led economic transformation.

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TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

SACSCOC Elevates Tarleton State
To Highest Classification

Tarleton State University has achieved Level VI status from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the highest classification available. This elevation follows the recent approval of new doctoral programs and reflects Tarleton’s growing academic scope, institutional maturity, and commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and public service.

This designation positions Tarleton alongside Texas’s foremost research universities and affirms its readiness to deliver rigorous doctoral education. It also signals the university’s continued investment in building faculty expertise, graduate education pathways, and scholarly output across disciplines.

Recent infrastructure expansions, such as the new Research and Economic Development Building, demonstrate Tarleton’s strategic emphasis on applied research with local and statewide relevance. These efforts support the university’s broader goal of becoming a leading regional driver of innovation, economic development, and community impact.

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RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

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

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.

Checklists and support documents are now available for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Research Programs (YIP)

RDO
DOD Page

Around the System: Headline News

TAMUS: Sharp Thanks Texas Legislature for Historic Investments in Education, Research, and Service

RELLIS - US Air Force Base squadron builds engineering lab at Texas A&M’s RELLIS Campus

TAMHSC: Texas A&M Launches Statewide Dementia Research Initiative To Tackle Alzheimer’s Crisis

TAMU Texarkana: TAMUT and Maxell, Ltd. Form Innovative Gift and Research Collaboration Marking Maxell, Ltd.'s First Ever Contribution to Higher Education

TAMU-Fort Worth: Where the West Begins, Texas A&M-Fort Worth Is Leading the Way

VMBS: Texas A&M College Of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Breaks Ground On New Veterinary Hospital

Tarleton: State Legislature Funds Next Steps for Tarleton State’s Proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine

TAMUS: The Texas A&M University System Joins Effort to Establish First-of-its-Kind Accreditor

Around the System: Funding Successes

Dr. Pushkar Lele, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, received a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study how bacterial outer membranes adapt to environmental stress and enable antibiotic tolerance. His research focuses on rapid adjustments in porin and efflux pump function, aiming to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new treatments for chronic and recurrent infections.

Dr. Kenneth Tobin, Professor and Director of the Center for Earth and Environmental Studies at Texas A&M International University, leads the federally funded LC–TAMIU STEM Connector Project—a two-year, $963,000 initiative sponsored by NASA that enhances engineering pathways for first-generation and economically disadvantaged students. The program offers scholarships, NASA-linked research opportunities, high-performance computing workshops, and industry certifications to prepare students for STEM careers.

Dr. Camille Gibson and Dr. James Williams of Prairie View A&M University received a prestigious Texas International Education Consortium COIL grant to expand virtual and study-abroad global education initiatives. Their work includes facilitating a virtual criminal justice exchange with the University of Madras and offering immersive programs to enhance cross-cultural understanding and global competency.

Dr. Juganta Roy, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at West Texas A&M University, received a $200,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop AI-enhanced materials for efficient solar cells. His research combines computational chemistry and machine learning to design photochromic dyes that optimize light absorption, which could benefit adaptable solar installations and smart-window technologies.

Dr. Nate Veldt, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, has received an Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator award to develop computational tools using dynamic hypergraphs to model complex, multi-way relationships and enhance network resilience. Their research advances beyond traditional pairwise graphs by capturing higher-order interactions among networked entities—like project teams or transit routes—using hyperedges to predict system disruptions better and improve recovery strategies.

Around the System: Research Highlights

Dr. Ya Wang, Associate Professor and Leland T. Jordan Career Development Professor, and Zongsu Han, Postdoctoral Fellow in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, are developing a targeted drug delivery system using metal–organic frameworks to treat brain diseases. Their NSF-funded research aims to safely and precisely bypass the blood-brain barrier, improving treatment options for neurological disorders.

Dr. Sherry J. Yennello, Distinguished and Regents Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, leads an innovative program to produce, purify, and distribute astatine-211 (At-211), a promising alpha-emitting radioisotope for cancer therapy. Their in-house production and patent-pending separation system, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program, positions the Cyclotron Institute as one of only two U.S. centers capable of supplying At-211 for clinical and research use.

Dr. Congrui Grace Jin, Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, leads a NASA-funded project developing a synthetic lichen construction system combining cyanobacteria and fungi to bind Martian regolith into structural material autonomously. Their innovative biomaterial approach enables in situ fabrication of habitat components on Mars using only local resources, light, air, and water.

Dr. Nilda M. García, Assistant Professor of Social Sciences at Texas A&M International University, co-authored Drug Policy Revolutions: Scenarios, Impacts, and Trajectories, examining Argentina, Portugal, and Uruguay’s experiences with drug policy reform. Her research finds that liberalizing policies can reduce criminal justice strain and better target problematic use, although outcomes vary based on each country’s social, economic, and institutional contexts.

Dr. Landon Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at East Texas A&M University, recently published research in the Journal of Animal Science titled “Mitigation of Oxidative Stress to Improve Range Cow Grazing Distribution.” His study demonstrated that injectable trace minerals reduced oxidative stress and improved cattle foraging patterns across Western rangelands over two consecutive summers.

Dr. Martial Ndeffo-Mbah, Assistant Professor in Veterinary Integrative Biosciences at Texas A&M University, led a study demonstrating that smartwatch health data can detect infections like COVID-19 or influenza up to 12 hours before symptoms appear. Their findings, published in PNAS Nexus, suggest that wearable sensors could reduce pandemic transmission by nearly 50% through early warning and isolation protocols.

Dr. Daniel Selva, Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, leads the development of "Daphne‑AT," a virtual assistant designed to support astronauts during deep-space missions by diagnosing real-time spacecraft anomalies and guiding emergency responses. Users testing the assistant in simulated NASA analog environments resolved issues faster and with reduced workload, demonstrating potential applications for space missions and terrestrial emergency responders.

Around the System: Awards and Accomplishments

John Sharp, Emeritus Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, has been awarded the U.S. Army’s Meritorious Public Service Medal, the highest civilian honor from the Army, recognizing his pivotal leadership in establishing the RELLIS Campus and the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex. The medal, presented by Gen. James E. Rainey of Army Futures Command during Sharp’s June 18 retirement reception, honors his significant contributions to strengthening national defense capabilities through university–military collaboration.

Dr. Steve Hammack, Dr. Joe Paschal, and Dr. Jim Sanders, Professors in Animal Science at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, were honored with the prestigious Beef Improvement Federation Pioneer Award at the BIF Symposium in Amarillo for their enduring contributions to beef cattle genetics management and education. Additionally, Professor and Department Head of Animal Science, Dr. Clay Mathis, received the BIF Continuing Service Award for his leadership in extension, research funding, and industry collaborations supporting sustainable beef production.

Dr. Lorrie Webb, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M–Central Texas, has been named an Impact Academy Fellow by the national nonprofit Deans for Impact. The fellowship recognizes her leadership and commitment to strengthening educator preparation programs across the U.S.

Dr. Magesh Rajan, Vice President for Research & Innovation at Prairie View A&M University, has been named to the prestigious 2025–26 Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) cohort by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The highly competitive program prepares senior higher-education leaders for presidencies and chancellorships through intensive training, networking, and mentorship.

Dr. Susan de Ghizé, Professor of Music Theory at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, has been named a 2025 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor, one of just 10 faculty statewide to receive this distinguished teaching award. Her recognition reflects her innovative teaching methods, including custom digital tools and accessible course materials, which significantly enhance student mastery and engagement.

EVENTS

ICU Design with the New SCCM Guidelines

Explore the future of semiconductor technology in Texas and beyond.

Date: August 1, 2025

Location: Houston Methodist Research Institute

Website

Rural Resilience Summit 2025

The Summit aims to position TAMUS as a national model for rural resilience by fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, aligning academic and outreach efforts, and creating sustainable solutions for rural wellness.

Date: October 9-10, 2025

Location: RELLIS Campus, College Station, TX

Website and Registration coming soon!

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

Funding Opportunities

Funding Archives

Research Development

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE (CoP)

The Texas A&M University System researchers and staff 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 at noon CST. 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 Jurica, Outreach Manager at TAMU SEHD REO

DATE

August 29th

TIME

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

SPONSOR NEWS

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 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.