Research Leadership Fellows program names 13 to its second cohort

Texas A&M University announced its second cohort of Research Leadership Fellows, underscoring its ongoing dedication to cultivating its next generation of research leaders. This year’s cohort features 13 outstanding faculty members whose projects span critical areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, environmental sustainability and advanced manufacturing.

The Research Leadership Fellowships program (RLF) offers selected fellows funding, leadership training and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance their groundbreaking work.

“Texas A&M is dedicated to identifying and mentoring the future leaders who will advance research that tackles today’s critical challenges,” said Dr. Jack G. Baldauf, vice president for research. “The Research Leadership Fellows program embodies our commitment to fostering research leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration. This year’s fellows represent the best of our institution’s spirit of discovery. Their work will enhance our understanding and improve communities locally and globally. We are proud to support their efforts.”

RLF also emphasizes the importance of developing leadership skills and strategic thinking in research, ensuring that fellows are well-equipped to lead large-scale, high-impact projects. Each fellow will receive $75,000 to support their research, with the total funding amounting to $975,000.

Here are the members of the second cohort of Research Leadership Fellows and their respective projects:

Each fellow will receive $75,000 to support their research, with the total funding amounting to $975,000. Here are the members of the second cohort of Research Leadership Fellows and their respective projects:

• Dr. Katherine Davis, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering, aims to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure, like power and energy systems, against cyber threats.

• Dr. Dzmitry Kurouski, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the College of Science, will develop a non-invasive method using light to detect diseases in plants and animals without chemicals.

• Dr. Andrew Kwok, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture at the College of Education and Human Development, will study ways to better recruit and retain teachers, especially in underserved areas.

• Dr. Sungmin Lee, assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at the College of Architecture, will use artificial intelligence and community input to improve criminal justice and public safety.

• Dr. Vani Mathur, associate professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the College of Liberal Arts, will work on reducing health disparities and chronic pain by collaborating with communities and sharing research findings.

• Dr. Bobak Mortazavi, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the College of Engineering, will use machine learning and remote sensing data to improve cardiovascular health outcomes.

• Dr. Maria Olenick, associate professor in the College of Nursing, will study how activities with horses can help improve the mental health of female veterans suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Dr. Cason Schmit, assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the School of Public Health, will create a framework to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence in biomedical research.

• Dr. Amalesh Sharma, associate professor in the Department of Marketing at Mays Business School, will explore how access to healthcare affects different groups, focusing on improving food choices and healthcare access in underserved communities.

• Dr. A. Peyton Smith, associate professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will investigate how interactions between plants, soil and microbes can capture carbon and help fight climate change.

• Dr. Sargurunathan Subashchandrabose, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, will study how a toxin produced by certain E. coli bacteria can cause colorectal cancer, and how diet and other bacteria can counteract its effects.

• Dr. Jian Tao, assistant professor in the Department of Visualization at the College of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts, will develop advanced digital models to make manufacturing processes more efficient in industries like aerospace and automotive.

• Dr. Yangyang Xu, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the College of Arts and Sciences, will use machine learning to provide detailed climate-risk assessments, focusing on issues like air quality and extreme heat, especially for disadvantaged communities.

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