Strategic Research; Transdisciplinary Research Academy forges links to CASNR
Texas Tech's newly formed Transdisciplinary Research Academy has selected nine outstanding faculty members from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources to be among its first members.
The academy is designed to bring people with diverse interests and from different disciplines together to explore questions that have a global impact and intersect with the strategic research themes established by the university.
Among the strategic research areas selected from CASNR were:
Food, Health, Cancer: Conrad Lyford, an associate professor with the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics; and Erica Irlbeck, an assistant professor with the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications
Water Cycles & Resources Science: Richard Zartman, chairman of Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science and a Leidigh Professor of Soil Physics
Food Safety & Public Health: Todd Brashears, an associate professor with the Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, Mindy Brashears, director of Tech's International Center for Food Industry Excellence; Mark Miller, San Antonio Livestock Show Distinguished Chair in Meat Science; Chance Brooks, an associate professor of meat science; Guy Loneragan, an epidemiologist and professor with Tech's Department of Animal and Food sciences, Kendra Nightingale, an associate professor specializing in food safety
"The goal of the academy is to bring together teams of faculty who have diverse expertise and interests, and I believe the first members do that," said Taylor Eighmy, Texas Tech vice president for research. "In these first academy members we see combinations of expertise that should produce big-picture thinking and novel solutions to global issues."
The 34 academy members form nine teams that are expected to generate new research projects for potential funding, write white papers for agencies and foundations or develop curricula or programs that produce interaction across academic disciplines.
"Texas Tech is fortunate to have a broad array of research expertise," said Guy Bailey, Texas Tech president. "The future of research is transdisciplinary. By combining our strengths from across different disciplines we bring new, innovative ideas to solve some of the most pressing issues facing society."
Transdisciplinary academy projects will fall within specific strategic research areas, including: Engineering and Biology; Law and Society; Food, Health, Cancer; Technology and Aesthetics; Illiteracy, Education and Community Development in Sierra Leone; Water Cycles and Resources Science; Environmental Impact on Developmental Issues in Plants; Sustainable Environment; and Food Safety and Public Health.
Faculty members were nominated by their college deans and screened by a committee of deans, associate deans, Horn professors, faculty and members of the Office of the Vice President for Research staff.
Written by Norman Martin
CONTACT: Michael Galyean, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or michael.galyean@ttu.edu
0130NM12
Editor's Note: For more information on the 2012 academy team members and project areas, click http://www.depts.ttu.edu/vpr/transdisciplinary/2012-members.php
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