The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents approved the academic advancement of nine outstanding College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources faculty members during their latest meeting (Feb. 29).

Among those receiving a promotion in academic rank (effective Sept. 1) are:

• Carlos Carpio, associate professor to professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. The Ecuador native joined the CASNR faculty in 2013. He received his bachelor's degree in agriculture from Zamorano University in Honduras, and his master's degree in agricultural and applied economics from Texas Tech. His doctorate in economics is from North Carolina State University. Carpio's research is primarily related to consumer demand, non-market valuation and applied econometrics.
• Erica Irlbeck, associate professor to professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications. She joined the CASNR faculty in 2009. Irlbeck received her bachelor's degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University and her master's and doctorate degrees in agricultural communications from Texas Tech. This year she was presented the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Award, one of the highest faculty honors in the university system. Her research interests include risk and crisis communications, agriculture in television media and agricultural communications campaigns.

Those receiving tenure and promotion (effective Sept. 1) are:

• Amy Boren-Alpizar, assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications. The Nebraska native joined the CASNR faculty in 2014. She received her bachelor's degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and her master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her doctorate in human sciences-leadership studies is from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. One of her goals has been to examine the role of young people and women in creating entrepreneurial activities that generate income or food resources for their households and communities.
• Matthew Barnes, assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, Department of Natural Resources Management. The Plano native joined the CASNR faculty in 2014. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from Southwestern University. His doctorate degree is from the University of Notre Dame. He is part of a research team for a HSI Education Grants Program, part of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which recently gave Texas Tech a four-year, $274,281 grant to support the university's interdisciplinary Program in Inquiry and Investigation.
• Kelly Lange, assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. The Lubbock native, who also serves as managing director of CASNR Farm Operations, joined the CASNR faculty in 2014. She received her bachelor's degree in marketing and management, and her master's degree in management from Texas Tech. Her doctorate in agricultural and applied economics is from Texas Tech. Her research focuses on areas of farm and agribusiness management, agricultural finance and personal finance.
• Jerrad Legako, assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, Department of Animal & Food Sciences. He joined the CASNR faculty in 2016. Legako received his bachelor's degree in biology from Texas Tech and master's degree in food science from Oklahoma State University. His doctorate degree in animal science is from Texas Tech. Legako received the American Meat Science Association's 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award, and the 2018 Institute of Food Technologists' Foods Division "Member of the Year Award."
• Scott Longing, assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, Department of Plant and Soil Science. The Russellville, Arkansas, native joined the CASNR faculty in 2012. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from Arkansas Tech University, and his master's degree in entomology from the University of Arkansas. His doctorate in entomology is from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Longing was presented the CASNR Junior Faculty Award in 2017.
• Carlos Portillo, assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, Department of Natural Resources Management. He joined the CASNR faculty in 2014. Portillo received his bachelor's degree in biology from the Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela. His doctorate in earth and atmospheric sciences is from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. His focus has been on developing a research and teaching program on geospatial technologies applied to questions in biogeography, biological conservation and natural resource management.
• Joey Young, assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, Department of Plant and Soil Science. He joined the CASNR faculty in 2013. Young received his bachelor's degree in agronomy with an emphasis in golf course and sports turf management, and his master's degree in plant pathology from Mississippi State University. His doctorate in turfgrass science is from the University of Arkansas. His recent research focus has been on a better understanding of which turf treatments, also known as surfactants, best help golf course personnel maintain the grass when it comes to watering.

CONTACT: William Brown, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or william.f.brown@ttu.edu

0303NM20