Texas A&M AgriLife Research

The Texas Water Resources Institute, part of AgriLife Research, is in collaboration with the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and stakeholders to protect Baffin Bay, an ecologically and economically important part of Texas' Gulf Coast.

Efforts like watershed planning, septic system improvements and protecting coastal resources are helping improve water quality and tackle long-standing issues around the bay.

Located south of Corpus Christi, Baffin Bay supports critical wildlife habitat and is known for its world-class fishing. Learn more about how researchers, stakeholders and local communities are working together to support the bay’s health: tx.ag/BaffinBay

A free New World screwworm inspector training is now available to all Texans through AgriLife Learn.

The course covers New World screwworm biology, inspection protocols, reporting and more, and is open to anyone who wants to better understand how to protect their animals. Those who qualify may apply to become a certified New World screwworm inspector through the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Learn about the course at tx.ag/NWSTraining.

Gov. Abbott launched a free online course to certify additional New World Screwworm inspectors across Texas.

This initiative empowers people, & private industry, to inspect & certify livestock movement, ensuring the safety of our cattle, wildlife, & food supply remains secure.

AgriLife Research turfgrass breeder, Dr. Ambika Chandra, is one of 26 “Game Changers” featured in IF/THENSheCan: The Exhibit at the 2026 FIFA Fan Festival in Dallas, with a life-size, 3D-printed statue celebrating her work in STEM.

Her work creates high-performing and resilient turfgrass for sports, golf and urban landscapes.

Learn more about Ambika's research and her statue at: tx.ag/AmbikaChandraStatue

Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Congratulations to Dr. Lauren O’Connor, with the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center, part of AgriLife Research, who has received the 2026 Emerging Leader Award, recognizing her contributions to nutrition science.

Lauren leads the Nutrition and Health Program and works with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate and synthesize research that helps answer complex public health and nutrition questions.

Read more about Lauren and her award at: tx.ag/EmergingLeaderAward

Reimagining what a watermelon can be.

AgriLife Research is improving watermelons with better flavor, nutrition and disease resistance — helping growers reduce losses and bring higher-quality fruit to market.

Research that supports farmers and delivers better food for consumers.

Learn more: tx.ag/WatermelonResearch

Congratulations to Dr. Katie Lewis on receiving the 2026 Agriculture Award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality! Her research team is integrating regenerative practices into cotton and wheat systems across the southern Great Plains, showing measurable soil carbon gains in some of the most drought-prone land in the state:

TEEA 2026 Winner for Agriculture: Katie Lewis, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research The goal of Dr. Lewis’s project is to intensify agricultural produc...

A father's health before conception can shape a child's future.

AgriLife Research received a $2.9 million federal grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to support new research with the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences on how a father’s alcohol use before conception may affect offspring health and development, including increased risks of developmental disorders, chronic disease and accelerated aging.

Learn more at: tx.ag/PaternalAlcoholResearch