PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 6, 2025) – Prairie View A&M University continues to strengthen its leadership in agricultural innovation through research that supports sustainable production and resilience. Zaira Estrada-Reyes, Ph.D., research associate professor in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR), has secured more than $65,000 in funding from The 1890 Universities Foundation through the USDA-NIFA Integrated Pest Management Center.
Zaira Estrada-Reyes, Ph.D.
The project takes place in the world-renowned International Goat Research Center which is part of CAFNR Research at PVAMU. The research will advance PVAMU’s research capacity in animal science by investigating how heat stress affects the health and performance of Navajo-Churro sheep—a heritage breed known for its adaptability. The study will assess physiological, behavioral, hematological, neuroendocrine, and immunological responses to extreme heat and cooling conditions, helping to identify biological markers that indicate stress tolerance.
Estrada-Reyes and a team of undergraduate students will collect and analyze data including body temperature, respiration rate, cortisol levels, and immune responses during the summer of 2026. Their findings will help establish research models that can be applied to other livestock management practices, supporting PVAMU’s efforts to develop agriculture solutions.
This project not only enhances PVAMU’s standing as a leading 1890 land-grant institution but also provides meaningful hands-on research experiences for students—building a pipeline of skilled scientists equipped to address the challenges and supports extension programs to provide economic prosperity for animal producers.
By Joe McGinty, with contributions from Erdogan Memili, Ph.D., Professor at Prairie View A&M University