PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 10, 2024) — Prairie View A&M University’s Division of Research & Innovation (R&I) has concluded its 4th annual “Research & Innovation Week 2024”. The week-long event spanned from April 1 to April 5 and showcased a diverse array of events, drawing an impressive and enthusiastic audience.

Research & Innovation Week serves as an annual celebration of research excellence at PVAMU. This event offers participants numerous opportunities to engage through both virtual and in-person activities. Attendees can network with researchers from various backgrounds and delve into a wide spectrum of topics. They gain insight into the world-class research and innovative initiatives that position PVAMU as a leading research institution.

“Research and Innovation Week stands as a dynamic platform, illuminating Prairie View A&M University’s latest research breakthroughs and pioneering technologies. It’s a convergence of keen minds, drawing attention from seasoned researchers, industry leaders, and our esteemed faculty, students, and broader communities alike. Throughout this pivotal week, our aim is to cultivate a fertile ground for the cross-pollination of transformative ideas across myriad disciplines,” said PVAMU’s Vice President of R&I, Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., MBA, P.E.

Research Resource Day

This day was exclusively dedicated to providing PVAMU’s esteemed faculty researchers and talented student researchers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the entire research process, from pre to post, ensuring a successful journey from research abstracts to step-by-step implementation. The panelists, consisting of PVAMU administrators and staff, discussed these topics thoroughly, equipping attendees with valuable insights.

R&I Week: Research Resource Day

Student Research Day 

PVAMU’s R&I department provides support for graduate and undergraduate researchers across all fields. This year’s Student Research Day collaborated with the Conference for Interdisciplinary Student Research (CISR), led by Susan Frazier-Kouassi, Ph.D., Director of the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center at PVAMU. Student Research Day offered more than 150 students to showcase their research to faculty, peers, and guests. Undergraduate students shared their research projects through poster presentations, while graduate students presented both orally and through posters.

“Research isn’t solely confined to STEM fields. I’ve been incredibly impressed by the research emerging from the Social Sciences and even the Humanities. There’s room for everyone in this endeavor,” stated Dr. Frazier-Kouassi.

R&I Week: Student Research Day

The awardees are as follows: RISE Students in Bold.

First Place

  • Akilah Mosley, Psychology, Anne Lippert, faculty mentor
  • Ayana Harrell, Marketing, Latonya Brandon, faculty mentor
  • Sabrina Francis, Tiffany Thomas, faculty mentor
  • Esohe Edomwandagbon, Biology, Muge Kuyumcu-Martinez, faculty mentor
  • Kamari Russell, Biology, Gloria Regisford, faculty mentor
  • Kiliyana Williams, Psychology, Anne Lippert, faculty mentor

Second Place

  • Kimani Evans, Psychology, Anne Lippert, faculty mentor
  • Laila Manners, Nursing, Mona Hassan, faculty mentor
  • Reagan Hagewood, Biology & Microbiology, Qunicy Moore, faculty mentor
  • Millicent Day, Psychology, Anne Lippert, faculty mentor
  • Olaoluwa Adegboye, Lijun Qian, faculty mentor
  • Alesha Maxwell, Agriculture, Milton Daley, faculty mentor

Third Place

  • Camyrn Murray, Biology, Gloria Regisford, faculty mentor
  • Ehiguese Obiomon, Biology, Ripendra Awal, faculty mentor
  • Kenton Moore, Biology, Gina Chiarella, faculty mentor
  • Imani Titus, Teacher Education, Katina Thomas, faculty mentor
  • Katie Johnson, Biology, Naznin Sultana, faculty mentor

 

Faculty Forum Day

This dynamic event was dedicated to fostering open dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among faculty researchers. Providing an engaging platform, it offered faculty members an opportunity to come together, share their experiences, and explore innovative ideas in their respective fields. Through panel discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions, faculty had the chance to discuss emerging trends and cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations. Rabi Mohtar, Ph.D., Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University – College Station, served as the keynote speaker. Dr. Mohtar discussed the systemic approaches to Water Management and Sustainable Development.

R&I Week: Faculty Forum Day

Innovation & Industry Day

Innovation Day featured engaging panel discussions and workshops aimed at facilitating the transition of research from the laboratory to the marketplace. Bobby Melvin, Executive Director of ICEED, expertly moderated a discussion titled ‘University Research Projects: From Ideation to Commercialization.’ The esteemed panelists, including Peter O’Neill from Texas A&M University Innovation, Adrian Denvir from the University of North Texas HSC, and Aruna Weerasooriya from PVAMU, shared valuable insights on industry trends, economic development, and the importance of university and community partnerships.

Industry Day focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the business-building process. The day included a variety of panelists from Chevron, Shell-USA, Sandia National Laboratories, and PVAMU, along with presentations and networking opportunities. Kedric Jones, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) alumnus and Precinct 3 Constable of Waller County, served as the keynote speaker. Jones highlighted the economic development strategies between the university and community partnerships.

In addition, amidst a special luncheon held during Innovation & Industry Day, PVAMU proudly commemorated the official declaration of its designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University.  With a palpable sense of achievement and anticipation, faculty, staff, and distinguished guests gathered to honor and celebrate this significant milestone.

R&I Week: Innovation & Industry Day

Faculty Research Day

Faculty Research Day served as the grand finale of a successful R&I Week, bringing together esteemed faculty members from various disciplines to present their research and scholarly activities. This event not only offered insight into the wide range of expertise among PVAMU faculty but also catalyzed interdisciplinary collaborations and paved the way for future research endeavors.

 

R&I Week: Faculty Research Day

Research & Innovation Week isn’t just an event; it’s a catalyst for growth, collaboration, and the continuous evolution of PVAMU’s research and innovation infrastructure. As participants immersed themselves in the multitude of events, the week served as a reminder of the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of research and innovation excellence that transcends disciplines and propels PVAMU to the forefront of cutting-edge research institutions.

By Joe McGinty