PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 6, 2025) — Prairie View A&M University recently launched its most ambitious celebration of research and innovation to date with the start of R&I Month: Collaborate. Innovate. Elevate. The month-long series of events, which began April 1, marks a major expansion from previous years—signaling the growing impact of research and innovation across campus.
“This is a special time for us to come together—as faculty, students, and staff—to celebrate and recognize the extraordinary research, scholarship, and creative work taking place across our campus,” said Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., vice president of the Division of Research and Innovation. “Led by our faculty, driven by our students, and supported by our dedicated staff, each of you plays a vital role in moving the mission of PVAMU forward. Whether you are pushing the boundaries of science, exploring the depths of human behavior, advancing technology, or addressing real-world challenges in our communities—your efforts are the heartbeat of this institution’s growing research enterprise.”
Dr. Rajan’s opening address set a tone of unity and inspiration, highlighting the critical role each member of the PVAMU community plays in advancing the institution’s mission. The day concluded with a networking session that sparked new collaborations and reinforced the university’s commitment to bold ideas and transformative impact.
Signature Events Spotlight Student and Faculty Achievements
Two cornerstone events—Student Research Day on April 9 and Faculty Research Day on April 11—drew wide participation and showcased the breadth and depth of PVAMU’s research enterprise.
Student Research Day, hosted in partnership with the Conference for Interdisciplinary Student Research (CISR), featured more than 180 undergraduate and graduate students presenting original research through oral presentations and posters. Projects spanned disciplines and addressed challenges in science, technology, social equity, agriculture, health and more.
Student Research Day Award Winners
PowerPoint Presentations – Undergraduate
- 1st: Shantal Taylor
- 2nd: Alesha Maxwell
- 3rd: Kira Holman
PowerPoint Presentations – Graduate
- 1st: Eniola Faluyi
- 2nd: Damar Wilson
- 3rd: Edesiri Albert Ukusajuya
Poster Presentations – Undergraduate
- 1st: Janiya Johnson, Sasha Scott, Kehli Gray, and Sydney Soileau
- 2nd: Keeland Harville
- 3rd: Jaqualah Fisher, Jaiden Smith, Kariz Scott, and Kiarra Robertson
Poster Presentations – Graduate
- 1st: Ndidi Anyakora
- 2nd: Promise Otukere
- 3rd: Kenneth Ofori-Panyin
Faculty Research Day followed with presentations from nearly 50 faculty members whose work spanned engineering, health, business, education, humanities and more. The event not only highlighted individual research accomplishments but also fostered interdisciplinary dialogue and cross-campus collaboration.
Introducing College Day: Honoring Excellence Across Schools
A new highlight this year was College Day, an initiative to recognize the contributions of Principal Investigators and celebrate research excellence within each academic unit. Colleges and schools represented included:
- College of Arts and Sciences (Humanities and STEM)
- College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
- College of Business
- Roy G. Perry College of Engineering
- Whitlowe R. Green College of Education
- School of Public and Allied Health
- College of Juvenile Justice
Each celebration featured keynote speakers and faculty-led presentations, spotlighting groundbreaking research and academic achievements. These events underscored the collaborative spirit that defines PVAMU’s dynamic research ecosystem.
Fostering Innovation Through Industry Connections
Another major event, NextGen Innovation Connect, brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers and industry experts in an engaging forum hosted by the Division’s ICEED (Innovation-Commercialization-Entrepreneurship-Economic Development) unit. With panel discussions, Q&As and networking, the event empowered the next generation of innovators at PVAMU to turn ideas into impact.
Honoring the Community with Reflections and Recognitions
The Division capped off the month with a reception titled Reflections and Recognitions, celebrating the collective achievements of the PVAMU research community. President Tomikia P. LeGrande, Ed.D., delivered remarks honoring award-winning student researchers, graduating participants in the Faculty-RISE program, the R1 Strategic Planning Committee, and Title III project directors.
“What a wealth of brilliance we have to celebrate today,” Dr. LeGrande said. “If you were a student researcher who participated in Research and Innovation Month, your passion, dedication and innovative thinking are truly inspiring. You represent the future of research, and we are incredibly proud to support your growth. You embody the spirit of inquiry that defines PVAMU.”
The reception drew a standing-room-only crowd and served as a powerful reminder of the transformative work happening across the university every day.
Training and Ethics to Close Out the Month
The final week of R&I Month focused on strengthening research integrity and administrative excellence. A session on Research Misconduct Training featured Dr. Stacy Pritt, chief research compliance officer for The Texas A&M University System, who emphasized the importance of ethical standards and responsible conduct in research.
In a separate session at the John B. Coleman Library, the Texas A&M Sponsored Research Services (SRS) team led a workshop for business administrators, offering guidance on improving communication and collaboration with faculty researchers.
A Vision for the Future
R&I Month at PVAMU was not just a celebration—it was a call to action. Through impactful events, new partnerships, and elevated recognition of talent across disciplines, the university reaffirmed its commitment to research excellence and innovation leadership.
As the campus community looks ahead, one message is clear: Excellence Lives Here—and it’s only just beginning.
Click here to launch the picture collage and relive the moments that made R&I Month unforgettable!
By Joe McGinty