[{"id":34572,"date":"2026-03-17T09:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T14:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/?p=34572"},"modified":"2026-03-23T10:13:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:13:17","slug":"ray-secures-usda-grant-to-elevate-excellence-in-agriculture-trade-education-at-pvamu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/post\/ray-secures-usda-grant-to-elevate-excellence-in-agriculture-trade-education-at-pvamu\/","title":{"rendered":"Ray Secures USDA Grant to Elevate Excellence in Agriculture Trade Education at PVAMU"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW<\/strong>, Texas (March 17, 2026) — Ram Ray, Ph.D., P.E., a leading researcher and professor in the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University, has secured a nearly $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support the training of the next generation of students prepared for careers in agricultural trade.<\/p>\n

\"headshot<\/a>

Ram Ray, Ph.D., P.E.<\/p><\/div>\n

Serving as co-principal investigators on the project are Kwaku Addo, Ph.D.; Godlove Fonjweng, Ph.D.; Aruna D. Weerasooriya, Ph.D.; Gebrekidan Tefera, Ph.D.; and Selamawit Woldesenbet, Ph.D., all of Prairie View A&M University.<\/p>\n

This project aims to integrate teaching and research to strengthen Prairie View A&M University\u2019s role in preparing a highly skilled workforce for the food, agriculture, and natural resources sectors. As global challenges in agricultural trade, food security, and resource management intensify, the project equips students with the knowledge and experience needed to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.<\/p>\n

By prioritizing international exposure, students gain practical insight into global agricultural systems, research approaches, and market dynamics essential to expanding U.S. agricultural exports. The initiative is expected to increase the number of career-ready graduates while enhancing student recruitment and enrollment in PVAMU\u2019s agriculture-related programs.<\/p>\n

Aligned with Executive Order 14283, the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the project advances PVAMU\u2019s capacity to deliver high-quality education, elevate research engagement, and strengthen workforce preparation in critical agricultural industries. \u201cDr. Ray\u2019s research also supports the new priorities of the USDA NIFA and the Vision of Excellence in Research in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at PVAMU\u201d stated Dr. Memili, Executive Asociate Director of CAFNR Research, and the Director of the Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Farm and Ranch at PVAMU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 17, 2026) — Ram Ray, Ph.D., P.E., a leading researcher and professor in the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University, has secured a nearly $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support the training of the next […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2094,"featured_media":34684,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,1726,1316,1960,4809,4916,4915,1628,1961,68,69,1235,63,1598,1,1435],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[123,3118,2585,2022,2519,131,114,111,104,130,122],"class_list":["post-34572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-archive-for-undergraduate-research","category-communication-spotlight","category-department","category-graduate-student-research","category-iceed","category-innovation","category-marketing-cta","category-marketing-main-slider","category-research-briefs","category-research-funding-news","category-research-highlights","category-research-main-slider","category-research-news","category-uncategorized","category-undergraduate-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2094"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34572"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34683,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34572\/revisions\/34683"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34572"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=34572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":34496,"date":"2026-01-22T14:33:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/?p=34496"},"modified":"2026-01-22T14:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:33:18","slug":"student-spotlight-alliere-murphy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/post\/student-spotlight-alliere-murphy\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Spotlight: Alliere Murphy"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW<\/strong>, Texas (January 22, 2026) \u2014 Prairie View A&M University senior Alliere Murphy has her sights set on transforming both science and smiles. A biology major and participant in the RISE Program, Murphy is already shaping her future through hands-on research, leadership, and a passion for serving her community.<\/p>\n

Mentored by Lori Banks, Ph.D., Murphy investigates Rotavirus Non-structural Protein 4 (NSP4) viroporin mutants<\/em> to identify potential antiviral target sites\u2014an ambitious project that places her at the center of impactful biomedical discovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlliere wasn\u2019t sure about the assay protocol at first, but she jumped right in and made it her own. Even though she is a busy student leader, she manages her time well and keeps pushing the project forward a little every week.\u201d<\/p>\n

In fall 2025, her work earned her a coveted opportunity: presenting at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in San Antonio.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe highlight of my experience in the RISE Program was attending ABRCMS,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cThis conference gave me the opportunity to present the research I\u2019ve been doing alongside my mentor. It was extremely informative and a great way to network with students and professionals from across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy\u2019s drive extends far beyond the laboratory. After graduation, she plans to pursue a dual DDS\/Ph.D. degree, with the long-term goal of opening her own private dental practice and launching a nonprofit organization focused on community care. Her research interests already point her toward this path, particularly the connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease. \"Alliere<\/a><\/p>\n

Outside academics, Murphy is a familiar face in student life. She plays tuba with the renowned PVAMU Marching Storm, serves as president of the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, participates in the Honors Program (HPXV) and B-Global, and still finds time to excel as a student-researcher.<\/p>\n

Whether she\u2019s in the lab, on the field, or leading her peers, Murphy brings purpose and energy to everything she does. And as she prepares for life after PVAMU, her commitment to science, service and community continues to shine\u2014proof of the promise emerging from the RISE Program each year.<\/p>\n

The PVAMU Faculty-RISE Program, led by Vice President for Research and Innovation Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E., empowers students through comprehensive research training, dedicated mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program is designed to prepare the next generation of scientists and innovators to drive transformative discoveries and leadership both at PVAMU and in their future careers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (January 22, 2026) \u2014 Prairie View A&M University senior Alliere Murphy has her sights set on transforming both science and smiles. A biology major and participant in the RISE Program, Murphy is already shaping her future through hands-on research, leadership, and a passion for serving her community. Mentored by Lori Banks, Ph.D., […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2094,"featured_media":34585,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,1726,1316,1960,4915,1628,1961,68,69,1235,63,1598,1,1435],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[2630,2022,135,131,203,299,86,104,196,297,265,165,132],"class_list":["post-34496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-archive-for-undergraduate-research","category-communication-spotlight","category-department","category-innovation","category-marketing-cta","category-marketing-main-slider","category-research-briefs","category-research-funding-news","category-research-highlights","category-research-main-slider","category-research-news","category-uncategorized","category-undergraduate-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2094"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34496"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34496\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34496"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=34496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":34542,"date":"2026-01-22T13:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T19:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/?p=34542"},"modified":"2026-01-22T13:38:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T19:38:10","slug":"pvamus-kebrom-leads-breakthrough-research-on-plant-branching-to-improve-crop-yields","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/post\/pvamus-kebrom-leads-breakthrough-research-on-plant-branching-to-improve-crop-yields\/","title":{"rendered":"PVAMU\u2019s Kebrom Leads Breakthrough Research on Plant Branching to Improve Crop Yields"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (January 22, 2026)<\/strong> \u2014 <\/strong>As drought conditions intensify across Texas and agricultural regions worldwide, a Prairie View A&M University researcher has secured federal funding to study how plant growth patterns can be optimized to improve crop resilience and productivity.<\/p>\n

Tesfamichael Kebrom, Ph.D., a research scientist in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Research at Prairie View A&M University, has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate the role of plant branching in drought tolerance and yield efficiency.<\/p>\n

The project focuses on shoot branching, also known as tillering, in major crops such as corn, wheat, sorghum and rice. Branch number plays a critical role in plant architecture and yield potential. In many crops, excessive branching leads to inefficient use of water and nutrients when branches fail to produce grain. By examining the physiological and genetic mechanisms that regulate branching, the research aims to inform strategies that optimize plant structure, improve resource efficiency and enhance crop productivity under drought conditions.<\/p>\n

The USDA\/NIFA-funded project, titled \u201cUnraveling Reduced Tillering in Drought-Tolerant Stay-Green Sorghum for Enhanced Crop Resilience,\u201d will examine how reduced branching contributes to drought tolerance in sorghum, a crop widely used as a model system for drought research.<\/p>\n

\"Tesfamichael<\/a>

Tesfamichael Kebrom, Ph.D.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sorghum is known for its exceptional ability to withstand water stress and is often referred to as the \u201ccamel crop.\u201d Within sorghum, researchers have identified highly resilient \u201cstay-green\u201d genotypes that maintain green leaf area and continue photosynthesis during drought. Recent research by teams at Texas A&M University and in Australia has identified reduced branch number as a key factor contributing to this enhanced drought tolerance. Building on these findings, the project will investigate whether the physiological and genetic mechanisms controlling reduced branching also contribute to drought resilience or whether reduced branching alone lowers plant water demand.<\/p>\n

The research effort brings together a multidisciplinary team spanning agriculture, engineering and computational biology. Seungchan Kim, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering in the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering and director of the Center for Computational Systems Biology, will serve as co-principal investigator and lead gene expression data analysis. Sela Woldesenbet, DVM, manager of the core laboratories at CAFNR Research, will also serve as co-principal investigator and support plant sample analyses using core laboratory equipment.<\/p>\n

In addition to advancing scientific understanding, the project will provide hands-on research training for one graduate student and several undergraduate students, supporting workforce development in plant physiology, genomics and crop improvement.<\/p>\n

This research aligns with the Vision of Excellence in Research at CAFNR Research, the USDA-NIFA Plan of Work, and Prairie View A&M University\u2019s Journey to Eminence, reinforcing the university\u2019s commitment to federally competitive research that addresses global challenges in agriculture, sustainability and food security.<\/p>\n

By Joe McGinty, with contributions from Tesfamichael Kebrom, Ph.D., and Erdogan Memili, Ph.D.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (January 22, 2026) \u2014 As drought conditions intensify across Texas and agricultural regions worldwide, a Prairie View A&M University researcher has secured federal funding to study how plant growth patterns can be optimized to improve crop resilience and productivity. Tesfamichael Kebrom, Ph.D., a research scientist in the College of Agriculture, Food and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2094,"featured_media":34544,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,1726,1316,4809,1628,1961,68,69,1235,63,1598],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[123,131,114,111,104,130,122],"class_list":["post-34542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-archive-for-undergraduate-research","category-communication-spotlight","category-graduate-student-research","category-marketing-cta","category-marketing-main-slider","category-research-briefs","category-research-funding-news","category-research-highlights","category-research-main-slider","category-research-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2094"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34542"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34542\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34542"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=34542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":34537,"date":"2025-12-17T08:43:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T14:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/?p=34537"},"modified":"2025-12-17T08:43:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T14:43:52","slug":"usda-awards-grant-to-pvamus-abdelwahed-for-innovative-pest-protection-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/post\/usda-awards-grant-to-pvamus-abdelwahed-for-innovative-pest-protection-study\/","title":{"rendered":"USDA Awards Grant to PVAMU’s Abdelwahed for Innovative Pest-Protection Study"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n

PRAIRIE VIEW<\/strong>, Texas (December 17, 2025) \u2014 Prairie View A&M University is advancing the future of food safety through a new $100,000 grant from the USDA\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The award supports a collaborative research project led by Sameh Abdelwahed, Ph.D<\/a>., associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, working alongside Keyan Zhu-Salzman, Ph.D., professor of entomology at Texas A&M University.<\/p>\n

\"Sameh<\/a>

Sameh Abdelwahed, Ph.D.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The project, titled \u201cEnhancing Food Storage Using Natural Plant Oils and Nano-Preservatives to Prevent Insect Infestation,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0aims to develop innovative, eco-friendly preservatives made from plant-derived essential oils. By pairing these natural oils with advanced nanotechnology, the team seeks to reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides while strengthening the protection of stored agricultural products.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
At the core of the research is the creation of chitosan-based nanoparticles and nanocapsules designed to encapsulate essential oils such as neem, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender and cedarwood. These nano-preservatives are engineered for slow, controlled release, offering long-lasting defense against common storage pests. The work includes formulation and characterization of the nanostructures, advanced release studies and kinetic modeling, and rigorous testing against insects like the Indian meal moth and red flour beetle.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The project will also explore how these materials can be incorporated into real-world food storage systems and evaluate safety considerations to ensure the solutions are practical, scalable and consumer-friendly.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Beyond its scientific contributions, the project delivers significant benefits to Prairie View A&M University. Undergraduate researchers will gain hands-on experience with high-impact work at the intersection of nanotechnology, chemistry and sustainable agriculture\u2014experience that positions them competitively for graduate programs and STEM careers. The grant also reinforces PVAMU\u2019s growing leadership in research addressing global challenges in food security, environmental sustainability and pest resistance.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
By Joe McGinty<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (December 17, 2025) \u2014 Prairie View A&M University is advancing the future of food safety through a new $100,000 grant from the USDA\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The award supports a collaborative research project led by Sameh Abdelwahed, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, working alongside Keyan […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2094,"featured_media":34570,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,1726,1316,1960,4809,4915,1628,1961,68,69,1235,63,1598,1,1435],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[134,123,2585,135,131,114,111,299,104,1754,120,132,130,122],"class_list":["post-34537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-archive-for-undergraduate-research","category-communication-spotlight","category-department","category-graduate-student-research","category-innovation","category-marketing-cta","category-marketing-main-slider","category-research-briefs","category-research-funding-news","category-research-highlights","category-research-main-slider","category-research-news","category-uncategorized","category-undergraduate-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2094"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34537\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34537"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=34537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":34499,"date":"2025-12-16T10:20:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/?p=34499"},"modified":"2025-12-16T10:20:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:20:27","slug":"pvamus-kommalapati-secures-grant-to-advance-sustainable-aviation-fuel-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/post\/pvamus-kommalapati-secures-grant-to-advance-sustainable-aviation-fuel-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"PVAMU\u2019s Kommalapati Secures Grant to Advance Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW<\/strong>, Texas (December 16, 2025) — Raghava Kommalapati, Ph.D., Honeywell Endowed Professor and professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Ananda Amarasekara, Ph.D., Regents Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Prairie View A&M University, have been awarded a $320,000 grant from Shell Global Solutions to support research in sustainable aviation fuels.<\/p>\n

The research team plants to develop innovative catalytic approaches to convert biomass derived feedstocks into sustainable aviation fuels. This approach aims to address global demand for cleaner, more efficient energy sources and support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the aviation industry.<\/p>\n

\"Dr.<\/a>

Raghava Kommalapati, Ph.D.<\/p><\/div>\n

The collaboration will leverage Shell’s expertise and PVAMU’s research capabilities with the goal of advancing catalyst development and conversion techniques, contributing valuable knowledge to the broader scientific and engineering community. Outcomes are expected to include peer-reviewed publications and intellectual property filings that explore the fundamental chemistry behind transforming polysaccharides into hydrocarbons.<\/p>\n

The grant will also focus on strengthening student and postdoctoral training at PVAMU. One graduate student will complete a master\u2019s thesis based on the project\u2019s findings, and a postdoctoral research associate will receive specialized training and professional development through hands-on research engagement.<\/p>\n

This award highlights PVAMU\u2019s increasing influence as a leader in sustainable energy research. The project not only expands the University\u2019s portfolio in renewable fuels and environmental innovation but also enhances opportunities for students and researchers to contribute to solutions that support global decarbonization and long-term energy resilience.<\/p>\n

By Joe McGinty, with contributions from Alexandra Smith, Shell Global Solutions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (December 16, 2025) — Raghava Kommalapati, Ph.D., Honeywell Endowed Professor and professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Ananda Amarasekara, Ph.D., Regents Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Prairie View A&M University, have been awarded a $320,000 grant from Shell Global Solutions to support research in sustainable aviation fuels. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2094,"featured_media":34506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,1726,1316,1960,4809,4916,4915,1628,1961,68,69,1235,63,1598,1,1435],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[980,616,2022,131,2037,104,91],"class_list":["post-34499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-archive-for-undergraduate-research","category-communication-spotlight","category-department","category-graduate-student-research","category-iceed","category-innovation","category-marketing-cta","category-marketing-main-slider","category-research-briefs","category-research-funding-news","category-research-highlights","category-research-main-slider","category-research-news","category-uncategorized","category-undergraduate-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2094"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34499"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34499\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34499"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=34499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":34517,"date":"2025-12-16T10:09:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/?p=34517"},"modified":"2025-12-16T10:09:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:09:45","slug":"rise-student-spotlight-laura-upchurch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/post\/rise-student-spotlight-laura-upchurch\/","title":{"rendered":"RISE Student Spotlight: Laura Upchurch"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRIAIRE VIEW<\/strong>, Texas (December 16, 2025) — Prairie View A&M University junior Laura Upchurch, a Human Nutrition and Food major, has discovered a deeper sense of purpose through her experience in the RISE Program. Mentored by Jacklyn Sanders, Ph.D., Upchurch is studying how mentorship shapes student engagement and retention within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources’ Research (CAFNR Research). Her research examines the impact of the Mentor Collective\u2019s \u201cPanther-to-Panther\u201d and \u201cPanthers on the Move\u201d programs.<\/p>\n

\"Laura<\/a><\/p>\n

For Upchurch, the greatest highlight of RISE has been gaining firsthand exposure to the research process. She said working alongside passionate faculty and staff has fueled her curiosity and strengthened her confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always loved asking questions,\u201d she said. \u201cThis program allows me to do it in an elevated and academic manner I could only dream of after graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLaura is one of those rare students who approaches research with both curiosity and discipline. Her enthusiasm for understanding how mentorship shapes the student experience has elevated the quality of our work in CAFNR. She brings fresh ideas, asks thoughtful questions, and follows through with exceptional professionalism. Watching her grow as a researcher has been a true privilege,\u201d Sanders said.<\/p>\n

After earning her bachelor\u2019s degree, Upchurch plans to continue her studies at PVAMU, pursue a master\u2019s degree, pass the Registered Dietitian exam and eventually complete a doctorate. Her long-term goal is to become a community leader who shares science-based knowledge that helps people live healthier, happier lives.<\/p>\n

Her research interests are shaped by a clear understanding of the post-COVID student experience. Many students, she explained, still struggle to find belonging after spending their formative years learning through screens. That\u2019s why she believes mentorship matters now more than ever.<\/p>\n

Through digital platforms like Mentor Collective, Upchurch said students are paired with mentors who share their interests and experiences\u2014giving them someone relatable to guide them through university life. As both a mentor and mentee, she values the opportunity to support others while continuing to learn from those who came before her.<\/p>\n

Preliminary data from her project shows encouraging trends: students who engage in these programs report a stronger sense of belonging and greater academic success. Upchurch said she looks forward to analyzing this year\u2019s outcomes to help strengthen future program offerings.<\/p>\n

She encourages anyone interested\u2014students, faculty, staff, alumni or industry partners\u2014to get involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny person who wants to help a PVAMU student, or any student who wants help, is welcome to stop me and ask how to join,\u201d she said. \u201cOr just say hi. I\u2019m always happy to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

The PVAMU Faculty-RISE Program, led by Vice President for Research and Innovation Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E., empowers students through comprehensive research training, dedicated mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program is designed to prepare the next generation of scientists and innovators to drive transformative discoveries and leadership both at PVAMU and in their future careers.<\/p>\n

By Joe McGinty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PRIAIRE VIEW, Texas (December 16, 2025) — Prairie View A&M University junior Laura Upchurch, a Human Nutrition and Food major, has discovered a deeper sense of purpose through her experience in the RISE Program. Mentored by Jacklyn Sanders, Ph.D., Upchurch is studying how mentorship shapes student engagement and retention within the College of Agriculture, Food, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2094,"featured_media":34518,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,1726,1316,1960,4809,4916,4915,1628,1961,68,69,1235,63,1598,1,1435],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[3103,2585,3245,3416,2022,203,86,104,297,265,120,132],"class_list":["post-34517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-archive-for-undergraduate-research","category-communication-spotlight","category-department","category-graduate-student-research","category-iceed","category-innovation","category-marketing-cta","category-marketing-main-slider","category-research-briefs","category-research-funding-news","category-research-highlights","category-research-main-slider","category-research-news","category-uncategorized","category-undergraduate-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34517","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2094"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34517"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34517\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34517"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=34517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":34548,"date":"2025-12-11T11:49:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T17:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/?p=34548"},"modified":"2025-12-11T11:49:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T17:49:31","slug":"fueling-innovation-am-system-introduces-research-excellence-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvamu.edu\/research\/post\/fueling-innovation-am-system-introduces-research-excellence-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"Fueling Innovation: A&M System Introduces Research Excellence Fund"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRAIRIE VIEW<\/strong>, Texas (December 11, 2025) \u2014 The Texas A&M University System is proposing the launch of a Research Excellence Fund (REF)<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0designed to strengthen research capacity, competitiveness, and impact across all member institutions\u2014including Prairie View A&M University.<\/p>\n

The REF will support strategic, high-value initiatives that advance discovery, fuel innovation, expand workforce development, and bolster national competitiveness.<\/p>\n

This merit-based program will prioritize:<\/p>\n