Awards Archives - Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

East Foundation 3MT Director’s Award

6Sep

The results are in.

The East Foundation’s Board of Directors has made their selection for the winner of the 3MT Director’s Award. A big congratulations to Faith Hardin (“Southern Texas Ecosystem Engineers: How the Golden-fronted Woodpecker can Improve Avian Species Richness”) for winning the 2018 East Foundation 3MT Director’s Award of $3,000. Very…well…done!

The voting was extremely close between the top 2 presentations, and the Directors also wish to acknowledge the runner-up, Jason Lombardi (“Change of Woody Cover Affects Ocelot Recovery in the Rio Grande Delta”), with an award of $1,000.

A big thanks to all the student presenters and faculty advisors who mentored students. Overall, we believe this event was a huge success and we will be looking for ways to enhance it in the future.

Again, congratulations to all the winners Faith Hardin (Director’s), Jason Lombardi (Director’s Runner-up), AnnMarie Blackburn (People’s Choice), and Abe Woodard (Proposal)!

(Originally posted by Tyler A. Campbell)

Winemiller honored by the American Fisheries Society

31Aug

Winemiller honored by the American Fisheries Society

Posted: 31 Aug 2018 06:00 AM PDT

Media contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Kirk Winemiller has received the American Fisheries Society Award of Excellence and was inducted as a Fellow at the society’s 2018 annual meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Dr. Kirk Winemiller, Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist and Regents Professor in the department of wildlife and fisheries sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station, has received the Award of Excellence and was inducted as a Fellow of the American Fisheries Society. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Winemiller is a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist and Regents Professor in the department of wildlife and fisheries sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station.

American Fisheries Society President Steve L. McMullin presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session.

The Award of Excellence is presented to a living person for original and outstanding contributions to fisheries and aquatic biology. It is the Society’s highest award for scientific achievement.

“We applaud the distinguished contributions of Dr. Winemiller and thank him for his continuous efforts to share the value of fisheries and aquatic biology,” McMullin said.

Winemiller’s research activities and interests focus on multiple areas, including ecology, evolution, systematics, biology, fisheries management, and biodiversity conservation. His publications in these fields have led to major advances in fisheries and aquatic ecosystem management.

Winemiller has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles with his most cited papers concerning fish life history. Winemiller’s life-history model predicts how demographic tradeoffs influence fish population responses to environmental variation—particularly to altered flow regimes and harvest levels. He has also advanced the science of fish food-web ecology, fish functional traits and fish density dependence, according to the society.

Winemiller received the George Mercer Award in 1992 from the Ecological Society of America for an outstanding ecological research paper published by a researcher younger than 40 years old.

Winemiller has also been recognized as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Fellow of the Ecological Society of America.

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Texas Master Naturalist program garners Texas Wildlife Society award

13Mar

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Contact: Michelle Haggerty, 830-896-2504, mmhaggerty@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION — The Texas Master Naturalist program was recently honored by the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society with its Outstanding Achievement Award.

The award was presented during the recent Texas chapter’s annual conference for the program’s impacts on the conservation industry throughout the program’s 20-year history, according to a news release distributed by the society.

The program, led by Michelle Haggerty, Texas Master Naturalist program state coordinator at Kerrville, and Mary Pearl Meuth, assistant coordinator, College Station, is designed to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sponsor the program, which is supported by an extensive network of experts from both agencies. Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society stated the program teaches advanced training and also supports the outreach and stewardship projects of its more than 11,000 volunteers.

Dr. Neal Wilkins, past president of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society and current executive director of the East Foundation, presented the award commenting, “The Texas Master Naturalist program has been an unbelievable asset to this state. Volunteers for the program are committed. They are the heart and soul of what really goes on out on the landscape.”

The Texas Master Naturalist program was also honored as it “brings skilled volunteers together and works with communities and organizations across the state to implement youth outreach programs, operate parks, nature centers and natural areas, and provides leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts,” Wilkins said during the presentation, according to the release.

The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society was established in 1965 and represents the state’s interest in involving resource professionals and stimulating involvement by all concerned individuals in science-based conservation practices.

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Texas A&M Chapter of the Wildlife Society BBQ & Annual Department Awards

9Mar

The Texas A&M Chapter of the Wildlife Society BBQ and Annual Department Awards will be held Saturday, April 14th from 6:00-8:00 pm. Presale tickets are only $15 and can be purchased at the WFES building, room 150. Admission will include dinner, drinks, and a chance to win a prize! There will be a photo contest, raffles and a silent auction. See the attached flyer for more information.

We look forward to seeing you there!

2016 Regional Recovery Champions

10Aug

Dr. Lopez with FWS personnel and a curious deer. Photo by USFWS.

Led by Dr. Nova J. Silvy, Regents Professor, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University and Dr. Roel R. Lopez, Director, Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University.

The Texas A&M University Key Deer Team is recognized both for its extraordinary efforts towards recovery of the endangered Key deer, and also its participation in the protective management of the Key deer during the New World screwworm incident. The team contributed to recovery of the Key deer population by providing a greater understanding of the species abundance, population dynamics, and viability. It also was largely responsible for translocation effort that re-established populations on Cudjoe and Sugarloaf Keys. This led to an expansion of the overall population that now includes most of the historical range of the Key deer, adding redundancy and increasing representation throughout the population.

Most recently the Texas A&M University team proved invaluable to the Service during the screwworm incident. The team made it their top priority to provide the Service with the necessary information and guidance needed to respond to the NWS incident. Their dedication and almost 70 years of combined experience have helped bring the Key deer population to its current improved status.

TAMU Key Deer Team, USFWS Partner

Dr. Lacher receives Clinton Award

5May

Dr. Thomas Lacher, Jr., Professor in WFSC, recently was the recipient of a Dr. Kenneth Clinton International Study Abroad Educations Program Award. These are awarded Texas A&M system wide and were presented at a ceremony at Texas A&M-Commerce on April 20^th.

2017 WFSC Departmental Awards Guidelines

27Feb

WFSC Departmental Awards Guidelines

Wildlife and Fisheries Previous Award Winners

Texas A&M AgriLife presents Vice Chancellor Award in Excellence honors

11Jan

Writer: Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872, ka-phillips@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence honors were presented to several statewide faculty and staff of Texas A&M AgriLife during a ceremony Jan. 9 on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.

The awards were given to 14 individuals and three teams with a total of 16 members. Officials said the awards program was established in 1980 to recognize “the commitment and outstanding contributions of faculty and staff across Texas A&M AgriLife.”

“These awards represent the highest level of achievement for our organization and recognize a commitment to excellence and to the land-grant mission of teaching, research, Extension and service. I’m very proud of the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M.

The categories, names of recipients and name of specific award were:

— Teaching

Dr. Merwyn “Mort” Kothmann, professor and associate department head for undergraduate programs, Texas A&M University department of ecosystem science and management, College Station, Teaching; and Amanda N. Bradbery, graduate teaching assistant, Texas A&M department of animal science, College Station, Graduate Student Teaching.

— Research

Dr. Kirk O. Winemiller, Regents Professor, Texas A&M department of wildlife and fisheries sciences, College Station, Research; and William B. Smith. graduate research assistant, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton, Graduate Student Research.

— Extension Education

Scott Strawn, program leader, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service–agriculture and natural resources, Ochiltree County, County Extension Agent; and Dr. Jason J. Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station, Extension Specialist/Program Specialist Serving State or Region.

— Service

Dr. Christopher B. Edgar, forest resource analyst, Texas A&M Forest Service, College Station, Public Service in Forestry; and Sonia Lingsweiler, bacteriology section head, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, Diagnostic Services.

— Special Services

Dr. Thomas B. Hairgrove, AgriLife Extension animal science specialist, College Station.

— Staff

Robert L. Pottberg, administrative services officer and building proctor, department of poultry science, College Station, Business and Operational Staff; Betty L. Cotton, assistant to the biochemistry and biophysics department head, College Station, Office and Administrative Staff; and Carlos Rodriguez, serology laboratory supervisor, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, Technical and Programmatic Staff.

— Diversity

Food Insecure Families in Hall County, AgriLife Extension including Josh Brooks, county Extension agent–agriculture and natural resources, Hall County; Dr. Angela Burkham, state and regional program leader–family and consumer sciences,Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo; Molly Forman, county Extension agent–family and consumer sciences, Briscoe and Hall counties; and Renda Nelson, state program director–Better Living for Texans, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo.

— International Involvement

Dr. Thomas E. Lacher Jr., professor, Texas A&M department of wildlife and fisheries sciences, College Station.

— Administration

Dr. Dan Lineberger, Texas A&M horticultural sciences department head, College Station.

— Collaboration

Green Ambassadors, Texas A&M Forest Service including Dr. Tamberly D. Conway partnerships, diversity and inclusion specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, D.C.; Juan Elizondo and David Salazar, both education, career, and technical educator in agriculture, food and natural resources, The Green Institute at Furr High School, Houston Independent School District; and John Warner, urban district forester, and Nalleli Hidalgo, community outreach, both with Texas A&M Forest Service.

— Team

Texas Superstar Selection Committee including Dr. Mike Arnold, Texas A&M professor and department of horticultural sciences, College Station; Dr. Tim Davis, professor and regional director for Asia, Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, College Station; Lineberger; Dr. Cynthia McKenney, Rockwell Professor and associate chair, Texas Tech University, Lubbock; Dr. Brent Pemberton, Texas A&M Regents Fellow, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton; David Rodriguez, county Extension agent–horticulture, San Antonio; and Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist and associate horticultural sciences department head,Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde.

Original article: http://today.agrilife.org/2017/01/11/texas-agrilife-presents-vice-chancellor-award-excellence-honors/

2016 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Awards

22Sep

Writer: Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872, ka-phillips@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION — Almost 20 faculty, staff and students were recognized for their achievements in the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences during a ceremony Sept. 29 at the AgriLife Center in College Station.

“The faculty and staff honored this year are part of the reason that our students, our research and our service mission is strong and vibrant,” said Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences.

Hussey noted that the college continues to make “great strides in enhancing our reputation as one of the top colleges not just at Texas A&M but in the country.”

“Over the past year, our faculty won more than 128 national awards for research, teaching and service,” he said.

Students also have contributed to numerous successes in the college over the past year, Hussey added.

“The number of undergraduate scholars who participated in research experiences this year rose by 17 percent. More than 30 students represented our college in Washington, D.C. through the internship program and even more of our students are studying abroad each year,” he said. “All of these are experiences that will prepare our students to lead change.”

Dr. William Grant accepting Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching at the College Level

Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Awards for Teaching at the College Level were presented to Dr. William Grant, professor of wildlife and fisheries sciences; Dr. Victoria Salin, associate professor of agricultural economics; and Dr. Heather Wilkinson, professor of plant pathology and microbiology.

Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Diversity – Dr. Miguel Mora

Honored with Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Awards were: Dr. David Peterson, biochemistry and biophysics, for administration; Samuel E. Murdock, plant pathology and microbiology, for advising and student relations; Dr. Miguel A Mora, wildlife and fisheries sciences, for diversity; Dr. Kirk Winemiller, wildlife and fisheries sciences, for international impact; and, Dr. Lori Moore, agriculture leadership, education and communications, for service. Three staff awards for outstanding achievement were given to Robbie Lukeman, animal science; Paula Maldonado, nutrition and food science; and Kenneth B. Stroud, agriculture leadership, education and communications.

Dr. Kirk Winemiller receiving Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award for International Impact

Receiving teaching awards were Dr. Adrienne L. Brundage, entomology, for early career teaching; Dr. Peter Murano, nutrition and food science, for teaching; and Dr. James C. Hu, biochemistry and biophysics, for educational enrichment and innovation.

Research awards were presented to Dr. Juliana Rangel-Posada, entomology, for early career research; and Dr. William Rooney, soil and crop sciences, for research.

Daniel B. Fitzgerald receiving Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Graduate Research

Student awards went to Shelby K. Kilpatrick, entomology, for undergraduate research; Daniel B. Fitzgerald, wildlife and fisheries sciences, for graduate research; and L. Clay Eastwood, animal science, for graduate teaching.

New faculty were presented with a pin version of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Gonfalon

Dr. Jessica Yorzinski

Dr. Jacquelyn Grace