Pond's Ponder
Before being quick to respond, "That's Not My Job," think of this little tale by Charles R. Swindoll:
"This is a story about four people named: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done."
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Dr. Hiranuma Named PECASE Recipient | |
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Dr. Naruki Hiranuma, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, has been named as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). This is the highest honor the U.S. government bestows upon scientists and engineers in the beginning stages of their careers.
"Established by President Clinton in 1996, PECASE recognizes scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers. The award recognizes innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology, expands awareness of careers in science and engineering, recognizes the scientific missions of participating agencies, enhances connections between research and impacts on society, and highlights the importance of science and technology for our nation’s future," stated in a White House press release.
Dr. Hiranuma joined the faculty at WTAMU in 2016. He was awarded the Early Career Research Program Award, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2018, and the National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2022. His current research focuses on the aerosol-cloud interactions and the affect of airborne particles on weather, air quality and public health.
On behalf of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, congratulations to Dr. Naruki Hiranuma on this nationally recognized achievement! The award will be conferred at the White House later this year.
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National Western Champion Team | |
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WTAMU's Meat Judging Team secured the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) Meat Judging Contest Championship in Denver for the first time in WTAMU history.
Team Results:
- 1st in Specifications
- 2nd in Reasons
- 2nd in Pork Judging
- 2nd in Beef Judging
- 3rd in Lamb Judging
- 3rd in Placings
Individual Results:
Kale Benton, junior Animal Science major, named 3rd High Individual Overall and 2nd in Beef Grading.
Morgan Thorn, junior Animal Science major, earned High Individual Alternate with a perfect score in Specifications.
Jozie Petit, sophomore Agricultural Media & Communication major, achieved 1st in Reasons with a WTAMU Record Score of 233. She placed 2nd in Pork Judging and Specifications with a perfect score and 3rd in Beef Judging.
Kaslyn Moczygemba, sophomore Agricultural Media & Communication major, won 1st in Specifications with a perfect score and placed 4th in Beef Judging.
Spencer Walahoski, sophomore Animal Science major, placed 5th in Specifications and Placings.
Sterling Berry, sophomore Animal Science major, secured 11th High Individual Alternate.
Ryan Stricker, sophomore Animal Science major, and Ellie Swain, sophomore Animal Science major, made a perfect scores in Specifications.
Other team members include Cooper Coffelt, junior Animal Science major; Lyndsey Pancost, sophomore Agricultural Education major; and Maddie Brittan, sophomore Animal Science major.
The team is coached by Megan Eckhardt, Animal Science doctoral student; Shelton Luedke, Animal Science graduate student; Ryan Heidschmidt, Animal Science graduate student; and Dr. Loni Lucherk, Assistant Professor of Animal Science and Gordon W. Davis Endowed Chair in Meat Judging.
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The inaugural WTAMU Wool Judging Team placed 3rd High Team Overall at their first contest of the year in Laramie, Wyo.
Kade Lawrence, sophomore Animal Science major, earned 5th overall, out of 68 individuals.
Addy Folmar, sophomore Agricultural Media & Communication major, achieved 7th overall.
Mila Thompson, sophomore Animal Science major, rounded out the top 10 as 10th overall.
Other members include Lainie Reiter, sophomore Animal Science major; Keni Drennan, sophomore Animal Science major; Amy Scriffiny, freshman Agricultural Media & Communication major; Emma Stevenson, sophomore Agricultural Business & Economics major; Kimber Preece, sophomore Animal Science major; Audrey Rangel, senior Animal Science major; Cayden Hodnett, sophomore Agricultural Education major; Avel Zermeno, freshman Animal Science major; Levi Gates, sophomore Agriculture major; Madelyn Schickedan, freshman Animal Science major; Cayden Beatty, freshman Animal Science major; Kenzie Rodriguez, freshman Animal Science major; and Matthew Hemmer, freshman Animal Science major.
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Following their success in Laramie, the team competed at the NWSS, and brought home the National Western Champion Wool Judging Team title. This is the first time WTAMU was represented at the NWSS wool judging contest.
Team Results:
- 1st place Overall
- 1st place in Grading
- 1st place in Placings
Individual Results:
Lainie Reiter won High Individual Overall after a 1st place win in Grading Rail, a 4th in Placing and a 10th in Hand Spinning.
Kimber Preece earned 3rd High Individual Overall, with a 3rd place in Grading Rail and a 5th in Placing.
Amy Scriffany achieved 7th High Individual Overall, a 3rd in Placing and a 4th in Reasons.
Maddie Schickedanz was the 4th High Alternate Overall after placing 2nd in Value Class.
Matthew Hemmer accomplished 5th High Alternate Overall.
Following him, Levi Gates placed 6th High Alternate Overall with a 4th place in Value Class.
Keni Drennan rounded out top eight in High Alternate Overall.
Avel Zermeno placed 2nd in Grading Rail and Mila Thompson placed 9th in Hand Spinning.
The team is coached by Bailey Lamb, an Animal Science graduate student.
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Cole Phillips, M.S. Interdisciplinary Studies student, and Kyryl Shtefiienko, senior Physics major, recently visited the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Fla. from Jan. 13-20. During the visit, they studied the behavior of quantum materials at low temperatures and under high magnetic fields. This project was supported by the WTAMU Killgore Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research Grants.
Phillips and Shtefiienko recently published their research in the American Physical Society Physical Review B on Jan. 8.
"This is a tremendous achievement for students, as publishing in a high-profile journal significantly enhances their prospects of being accepted into a competitive graduate program," wrote Dr. Keshav Shrestha, Assistant Professor of Physics, about Phillips and Shtefiienko's success.
The researchers examined the electronic structure of the material YbTi3Bi4 using high-field torque magnetometry. They observed specific oscillations in the torque signal, indicating a nearly 2D electronic structure. These findings were confirmed by rotating the sample and noting a frequency dependence. Computer simulations revealed features like Dirac points and flat bands near the Fermi level, and the theoretical results matched the experimental data. Overall, this research provides key insights into the electronic properties of YbTi3Bi4 and similar materials.
Dr. Shrestha assisted in the published research.
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The Texas A&M University NSF Summer Undergraduate Research in Genetics and Genomics (SURGe) Program is a 10-week intensive research experience under the mentorship of one of A&M's Faculty of Genetics members that includes a 3-credit hour Bioinformatics class. The free online application will be open from December 17th, 2024, until February 1st, 2025.
** Tentative program dates: starts on Tuesday, May 27th and ends on Friday, August 1st, 2025 **
The introductory Bioinformatics class provides training in modern bioinformatics tools via command-line used in genetics and genomics. The credits are transferable to their home institution. Additionally, students will have weekly meetings to explore research and career opportunities in genetics and genomics, discuss research ethics, how to apply to graduate school, and learn practical oral and written presentation skills.
Financial support:
· $7,000 stipend
· Living expenses (room and board) on campus
· Travel expenses
· Tuition/fees for 3-credit hours
Eligibility: The program is open to undergraduate students majoring in genetics, genomics, biology, or any life science. Preference will be given to candidates who have finished their third year and have already taken a genetics course. However, outstanding students who have completed their second year of college work will also be considered. This program is committed to providing research opportunities for students from underserved groups in the sciences. Preference is given to US citizens and permanent residents. Students whose expected graduation date is before Fall 2025 will not be eligible.
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Applications are now open for a summer research experience through the University of Illinois Urbana-Campain's Center for Digital Agriculture.
WTAMU Buffs enrolled in one of the following degree programs, either part-time or full-time, are encouraged to apply: Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Animal Science, Agricultural Economics and Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and other related majors.
This is a 10-week paid opportunity ($7,000 stipend, ~ $700/week). Housing arrangements and travel expenses will be covered. The program extends from May 27 to Aug. 1, 2025.
The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2025. For more information, please contact Dr. Guillermo Marcillo.
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#ICYMI
In Case You Missed It
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