Science Influencers Team

Dr. Jing Chen is an assistant professor in the department of Kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Chen’s research focuses on the exercise effect on enhancing procedural memory and non-invasive brain stimulation on enhancing procedural memory. Chen teaches courses on the foundations of kinesiology, motor development, kinesiology and biomechanics and exercise testing.

Dr. Steven Chumbley is an associate professor in the department of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. His research focuses around STEM integration and leadership development within agricultural science. Currently, he is working on several grant projects, including developing agricultural communications curriculum for underrepresented students in agriculture, training teachers in wildlife and ecology through experiential learning and using augmented reality and live feedback training systems to teach students about metal fabrication.

Dr. Daniel J. Ebbole is a professor in the department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Texas A&M University. Ebbole’s research focuses on understanding the functions of pathogen effectors and their host targets. Currently, his laboratory is identifying and characterizing a gene family of putative effectors from Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast fungus) and defining interactions with monocot hosts. He teaches courses in microbial processes in bioremediation, pathogen strategies in plant disease and leads a study abroad course in China.

Dr. Andrea Ettekal is an assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Ettekal’s research focuses on positive youth development (PYD) through out-of-school time programs. Some current projects include character development (e.g., empathy, gratitude) through service/volunteering among college students, character development (e.g., respect, fairness) through sport and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on leisure activities during late adolescence/early adulthood.

Dr. Jamie Foster is a professor at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Corpus Christi. Foster’s research is focused on systems with the goal of enhancing resource use efficiency. Resource use efficiency can be improved through management, including integrating legumes or agricultural co-products into animal, food, and fiber systems. Currently, her laboratory is working with a transdisciplinary team of agronomists, geospatial and data scientists, and engineers to solve grassland management problems with remote sensors.

Dr. Steve Hague is a professor in the department of Soil and Crop Science at Texas A&M University. Hague’s research focuses on cotton breeding and creating cotton cultivars and germplasm with high-yield potential, excellent water efficiency, and resistance to insects and pests endemic to Texas. He teaches courses at Texas A&M University in Plant Breeding and Genetics and Hemp Production and Utilization.

Dr. Kevin Ong is a professor in the department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Texas A&M University. Ong is also the director of the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. This laboratory provides diagnostic services to AgriLife Extension personnel, homeowners, farmers, greenhouse and nursery producers, consultants and others who need accurate identification of plant diseases. His current research interests include development and validation of existing and new plant disease diagnostic methodologies, including molecular diagnostics.

Mallory Pfeifer is a communications specialist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Pfeifer is responsible for promoting the agency’s testing services and their staff. She develops written and digital materials to advertise TVMDL’s service capabilities and educates clients on tests and diseases. She is currently working on communications that promotes the agency’s response to a recent chronic wasting disease (CWD) outbreak in captive white-tailed deer.

Dr. Ram L. Ray is an associate professor in the department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology at Prairie View A&M University. Ray is also a research scientist at the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center. His research interests include water resources, ecohydrology, hyrdoclimatology and agriculture. Currently, he is working to quantify carbon sequestration potential of sorghum cultivars through field experiments and modeling and developing real-time, site-specific irrigation scheduling tools for crops and urban landscaping in Texas using a mobile web app.

Dr. Patricia Smith is a professor and associate department head in the department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University. Her research agenda includes improving hydrologic models, both physical and stochastic, using the latest techniques including machine learning, scaling of weather data, and uncertainty in measured and modeled data. This work has been applied to improving the Aquatic Life Index scores in Austin, improving rainfall/runoff modelling in Central Texas and improving the calculation of risk associated with bacterial exposure in fresh and estuarine systems.

Brandon Webb is the assistant director of communications in the Office of the Provost at Texas A&M University. His team has recently completed communication projects and promotions for the new Texas A&M University Strategic Plan, launched the Office of Academic Innovation and promoted successes and recognitions of esteemed faculty at Texas A&M University. He has served in various writing and broadcasting communications and leadership positions for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Bryan Broadcasting, the University of Texas at Dallas, Blinn College and Bryan ISD.

Michelle Yeoman is a lecturer in the department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences at Texas A&M University and pursuing her Ph.D. in Anthropology at Texas A&M University. Yeoman teaches undergraduate courses focused in writing and science journalism. She also leads a study abroad program that focuses on veterinary medicine in Thailand. Her research focuses on using narratives, medical melodramas, and social media to explore the sociocultural construction of professional identity in medical settings–and how these identities are culturally mediated through gender, power, and privilege.

John Chivvis (BA, MA Speech Communications, Texas A&M) is a Virtual Engagement Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife and an Assistant Lecturer for the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. Building on a 30-year career in marketing, branding, communications and education, John is passionate about learning, technology and the power of communication across traditional and new media. You will typically find him planning, producing or livestreaming events and seminars or teaching and training students, faculty and staff on topics ranging from hybrid event engagement to podcasting.

Whit Weems is the director of Organization at Texas Farm Bureau and is responsible for the young farmer and rancher, leadership development, educational outreach, youth outreach and urban outreach departments.  Under his leadership, the division has expanded content, promotion, and efforts to reach agricultural and urban audiences. Weems began his professional career as a county AgriLife Extension agent and later went on to serve as an assistant professor in the Agricultural and Consumer Sciences department at Tarleton State University. He received a bachelor of science in Agricultural Services and Development, a master of science in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State University and a doctorate of education in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.

Vandana Suresh has a diverse academic background, from a master’s in astronomy to a PhD in neuroscience. She is also trained in science writing and is currently the senior science writer at the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. In her current role, Vandana leverages her academic training to write science-based articles on topics that include 3D printing, smart technology, self-healing materials and novel genetic engineering tools. She is also passionate about science outreach and mentoring students interested in a science journalism career.

Blair Fannin works for Texas A&M AgriLife in executive and internal communications as part of Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications. He has been with the Texas A&M University System for more than two decades and is a Vice Chancellor’s Award recipient. He has served in a variety of roles within Texas A&M AgriLife involving news, media relations and public affairs serving the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research. He has written extensively about agriculture and natural resources programming in agricultural economics, animal science, foreign animal diseases and production agriculture. He has a bachelors of science in journalism from Sam Houston State University.