At A Glance

Summer Intern to Ph.D. Candidate

Research Workers in Animal Diseases

Clean Drinking Water with Limited Access

International Livestock Congress Keynote Speaker

Rebuilding Natural Recovery Structures

Where in the World is Willow Kate?!

Developing and Readying Underrepresented Minority Researchers:

(DRUMR) Intern to Ph.D. Candidate

Ilse Paredes Mares, Sr. Biochemistry,

is a first-generation college student from Mexico,

and was a recipient of the Developing and Readying Underrepresented Minority Researchers (DRUMR)

2023 summer internship,

where she worked on a project entitled

"Impairment of Lymphatic Vessel Structure

and Function are Associated

with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy."


After completing this internship, DRUMR encouraged Ilse to apply directly to their Ph.D. program in Medical Sciences. Ilse will be graduating with her B.S. in Biochemistry in May 2024 and is set to start in the Ph.D. Medical School program in the fall of 2024!


"It’s been a joy to have Ilse in my lab,

and I couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments,"

said Dr. Donna Byers, Associate Professor of Biology.

104th Conference of

Research Workers in Animal Diseases

A group of undergraduate students, vet students, VERO graduate students from WT

and TAMU, post-docs, and faculty recently traveled to Chicago, IL to present 18 presentations

at the 104th Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD).


Dr. Paul Morley, Professor, Director of Food Animal Research and Sally Rau McIntosh Endowed Chair (VLCS – VERO) Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences,

was a keynote speaker on "Does vaccination prevent antimicrobial resistance?"

The group brought home six different awards - Daniel Young, Ph.D. Agriculture,

was awarded three out of the six!

Learn More about CRWAD!

Clean Drinking Water, Global Warming,

and Arctic Amplification.. Oh, my!

Oluwaseyi (Victor) Sanusi, M.S. Environmental Science,

has a passion for bringing clean drinking water to people with limited access.


"Victor is a motivated and focused individual, who has approximately 10 years of industry experience

and diverse interests in environmental science at large,"

says Dr. Naruki Hiranuma, Associate Professor of Environmental Science.

"To let him find what fits him the best (field, lab, or simulation),

the program will support providing him with opportunities to experience all."


"Victor has also been conducting water quality research at Lake Meredith with Dr. Erik Crosman, Assistant Department Head and Assistant Professor of Environmental Science.

He is learning valuable hands-on experience in his courses on water sampling techniques

and learning to apply them in real-world situations.

Much of the world does not have access to clean water and clean air,

and Victor’s passion to help improve that situation is something to admire."


He is currently in Svalbard, Norway, helping an international research team investigate global warming and Arctic amplification with another WT student, Ava Sealy, Jr. Environmental Science.

International Livestock Congress Keynote Speaker

Dr. Bridget Guerrero, Associate Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics,

was a keynote speaker at the

2024 International Livestock Congress: Adapting Livestock and Meat Production for the Future

on February 28, 2024.

Her presentation titled “Water Availability and Policy Concerning Crop, Livestock, and Meat Production”

generated lively discussion among approximately 250 attendees.

Also representing WT were (left to right):

Koelle Brandenberger, B.S. Agricultural Business and Economics '23,

and current intern for the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association,

Dr. Kevin Pond, Dean and International Stockman's Educational Foundation (ISEF) Board Member,

Dr. Bridget Guerrero, and Brooke Parish, B.S. Equine Industry and Business '19,

2024 ISEF Student Fellow.

Environmental Science Society:

Rebuilding Natural Recovery Structures

The Environmental Science Society, led by Dr. Erik Crosman, Assistant Department Head

and Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, volunteered with Wildcat Bluff and Ogallala Life.

Ogallala Life is working out at the Wildcat Bluff area to build natural structures from brush,

logs, and other natural sources in the area. The barriers are meant to help recover the creek bed flow and slow erosion from wash out during storms.

 

Student volunteers included Israel Tarango, Sr. Environmental Science,

Shwe Yi, Sr. Environmental Science, Dayton Varnado, Jr. Environmental Science,

Seth Parker, So. Environmental Science, Joshlyn Perez, B.S. Wildlife Biology '23,

Maddie Wright, So. Environmental Science, Charles Jenkins, So. Wildlife Biology,

Kaitlyn Mitchell, Jr. Environmental Science, and Heather Ogle, Sr. Environmental Science.

Where in the World is Willow Kate?!

Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer, Dr. Russell and Natrelle Long Professor

and Director of the Companion Animal Program,

and Willow Kate, AKC Labrador Retriever, are a registered therapy dog team

through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).

Willow Kate and Dr. Newcomer were invited to a therapy dog play session with a little girl who was staying with her family

at the Ronald McDonald House in Amarillo.

It was a fun afternoon as Willow Kate was greeted at the door by a sweet child who was just up from her nap and “looking for her dog!”  

It is unclear who was more delighted with this play session, Willow Kate or the young animal lover! The child’s family also benefitted from Willow Kate kisses, as well as the staff of the Ronald McDonald House.


Willow Kate and the child spent time exploring the backyard of the facility, enjoying the playground, and of course sharing treats.

“Doing therapy dog work allows me opportunities to engage in the community, encourage those in need through the power of the human-animal bond, and also share about the Companion Animal Program at WT,”

said Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer.

Haley Matlack, daughter of Dr. Ray Matlack, James A. "Buddy" Davidson Professor of Wildlife Biology and Professor of Biology, is the Family Support Coordinator at the Ronald McDonald House. 

She said that based on the success of this visit,

Willow Kate and Dr. Newcomer will definitely be invited back in the future!

A Moment with Mrs. Bachman

Pond's Ponder

"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year."

-Mark Twain

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The WT Agriculture Development Association provides support for the Agricultural Department faculty, staff and students. Membership is open to all alumni, ex-students and supporters of the Department of Agricultural Sciences.

Ag Development Association

The WT Alumni Association provides support for the Natural Sciences faculty, staff and students. Membership is open to all alumni, ex-students

and supporters of the Departments of

Chemistry and Physics and Life, Earth,

and Environmental Sciences.

Natural Science Alumni

To Contact:

806-651-2585

buffbrief@wtamu.edu