Writer: Blair Fannin, (979) 845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION - Dr. Stephen Fuller’s research in agricultural transportation has received international acclaim, and he’s also highly regarded for his work in the classroom. In recognizing his distinguished record of service and professional contributions, the Texas A&M University Board of Regents recently named Fuller a Regents Professor.
Dr. Stephen Fuller's research in agricultural transportation has received international acclaim, and he's also highly regarded for his work in the classroom. In recognizing his distinguished record of service and professional contributions, the Texas A&M University Board of Regents recently named Fuller a Regents Professor.
Fuller, a professor of agricultural economics, has held appointments with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Texas A&M University since August 1974. His research focuses on transportation, marketing and international trade issues. He also teaches undergraduate courses in price analysis, futures and options.
The impact of Fuller’s work is well-known, said Dr. Gene Nelson, head of the department of agricultural economics at Texas A&M.
“Dr. Fuller has a distinguished record of service in teaching and research focusing on transportation issues important to agriculture,” Nelson said. “His work in this area is internationally known and acclaimed.”
Regents Professors hold that designation for the duration of their Texas A&M System service. They receive a stipend of $9,000 over three years and a medallion.
Texas agricultural producers and agribusinesses have benefitted directly from Fuller’s extensive research. His research has shown if Texas’ motor carrier industry were deregulated, the state’s agricultural shippers would benefit from better service and lower rates from motor carriers.
His counsel to Texas legislative committees and state Transportation Task Force was central to passing deregulation legislation. That led to lower motor carrier rates and increased prices received by Texas producers, making the state more competitive in domestic and international markets.
Fuller’s research into horticultural products and their competition provided important insight to the Texas Agriculture Commissioner’s Committee on NAFTA, and for Texas and U.S. producers.
Fresh vegetable production in the United States had been identified as the most vulnerable to Mexican imports during NAFTA negotiations. There was concern that the winter vegetable industry in the U.S. and Texas would suffer serious economic loss if protective tariffs were removed.
Analysis by Fuller and colleagues showed Texas vegetable producers would be unfavorably impacted, but the effect would not be devastating. Research results indicated Mexico’s share of the spring onion market would modestly increase, but other factors such as peso devaluation and differential growth rates of income and wage rates in the United States and Mexico were more important than tariff removal.
Fuller is a member of the Texas Agricultural Market Research Center, a team that researches marketing issues important to domestic and international agriculture.
He has also served on the editorial review board for the Journal of Transportation Research Forum and Agribusiness: An International Journal, as well as chair of several graduate student committees. Fuller has taught undergraduate courses in agricultural marketing, price analysis and marketing problems, and graduate courses in transportation economics and industrial organization.
-30-
