A future in fungi and law
Mary Cowser ’25 pairs bioenvironmental science with plans for a future in public policy
When Mary Cowser ’25 stepped through the door of her mold and mushrooms class during her first year in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, she had no idea it would mark the beginning of a transformative college experience — one that would lead her from a plant pathology lab to Washington, D.C., and ultimately, toward a future in law.
Cowser, a senior in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, is studying bioenvironmental sciences, a program she admits she chose on a whim. But that chance decision turned into a passion.
“I really just fell in love with my major,” Cowser said. “I loved all my classes and professors. I’m just so happy where I ended up.”
Raised in Dallas and adopted from Wuhan, China, Cowser came to Texas A&M seeking a broader worldview. What she found was a department and College that not only welcomed her but gave her the tools and encouragement to push beyond her comfort zone — from pipetting fungal spores to drafting policy positions for national stakeholders.
A leap of faith and a lab coat
With the support of faculty in the department who encouraged her to take advantage of every opportunity, Cowser found her first research experience through an on-campus Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates, REEU, program. She joined the fungal biology lab led by Brian Shaw, Ph.D., professor and associate department head for academic affairs for the department,.
In the fungal biology lab, she studied a pathogen that causes stalk rot in corn. Despite accidentally breaking a piece of lab equipment on her first day, she was met with grace, mentorship and patience, which set the tone for her growth in the years to come.
“When I started, I didn’t even know how to use a micropipette,” she said. “But they never made me feel like I didn’t belong. That environment gave me the confidence to keep going.”
Her work in the lab not only led to an award-winning poster and a co-authored publication in Frontiers in Fungal Biology, but also served as a springboard to national research opportunities, including a competitive summer research program at Cornell University. There, she tested fungicide resistance in apple pathogens and saw the real-world implications of her work in agriculture.
Science in service of policy
Cowser’s most impactful experience as a student was her internship at the Fertilizer Institute in Washington, D.C., through the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy, ANRP, Internship Program. Immersed in the world of policy and advocacy, Cowser drafted position statements, analyzed Environmental Protection Agency regulations and met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
During her time at the institute, Cowser was mentored by industry professionals, including Corey Rosenbusch ’01, president and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute and a former student of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. His mentorship, along with the support of her supervisor Reagan Giesenschlag ’21, a former student in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, helped Cowser see how her scientific background could make an impact in policy spaces.
That experience solidified her desire to attend law school and revealed how technical expertise can shape real-world decision-making.
“I realized you can do all this research, but if the law doesn’t align with the science, then it’s not helping anyone,” Cowser said. “That’s where I see myself — using science to make policy work better for people.”
A home for exploration and belonging
Cowser said the support she found in her major was the golden thread of her college experience.
“Bioenvironmental sciences is a home for so many different kinds of students,” she said. “It gives you the flexibility to pursue what you love and the mentorship to help you succeed.”
“I realized you can do all this research, but if the law doesn’t align with the science, then it’s not helping anyone. That’s where I see myself — using science to make policy work better for people.”
Mary Cowser ’25
Bioenvironmental Sciences Student
She believes that encouragement sets Texas A&M apart and is something she didn’t see her friends experience while attending other universities.
“At Texas A&M, the opportunities are right there. If you’re willing to apply and show up, people will help you get where you want to go,” Cowser said.
What began as an uncertain step into a large university became a launching point for a future rooted in scientific understanding, public engagement and a desire to make change. With the foundation built in the department, she isn’t just prepared for law school, she’s prepared to lead.
“Texas A&M gave me everything I didn’t know I needed: a place to grow, mentors who believed in me and the chance to turn curiosity into purpose.”
Turn curiosity into purpose
Discover how studying bioenvironmental sciences at Texas A&M can launch your path, from the lab to law and beyond.
