Distinguished former students earn Outstanding Alumni Awards

The Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will honor seven former students at the Outstanding Alumni Awards ceremony on May 2 at the Shirley and Joe Swinbank ’74 AgriLife Center in College Station.

The awards recognize graduates who have distinguished themselves through outstanding leadership and career and service impacts.

The Outstanding Early Career Alumni Awards recognize former students who have graduated within the last 15 years and made exceptional contributions in their career, public service and volunteer activities. The 2025 award recipients were Kalyn Carroll ’12 ’14; Kristen Hicks-Roof ’17, Ph.D.; and Mary-Kate Walters ’17, O.D. A 2024 Outstanding Early Career Alumni award was also presented to Myriah Johnson ’11 ’16, Ph.D.

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes graduates whose leadership, integrity and character have advanced agriculture, natural resources, life sciences or related areas. This year, the award honored James “Jimmy” Dodson ’74; Venkatesh “Gary” Krishnan ’94, Ph.D.; and Jim Williams ’76.

“These awards are among the highest honors given by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. “They represent our pride in the success of these former students and our gratitude for the positive impacts of their accomplishments and service.”

Outstanding Alumni Award

James “Jimmy” Dodson ’74  

Dodson is a distinguished agricultural leader, farmer and advocate, recognized for his integrity, service and impact on U.S. agriculture. Graduating summa cum laude from the Department of Agricultural Economics in 1974, he was inducted into the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry in 2008. He operates a 15,000-acre farm in Nueces and San Patricio counties, producing cotton, sorghum and corn. Widely respected as an innovative farmer dedicated to sustainability and technology adoption, he is a supporter of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and serves as a representative farm for Texas A&M’s Agricultural and Food Policy Center. Dodson has held key roles with the National Cotton Council and earned the Henry S. Baker Award for extraordinary service. He also has helped shape national agricultural lending policies as chair of the Farm Credit Bank of Texas and a member of the Federal Farm Credit Bank’s Funding Corporation Board. Additionally, he continues to support Texas A&M through resources and mentorship. 

Venkatesh “Gary” Krishnan ’94 

Krishnan is a renowned scientist and leader in the global pharmaceutical industry, acclaimed for his contributions to translational sciences and drug development. His work has significantly advanced treatments in immunology, musculoskeletal diseases and infectious diseases. Krishnan earned his doctorate from the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M. He joined Eli Lilly in 1998, where he led the Bone and Inflammation group before being promoted to chief scientific officer for Aging, Musculoskeletal and Urology. In 2016, he became global lead for External Innovation in Diabetes and Immunology, where he played a key role in developing Baricitinib, a treatment for severe rheumatoid arthritis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led efforts to reposition Baricitinib as a treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In 2019, he was appointed Vice President and Global Head of Translational Sciences and Immunology at Eli Lilly. Krishnan also advises Texas A&M’s Professional Program in Biotechnology.

Jim Williams ’76 

Williams, owner of V8 Ranch, is known for his leadership and innovation in the beef cattle industry and breeding of Brahman and Shorthorn cattle. V8 Ranch has marketed cattle to 50 countries across six continents and produced a record 66 national and international Grand Champions. Williams pioneered cutting-edge reproductive technologies, genomic-enhanced DNA prediction and performance data analysis to improve beef cattle genetics. He has earned the Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the Year award and has been inducted into the American Brahman Breeders Association Hall of Fame and the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Gallery. He has served as president of multiple breed associations and contributed nationally through leadership roles in the Texas Beef Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and U.S. Meat Export Federation. His commitment to Texas A&M includes mentorship, scholarship endowments and support for the 44 Farms-Texas A&M International Beef Cattle Academy. Williams graduated from the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M in 1976.

Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award 

Kalyn Carroll ’12 ’14 

Carroll has made tremendous impacts in agricultural economics, finance and accounting. A dedicated College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate, she earned her bachelor’s in agricultural economics in 2012 and master’s in accounting in 2014. Her passion for education began as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Today, she continues to inspire through guest lectures and one-on-one mentorship, earning praise from students and colleagues for her ability to educate and support their career growth. In her professional career, Carroll is a leader in accounting and financial planning. As a key professional at ATKG, a boutique accounting firm, she became a trusted adviser to a diverse range of agricultural businesses. She helps clients with tax strategy, estate transitions, business planning and financial sustainability, optimizing revenue and navigating regulations. She generously gives back to the College by mentoring students, participating in career fairs and supporting scholarships.

Kristen Hicks-Roof ’17 

Hicks-Roof is a respected nutrition scientist with commendable research, instruction and industry leadership. She earned her master’s in nutrition and dietetics training from Texas A&M Kingsville before completing her doctorate from the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M in 2017. Her rapid rise in the field led her to become the director of human nutrition for the Pork Board in 2024. Her career includes roles as a clinical dietitian, educator and researcher known for her ability to produce high-impact research and translate it into real-world applications. She played a key role in developing the World of Flavor wheel, which showcases the synergy between pork and plant-based ingredients in global cuisines. She has supported research on pork’s nutritional benefits and sponsored programs like the Texas A&M Nutrition and Dietetic Career Workshop. A sought-after speaker, she has spoken to diverse audiences, from the National Academy of Sciences and the American Heart Association to high school and college students.

Mary-Kate Walters ’17 

Walters, who earned her bachelor’s degree at the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, personifies innovation, service and leadership. As CEO of VIEW Optometry, clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry and clinic director of the Northside Eye Care Center, she is advancing the future of vision care. After earning her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2020 from the Southern College of Optometry, she completed an ocular disease residency and joined the University of Houston faculty. She later founded VIEW Optometry, an innovative organization helping independent practices reduce reliance on traditional vision plans. She serves on the Texas Optometric Association Board of Trustees and the Texas Diabetes Council, among other organizations. She is committed to Texas A&M, serving as a guest speaker and helping recruit future Aggies. Walters has earned Vision Monday’s 30 Under 30 as an “Industry Disruptor” recognition, Gamma Phi Beta 40 Under 40 Award and Texas A&M’s 12 Under 12 Award.

Myriah Johnson ’11 ’16 

Johnson earned her award in 2024 but was unable to attend the ceremonies. She launched her career at The Noble Research Institute as a consultant leading industry-wide sustainability efforts and has become a spokesperson for the beef industry’s sustainability message. She now serves as vice president of corporate sustainability for Farm Credit Services of America/Frontier Farm Credit.