Advancing computer modeling of agriculture and natural resources
AgriLife Research scientists’ endowments support sustainable benefits to production
Two Texas A&M AgriLife Research endowments at the Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research and Extension Center at Temple will support improvements to computer modeling of agroecosystems and natural resources.
The endowed positions are named to honor a tradition of modeling systems expertise at Temple.
Jaehak Jeong, Ph.D., is an AgriLife Research ecohydrological modeling researcher and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. He is named the Jimmy Williams Natural Resources Modeling Scientist. Jeong has led critical research in urban water management, water resource assessment, rice growth and management, and software development.
Javier Osorio Leyton, Ph.D., is an AgriLife Research rangeland and grassland simulation modeling researcher and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management. Leyton has made important contributions to agroecosystem modeling and machine learning for improved conservation practices, as well as teaching. He is named the Allan Jones Agroecosystem Modeling Scientist.
“These two faculty members have demonstrated great ability to advance our strategic priority of leading-edge research and innovation,” said G. Cliff Lamb, director of AgriLife Research. “We’re glad that their contributions can grow through this support and produce sustainable benefits for Texas commodities.”
Building on expertise in modeling systems
“Increasingly sophisticated modeling is integral to overcoming emerging challenges to agricultural production and natural resource stewardship,” said Raghavan “Srini” Srinivasan, center director at Temple. “Supporting expertise in this area keeps AgriLife Research at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological development.”
Srinivasan led the effort to establish the endowed positions. They are the first of their kind established by an off-campus center of Texas A&M AgriLife. The endowments are named for two accomplished career scientists with intimate knowledge of the programs at Temple.
Williams spent 40 years as an employee of Texas A&M AgriLife and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service at the center. Jones served as an emeritus center director at Temple and had more than 35 years of experience with Texas A&M AgriLife.
