Texas A&M faculty, students recognized at international meeting in Phoenix
Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, [email protected]
COLLEGE STATION – Individuals from Texas A&M University are being recognized during the “Resilience Emerging from Scarcity and Abundance” international annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America.
The annual meeting of the three societies will be Nov. 6-9 in Phoenix, Arizona, with more than 4,000 attendees expected. The annual awards are presented for outstanding contributions to agronomy through education, national and international service, and research.
“It reflects the stature of our department nationally to have so many Texas A&M AgriLife scientists honored with these prestigious awards,” said Dr. David Baltensperger, soil and crop sciences department head in College Station.
Dr. David Stelly will be recognized as a Crop Science Society of America Fellow. He is a professor of cytogenetics, genetics, genomics and plant breeding in the soil and crop sciences department with a joint appointment to Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M in College Station.
Stelly graduated with a bachelor’s from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s in plant breeding and cytogenetics from Iowa State University, and doctorate in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin.
The award citation stated he is internationally recognized for cotton cytogenetics, cytogenomics, reproductive cytology, genetics, applied genomics and wide-cross breeding research.
He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles, and has held leadership positions in domestic and international organizations that increased the vivaciousness of plant breeding research and education, and ushered forth quantum leaps in cotton genomics.
Stelly is active in Crop Science Society of America, International Cotton Genome Initiative, National Association of Plant Breeders, and a member of others. He served as a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee that recently published a review on genetically engineered crops.
Dr. Jane Dever, an AgriLife Research cotton geneticist in Lubbock, was named as an American Society of Agronomy Fellow.
According to the award recognition, Dever, as the Cotton Improvement Program project leader in Lubbock, is a recognized expert on seed and germplasm issues. Her research focus includes developing new and differentiated germplasm with enabling technology, and screening exotic germplasm collections for native traits to be used in breeding cotton.
She has co-developed over 30 cultivars and 32 germplasm lines, mentored graduate students and visiting scientists, and authored 26 peer-reviewed and 118 professional publications.
Dever is a recipient of two Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence, the Cotton Genetics Research Award, organic cotton Golden Hoe Award and Blue Legacy Award in Agriculture.
She earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate all from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, with concentrations in textile technology and management, crop science and agronomy, respectively. She has been with AgriLife Research since 2008, working previously with Bayer CropScience.
Dr. Steve Hague, associate professor of cotton genetics and breeding in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Cotton Improvement Lab in College Station, will be receiving the Crop Science Teaching Award from Crop Science Society of America.
Hague earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce, a master’s degree from Texas Tech University and a doctorate from Texas A&M University. He was a cotton and soybean agronomist at the Louisiana State University AgCenter, and a transgenic cotton breeder for Bayer CropScience before joining Texas A&M University in 2006.
Hague’s award recognition states that through his teaching appointment, he teaches conventional undergraduate courses – plant breeding and genetics, and international cropping systems.
He has trained a dozen graduate students and led several high-impact learning experiences for undergraduate students such as study abroad programs to Mexico and Australia, internships, undergraduate research and crops judging.
He has been an invited speaker at national and international teaching conferences, and served and chaired on multiple ASA and CSSA educational committees as well as committees for his department and university.
Dr. Sam Feagley, AgriLife Extension state soil and environmental specialist in College Station, was presented the Agronomic Resident Education Award.
Feagley earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M and his doctorate from the University of Missouri. He has received the Irrometer Award and is an Agronomy Fellow. He has received numerous teaching awards from Louisiana State University and Texas A&M.
Feagley is known nationally and internationally for his research in nutrient management
from organic and inorganic nutrient applications, land reclamation of surface-mined lands, saline/sodic soil remediation and revision of the Texas Phosphorus Index, according to the award documentation. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications.
During his career, he has garnered over $3.7 million in grant funding; chaired five doctoral students, 11 master in science and three master in agriculture students; served on 24 doctoral, 26 master in science and three master in agriculture committees, and taught over 2,400 students through seven undergraduate courses and three graduate courses since 1979. Additionally, he has taught over 14,300 people through Extension programs since 1994.
William Peebles, a senior plant and environmental soil science major at Texas A&M, is being recognized by the Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute through the Agronomic Science Foundation.
This scholars program matches undergraduates with scientist mentors. The program encourages students to pursue careers in the agronomic, crop and soil sciences. It is supported by the Golden Opportunity Fund through the Agronomic Science Foundation.
Peebles works at the Texas A&M Cotton Improvement Lab, where he assists with cotton breeding efforts and conducts undergraduate research, and is the merchandise coordinator for the Texas A&M Agronomy Club.
Following completion of his bachelor’s degree, Peebles plans to pursue a master’s degree in plant breeding, according to his award information. He hopes to be a plant breeder one day for a university or a non-profit organization with the goal of improving food security.
