Dear Colleagues,

This week, Jack Baldauf updates the College on recent research initiatives, including a successful start to future alliances with two Brazilian universities, and ongoing projects involving GERG, Sea Grant and cross-university collaborations.

Kate Miller 

Recent research highlights include both international and domestic activities. The Brazil-Texas A&M University Science and Education Internationalization conference and workshop was held in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, March 26-29. These meetings brought 23 colleagues and students from the colleges of Geosciences and Agriculture and Life Sciences together with their counterparts from the Universidade Federal De Pernambuco and the University Sao Paulo to discuss potential research and academic collaborations. A total of 91 presentations (33 oral and 58 posters) composed the scientific program during the day-and-a-half conference. Discussions highlighted significant areas of common interest on which to build future collaborations. Most notable themes were ocean modeling, climate variability, biogeochemical cycling, reef communities and reef conservation, fisheries, sedimentary processes, coastal geomorphology, pollution, resource exploration, technology, biodiversity, and hydrology. A workshop following the conference focused on building collaborations based on the strengths of each institution. Thirteen concept papers were grouped into four themes: coastal and near-shore processes, climate and ocean, ecosystems, and academics.

Conference participants from Texas A&M and two universities in Brazil meet to identify common research and educational exchange opportunities.

Other international efforts include developing a Texas A&M and Brazil research agreement similar to that with CONACYT in Mexico and finalizing the MOA renewal with Ecuador for research and academic collaboration.

Numerous domestic activities continue. Several significant efforts include: (1) finalizing the GERG strategy with members of the Office for Vice President of Research to determine the way forward, (2) strengthening collaborations with Texas A&M Galveston and Texas A&M Corpus Christi by establishing quarterly conference calls and an annual meeting among administrators, (3) completing the first phase in efforts to work with industry to support high-power computational capacity within the college, (4) relocating Sea Grant to campus, (5) ensuring college compliance with commencement of a college-wide risk assessment and implementation of center reviews, (6) exploring possible intellectual property opportunities within college divisions (specifically G&G and GERG), and (7) exploring collaborations with Petroleum Engineering, Coastal Engineering, and Offshore Engineering.

Regards,

Jack Baldauf

Executive Associate Dean and Associate Dean for Research  

Dr. Renyi Zhang

Dr. Renyi Zhang

BERG-HUGHES SPONSORS THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Student researchers are the headliners at this year's Berg-Hughes Center Research Conference, April 12, at Pebble Creek Country Club. The conference, Graduate Student Research Accomplishments in Sedimentary and Petroleum Systems in Recognition of Dr. William Bryant, will feature the research of 23 students grouped under six themes. 

The conference is a dialogue between the academic community and industry, explains Dr. Ernest Mancini, director of the Berg-Hughes Center. "We will learn about the major research programs in sedimentary and petroleum systems from the faculty and graduate students and, in turn, hear from petroleum industry about opportunities and challenges in these same systems."  

The conference also honors Dr. William Bryant (OCNG) for his outstanding teaching, research and service record of many years at Texas A&M University and for his significant contributions to furthering the understanding of the marine geology and geophysics of the Gulf of Mexico.  

UNIVERSITY STAFF COUNCIL UPDATES

Debz DeFreitas (GERG), Geosciences representative to the University Staff Council (USC), notes that terms for 14 USC members, including her position, end Aug. 31. Details for those interested in running for the position will be provided at a later date. 

The USC represents the interests of and the issues impacting both classified and non-classified staff employees at Texas A&M. The council meets on the third Tuesday of each month, and all staff are welcome to attend. Details for upcoming meetings can be found here. 

For the April meeting, Les Williams, associate director for energy and utilities management, will present the Energy Action Plan 2015, 1:30 p.m., April 17, in 101 GSC.

Chancellor Sharp was the featured speaker at the USC Spring Forum, March 21. Chancellor Sharp addressed the recent RFPs issued outsourcing some university services. He also shared his vision of the role that staff play in the success of the Texas A&M University System. The presentation is available on MediaMatrix.

Texas A&M and the Association of Former Students offer staff scholarships to qualified individuals. Applications will be accepted until May 31 and are available here.

TEXAS SEA GRANT SURVEYS TEXANS

The Texas Sea Grant College Program is asking Texans to help it chart its course in the areas of coastal and marine research, outreach and education by participating in an online survey. As a "thank you," five people who complete the survey will be chosen at random to win $100 gift cards. The program that bills itself as "Science at Work for Texans" is currently developing its strategic plan for 2014-17. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and gauges participants' interest in issues concerning coastal community growth and development, jobs and the economy, coastal and marine education, and coastal health, safety and beauty. Individuals interested in voicing their opinions can find a link to the survey on Texas Sea Grant's homepage. All responses are anonymous.