DOR Newsletter
Key Updates and Highlights from Across the Division of Research
Message from the Interim Vice President for Research
Dr. Costas N. Georghiades
Interim Vice President for Research
Colleagues,
As we wrap up a productive 2025, I want to thank each of you for the contributions you make every day to support and strengthen the Texas A&M research enterprise.
This year, we hosted the inaugural Texas Quantum Summit; launched the new Frontiers in Research Summits initiative to support future events that will keep Texas A&M at the forefront of cutting-edge research; navigated new federal regulations and an evolving research landscape at both the state and national levels; appointed a new director for our Sea Grant program; and continued to support our faculty researchers through a wide range of internal funding initiatives. These are only a few of the many accomplishments you made possible, and I am grateful for your hard work.
I would also like to extend special thanks to the DOR employees who received this year’s Staff Excellence Awards, recognized during our Holiday Luncheon. Their achievements are highlighted in this issue.
Enjoy your Winter Break. Please return rested and rejuvenated, ready to welcome Dr. Angela Wilson as the new Vice President for Research this spring.
All the best,
Costas
2025 Division of Research Holiday luncheon
Did you attend the 2025 DOR Holiday Luncheon? Click below to see photos.
Five Employees and One Team Recognized During 2025 Division of Research Staff Excellence Awards
The 2025 Division of Research (DOR) Staff Excellence Awards were announced during the DOR Holiday Luncheon, held Friday, Dec. 12. During the ceremony, five individuals were honored for excellence in performing their job duties, and a team award recognized employees whose combined individual efforts contributed to exceptional team performance.
The individuals awarded were:
- Megan Bergeron, Senior Research Development Officer, Research Development Services
- Dr. Brenna Jarvie, Assistant Director, Research Compliance and Biosafety
- Gabriella Keanaaina, Limited Submission Coordinator, Research Development Services
- Ashlyn Montgomery, Research Infrastructure Manger, Office of the Vice President for Research
- Nicholas Wolff, Research Associate, Molecular Genomics Core
The Team award went to the Huron Conflict of Interest and Commitment Team:
- Amanda Crisp, Research Compliance Coordinator, Research Security and Export Controls
- McKaley Izaguirre, Research Compliance Administrator, Research Security and Export Controls
- LaTravius Robinson, Research Compliance Coordinator, Research Security and Export Controls
Winners were nominated by employees of The Texas A&M University System. Individual nominees must have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and development as a professional, while also exhibiting qualities such as innovation, initiative, enthusiasm and cooperation. Team nominees should have made a positive impact on the DOR through each member’s contributions.
Individuals were awarded $500 and a certificate. Team winners each received individual certificates and will be celebrated with a team event.
Twenty-two Employees Honored for Dedication to Texas A&M With Service Pins
The DOR recognized 22 employees during the Holiday Luncheon for their years of service to the university.
Those who reached milestones include:
News Roundup
After a national search that drew top-tier candidates, Texas A&M University has appointed Dr. Angela Wilson as its next vice president for research.
The Division of Research at Texas A&M University has appointed Laura Picariello as director of the Texas Sea Grant College Program, effective Oct. 1, 2025.
Shelly Berry Hebb, Director of PreAward Services for Texas A&M University’s Sponsored Research Services (SRS), was recently honored with two awards for exceptional service.
The Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University announced the recipients of its inaugural Rogers/Huang Medal.
The Division of Research at Texas A&M University recently announced its class of 2025 Arts and Humanities Fellows.
The Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University announced 11 Hagler Fellows and two Distinguished Lecturers for its 2025-26 class.
Division Unit Updates
Strategic Initiatives and Research Development Services
Curated Funding Searches Website
Research Development Services (RDS) soft-launched a dynamic new initiative, the Curated Funding Searches Website, designed to streamline how the research community connects with federal and foundation funding opportunities. By harnessing the advanced features of Pivot-RP, this platform delivers personalized, high-impact funding matches tailored to each researcher’s discipline, interests and career stage.
With regularly updated opportunities from Pivot-RP and dedicated support from Senior Research Development Officers, identifying and applying for the right grant or award is simpler and more efficient than ever. Now, researchers’ weekly funding updates will be precisely matched to their research needs, ensuring they only see opportunities that truly align with their work. Learn more about the initiative here.
RDS Early Career Faculty Program
This year’s RDS Early Career Faculty Program, which supports faculty in submitting proposals to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, kicked off Oct. 7. More than 60 junior faculty registrants and 22 recent awardees were in attendance for the information session and following lunch. Associate Vice President for Research, Strategic Initiatives, Dr. Henry Fadamiro welcomed the group and presented appreciation certificates to the recent awardees. The CAREER Program is the most prestigious award for junior faculty from the NSF. Texas A&M has received more than 50 of these awards in the last five years. RDS supports faculty with a multi-tiered program of workshops, writing groups and one-on-one strategic proposal support.
Panther Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (PRISE)
During its fifth year, the 2025 Panther Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (PRISE) grant program awarded $520,000 to 13 collaborative teams of faculty investigators from Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University.
“The PRISE program exemplifies the power of collaboration between our universities,” said Dr. Costas Georghiades, interim vice president for research at Texas A&M. “By investing in interdisciplinary teams across both campuses, we are advancing bold ideas in areas of urgent national and global importance. These partnerships not only strengthen our institutions but also position our faculty to compete successfully for external funding and deliver real-world solutions.”
Updated Process for Submitting Personnel Changes
To ensure consistency between the IRB protocol and the Huron application, the process for submitting personnel changes has been updated. Effective immediately, any modification to study personnel must include an updated IRB protocol submitted alongside the personnel change request.
For detailed instructions, please review the Personnel Change Request Step-by-Step Guidance. Following these steps will help you avoid delays and frustrations during your next submission.
Coming soon: DOR Storefront
The Division of Research will soon boast its own storefront. Staff will be able to purchase, at their own expense, DOR-logoed clothing items through M&M Apparel. Stay tuned for more information in the Spring.
The Texas A&M Employee Engagement Survey Action Plan
Action Item 1:
The DOR Action Plan proposed to begin addressing performance management concerns identified in the Employee Engagement Survey by collaborating with Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness to implement a required 90-minute workshop for supervisors on performance management and progressive discipline, emphasizing its constructive nature. One hundred fifty-two supervisors attended one of the in-person workshops on Oct. 28, 29, 30 and Nov. 4.
More than 90% of the 98 participants who responded to a one-item question reported an increased understanding of performance management/progressive discipline, exceeding our goal of 75% positive endorsement.
Thirty percent of workshop attendees also provided detailed responses to a post-workshop questionnaire. These supervisors described helpful aspects of the session, such as role-playing, steps of progressive discipline and the importance of immediate documentation. Common suggestions for enhancement included making the workshop longer, adding more real-world examples and acting scenarios, and addressing logistical issues like seating and hearing. Additionally, many respondents indicated they would immediately implement learned concepts like better documentation, proactive check-ins and using the Memo of Expectation (MOE). A significant number also requested additional support or information from the HR team on the topics discussed.
Action Item 2:
For workload challenges, the DOR plans a two-step process to leverage AI for enhanced work efficiency. As part of the first step, baseline usage of the available AI tools was assessed in a short survey. DOR staff indicated whether they were aware of the AI tool, whether they were aware but did not use the AI tool, or whether they used the AI tool in their work. The results of the short survey are illustrated below.
2025 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)
Thank you to all who made this year’s State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) a success. Of the top 10 contributing campaign areas, the Division of Research (DOR) contributed the sixth-highest donation overall — $16,673.08.
To view SECC goals, division statistics, DOR prize winners and more, visit the DOR SECC webpage.
University Staff Council Update
From Division of Research Staff Representatives: Laura Hollingsworth, Rebecca Luckey and Wendy Wright
The Texas A&M University Staff Council (USC) serves as the voice of Texas A&M staff by promoting communication, identifying and addressing issues, making recommendations and interacting with other organizations. Learn more about USC initiatives, representatives and resources by visiting staff.tamu.edu. For questions or feedback, inquiries can be submitted by clicking “Contact Us” on the main page.
October and November 2025 Football Ticket Drawing Winners
Oct. 4: vs. Mississippi State
Drawing 1 – Shelly Berry Hebb, SRS
Drawing 2 – Lindsey Vaculin, SRS
Oct. 11: vs. Florida
Drawing 1 – Ashlyn Montgomery, OVPR
Drawing 2 – Matt Fry, given to Ashlyn Montgomery, OVPR
Nov. 15: vs. South Carolina
SECC Prize Winner – Denise Puga, Research Compliance & Biosafety
Nov. 22: vs. Samford
Drawing 1 – Jen Swartz, OVPR
Drawing 2 – Charlotte Salas, SRS
Maroon & White Night
Texas A&M University System faculty, staff and their families are invited to downtown Bryan on the third Friday of every month to experience Maroon & White Night, complete with live entertainment, vibrant art, local cuisines, unique bars and exclusive shops.
Maroon & White Night provides an opportunity to meet up with colleagues to network, socialize and collaborate. Each month, a different area on campus will be highlighted to share their impact and potentially inspire cross-campus collaboration.
The event is free to attend, and free parking is provided in the Roy Kelly Parking Garage. Many businesses offer incentives and discounts for those with Texas A&M IDs or business cards.
Visit the City of Bryan’s webpage for a full list of entertainment and incentives being offered.