Noteworthy-College of Science, Engineering & Agriculture
The Dr. Keith D. McFarland Science Building. During his distinguished 39-year career at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Dr. Keith D. McFarland served the university as a full professor, Head of the Department of History, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and, ultimately, as University President for 10 years. His exceptional leadership and determination improved not only academic programs, but students' lives on campus. The building, named in his honor, recognizes his achievements, unwavering service, and dedication to the university.
Professor Matt A. Wood arrives as the new Department Head for Physics and Astronomy. Dr. Wood received his bachelor's degree in physics from Iowa State University, and his master's degree and doctoral degrees in astronomy from the University of Texas in Austin.
The A&M-Commerce Department of Physics and Astronomy has joined the Southern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA). SARA is a telescope consortium that operates two 1-meter-class telescopes located at two premier observatory locations: Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona and Cerro Tololo International Observatory in Chile, South America.
Dr. Sang C. Suh, Department Head of Computer Science, was elected 8th President of the Society for Design and Process Science (SDPS) at their 17th international conference held in Berlin, Germany, in June 2012.
The Department of Agricultural Sciences “Northeast Texas Initiative for Cooperative Development (NTICD)” has been selected for funding in the amount of $175,000 from the Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG). Dr. Jose Lopez is Assistant Professor of Agribusiness and coordinator on this project. Dr. Bob Williams,
Dr. Jim Heitholt, and Dr. Curtis Jones are collaborators. The NTICD will reach out to community members and help develop relationships among socially disadvantaged producers in northeast Texas.
Dr. Grady Price Blount—College of Science, Engineering and Agriculture Dean—has been re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Texas Space Grant Consortium.
Professor Carlos Bertulani is a new member (2012-2015) of the Committee of Education of
the American Physical Society. The committee oversees physics education-related efforts in K-12, undergraduate, and graduate education, and develops strategies to increase the number of undergraduate majors in physics.
Nikolay Sirakov “Dermoscopic diagnosis of melanoma in a 4D space constructed by active contour extracted features” has been accepted
by the Journal of Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics for publication. The paper is already in press for hard copy and posted
online by the Journal.
Dr. Bao-An Li, of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been named a Regents Professor by the Texas A&M University System. It is the highest award a faculty member can receive and a wonderful recognition of Dr. Li's work.