WT Researcher Wins USDA Grant to Encourage Women, Minorities in STEM Fields

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — A West Texas A&M University professor recently won a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to support women and minorities in STEM fields.

The project—led by Dr. Mona Ozmaeian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in WT’s College of Engineering—was one of 10 that won a total of $2 million in USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants.

Ozmaeian’s project is an online, interactive toolkit tailored to teach students in kindergarten through 12th grades about the hydrological cycle.

“This intricate journey involves the vaporization of water from the Earth, its return through rainfall, and the fascinating processes within soil and plants,” Ozmaeian said. “Our aim was to show students why delving into science is essential for grasping these phenomena.”

It’s a project particularly suited to this region, she noted.

“The Panhandle is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the U.S., producing one-third of the nation’s beef, and annually contributing $5.7 billion in agricultural receipts (crops and livestock,” Ozmaeian’s project summary says. “The drought-prone and semiarid region has been plagued with water shortages and diminishing groundwater in recent decades; thus, water is a critical regional issue.”

Once completed, the online tool will be offered to K-12 teachers in rural school systems and to county extension agents working with 4H and FFA clubs, Ozmaeian said.

“The importance of projects like Dr. Ozmaeian’s that encourage women and minorities to enter STEM fields cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Emily Hunt, dean of WT’s College of Engineering. “These initiatives not only break down barriers and promote inclusivity but also harness the untapped potential of diverse perspectives, fueling innovation and driving progress in engineering and computing.”

Also working on the project are Dr. Swastika Bithi, assistant professor of engineering; Dr. Mark Garrison, professor of education and Killgore Research Center doctoral research faculty; Dr. Nathan Howell, the Bell Professor of Engineering; and Dr. David Parker, associate professor and extension specialist in water engineering.

NIFA supports integrated education/teaching and Extension/outreach projects that increase STEM participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas. NIFA intends for this program to address educational needs, as determined by each institution, within broadly defined areas of food and agricultural sciences and their allied disciplines

Other schools awarded NIFA grants include Louisiana Tech University, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, Texas State University, University of Arizona, the University of Arkansas System, University of Maine, University of Nebraska and University of Tennessee.

Ozmaeian joined WT in 2022 after earning a Ph.D. in nanoscience and nanotechnology from Sharif University and working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas.

Such research activities are one way in which WT is strengthening its position as a Regional Research University, a key priority of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $150 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Dr. Mona Ozmaeian, center, is leading a project to encourage more women and minorities in STEM fields following a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also working on the project are, clockwise from right, Dr. Swastika Bithi,Dr. Nathan Howell, Dr. Mark Garrison and Dr. David Parker.

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