Student Spotlight: Nalin Samarasinghe

What drew you to Texas A&M University and particularly, the Biological and Agricultural Engineering department? After completing my undergraduate degree in chemical engineering in Sri Lanka, I was looking for an opportunity to pursue a graduate program. I had already developed a taste for research and was particularly interested in doing my graduate studies on renewable energy. During my search, I found out about the renewable energy program in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering department, which perfectly matched my interests.   BAEN’s agricultural engineering program was one of the… Read More →

Alumni Spotlight: Jordan Grier

Jordan has a history of the fightin’ Texas Aggie spirit in his family and coming to Texas A&M University was a natural fit.  Little did he know that he would be highly involved in departmental activities and serve in various leadership positions around the department. What degrees have you obtained from Texas A&M University? B.S Agricultural Systems Management; 2012 and M.S. Agricultural Systems Management; 2014 What drew you to Texas A&M University? My dad was class of ’76 and graduated with a B.S. in animal science and agricultural… Read More →

Cotton gin trash finding new life for electrical power

Finding sustainable markets for gin trash, wood chips and other waste products could be viable in producing more electrical power for a growing global population, according to researchers. A demonstration was held recently on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station showcasing a biomass-fueled fluidized bed gasifier, utilizing cotton gin trash and wood chips to power an electric generator. The fluidized bed gasification system was developed in the 1980s when a patent was issued to Drs. Calvin Parnell Jr. and W.A. Lepori, who were both part… Read More →

Searcy Begins Term as ASABE President

Steve Searcy, Department Head

Stephen W. Searcy, PE, has taken office as the 2017-2018 President of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. A 37-year member of ASABE, Searcy previously has served the Society in numerous roles, most recently as treasurer and as a member of the Board of Trustees. He was elected an ASABE Fellow, the highest honor bestowed by the Society, in 2008. Searcy will serve a one-year term as president…. Read More →

Sheng named resident director for Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center-El Paso

Dr. Zhuping Sheng has been named director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center-El Paso, effective Sept. 1. Sheng joined the center in April 2001 and is a professor of agricultural engineering with AgriLife Research. “Dr. Sheng’s expertise in agricultural engineering and water along with his proven leadership ability make him an excellent choice for guiding the El Paso center’s research efforts,” said Dr. Craig Nessler, AgriLife Research director, College Station. According to AgriLife Research, the mission of the El Paso center is to lead and conduct innovative… Read More →

Water quality fellowship provides hands-on learning opportunities at Texas A&M

A summer program at Texas A&M University recently provided 15 undergraduate students with fellowships in water quality to study the impacts of on-site sewage facilities on soil and water quality. The students were from Texas A&M, Prairie View A&M Florida A&M, and Kansas State universities.

A summer program at Texas A&M University recently provided 15 undergraduate students with fellowships in water quality to study the impacts of on-site sewage facilities on soil and water quality. The students were from Texas A&M, Prairie View A&M Florida A&M, and Kansas State universities. The two-year undergraduate program is offered by Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M universities and was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture. According to program coordinators, the goals of the Research and Extension Experiential Learning program are… Read More →

International expert joins NCEA to explore future farms

USQ Research continues to attract the best and brightest from around the world to join the University to tackle national and global challenges in a variety of fields. One such example is Professor Alex Thomasson, an internationally recognised expert in agricultural sensing and automation, focusing on optics and photonics for precision agriculture. Professor Thomasson has spent the past few months with USQ’s National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA) and will soon return to Texas A&M University in the USA. He has researched engineering aspects of production and processing for multiple crops… Read More →

BAEN Tailgate 2017

3rd Annual Departmental Tailgate Come join the Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering Tailgate on Saturday, September 9th, 2017. We’ll be next to the Price Hobgood Building in the big white tent.  We’ll have a large screen TV with the game on. Porta cool fans and restrooms available. Food and refreshments will be served before and during the game. Hope to see you there and BTHO Nicholls State!

BAEN students showcase global design learning projects

A culmination of two semesters of work designing and implementing engineering systems to solve community problems was showcased recently as part of the Global Design Team capstone program offered by Texas A&M University’s department of biological and agricultural engineering. The capstone class spans fall and spring semesters and provides undergraduate students with real-world engineering challenges from private and public sectors. Students in three- to five-member teams  work closely with sponsors and communities to develop solutions to the challenges posed, said Dr. Rabi Mohtar, professor in biological and agricultural… Read More →

Irrigation auditor training to be offered April 25-26 in San Antonio

An two-day Landscape Irrigation Auditing and Management short course for irrigation professionals and others will be held April 25-26 at the SAWS offices in San Antonio. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a two-day Landscape Irrigation Auditing and Management short course April 25-26 at the Customer Service Center Building of San Antonio Water System, 2800 U.S. Highway 281 N. in San Antonio. The course will be from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 25 and 8:15 a.m.-5 p.m. April 26. It is co-hosted by AgriLife Extension’s Texas A&M School of Irrigation and San Antonio Water System. “This course is designed for Texas licensed irrigators, technicians and inspectors to get the required continuing education units… Read More →