Research Team
Research Team
Embedded Files
Faculty
Faculty
Benjamin Turner, Ph.D., M.S.
Associate Professor, lab directorBenjamin Turner is an Associate Professor of Natural Resource Management in the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Environmental Science at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) and is a supporting faculty to the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management program where he leads the systems thinking education and outreach components of the program. He studied agriculture at Sam Houston State University (B.S.), ranch management at TAMUK (M.S.), soil science and rangeland ecology at South Dakota State University (Ph.D.), and hydrology at New Mexico State University (Post-doctoral researcher).
Professor Turner's primary research interests reside in ranch management problem solving and soil, water, and land conservation issues, especially those related to production agriculture in both crop cultivation and rangeland and grazing environments. Since 2015, Professor Turner has led or collaborated on over $6.5 million of extramural funding, supporting over 20 students in the lab (and over 200 students in total for research support or experiential learning opportunities). His teaching duties include agribusiness, ranch management, and systems thinking, modeling, and analysis courses for undergraduate and graduate students (to learn more about the teaching program, see here). Interested investigators can follow Professor Turner's work here or here.
Besides his teaching and research, Professor Turner remains actively involved in Texas Section-Society for Range Management, maintains memberships in the Society for Range Management, Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the System Dynamics Society (including being a founding member of it’s Agriculture and Food Special Interest Group), and serves on a variety of external industry committees, including for the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.
Personal core values and strengths: "I am intrigued with the unique qualities of each person and have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together (Individualization) in order to maximize productivity (Achiever). Learning is a passion for me (Learner), especially about systems-problems and their root-causes (Analytical). In order to balance out the challenges that arise in any pursuit, I always try to cultivate my own unique creativity (Strategic)." StrengthsFinder (2.0).
Post-doctoral scientists
Post-doctoral scientists
Mati Mohammadi, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral research fellow, System Dynamics of Agricultural Production SystemsDr. Mati Mohammadi is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in collaboration with the USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub. In her role, she will study the impacts of climate change on Southern Plains agroecosystems and agricultural commodity supply chains, using the system dynamics modeling approach. Mati holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. Her Ph.D. research focused on the beef supply chain and employed systems dynamics to explore the impact of information technology changes on market dynamics, consumer preferences, and power imbalances. She previously earned her B.S. in Management and her M.S. in Entrepreneurship Management in her hometown Tehran, where she worked for over a decade in food and agricultural marketing and sales, conducting consumer behavior and market analysis, and leading and collaborating with diverse teams.
Follow Dr. Mohammadi's work here.
Current Students and Lab Participants
Current Students and Lab Participants
Morgan Bishop
B.S. Animal Science (in process)Hometown: Kingsville, TX
NSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow (2023-2024)Research Assistant in Ranch Systems Analysis
Joe Delagarza
B.S. Agribusiness, Plant and Soil Science (in process)Hometown: Monte Alto, TX
NSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow (2024)Research Assistant in Ranch Systems Analysis
Former Students and Grant Participants
Former Students and Grant Participants
Corwin Andelson
B.S. Mechanical Engineering (in process)Hometown: Houston, TX
USDA REEU Summer Research Fellow (2024) in Soil Research Technology
Brandon Cazares
B.S. Mechanical Engineering (in process)
Hometown: Laredo, Texas
USDA REEU Summer Research Fellow (2024) in Soil Research Technology
Arianna Arevalo
Middle School EducatorRicardo ISDRicardo, Texas
USDA PACE Educator-Participant Fellow (2024) in Soil and Water Conservation
Susan Hall
Middle School EducatorCorpus Christi ISDCorpus Christi, Texas
USDA PACE Educator-Participant Fellow (2024) in Soil and Water Conservation
Veronica Benitez
Primary School EducatorBishop ISDBishop, Texas
USDA PACE Educator-Participant Fellow (2024) in Soil and Water Conservation
Carolina Munoz
B.S. Agribusiness-Ranch Management (May 2024)Hometown: Harlingen, Texas
NSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow (2024)Research Assistant in Ranch Systems Analysis
Luis Mier-Valderrama (M.S.)
B.S. Agribusiness (May 2022)M.S. Environmental Systems Management (May 2024)Current Ph.D. student, Soil and Plant Environmental Sciences (Virginia Tech University)
Hometown: Tampico, Mexico
Graduate Researcher, Environmental ManagementPond Creek Conservancy lead soil and watershed conservation investigator
James Russell (M.S.)
B.S. Agribusiness (Dec 2021)M.S. Agriculture (Dec 2023)Hometown: Premont, TX
NSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow in Sustainable Water Use (2021)NSF CREST Graduate Fellow in Sustainable Water Use (2021-2023)
Julianna Leal
B.S. Agribusiness, Minor Plant and Soil Science (Dec 2023)Hometown: Harlingen, TX
USDA REEU Summer Research Fellow (2022)
NSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow in Sustainable Water Use (2022-2023)
2022-2023 Outstanding Agribusiness Student, TAMUK College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Kendall Cloud (M.S.)
B.S. Agribusiness (May 2022)M.S. AgricultureHometown: San Antonio, TX
NSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow in Sustainable Water Use (2021)USDA Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Undergraduate Researcher (2021)
Zachary Loveland
B.S. Environmental Science (University of Florida)Hometown: Fort Meyers, FL
USDA REEU Summer Research Fellow (2023)
DeAndre Malone
B.S. Agriculture, with Economics specializaiton (Truman State University)Hometown: St Louis, MO
USDA REEU Summer Research Fellow (2023)
Gabe Cavazos
B.S. Animal Science (Tarleton State)Hometown: Weslaco, TX
Undergraduate researcher Dynamic decision making laboratory assistant2021-2022
Lane Michna (M.S.)
M.S. Agriculture (2021)B.S. Agribusiness (May 2020)Hometown: Lorena, TX
Fellow for USDA Higher Education Challenge (Summer 2021)NSF CREST Fellow in Sustainable Water Use (2021-2022)
Branson Kim
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Systmes DesignOld Dominion UniversityHometown: Virginia Beach, VA
USDA REEU Summer Research Fellow (2021)
Izzi Lobdell
B.S. Biomedical Science; TAMU-Corpus ChristiHometown: Houston, TX
USDA REEU Summer Research Fellow (2021)
Chris Flores-Lopez (M.S.)
M.S. Agriculture (2021)B.S. Agribusiness, Plant and Soil Science (May 2020)Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergraduate researcher, Fellow for USDA Higher Education Challenge (2019-2020)NSF CREST Fellow in Sustainable Water Use (2020-2021)
Srinadh Kodali
Ph.D. Plant Science (South Dakota State University, ABD)M.S. Plant and Soil Science (TAMUK Dec 2020)Hometown: Vijayawada, Andhrapradesh, India
Graduate research assistant- plant and soil science; Fellow for USDA Higher Education Challenge (2019-2020)
Rhoda Aderinto Folashade
M.S. Agriculture (Dec 2018)B.S - Agriculture Economics (University of Ilorin, Nigeria)M.S. Business Administration and Finance (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife Nigeria)Hometown: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Research Assistant in Ranch Systems Analysis, emphasis on common-pool resources; Rangeland Cup (2017-2018); Borlaug Fellow in Global Food Security (2018)
Ty Tinsley
M.S. Agriculture (May 2017)B.S. Agribusiness (May 2015)Hometown: Gonzalez, TX
Rangeland Cup Team (2014-2015); Research Assistant in Ranch Systems Analysis
Tyler Wayland
B.S. Agribusiness-Ranch Management (Dec 2017)Hometown: George West, TX
Society for Range Management Rangeland Cup Team (2014-2017, captain 2016-2017)
Rangeland Cup Chamption, 2017
Spencer Smith
B.S. Agribusiness (Dec 2018)Hometown: Orange County, CA
Dynamic decision making laboratory assistant
Kailey Hill
B.S. Agribusiness (May 2018)Hometown: Three Rivers, TX
Dynamic decision making laboratory assistant
Sydnee Cissna
B.S. Marketing/Agribusiness (Dec 2017)Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Statistical summary of Nueces River flows from headwaters to Corpus Christi Bay (Honors Thesis)
Zach Hamaker
B.S. Agribusiness (May 2019)Hometown: Harleysville, PA
Water Resource Management Perspectives and Data Collection for the Lower Rio Grande Valley (Honors Thesis)
Not pictured:
Kyle Brewster, M.S. Wildlife Science, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Dec 2017)Hometown: Oologah, OKArkansas Air Force ReserveFormerly: Texas A&M Natural Resources Management InstituteUSDA Biological Science Technician
Lisa West Akinyemi, M.S. Agriculture and Environmental Science (May 2020 Tarleton State), B.S. Agribusiness (May 2018)Hometown: Orange Grove, TXRangeland Cup Team (2016-2018, captain 2017-2018), Rangeland Cup Chamption 2017; Dynamics of producer adoption of conservation agricultural practices
Nicholas Cavazos, B.S. Agribusiness (Aug 2020)Hometown: Kingsville, TXUndergraduate research fellow for NSF CREST Sustainable Water Use (2020)
Henry Burns (B.S.), Agribusiness-Ranch Management (Aug 2021)Hometown: McAllen, TXUndergraduate research fellow for NSF CREST Sustainable Water Use (2020-2021)
Caleb Reed (B.S.), Agribusiness-ranch management (in process)Hometown: Sugarland, TXUndergraduate research fellow for NSF CREST Sustainable Water Use (2022-2023)
Alejandro Bazaldua (B.S., M.S.), Wildlife and Range Science (May 2024)Hometown: Harlingen, TXGraduate student collaborator, Ranch Systems Analysis
Herbert Magobwe (B.S., M.S.), Wildlife and Range Science (in process)Hometown: Kampala, UgandaGraduate student collaborator, Ranch Systems Analysis Leeya Flores (B.S.), Political Science (in process)Hometown: Petronila, TexasMcNairs Scholar (2024) for Water Quality Issues in the Coastal Bend, TexasNSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow (2024)
Gabriel Vasquez (B.S.) Political Science (in process)Hometown: Ben Bolt, TXNSF CREST Undergraduate Fellow (2024)
Former Students or Post-doctoral Collaborators Now University Faculty Members
Former Students or Post-doctoral Collaborators Now University Faculty Members
Hector Menendez
Assistant Professor of Animal Science, South Dakota State UniversityPh.D. Biological Science/Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University (2018)Hometown: Pearland, TX
Follow Dr. Menendez and his lab at: ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hector_Menendez3Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=NTPAXPUAAAAJ&hl=enFaculty page: https://www.sdstate.edu/directory/hector-menendez
Cord Eversole
Assistant Professor, Stephen F. Austin State UniversityPh.D. Wildlife Science, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Aug 2017)Hometown: Needville, TX
Follow Dr. Eversole and his lab at: ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cord_EversoleGoogle Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5UjUxy8AAAAJ&hl=enFaculty page: https://orion.sfasu.edu/directory/details.aspx?id=43799
Research Awards and Recognition
Research Awards and Recognition
Distinguished Graduate Student Award 2024
Distinguished Graduate Student Award 2024
Luis Mier-Valderrama was awarded TAMUK's Distinguished Graduate Student Award in Spring 2024. This University-wide award is given to one graduate student per commencement to recognize a student's combined outstanding achievement in academic, scientific, extracurricular, and service endeavors during their graduate career.
Distinguished Student Award 2023
Distinguished Student Award 2023
Julianna Leal was awarded TAMUK's Distinguished Student Award in Fall 2023. This award is given to one student per college per semester to recognize a student's combined outstanding achievement in academic, scientific, extracurricular, and service endeavors during their undergraduate career.
2023 2nd Place - Three Minute Thesis Competition
2023 2nd Place - Three Minute Thesis Competition
Awarded to Luis Mier-Valderrama at the 2023 Texas Section-Society for Range Management meeting in Bastrop, TX for his presentation "Are industrial solar farms totally green?"
2023 First Place - Graduate Student Oral Presentation
2023 First Place - Graduate Student Oral Presentation
Awarded to James Russell at the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society annual meeting, South Padre Island, TX.
2019 Popular Writing Award
2019 Popular Writing Award
Awarded by Texas Section-Society for Range Management in recognition of Wayland et al. "Why are proposed public lands transfers a source of extreme conflict and resistance?"
2018 1st Place M.S. Poster
2018 1st Place M.S. Poster
Awarded to Rhoda Aderinto et al., at the 2018 Society for Range Management International Conference in Sparks, NV in recognition of her investigation of rangeland degradation issues in Nigeria
2017 Rangeland Cup Champions
2017 Rangeland Cup Champions
Awarded at the Society for Range Management International Conference at St. George, UT. Team members L to R: Tyler Wayland, Lisa Akinyemi, Jose Mata
2014 Rangeland Cup Champions
2014 Rangeland Cup Champions
Awarded at the Society for Range Management International Conference at Orlando, FL. Team members included Kelsey Ducheneaux and Benjamin Turner.
Not pictured:
Not pictured:
2023-2024 Professor Benjamin Turner, TAMUK College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Senior Faculty Research Award
2023-2024 Professor Benjamin Turner, TAMUK College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Senior Faculty Research Award
2021-2022 Professor Benjamin Turner, Honorable Mention, Best Early Career Research Award (ECRA), International Society of Ecological Modelling
2021-2022 Professor Benjamin Turner, Honorable Mention, Best Early Career Research Award (ECRA), International Society of Ecological Modelling
2020-2021 Professor Benjamin Turner, TAMUK College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Junior Faculty Research Award
2020-2021 Professor Benjamin Turner, TAMUK College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Junior Faculty Research Award
2014 Benjamin Turner J.E. Weaver Grasslands Graduate Student Award, The Nature Conservancy
2013 Benjamin Turner Barry Richmond Scholar Award, iSeeSystems, Inc. Presented at the International System Dynamics Society Conference for work demonstrating a desire to expand the field or to apply it to current social issues.
2013 Benjamin Turner W.D. Farr Award, The National Cattlemen's Foundation in recognition for superior achievement in academics and leadership of those pursuing careers supportive of sustainable livestock and ranch management. Presented at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Annual Conference.
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