Dr. Matthew Alexander, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering

Education:
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, 1990, Purdue University
M.S. in Chemical Engineering, 1986, Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. in Engineering Science and Chemistry, 1984, Trinity University

Research Specialties:
Renewable and biofuel production processes, sustainable energy production using chemical/biochemical processes, remediation of hazardous wastes in soil and groundwater, concentrating on bioremediation processes, industrial wastewater treatment, and chemical process simulation/modeling. 

Professional Experience:
TAMUK, Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering, Associate Professor, 2015
Leidos, Inc. (formerly SAIC of Science Applications International Corporation), Chemical Engineer, 2001-Current.
Trinity University, Department of Engineering Science, Adjunct Professor, 2006-2010.
Operational Technologies Corporation, Environmental Technology Department, Manager of Environmental Technology Development, 1993-2001. 
Southwest Research Institute, Research Engineer, 1990-1993

Interview Recording

Dr. Steven Lukefahr, Professor, Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology

Education:
Ph.D. Degree: 1982, Oregon State University, Corvallis Animal Breeding & Genetics
M.S. Degree: 1980, Oregon State University, Corvallis Animal Breeding & Genetics
B.S. Degree: 1978, Texas A&I University, Kingsville Animal Science (Summa Cum Laude)

International Experience:
Worked in over thirty countries where he has assisted world hunger organizations and governments to develop viable meat rabbit and other small livestock projects. 

Sample Publications:
Lukefahr, S.D.  2010. Planning Sustainable Rabbit Projects (2nd Ed.). Heifer International Publishers. Little Rock, Arkansas. 
S.D. Lukefahr, P.R. Cheeke, and N.M. Patton. 2013. Rabbit Production (9th Ed.). CABI International, UK.  
Lukefahr, S.D., and S.O. Oseni. 2020. Vertical rabbit farming integrative systems for cities: models and opportunities - A bibliographic review. Proc. 12 th World Rabbit Congress, July 1-3, 2020. Nantes, France. 

Interview Recording

Dr. Mauro Castro, Professor, Department of Chemistry

Education:
Ph.D in Chemistry, Texas A&M University

Current Research:
Analysis of inter-national pharmaceuticals for quantity and quality of active ingredient. Identification of organic compounds in South Texas Mesquite wood. Development of analytical methods for determination of added products to street drugs. Active in outreach programs to encourage students to study science. 

Best Advice Ever Received:
JUST DO IT!

Hobbies:
Flying airplanes, flight instructor, and commercial pilot. 

Interview Recording

Ms. Christina Loftin, Instructional Veterinary Nurse I, Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology

Education:
Mississippi State University, Master of Science, November 2020
Mississippi State University, Bachelor of Science, August 2019
Colorado Mountain College, Associate of Applied Science, May 2008

Publications:
Woodruff, K.; Smith, D.; Cain, C.; Loftin, Christina M. The Number of Dogs Entering Sheltering in Five States, and Factors that Affect Their Outcomes: A Study of the Sheltering System.  Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. December 2020;
Cain, C.; Woodruff, K.; Loftin, Christina M.; Smith. D. Factors associated with rabies vaccination of dog shelter staff in the United States.  Journal of Zoonoses and Public Health. 2020; 00:1-5
Brookshire, W.C.; Dykstra, A.; Loftin, Christina M.; Lashley, M. Wildlife Baiting Is Associated with an Increased Parasite Intensity in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Mississippi, USA.  Journal of Wildlife Diseases In-Press. 2020: 56(3), 724-726
Loftin, Christina M.; Donnett, Uri B.; Schneider, Liesel G.; Varela-Stokes, Andrea S. Prevalence of endoparasites in norther Mississippi shelter cats. In Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports. December 2019: 100322.

Interview Recording

• Willard N.K., Salazar, E., Wiebe C.S., Ocheltree J.O., Cortez M., Oyervides F.A., Perez P.R., Iluik A.B., Suntravat M., Sánchez E.E., and Galan J.A. (2021). Proteomic identification and quantification of snake venom biomarkers in plasma extracellular vesicles.  13(9), 654
• Szteiter S.S., Diego I.N., Ortegon J., Sanchez O., Suntravat M., Salazar E., Sanchez E.E. and Galan J.A. (2021). Examination of the Efficacy and Cross-Reactivity of a Novel Polyclonal Antibody Targeting the Disintegrin Domain in SVMPs to Neutralize Snake  Toxins. 13 (4) 254

Grant Funding:

• NIH/ZGM11/1/2020 - 01/01/2023 ($414,000)  Evaluation of Toxicity Score and Precise Snake Venom Analytics for Next Generation Antivenom Development. The major goals of this project are to understand the toxicity and biochemistry of snake venom toxins using precision analytics, develop recombinant toxins, and identify snake venom biomarkers. Role: Principle Investigator
• NIH/NIAID-01/01/2021 - 12/31/2022 ($400,883)  Structure-Based Design of Broad Neutralizing Humanized svMP mAbs. The major goals of this project are to develop monoclonal human antibodies to specifically neutralized toxic snake enzymes and test their protective functions in animal models. Role: Multi-Principle Investigator: Drs. Galan, Sanchez and Ge

Interview Recording