Industry membership. Our research activities related to citrus bioactive compounds and prevention of specific diseases, such as osteoporosis and cancer, stimulated 15 new industry members to join the VFIC. Also, the research efforts of several VFIC scientists led to General Mills, Lark Seeds and Texas Pecan Growers Association joining the VFIC.
New VFIC industry members since 2005-2016: United Fresh (Washington, D.C.), Sunkist, Inc. (California), General Mills (Minnesota), Campbell Soup Inc. (New Jersey), Minute Maid-Coca Cola (Georgia) Tropicana Juice-Pepsi Inc., (Illinois), Advanced Orthomolecular Research (Canada), TexaSweet Inc. (Texas), KGK Synergize (Canada), Texas Citrus Exchange (Texas), Texas Pecan Growers Association, (Texas), Lark Seeds (California), Bagley Produce (Texas), Dalena Farms (California),
Center Review. In 2005, the TAMU Board of Regents initiated a review of all Centers/Institutes. With the help of staff and VFIC faculty members, a comprehensive report of VFIC accomplishments was submitted in 2005, 2011, 2014 and 2017. These reviews helped me to establish and refine the guidelines and policies that helped me to be an accountable and responsible leader of the VFIC. I am grateful to the TAMU AgriLife Central administration, who were able to meet several of the VFIC needs after a follow-up correspondence with the appropriate administrators.
Established and implemented new guidelines for VFIC Membership to increase operational efficiency.
- Developed guidelines for VFIC scientific membership and received approval from the Vice Chancellor’s cabinet.
- The guidelines were approved by the respective scientists and their immediate supervisors such as Department Heads and Directors of Texas AgriLife Centers or the equivalent supervisors from each scientist’s institution.
- A total of 26 scientific members from several departments, off-campus centers of the TAMU system and other institutions in Texas and other states joined the VFIC.