May 30, 2018

Nessler to step down as director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Craig Nessler, director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research since 2009, will return as a faculty member in the department of horticultural sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station on June 1.

“We commend Dr. Nessler for his many contributions to the agricultural research enterprise during his time as director,” said Dr. Patrick Stover, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M.

“AgriLife Research simply has the best people anywhere and it’s been a pleasure to lead this great team and its statewide research activities that continue to make a difference in the daily lives of Texans and those across the nation,” Nessler said.

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp has appointed Stover as acting director of AgriLife Research.

“Looking forward, I am honored that Chancellor Sharp has appointed me as the acting director for AgriLife Research,” Stover said. “Continuing to advance the already outstanding work of the agency across the state is my top priority. I strongly believe our success is from the ground up –  based upon the pioneering discoveries of our scientists – and I look forward to working alongside them.”

Stover highlighted many of Nessler’s leadership accomplishments, notably the agency’s five consecutive years of being ranked No. 1 in National Science Foundation agriculture expenditures for research.

Nessler also helped lead the agency in receiving Texas legislative funding for vector-borne diseases, which has enabled research in disease transmission. Other agency accomplishments under his leadership include corporate partnerships, intellectual property achievements and partnerships with Texas  A&M System universities, such as the mariculture and UAV programs with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

“He also initiated construction activities of the new Dallas Research and Extension Center in Dallas that will enable us to showcase our urban and rural outreach efforts in a way not done before,” Stover said.

Nessler was appointed director of AgriLife Research in 2009, coming to Texas A&M after serving five years as the director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station.