Center Director and Professor, Weed Physiology and Molecular Biology
Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
m.jugulam@ag.tamu.edu
409-245-8632
Dr. Mithila Jugulam assumed the role of Center Director for the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Beaumont and Eagle Lake in October 2024. Prior to this appointment, she served as a Professor of Weed Physiology and Molecular Biology in the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University (KSU).
As Director of the Beaumont Center, Jugulam’s goal is to provide strategic leadership to advance research, and outreach, with a primary focus on rice production systems. Her administrative priority is to ensure that the center’s contributions align with the broader goals of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension.
By working collaboratively with stakeholders and scientists across the university, the U.S., and globally, the center aims to make meaningful contributions to the future of food security and sustainability.
Key areas of administrative emphasis
- Advancing science, empowering people: Driving cutting-edge research to enhance rice crop improvement, productivity, pest management, and water use efficiency by securing funding from multiple sources and guiding faculty and staff in achieving the AgriLife Beaumont Center’s mission.
- Collaborative partnerships: Strengthening relationships with stakeholders, including growers, industry leaders, and academic institutions, to develop practical and impactful solutions.
- Technology and innovation: Leveraging advanced technologies, and data-driven decision-making, to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Workforce development: Investing in education and training programs to prepare the next generation of agricultural scientists and industry professionals.
