Colleagues,
I’m pleased to announce that Roel Lopez, Ph.D., has been appointed head of the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective September 20.
Dr. Lopez has served as director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute since 2013 and will continue in this role, in addition to his new position of department head. The dual appointment will promote synergy and collaboration within the College and The Texas A&M University System while helping establish and build partnerships with stakeholders at other institutions, state agencies and universities.
Dr. Lopez began his career as a wildlife biologist and research ecologist. He has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career, including the Montague Center for Teaching Excellence Scholars, The Wildlife Society Outstanding Scientific Publication Award and the Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Diversity.
As director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Dr. Lopez has worked with internal and external stakeholders in developing institute priorities for research and extension programs. He has also developed and led interdisciplinary teams to address a broad range of natural resource challenges. These experiences will transition well into directing the teaching of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing career opportunities in natural resource management. Additionally, he has strong support from faculty, students and stakeholders in the fields of range, wildlife and fisheries.
Before joining the institute in 2009, Dr. Lopez was a professor in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. He received his bachelor’s degree in forestry from Stephen F. Austin State University, and his master’s degree and doctorate in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Lopez to this key leadership position and thanking Dr. Cliff Lamb for serving as interim department head. Dr. Lamb has helped guide and lead the department throughout the search process.
Thank you,
Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor, Texas A&M AgriLife
Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
