NextGen NRCS Pros Host First Annual Research Symposium

July 2026

By Sarah McCord

On April 10^th, 2026, the NextGen NRCS Pros team hosted faculty, mentors, students, and stakeholders in College Station, Texas to learn, share research, and lessons learned from NextGen NRCS Pros Cohort I fellows and their respective summer internship experiences. More than 15 fellows from Cohort I presented research posters and oral presentations to over 50 symposium attendees.

Research presentations ranged in topics, including:

• Polystyrene Nanoplastic Effects on the Physiology, Root System Architecture, and Nutrient Analysis of Hydroponically Grown Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.),

• Jemez elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) Land Use on the Pajarito Plateau,

• pH Stress and Polyamine Rescue in Candida albicans and Mutant Strains,

• Comparison of Parasite and Disease Prevalence in Urban & Rural Domestic Cats,

• Don’t Leave it to Beaver: Beaver Dam Analogue (BDA) Trials for Riparian Health in South Dakota,

• Cottin Inc. Aeroponics Systems,

• Ectoparasite Presence Patterns on San Clemente Island Foxes (Urocyon littoralis clementae),

• Roles of FSR1 and PKS5 in Regulating Virulence and Stress Adaptation in FOV4,

• Effectiveness of Federal Phytosanitary Programs in Controlling Fruit Flies and Enhancing Mango Export Production in Michoacán: A Comparative Analysis of the 2024-2025 Seasons,

• Intern to Impact Working with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Employee Development, and

• Assessing Visitor Experience with Implementation of the IPOP Framework in Conservation-Focused Visitor Centers.

After completing oral presentations, guests and Cohort II students in attendance interacted in a question-and-answer session with student presenters. Mentors, faculty, students, and more, expressed curiosity in the disciplines, interest areas, programs, and entities represented across Cohort I’s summer research experiences.

The NextGen NRCS Pros Research Symposium was the first opportunity to formally present research for many fellows. One student commented, “I got to share my work with some truly amazing people! My…presentation was for NRCS NextGen, sharing my experiences with this year's wonderful group of interns.” While Cohort I and II remain individual cohorts, the mentorship and insights gained from one another prove to be valuable for NextGen NRCS Pros fellows and stakeholders.

We congratulate NextGen NRCS Pros Cohort I fellows on their presentation of research and wish them luck in their next endeavors. The NextGen NRCS Pros Research Symposium underscores the intersection of research, extension, and educational experiences for the next generation of agricultural professionals.