At Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, research and creative activity aren’t just part of what we do — they define our mission. Our university offers an ideal environment for innovation: small enough to provide close mentorship, yet large enough to drive impactful discoveries. From day one, students work alongside leading faculty researchers, gaining hands-on experience that equips them to solve complex, real-world problems with technical skill and confidence.
The Island University has established itself as a leader in numerous research categories and classifications — a strong reflection of the depth and quality of our research enterprise. Yet we are not standing still. While currently recognized as an R2 institution, we are strategically advancing toward R1 status.
Key priorities include expanding student research opportunities, developing accelerated pathways for discovery and innovation, and scaling academic programs to meet future needs. This report highlights the cutting-edge work taking place across our campus — work that blends technical expertise with creative thinking to push boundaries. By empowering students to explore, experiment, and innovate, we are shaping the next generation of leaders who will drive progress in Texas and beyond.
Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
THE NUMBERS
Research expenditures #1 #1
Federal, state, and local research funding #1 #1 $
Engineering research expenditures #1 #1
Atmospheric, ocean, and geoscience research expenditures #1 #1
In Research Expenditures in FY24*
Based on latest publicly available data from NSF HERD, THECB, and Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Ranking among TAMU System Members (outside of Brazos County)
DEVELOPING A POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING SMART STEERING WHEEL
What if your steering wheel could save your life? Dr. Nasrin Hooshmand, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, and students are developing a smart wheel that senses vital signs through your hands — pulse, stress, even signs of a heart attack or stroke — through sensors smaller than a dime. The goal? To stop crashes before they happen. With patents, car manufacturers, and increased funding in sight, Islanders are refining this cutting-edge technology to push the boundaries of innovation.
STEERING INTO THE FUTURE
TRANSFORMING LEARNING THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY
In a charter school classroom, a student with dyslexia proudly announced he was heading to reading intervention, where virtual reality (VR) games help him learn. For Dr. Aurelia O’Neil ’25, it was a powerful moment: a child shifting from shame to pride in his learning differences.
O’Neil, who earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from TAMU-CC, conducted her doctoral research on how technology can support dyslexia interventions. With her dissertation chair Dr. Corinne Valadez ’93, ’95, along with teaching assistant Lawrence Izuagie ’27, she piloted a program with three students at a local charter school. Over four weeks, the children used VR in short, gamified sessions, matching floating 3D letters to outlines with haptic and audio feedback. The result: better letter recognition and, most importantly, stronger confidence.
Ultimately, O’Neil hopes to create a program that trains teachers for dyslexia certification, advances research in educational technology, and develops a technology-supported dyslexia curriculum.
REIMAGINING DYSLEXIA SUPPORT
INNOVATING COMPRESSION GARMENTS FOR SPACE AND EARTH
Inspiration hit Aleena Roy ’26 while scrolling Instagram — NASA posted a space heart-health challenge. She dreamed up a vibro-heat compression sleeve to help astronauts and people with blood flow issues on Earth. After shadowing a doctor, Roy, a biomedical science major, saw how pooling blood causes pain on Earth. In space, it’s reversed — blood rushes to the head, causing headaches and vision problems. Current suits are bulky and slow astronauts down. Her device uses vibration to mimic gravity and heat to boost circulation.
Mechanical engineering major Teran Hendricks ’25 jumped in, building a blood-flow simulator with 3D printing and pool noodles. With guidance from Dr. Jose Baca, Associate Professor of Engineering, they’re crafting a silicone arm sleeve as a test run, aiming for fullbody gear next. Funded by the university, the students are racing to finish for the Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge, where a win would result in a NASA mentorship and scholarship money.
DEFYING GRAVITY
WAKE-UP CALL
STUDY LOOKS AT E-CIGARETTE IMPACT ON SLEEP
E-cigarettes, once meant to help smokers quit, are now a common starting point for nicotine use, and their health risks keep growing. Three undergraduate nursing majors, led by Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, Assistant Professor of Physiology, are gaining invaluable hands-on research experience studying how vaping affects sleep.
Good sleep depends on skin warming to release core heat, but nicotine use can harm blood vessels, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Gonzalez’s team is testing 60 people — half vape users, half non-users — using stress tests, sleep-tracking wristwatches, and heart monitors to explore how e-cigarettes impact skin temperature and sleep quality.
Beyond learning lab techniques, the students develop a deeper understanding of health care complexities and the importance of individualized patient treatment. Funded by the TAMU-CC Texas Comprehensive Research Fund, this yearlong study aims to uncover vaping effects on sleep and eventually help design interventions to improve public health and aid quitting efforts.
PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF
BUILDING SKILLS TODAY TO LEAD INDUSTRIES TOMORROW
At the university’s Autonomy Research Institute (ARI), more than a dozen student employees are gaining hands-on experience in areas ranging from engineering and software development to artificial intelligence, human factors, social media, and administration. The team is made up of undergraduate students and graduate research assistants, with majors spanning electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science, English, nursing, and clinical psychology. Through their work in both technical and support roles, students are driving ARI’s mission forward while preparing for careers in rapidly evolving industries.
Building on this momentum, ARI has been selected to lead the new Federal Aviation Administration Center for Advanced Air Mobility Technologies (CAAT), which is supported by up to $190 million in funding over the next four years. CAAT positions ARI, the university, and the Texas A&M System as key leaders in shaping the future of aviation and innovation in the national airspace.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
SOLAR ECLIPSE RESEARCH UNCOVERS ATMOSPHERIC DATA
South Texas is becoming a hot spot for amazing weather and celestial events, and students in the Atmospheric Science program are right in the middle of the action. Since its start in 2016 with a cohort of 12, the program has since expanded to 49 students, emphasizing real-world experience. This combination of practical learning and expert mentorship equips students with skills and knowledge to better understand our planet’s complex environment.
In 2024, students contributed to a solar eclipse research project led by Dr. Chuntao Liu, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, and supported by the National Science Foundation. They launched weather balloons and set up mobile stations to collect data on atmospheric changes during the April 8 total solar eclipse. From prepping instruments and selecting launch sites to making real-time adjustments, students gained hands-on experience that boosted their resumes and career readiness while allowing them to contribute valuable insights into how eclipses impact temperature, humidity, and UV radiation.
DESIGN YOUR FUTURE
DEBUT OF NEW BFA IN COMMUNICATION DESIGN
In fall 2025, the Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design transitioned into a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design — a more comprehensive, career-focused degree offering expanded creative opportunities and stronger industry preparation.
The four-year program, which includes upper-division coursework and expanded studio time, prepares students to become versatile visual communicators across branding, print, digital, motion graphics, packaging, and design strategy. Students build core skills in concept development, design, content creation, digital production, user interface, user experience, social media, environmental graphics, and mobile app design. Graduates of the program leave with polished portfolios, ready for the workforce or advanced study.
A hallmark of the program is its internship initiative: 25-30 students each year secure mostly paid, design-focused placements, with many of those leading to full-time jobs. Students also undergo two formal portfolio reviews to ensure continuous development.
WHERE RESEARCH MEETS REALITY
S-RISE PROGRAM FUELS CONFIDENCE AND CAREER READINESS
Economics major Angel Runkel ’25 discovered her career path with the help of the Island University’s Student Research Innovation Summer Experience (S-RISE) program. Under the mentorship of Dr. Deniz Gevrek, Professor of Economics and Director of the South Texas Economic Development Center, Runkel presented at national conferences and landed an internship with the Port of Corpus Christi — an opportunity that led to a full-time job offer before she even graduated. S-RISE supports students with mentorship, real-world skills, and research experience across disciplines. Runkel’s work revealed surprising insights about bullying and its influence on identity, educational attainment, income, and long-term health outcomes. Her journey shows how hands-on research can build confidence, spark purpose, and open doors beyond the classroom.
ENJOYED THESE HIGHLIGHTS?
Dive into the complete stories and hear directly from the voices behind the innovation on our website. tamucc.edu/research
