Editing Texas A&M University (section)

===Research===
[[File:Zachry_Engineering_Education_Complex.jpg|thumb|Zachry Engineering Education Complex|alt=A five-story, tan building behind a street and sidewalk.]]

The [[National Science Foundation]] ranked Texas A&M 16th among American universities for research and development expenditures in 2021 with $1.14 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universities Report Largest Growth in Federally Funded R&D Expenditures since FY 2011 {{!}} NSF - National Science Foundation |url=https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23303 |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=ncses.nsf.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zalaznick |first=Matt |date=2023-01-06 |title=Billion-dollar business: These are higher ed's top 30 R&D performers |url=https://universitybusiness.com/r-d-research-and-development-billion-dollar-top-30-college-university-higher-ed-spenders/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=University Business |language=en-US}}</ref> Concentrated in two primary areas, Research Valley and Research Park, the institution has over {{convert|11750|acre|km2|-1|sp=us}}, which includes {{convert|3000000|sqft|m2|-3|sp=us}} of dedicated research space.<ref name="ResearchPark">{{cite web|url=http://researchpark.tamu.edu/park/frequently-asked-questions-about-research-park.html|title=Frequently Asked Questions|access-date=January 1, 2007|publisher=Research Park|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104005926/http://researchpark.tamu.edu/park/frequently-asked-questions-about-research-park.html|archive-date=January 4, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies Texas A&M among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" as of 2021.<ref name="Carnegie">{{cite web |title = Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url = https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=228723 |publisher = Center for Postsecondary Education |website = carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date = July 18, 2020 |archive-date = July 19, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719094411/https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=228723 |url-status = live }}</ref> Its research entities include the [[Hagler Institute for Advanced Study]], the [[Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine]], the [[Texas Transportation Institute]], the Cyclotron Institute, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, and the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology.<ref name="centers">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M University Centers and Institutes|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=http://researchpark.tamu.edu/centers|access-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626161321/http://researchpark.tamu.edu/centers|archive-date=June 26, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Texas A&M University is a member of the [[Southeastern Conference#Academics|SEC Academic Consortium]].<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Arkansas to House SEC Academic Consortium|date=October 31, 2006|access-date=January 9, 2022|url=http://www.secsports.com/the_sec/academic_consortium.aspx|publisher=[[Southeastern Conference]]|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010020000/https://www.secsports.com/the_sec/academic_consortium.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Texas A&M works with state and university agencies on local and international research projects to develop innovations in science and technology that can have commercial applications. In 2006, the Texas A&M University System was the first to explicitly state in its policy technology commercialization could be used for [[tenure]]. Passage of this policy was intended to give faculty more academic freedom and strengthen the university's industry partnerships.<ref name="tenure1">{{cite press release|title=Regents Approve Patents and Commercialization of Research as New Consideration for Faculty Tenure|publisher=The Texas A&M University System|date=May 26, 2006|url=http://sago-news.tamu.edu/releases/?p=166|access-date=April 11, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070506005421/http://sago-news.tamu.edu/releases/?p=166 |archive-date = May 6, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="tenure2">{{cite web|last=Butkus|first=Ben|title=Texas A&M's Use of Tech Commercialization As Basis for Awarding Tenure Gains Traction|publisher=Applied Biosystems|date=August 6, 2007|url=http://www.genomeweb.com/biotechtransferweek/texas-am%E2%80%99s-use-tech-commercialization-basis-awarding-tenure-gains-traction|access-date=April 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917114938/http://www.genomeweb.com/biotechtransferweek/texas-am%E2%80%99s-use-tech-commercialization-basis-awarding-tenure-gains-traction|archive-date=September 17, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lipka|first=Sara|date=May 30, 2006|title=Texas A&M Will Allow Consideration of Faculty Members' Patents in Tenure Process|newspaper=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]|url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/texas-a-m-will-allow-consideration-of-faculty-members-patents-in-tenure-process/}}</ref> The efforts of system-wide faculty and research departments have yielded millions of dollars for Texas A&M in royalty-bearing license agreements through more than 900 patents and 1,500 patent applications relating to a portfolio of over 2,600 inventions. On average, Texas A&M files over 50 patents and closes 25 license agreements per year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/80/c535/Texas_A%26M_OTC_Background.pdf |title=Texas A&M University System Office of Technology Commercialization |website=senate.texas.gov |access-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004141424/https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/80/c535/Texas_A%26M_OTC_Background.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Profile">{{cite press release |url=http://vpr.tamu.edu/advance/2005/05_profile.pdf |title=Profile on Research and Graduate Studies|access-date=January 1, 2007 |year=2005 |publisher=Texas A&M University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614073424/http://vpr.tamu.edu/advance/2005/05_profile.pdf |archive-date=June 14, 2007}}</ref>

Texas A&M has led the world in several fields of [[cloning]] research. Scientists at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine created the first cloned pet, a [[domestic cat|cat]] named "cc", on December 22, 2001.<ref name="ClonedCat">{{cite news|title=First pet clone is a cat|work=[[BBC News]]|date=February 15, 2002|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1820749.stm|access-date=April 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508141657/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1820749.stm|archive-date=May 8, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Texas A&M was also the first academic institution to clone six species; cattle, a [[Boer goat]],<!-- Boer should be capitalized, do not change --> pigs, a cat, a deer, and a horse.<ref name="ABC_News">{{cite news|last=Lozano |first=Juan A. |title=Texas A&M Cloning project raises questions still |newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|date=June 27, 2009 |url=http://209.189.226.235/stories/062705/am_20050627004.php |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907071839/http://209.189.226.235/stories/062705/am_20050627004.php |archive-date=September 7, 2009 }}</ref> In 2016, the animal-rights group [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (PETA) targeted the university and alleged abusive experiments on dogs. According to Texas A&M, the dogs in question were given several experimental treatments to improve or cure a genetic condition that also affects humans. During this period, the dogs were under the care of board-certified veterinarians and other highly trained staff with oversight from multiple agencies including the [[National Institutes of Health]] (NIH) and the [[Muscular Dystrophy Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/disturbing-footage-shows-aandm-dogs-used-in-medical-research-updated-9012763|title=Disturbing Footage Shows A&M Dogs Used in Medical Research [Updated]|first=Craig|last=Malisow|date=December 9, 2016|website=Houstonpress.com|access-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628233818/http://www.houstonpress.com/news/disturbing-footage-shows-aandm-dogs-used-in-medical-research-updated-9012763|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Texas-AM-responds-to-PETA-video-featuring-dogs-used-in-medical-research-406097505.html|title=Texas A&M responds to PETA video showing dogs used for medical research|first=Rusty|last=Surette|website=Kbtx.com|date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234155/http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Texas-AM-responds-to-PETA-video-featuring-dogs-used-in-medical-research-406097505.html|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The university is also engaged in significant scientific exploration projects. In 2004, as part of its responsibilities under the space grant program, it joined a consortium of universities and countries to build the [[Giant Magellan Telescope]] in Chile.<ref>{{cite web|title=Partnerships, Giant Magellan Telescope|url=http://www.gmto.org/partners/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161107/https://www.gmto.org/partners/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=GMTO|url=http://www.gmto.org/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330140028/http://www.gmto.org/|archive-date=March 30, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Construction began in November 2015; on its completion—which is scheduled for 2025—it will be the largest optical telescope ever constructed with seven mirrors, each with a diameter of {{convert|8.4|m|yd|1|sp=us}}, the equivalent of a mirror {{convert|24.5|m|yd|1|sp=us}} across and ten times more powerful than the [[Hubble Space Telescope]].<ref>{{cite web|title=GMTO Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.gmto.org/overview/frequently-asked-questions/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope Organization|access-date=February 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301012334/http://www.gmto.org/overview/frequently-asked-questions/|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Images from Groundbreaking|url=http://www.gmto.org/gmt-groundbreaking-ceremony/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307211313/http://www.gmto.org/gmt-groundbreaking-ceremony/|archive-date=March 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of a collaboration with the [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy]]'s [[National Nuclear Security Administration]], Texas A&M completed the first conversion of a [[Texas A&M Nuclear Reactors|nuclear research reactor]] from using highly enriched [[uranium]] fuel (70%) to use low-enriched uranium (20%). The eighteen-month project ended on October 13, 2006, after the first-ever refueling of the reactor, thus fulfilling a portion of the United States' Global Nuclear Threat Reduction Initiative.<ref name="Nuclear">{{cite news|url=http://www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/10/18/News/Am.Reactor.Gets.Safer.Uranium-2373962.shtml|first=Jessica|last=McCann|title=A&M reactor gets safer uranium|access-date=January 1, 2007|date=October 18, 2006|work=[[The Battalion]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204005145/http://www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/10/18/News/Am.Reactor.Gets.Safer.Uranium-2373962.shtml|archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, geography researchers named the largest volcano on Earth, [[Tamu Massif]], after the university in honor of their research contributions.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 5, 2013 |work=Tamu Times |publisher=Texas A&M University |url=http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2013/09/05/worlds-largest-volcano-now-named-tamu/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908055030/http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2013/09/05/worlds-largest-volcano-now-named-tamu/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2013 |title=World's Largest Volcano Now Named TAMU |access-date=September 7, 2013 }}</ref>