A Texas A&M system official has been appointed to the governor’s new Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee (TSIC EC). The system’s vice chancellor for research, Dr. Joe Elabd, is one of nine members who will govern work of the new group, which a news release states will “work with industry stakeholders to ensure Texas’ place as a national leader in advanced semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing.” Additionally, among those named to serve on the consortium representing higher education institutions is Texas A&M associate professor of mechanical engineering and associate vice chancellor for research Dr. David Staack.
The governor’s office has also announced the creation of the Texas Space Commission and named the first members of the commission’s board and the executive committee of the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium. One of nine members of the Texas space commission board is retired astronaut and the director of A&M’s new space institute, Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg. And one of six appointees to the consortium’s executive committed is the chairman of the industry advisory board of A&M’s multi-disciplinary engineering program, Matt Onder. A news release states the “Texas Space Commission will cement Texas’ position as a national leader in the space industry and will secure its future in space exploration and development for the next generation of Texans.”