Team Leader
Aparna Pushkaran Ajitha
Texas A&M University
Department of Animal Science
aparnapushkaran@tamu.edu
Project Type
Research
Who Can Join
Graduate Students, Masters Students, Undergraduate Students
Project Description
This research project focuses on developing a comprehensive system dynamics model to quantitatively assess and improve resource efficiency in dairy farming. The primary objective is to analyze critical resource flows—including water, energy, and feed—by capturing the complex interactions among environmental, operational, and economic components within dairy systems. Team members will actively participate in model development, validation, and simulation using platforms such as Vensim or Stella, and will help translate model insights into actionable strategies for enhancing farm sustainability. Furthermore, with a dedicated and consistent research team drawn from preliminary group, this study will be extended to include agent-based modeling to simulate the complex interactions among various stakeholders and system components within the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus. In parallel, advanced machine learning techniques—such as Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks—will be employed to develop robust predictive models for electricity consumption. These models will be designed to capture temporal dependencies, nonlinear trends, and fluctuations influenced by diverse operational and environmental variables. The integration of these forecasting tools will provide valuable insights to support data-driven decision-making and enhance the overall effectiveness of the WEF nexus analysis.
Team Needs
We welcome students with interests or backgrounds in mathematics, modeling, python, animal science, veterinary science, system dynamics, agricultural systems, machine learning, sustainability science, or environmental modeling. Preferred qualifications include experience with simulation tools (e.g., Vensim, Stella, AnyLogic) and strong quantitative or analytical skills. Weekly team meetings are either held in-person or virtually planned.
Special Opportunities
Participants will gain practical experience in dynamic systems modeling, data integration, and scenario-based analysis. Outstanding contributions may lead to opportunities for presenting at Student Research Week or co-authoring academic publications. This project offers valuable exposure to interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of agriculture, systems engineering, and sustainability policy—ideal for students exploring careers in integrated environmental and agricultural sciences.