Graphics Development
by Jerry Shelton, Associate Director – Graphics Development and Support
I began my career in 1983, and since then, the tools have changed entirely, and the required skill sets have changed as well.
The introduction of “desktop publishing” during the 1980s led some companies to let go of the graphic designers who were creating newsletters and company communications. I was told by more than a few people that desktop publishing would eventually replace my job. That trend lasted about six months, and the designers were rehired and paid more money. Executives and salespeople spent all their time learning to use the software effectively, and the result was ugly newsletters.
The software was a tool, just as a paintbrush is a tool. Having one and knowing how to use one are two different things. Being able to paint a wall and the ability to paint a landscape are two very different things. The change was not bad; some just overreacted and used the tools inefficiently and inappropriately. Wasted time and money quickly righted the ship, and graphic design was improved.
Change is constant. Typically, the change is neither good nor bad; it is simply a change. What matters is how we respond to the change and how we use the new tools. From the perspective of a Research Development Graphic Designer, our goal always remains the same: Translating scientific thinking into a form that another human being can comprehend.
Possibly the most impactful change in my lifetime is the introduction of A.I. as a tool available to everyone. Most, if not all, professions have been affected. So, let’s look at A.I. as a graphic design tool without over- or under-reacting.
What changed?
Generative AI has made it remarkably easy to produce scientific illustrations. As a researcher, you can now go from a concept to a graphic representation in mere minutes.
Why does it matter?
A.I. can save time, help us with ideas, and help us see things in ways we have not been able to see before. It can create rough drafts of text and images. (Rough draft is the key statement.)
Scientific communication sets a higher bar than the look and feel of a figure; an A.I. figure can contain subtle inaccuracies, incorrect terminology, typos, biological structures that don’t exist, incorrect relationships, misleading arrows, impossible processes, and still look completely credible.
Additionally, most scientific journals currently do not allow A.I.-generated images, and, increasingly, proposal reviewers can recognize A.I. Each reviewer undoubtedly has their own opinion. However, what has been communicated to our office is that it is sometimes seen as a lack of dedication to the opportunity.
Anecdotally, you might think of it this way: You offer to pay an artist $5,500 to create a painting of your child. The artist presents you with a beautiful “painting,” printed and stretched on canvas. But there was no time and thought put into it, and it was A.I.-generated, printed on canvas, and attached to a canvas stretcher. If it were me, I would be sorely disappointed and refuse to award the artist the $5,500. The analogy may not be an apples-to-apples example, but it does illustrate the point.
That is the current state of things… but that too will change. How we use A.I. will continue to evolve, and the content will continue to improve.
How should we respond?
There are instances where an A.I. image would be acceptable. As a rule, it is currently best to treat AI-generated scientific imagery as a starting point rather than a final product. Be sure to verify every element, terminology, relationship, and process. Involve a graphic designer, communicate the inaccuracies, and allow the freedom to create a unique, accurate, and visually appealing figure.
This figure illustrates subtle improvements that can make a big difference, both visually and technically.
My advice as an RDO Graphic Designer with more than 40 years of experience
Embrace the change. Use A.I. for its strengths while using the most scientifically advanced tools in your kit: your brain, your experience, and your creativity.
Research Intelligence Dispatch
by Dr. Sharmila Pathikonda, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
Funding Intelligence • Sponsor Updates • Proposal Strategy • Research Competitiveness
Research Development Office
The Texas A&M University System
Welcome to Research Intelligence Dispatch, a new monthly blog from The Texas A&M University System Research Development Office.
The federal research environment is evolving rapidly. Sponsor priorities, proposal requirements, review criteria, expectations, submission systems, and funding opportunities continue to change across agencies. Successfully navigating this landscape requires more than awareness – it requires timely information, thoughtful interpretation, and practical guidance.
Research Intelligence Dispatch was created to help our research community understand these changes and translate them into stronger proposal strategies and improved research competitiveness.
Each month, we will answer three questions:
- What changed?
- Why does it matter?
- How should we respond?
While this blog publication provides strategic insight and analysis, it is just one component of a broader and growing collection of research development resources designed to support investigators, research administrators, and research leadership across the A&M System.
Building a Research Development Ecosystem
The A&M System Research Development Office is expanding its online resources to provide researchers with practical tools, current intelligence, and collaborative opportunities throughout the proposal development process.
1. Life of P.I.
- Our Life of P.I. newsletter remains the primary source for community news, funding announcements, workshops, events, professional development opportunities, success stories, and Research Development Office updates.
- If you want to know what is happening across the Texas A&M System research community, Life of P.I. is the place to start.
2. Sponsor Updates
- We are also launching a Sponsor Updates resource – a continuously updated knowledge base dedicated to sponsor information that directly supports proposal development.
- This resource will feature:
- Sponsor updates
- Proposal requirement changes
- Review criteria updates
- Proposal preparation guidance
- Common Forms and SciENcv updates
- Agency-specific resources and guidance
- Proposal development implications and recommended actions
Rather than searching multiple federal agency websites, you will have access to curated sponsor updates in one location, organized by sponsor and topic.
3. Funding Opportunity Database
- Finding the right funding opportunity is often the first step toward a successful proposal.
- Our Funding Opportunity Database is designed to help investigators identify funding opportunities aligned with their research interests and strategic goals.
- Researchers can use the database to explore:
- Federal funding opportunities
- Foundation and nonprofit opportunities
- Industry-sponsored programs
- Multidisciplinary funding opportunities
- Early-career programs
- Center-scale initiatives
- Infrastructure and equipment programs
The database will continue to expand as new opportunities become available.
4. Research Development Resources
- Our website also includes a growing collection of proposal development resources designed to support investigators throughout the proposal lifecycle.
- Resources include:
- Proposal development guides
- Sponsor-specific checklists
- Proposal templates
- Budget and planning tools
- Proposal timelines
- Review criteria crosswalks
- Team science resources
- Data management planning resources
- Proposal development best practices
These materials are intended to save investigators time while promoting consistent, high-quality proposal preparation.
5. Research Affinity Groups
- Research and Innovation often begins with collaboration.
- To strengthen connections across The Texas A&M University System, we are developing Research Affinity Groups that bring together faculty with shared research interests, complementary expertise, and common funding goals.
- These communities will foster:
- Cross-campus collaboration
- Team science
- Large-scale proposal development
- Strategic networking
- Sharing of expertise and best practices
- Development of competitive multidisciplinary research teams
As these groups grow, they will provide new opportunities for researchers to build partnerships across the System’s universities and state agencies.
6. Friday Faculty Zoom Series
- Learning from one another is one of the most effective ways to strengthen proposal competitiveness.
- Our Friday Faculty Zoom Series provides a forum for investigators and research professionals to engage in discussions on topics such as:
- Federal sponsor priorities
- Proposal development strategies
- Team science
- Emerging funding opportunities
- Successful proposal practices
- Sponsor-specific guidance
- Research development tools and resources
These sessions are designed to be practical, interactive, and responsive to the evolving needs of our research community.
Why Research Intelligence Matters
- Research competitiveness depends on more than excellent science.
- Today’s most successful proposals are built through thoughtful planning, strong collaborations, careful alignment with sponsor priorities, and a clear understanding of the evolving funding environment.
- Research Intelligence Dispatch is intended to complement your scientific expertise by providing the strategic context needed to compete effectively for external research funding.
- Each month, we will synthesize important developments across the federal research enterprise, identify emerging trends, and share practical guidance to help investigators and research administrators navigate an increasingly dynamic funding landscape.
Looking Ahead
Future editions of Research Intelligence Dispatch will feature:
- Sponsor updates
- Funding intelligence and opportunity forecasts
- Proposal strategy and reviewer perspectives
- Sponsor spotlights
- Team science and collaboration strategies
- Research competitiveness insights
- New resources from the Research Development Office
Whether you are preparing your first proposal, leading a multidisciplinary research initiative, supporting proposal development, or providing research leadership, we hope these resources become trusted companions throughout your research journey.
We invite you to:
- Read Life of P.I. to stay connected to the Texas A&M System research community.
- Explore the Sponsor Updates page for current proposal guidance.
- Search the Funding Opportunity Database to identify new funding opportunities.
- Download tools and templates from our Research Development Resources library.
- Participate in Research Affinity Groups to build new collaborations.
- Join the Friday Faculty Zoom Series to learn, connect, and exchange ideas with colleagues across the System.
- Return each month for a new edition of Research Intelligence Dispatch as we continue to explore the changing federal research landscape.
Thank you for being part of The Texas A&M University System research community.
We look forward to supporting your research success through information, collaboration, and innovation.