Dr. Katie Lewis received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Soil Science from Texas A&M University in 2010 and 2014 after completing her B.S. in Chemistry from Sam Houston State University in 2008. She joined the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas Tech University faculty in September 2014. As an Associate Professor of Soil Chemistry and Fertility, Dr. Lewis is provided the opportunity through research, service, and teaching to enhance the agricultural sustainability of the Texas High Plains which is vitally essential to both Texas and the nation. The major focus areas of Dr. Lewis’ program include: 1) determining sustainable regenerative management practices in semi-arid ecoregions; 2) optimizing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium management in cotton; and 3) evaluating alternative practices and products (e.g. fertilizer formulations and soil amendments). She is determined to optimize management strategies for cotton producers across the Texas High Plains and the Cotton Belt of the United States to ensure the longevity of their farming operations while conserving our soil and water resources. Dr. Lewis currently serves as the Chair of the Land Management & Conservation Section (ASA) and has chaired the Cover Crop Management Community. She has been the chair of the Great Plains Soil Fertility Planning Board since 2020. She has authored or co-authored 46 peer-reviewed articles and two book chapters. Dr. Lewis’ program has received $5.6 million in federal, state, and local funds ($36.2 million to all project investigators). She has mentored to completion eight M.S. students and six Ph.D. students. She is an associate editor of the Agrosystems, Geosciences, and Environment Journal and the Agronomy Journal.
She is married to her wonderful husband, Clay, and has two beautiful children, Kadence and Cade.