For 27 years, the Hirschi Lab was based at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine—an environment uniquely designed to bridge agriculture and human health. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Bier and to the Center for their long-standing support of our research program. The CNRC provided not only exceptional facilities, but also a culture that encouraged ambitious, cross-disciplinary science—allowing us to connect fundamental plant biology with clinical nutrition, animal models, and translational human studies under one roof.

Equally important was the extraordinary scientific ecosystem of the Texas Medical Center. The proximity and collaborations with colleagues at Rice University and Texas A&M University expanded our work beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, integrating model system biology, agriculture, and human health. Those 27 years shaped the lab’s scientific identity—demonstrating that plant science belongs in conversations about medicine, nutrition, and global health.