Generación STEM

🎓 Student Platform Talks at the TXST STEM Conference

New to this year’s conference, the student platform talks provided students with an opportunity to present their research and share their ideas across a range of STEM disciplines.

These presentations created space for students to engage with others, contribute to meaningful conversations, and highlight the work shaping the future of STEM.

From emerging research to applied ideas, students brought thoughtful and engaging perspectives to the conference.

Thank you to all of the students who participated and shared their work!
Congratulations to this year’s platform talk award winner.

🔥 Fireside Chat at the TXST STEM Conference

The 2026 TXST STEM Conference featured a fireside chat titled:
Standing Out in STEM: Stories of Transformation, Tenacity, and Breakthroughs

This conversation brought together leaders across science, technology, and entrepreneurship to share insights on innovation, career journeys, and the experiences that shaped their paths.

Panelists included:
• Dr. Matthew Thomas Ferreira, Life-Science Strategist and Executive Team Member at NeurAdaptive
• Charles Woodin, CEO of Geekdom
• Albert Swantner, Chief Technology Officer at Verdara
• Sara Wisser, Global Senior Manager of Genetic Sciences Business Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Moderated by:
• Cody Gould, Community Health Research Associate at Texas State University

Thank you all for contributing to a meaningful and engaging conversation

🎤 Keynote speakers at the TXST STEM Conference

We are grateful to our keynote speakers, Kyle Seipp and Sarah Rountree Schlessinger, for their time, insight, and meaningful contributions to the 2026 TXST STEM Conference.

Their sessions highlighted the connection between research, policy, and real-world impact, and brought a valuable perspective to the conversations throughout the day.

Thank you both for sharing your experience and helping make this year’s conference a success!

✨ A look back at the 2026 TXST STEM Conference ✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of research, collaboration, and meaningful conversations.

From student platform talks and poster presentations to keynote sessions and the featured fireside chat, the conference brought together students, educators, and industry professionals from Texas State and beyond!

We appreciate everyone who helped make this event possible.

🏆 Celebrating Excellence at the 2026 TXST STEM Conference

We are proud to recognize the outstanding student researchers selected as award winners in this year’s poster presentations and platform talks.

Their work reflects the innovation, dedication, and real-world impact that define research at Texas State University.

👏 Congratulations to our winners:

Undergraduate Poster Presentation Winners:
• 1st Place: Dillon Gee
• 2nd Place (Tie): Paris Salmon, Johnny McCaskill
• 3rd Place: Abigail Yoder

Graduate Poster Presentation Winners:
• 1st Place: Andrew Haney
• 2nd Place: Farhaan Cooverji
• 3rd Place: Jackelyn Rodriguez

Platform Talk Winner:
• 1st Place: Ikechukwu Opara

People’s Choice Award:
• Hailey Dudley

📸 Pictured: Award winners in attendance

We are proud to celebrate your achievements and the impact of your work.
Join us in congratulating this year’s winners!

⏳ 1 day to go

The 2026 TXST STEM Conference is almost here.

We’re excited to welcome researchers, students, educators, and industry leaders to Texas State University for a day of innovation, collaboration, and discovery.

See you tomorrow!

🐾 Bobcats at the TXST STEM Conference

We’re proud to welcome Texas State alumni back to campus as part of the 2026 TXST STEM Conference.

This year’s alumni speakers include:
• Kyle Seipp, Senior Director of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness at E3 Alliance
• Dr. Matthew Ferreira, Life-Science Strategist & Executive Team Member at NeurAdaptive
• Sara Wisser, M.S., Global Senior Manager of Genetic Sciences Business Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific

These alumni are returning to share their experience and insights with students, researchers, and the broader community.

You’ll notice a paw symbol beside their names on the conference schedule.

Explore the full conference schedule and speaker lineup. Link in bio!

🔥 Fireside Chat

We’re excited to feature a fireside chat at the 2026 TXST STEM Conference:
Standing Out in STEM: Stories of Transformation, Tenacity, and Breakthroughs

This conversation will bring together leaders across science, technology, and entrepreneurship to share insights on innovation, career journeys, and the breakthroughs shaping the future of STEM.

Panelists include:
• Dr. Matthew Thomas Ferreira, Life-Science Strategist and Executive Team Member at NeurAdaptive
• Charles Woodin, CEO of Geekdom
• Albert Swantner, Chief Technology Officer at Verdara
• Sara Wisser, Global Senior Manager of Genetic Sciences Business Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Moderated by:
• Cody Gould, Community Health Research Associate at Texas State University

Join us as we explore how innovation moves
From Lab to Landscape: Building a Bigger, Better Texas.

📅 March 27, 2026
📍 LBJ Student Center | Texas State University

Explore the full conference schedule and speaker lineup. Link in bio!

🎤 Keynote Speaker

We’re excited to welcome Sarah Rountree Schlessinger, CEO of the Texas Water Foundation, as a keynote speaker at the 2026 TXST STEM Conference.

Sarah leads statewide efforts focused on water policy, workforce development, and leadership across Texas. Her work supports collaboration across research, policy, and industry to address critical water challenges.

She brings experience in groundwater policy and regulation, as well as work with international nonprofits and disaster response efforts. Sarah also served for ten years on the Water Conservation Advisory Council.

Join us as we explore how innovation moves
From Lab to Landscape: Building a Bigger, Better Texas.

📅 March 27, 2026
📍 LBJ Student Center | Texas State University

Explore the full conference schedule and speaker lineup via the link in our bio.

✨ The full conference program is now live ✨

The program for the 2026 TXST STEM Conference is now available on our website.

You can now explore the full schedule, including keynote sessions, the featured fireside chat, and student platform talks and poster presentations with research titles and topics.

Get a closer look at the work being presented and start planning your day!

📅 March 27, 2026
📍 LBJ Student Center | Texas State University

Explore the full conference schedule and speaker lineup. Link in bio!