Save the Date: 2026 Annual Conference in San Antonio

Save the date for the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference: Pioneering Climate Innovations, Feb. 2–4, 2026, at the Kimpton Santo Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

The 2026 meeting will showcase creative interventions and innovations in sustainability and climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation across a wide range of disciplines.

Speakers and sessions will explore real-world, scalable climate solutions and collaborative problem-solving for sustainability in medicine, engineering, science and technology. Don’t miss this opportunity to take an in-depth look at how science and innovation can help navigate the challenges of our changing world.

2026 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Call for Nominations: February 1–April 30, 2025

Nominations for the 2026 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards are currently open. The awards annually recognize rising star Texas researchers who are addressing the essential role that science and technology play in society and whose work meets the highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity and resourcefulness.

Recipients of the 2025 Hill Prizes Announced

TAMEST and Lyda Hill Philanthropies are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Hill Prizes. The prizes, funded by Lyda Hill Philanthropies, propel high-risk, high-reward ideas and innovations that demonstrate very significant potential for real-world impact and can lead to new, paradigm-shifting paths in research.

2025 Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship Recipient

Gerta Hoxhaj, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI), is the recipient of the 2025 Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship in cancer research. She was chosen for her work in cancer metabolism and revealing new mechanisms crucial for the growth and survival of cancer cells. Learn more about the 2025 Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship recipient.

2025 O’Donnell Awards Recipients

The Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards annually recognize rising Texas researchers who are addressing the essential role that science and technology play in society, and whose work meets the highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity and resourcefulness. Learn more about the 2025 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards recipients.

2025 Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award Recipients

TAMEST is pleased to announce Lyda Hill and Lyda Hill Philanthropies as the recipients of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award. TAMEST is recognizing Lyda Hill and her team for empowering and enabling groundbreaking research in science and nature that profoundly impacts society. Learn more about the 2025 Kay Bailey Hutchison Distinguished Service Award recipients.

TAMEST Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation and Impact at Pegasus Park

On Tuesday, September 3, TAMEST gathered more than 70 National Academy members, research institution leaders and others from the research community to attend a special 20th Anniversary Reception and networking event at Pegasus Park in Dallas. The evening featured an on-stage conversation with Former United States Senator The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, who co-founded TAMEST in 2004, TAMEST Board President Brendan Lee, M.D., Ph.D. (NAM), Baylor College of Medicine and UT Southwestern Medical Center President and TAMEST Member Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D. (NAM). The program showcased TAMEST’s history and growth over the past 20 years and its potential in the future.

Hill Prizes

Hill Prizes Information Session Slides and Video Available

TAMEST held an Information Session for the 2026 Hill Prizes on Tuesday, April 15, to provide an overview of the prizes, application process and selection criteria. Slides and a video of the session are now available, and applications will be accepted from May 1 – 31, 2025. The Hill Prizes, funded by Lyda Hill Philanthropies, propel high-risk, high-reward ideas and innovations that demonstrate significant potential for real-world impact and can lead to new, paradigm-shifting paths in research.

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O'Donnell Awards

O’Donnell Awards Nomination Period Closes April 30

Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate a rising star researcher for the 2026 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards before April 30th at 6 p.m. CT. The 2026 Awards will mark 20 years since the awards were first given. The awards recognize rising star Texas researchers who are addressing the essential role that science and technology play in society and whose work meets the highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity and resourcefulness.

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Brennecke

TAMEST Member Profile: Joan Frances Brennecke, Ph.D. (NAE), The University of Texas at Austin

TAMEST Member and 2025 Hill Prize in Engineering Recipient Joan Frances Brennecke, Ph.D. (NAE), The University of Texas at Austin, is a leading figure in chemical engineering. She is known for her groundbreaking work developing environmentally friendly solvents and processes. TAMEST connected with Dr. Brennecke about her commitment to research and education, her time volunteering for TAMEST and her dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers.

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John Junkins

TAMEST Members News Roundup- April 2025

From award nominations to media interviews, TAMEST loves to share the accolades of our membership. Read the April compilation of our membership’s recent accomplishments, research breakthroughs and more.

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TAMEST News and Updates

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