O’Donnell Foundation Contributes $1 Million to Endow TAMEST Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Ceremony and Sustain Recognition of Texas’ Rising Stars in Research

TAMEST is pleased to announce a transformational $1 million gift from the O’Donnell Foundation to endow the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Ceremony and related components of its prestigious annual awards program.

The announcement was made by The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, TAMEST Honorary Chair, Former United States Senator and Former United States Ambassador to NATO, during the 20th Anniversary Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Dinner and Ceremony, held on February 3, 2026, at the Kimpton Santo Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, during the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference.

“This extraordinary gift from the O’Donnell Foundation reaffirms their unwavering belief in the power of science, innovation and the next generation of Texas research talent,” said The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, TAMEST Honorary Chair, Former United States Senator and Former United States Ambassador to NATO. “The O’Donnell Awards have long served as a recognition of excellence, and this endowment addition ensures that the brightest emerging minds in our state will continue to be inspired for decades to come. It is a legacy of investment in Texas’ future and in the advancement of knowledge that benefits us all.”

This milestone gift will ensure the long-term sustainability of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards, one of Texas’ most distinguished honors for early-career researchers and innovators. It also includes funding to ensure the award recipients can travel to the TAMEST annual conference each year and present their work to an audience of National Academies members. Both components are signature elements of the program to celebrate and recognize the O’Donnell Awards recipients each year, providing unmatched visibility for recipients to leaders from academia, industry and the National Academies.

“The O’Donnell Foundation’s contribution in 2025 of an additional $1 million to the O’Donnell Awards Endowment ensures the long-term sustainability and continued excellence of the annual conference and awards presentation,” said William T. Solomon, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, O’Donnell Foundation. “It will enable the recipients to continue to be present when they are recognized at the ceremony and dinner.”

Established in 2006 by Edith and Peter O’Donnell, the awards have honored more than 80 rising star researchers in Texas over the past two decades. Eighteen recipients have since been elected to one of the National Academies and six have been elected to multiple academies, with all three inaugural awardees achieving that distinction. The program shines a spotlight on young researchers making significant contributions to medicine, engineering, sciences and technology innovation at a pivotal point in their careers.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the O’Donnell Foundation, we can guarantee that the next generation of Texas scientists, engineers and physicians will continue to be celebrated with the distinction they deserve,” said TAMEST Board President Ganesh Thakur, Ph.D. (NAE), University of Houston. “This addition to the endowment secures the future of a program that has transformed lives and elevated Texas as a leader in research and discovery for the past 20 years.”

The $1 million contribution will be added to the existing O’Donnell Awards Endowment and will support:

• Production and staging of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Ceremony
• The formal awards dinner and reception
• Travel and hospitality for recipients to attend the ceremony and present their research at the annual conference
• Digital and print materials to amplify recipient achievements

“The O’Donnell Foundation’s commitment reflects their deep belief in the power of research to generate advances for our society, and we applaud their initiative to shine light on the amazing innovations of our early career scientists and engineers,” said TAMEST 2026 O’Donnell Awards Committee Chair Frances S. Ligler, D.Phil., D.Sc. (NAE), Texas A&M University. “This gift ensures the O’Donnell Awards will continue to inspire, elevate and connect the brightest young minds in our state as we enter the next 20 years of this prestigious program.”

Nominations for the 2027 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards are currently open through Monday, March 30, 2026.

A special 20th Anniversary Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Summit will take place Thursday, September 10, 2026, in Austin, Texas. The distinctive one-day summit will feature presentations from notable past O’Donnell Award recipients and celebrate the legacy and impact of the awards in their first 20 years.

About the O’Donnell Awards:

The Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards were established in 2005 and first awarded in 2006. They are named in honor of Edith and Peter O’Donnell, who were among Texas’ most devoted advocates for excellence in scientific advancement and STEM education. 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. The O’Donnell Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements by Texas-based researchers in five categories: medicine, engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences and technology innovation. Each award includes a $25,000 honorarium and an invitation to present at TAMEST’s Annual Conference each year. Since 2006, 17 O’Donnell Awards recipients have been elected to one of the National Academies and six have been elected to multiple academies.