Learn more about sessions and speakers by viewing the agenda below:
O’Donnell Awards Summit Agenda: Day 1
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Welcome Dinner and Reception (Optional)
Franklin Barbecue Backyard
2027 Anchor Lane, Austin, Texas
The welcome dinner and reception will take place the evening of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at Franklin Barbecue Backyard, 2027 Anchor Lane, in Austin, Texas.
This optional event requires the purchase of the $25 add-on in Eventbrite during registration.
O’Donnell Awards Summit Agenda: Day 2
Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Summit Program
Crum Auditorium (RRH 1.400, First Floor), Robert B. Rowling Hall
The University of Texas at Austin
300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, Texas
Agenda Subject to Change
Thursday Morning Sessions
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks: Ganesh Thakur, Ph.D. (NAE '16), TAMEST Board President
9:05 a.m.
Special Remarks: The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, TAMEST Honorary Chair
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION SESSION
Session Emcee: To Be Announced
9:15–9:45 a.m.
Speaker: S.V. Sreenivasan, Ph.D. (NAE '21), The University of Texas at Austin, 2010 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Technology Innovation
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Speaker: Kimberly A. Hambuchen, Ph.D., NASA Johnson Space Center, 2024 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Technology Innovation
10:15–10:30 a.m.
Panel with Technology Speakers on Impact and Legacy of O’Donnell Awards
10:30–10:45 a.m.
Break
SCIENCE SESSION
Session Emcee: Kim Orth, Ph.D. (NAS '20), UT Southwestern Medical Center and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2011 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Biological Sciences
10:45–11:15 a.m.
Speaker: Zhijian “James” Chen, Ph.D. (NAM '22, NAS '14, FRS '25), UT Southwestern Medical Center and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2007 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Biological Sciences
11:15–11:45 a.m.
Speaker: Xiaoqin Elaine Li, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 2018 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Physical Sciences
11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Panel with Science Speakers on Impact and Legacy of O’Donnell Awards
Thursday Afternoon Sessions
12:00–1:00 p.m.
Lunch (Special Events Room 5.210, 5th floor, Rowling Hall)
12:15–12:45 p.m.
Lunch Session Speakers: To Be Announced
MEDICINE SESSION
Session Emcee: Brendan Lee, M.D., Ph.D. (NAM ’13), Baylor College of Medicine, 2009 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Medicine
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Speaker: Margaret Goodell, Ph.D. (NAM ’19, NAS ’25), Baylor College of Medicine, 2011 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Medicine
1:30–2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Jennifer Wargo, M.D. (NAM ’23), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Medicine
2:00–2:15 p.m.
Panel with Medicine Speakers on Impact and Legacy of O’Donnell Awards
2:25–2:30 p.m.
Break
ENGINEERING SESSION
Session Emcee: To Be Announced
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Speaker: Antonios G. Mikos, Ph.D. (NAM ’12, NAE ’12), Rice University, 2007 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Engineering
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Speaker: Jeffrey Rimer, Ph.D., University of Houston, 2020 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Engineering
3:30–3:45 p.m.
Panel with Engineering Speakers on Impact and Legacy of O’Donnell Awards
3:45–3:50 p.m.
Closing Remarks
