TAMEST Protégé Program

Elevating the Next Generation of Texas Researchers

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Nominate Your Protégé Today for the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference

TAMEST members may nominate one protégé to join them at the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference. Once nominated, protégés will be invited to attend the conference at the discounted rate of $75. Protégés who register by Wednesday, December 17, 2025, will receive extra 25% off the registration price.

Learn more about the protégé program below. For more information, please contact Destiny Allen at destiny.allen@austin.utexas.edu.

Nominate Your Protégé

Each year, TAMEST members have a unique opportunity to help nurture the next generation of researchers in Texas. Through the TAMEST Protégé Program, early-career researchers are selected on an individual basis by TAMEST members to attend the TAMEST annual conference. Each year, 40-50 Protégés experience firsthand the premier gathering of the Texas scientific community, learning about state-of-the-art research taking place in Texas.

The program is designed as a mentorship tool for early-career researchers (ideally within 15 years of their first academic appointment or are early-career industry professionals). Protégés benefit from the mentorship of TAMEST members and get to network with top researchers in the state at the conference. (TAMEST members may invite one protégé to join them at the conference.)

Many protégés have gone on to become stars in their field and be elected to the National Academies, including TAMEST members like Dr. Antonios Mikos, Rice University (NAM, NAE), Dr. Sharon Wood, The University of Texas at Austin (NAE), and Dr. Lora Hooper, UT Southwestern Medical Center (NAM, NAS).

Protégé Program Benefits

Protégés Socializing at Conference

Exclusive Networking Reception for Protégés

TAMEST hosts an exclusive networking reception for all current protégés. This event provides a platform for early-career researchers to connect, share their research and build relationships with their peers. By fostering a community among protégés, the reception aims to create a supportive environment for professional growth and collaboration.

O'Donnell Awards

Breakfast Meeting with National Academy Members

A special breakfast meeting for protégés and National Academy members takes place at each conference, providing protégés an opportunity to network and learn more about the National Academies from elected members. Past breakfast meetings have also featured conversations with presidents of the National Academies.

The breakfast meeting at the 2026 annual conference will be hosted by TAMEST President Ganesh C. Thakur, Ph.D. (NAE).

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Protégé Poster Challenge

The TAMEST Protégé Poster Challenge recognizes research and technology that could have significant impact on scientific understanding and society. This opportunity provides protégés a chance to showcase their research and innovation to research and industry leaders. Attendees included National Academy members, CEOs and business leaders, federal agency leaders and the greater scientific research community in Texas.

A maximum of fifty posters are invited to participate in the poster session on a first-come, first-served basis. Posters are organized into one of four categories: medicine, engineering, science and technology. One finalist will be selected for each category. Posters do not need to align with the overall theme of the meeting.

Learn more about the TAMEST 2026 Protégé Poster Challenge guidelines >

Protégé Statistics

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Protégé Program Testimonials

The TAMEST Protégé Program sustains a pipeline of rising talent that is crucial in cultivating the future of research and innovation in our state. It’s important for early and mid-career researchers to understand that it is not impossible to become a member of the National Academies.
Dr. Francisco Gonzalez Cigarroa

TAMEST Member and Former Board President, UT Health San Antonio

You have this amazing cadre of brilliant scientists in the state, and the protégé program provides an excellent opportunity to interact with them. Being exposed to such high-quality science and having the opportunity to talk to that cadre of scientists was certainly inspirational.
Dr. Lora Hooper

Past Protégé, O’Donnell Award recipient and Former TAMEST Board Member, UT Southwestern Medical Center

TAMEST brought me into an inner circle that I didn’t know existed. My Ph.D. and postdoctoral advisors weren’t a part of a National Academy, so I wasn’t exposed to its potential before becoming a protégé. That introduction and exposure was extremely helpful to my career.
Dr. Brian Korgel

Past Protégé, O’Donnell Award recipient and TAMEST Member, The University of Texas at Austin

One highlight was the “Breakfast with Leaders” event, where the top four presenters had breakfast with Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael Brown (NAM, NAS), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and the National Academy leader’s team. These Texans are so impressive, and yet they were humble and incredibly encouraging. … You could feel their dedication to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Being worthy of national academy selection is a goal of mine and the TAMEST program provides a fertile, nurturing environment for growth.
Dr. Aaron T. Becker

2024 Protégé Poster Challenge Winner, University of Houston

It was a fantastic meeting with the best minds in Texas. I learned so much about great initiatives and innovations in energy transition, resilient engineering, and biomedical research in the state. It felt great to be a part of this community.
Dr. Maksim Mamonkin

2023 Protégé Poster Challenge Winner, Baylor College of Medicine

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