From Lab to Landscape: Building a Bigger, Better Texas
About the 2026 TXST STEM Conference
The 4th Annual Texas State University STEM Conference is a premier event that brings together researchers, students, educators, and industry leaders from across Texas and beyond to explore how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics drive innovation for a resilient and prosperous Texas.
The 2026 theme — “From Lab to Landscape: Building a Bigger, Better Texas” — highlights how TXST’s interdisciplinary research and partnerships are advancing solutions across a wide range of fields, including clean energy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, water management, sustainable agriculture, and health resiliency — among many others shaping Texas’ future. In alignment with the State of Texas’ “Bigger. Better. Texas.” Economic Development Plan, the conference emphasizes how university-driven discovery is fostering innovation, workforce development, and economic strength across the state.
Representing collaboration across all TXST colleges, schools, and centers, the conference connects discovery to application — underscoring the university’s role in shaping the future of Texas through research, education, and partnership. The 2026 program features keynote sessions, student presentations, and Fireside Chats — interactive, interdisciplinary conversations that spark new connections among scholars, innovators, and industry leaders committed to advancing Texas’ future.
Hosted on the San Marcos campus, the TXST STEM Conference serves as a statewide platform for collaboration — bridging academia, industry, and policy to create solutions that will define Texas’ next generation of innovation and resilience.
Keynote Speakers
Kyle Seipp, Senior Director of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness, E3 Alliance
Kyle is the Senior Director of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness at the E3 Alliance, a non-profit education data and research intermediary based in Austin, TX where he works with the team to support policy-to-practice implementation in postsecondary programming like optimizing HB3 and HB8. Kyle has a unique background, serving in both the K12 and Higher Ed spaces. He began his career in education as a HS Mathematics Teacher and Instructional Coach in Northwest ISD outside of Fort Worth and would later become the first Director of College and Career Readiness. He later joined the Institute for Public School Initiatives in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin to be an Executive Master Teacher, focused on scaling algebra readiness in middle schools and supporting school districts and community colleges to establish Early College High School Partnerships across the state. Prior to E3 Alliance, he led partnership development in the Office of Strategy and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin for the OnRamps programming that has connected more than 200,000 students from 200+ districts across TX to ‘see themselves as college students’ before transitioning into postsecondary.
Sarah Rountree Schlessinger, CEO, Texas Water Foundation
Sarah Rountree Schlessinger is the CEO of Texas Water Foundation, a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit that works in water policy, workforce and leadership initiatives, and a statewide water campaign. She previously worked in groundwater policy and regulation, and has experience with international nonprofits and disaster response. Sarah served as an appointed member of the Water Conservation Advisory Council for ten years, and is a current board member for Open ET.
Keynote Panelists
Dr. Matthew Thomas Ferreira, Life-Science Strategist & Executive Team Member at NeurAdaptive
Life-science strategist and member of the executive team at NeurAdaptive, working at the intersection of neurotechnology, scientific strategy, and innovation ecosystems. Trained in neuro-oncology, metabolism, and molecular epidemiology, he helps biotech and med-tech ventures translate complex research into real-world impact. TXST alumnus dedicated to mentoring the next generation of STEM leaders.
Charles Woodin, CEO of Geekdom
Charles Woodin is the CEO of Geekdom, a startup incubator founded in 2011 dedicated to growing San Antonio’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since joining Geekdom in 2017 as a Business Development Manager, Charles took on increasing responsibilities, moving into the role of Membership Director before being appointed CEO in 2019.
Under his leadership, Geekdom has redefined its mission, launched key initiatives like the Accelerate South Texas Fund, and partnered with the City of San Antonio to oversee Launch SA, fostering innovation and small business growth. A former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant, Charles served as an Airborne Cryptologic Language Analyst for eight years, specializing in intelligence collection and training.
Originally from Michigan, Charles now calls San Antonio home, where he is deeply committed to its growth. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking national parks, and spending time with his daughters, Penelope and Amelia.