The Texas Academy of Science held its 129th annual meeting on Feb. 27-28, 2026, at the University of Texas at Tyler. This event draws both student researchers and faculty from across the state for a two-day event of talks, posters and networking opportunities.
TAS has hosted annual meetings for nearly 150 years, aiming to promote scientific inquiry, strengthen research culture and support student development within Texas institutions.
The organization has long emphasized undergraduate participation. Not only does the meeting serve as a showcase of findings, but also as a starting point for professional communication. Here, students refine abstracts, field questions and learn to frame results for scientific audiences.
At this year’s gathering, 22 undergraduate students from the University of Houston-Downtown traveled to UT Tyler to present their research projects and university pride. Attending a statewide tradition that encourages undergraduates to engage in scientific communication and exchange.
Within a two-day conference meeting, UHD students joined peers from universities such as Baylor, Texas A&M, UT Austin and many others.
They shared research work across scientific categories that included ecology, biology, chemistry and mathematics.
Among the UHD students who traveled, six of them received awards for their presentations within their research categories. Their accomplishments showcase the university’s growing investment in student research experiences through mentorship and opportunities to engage in scholarly work.
Beyond the podium, the experience mattered just as much. Presenting at conferences like TAS is a significant experience for emerging researchers.
Structured as a supportive environment, the conference is a first-step moment for undergraduates learning to present their scientific results.
Students also benefited from exposure to a wide range of research approaches, observing how scientists from other institutions presented their work.
After a long three-day trip, UHD participants returned to campus with more than just their experience; they also gained practice in scientific argumentation and confidence in communicating within the scientific community.
The students and faculty who have attended have been credited below.
Students: Annie Trinh, Pedro Rodriguez Navarro, Delwin Sunil, Aimalohi Edeghere, Juan Fuentes, Alexis Hernandez, Tina Prajapati, Ashley Espinoza, Huriel Bautista, Jiya Desai, Maximiliano Perez, Vivian Do Nguyen, Monse Alvarez, Alfredo Aldana Lopez, Justino Gonzalez, Ambivalencia Bonilla Love, Mary Robles, Daniel Odejimi, Ashley Cantu, Mandy Payan, Yuliana Santos Ventura, Desarey Reyna, and Abdulrahman Omar.
Faculty: Dr. Visbal, Dr. Sadana, Dr. Kang, Dr. Crowell, Dr. Tobin, and Dr. Delclos.
