TTU Fall Symposium 2025- Special Sessions

Discover. Learn. Connect.

Join us for the TTU Fall Symposium 2025 Special Sessions, a celebration of innovation, research, and academic excellence at Texas Tech University. These sessions feature engaging presentations, career talks, and panel discussions designed to inspire and connect our research community.

 

McNair Special Session

Friday, October 17 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Student Union Building (SUB) Red Raider Ballroom

Attend this special session to hear from McNair Scholars as they present their research across diverse disciplines.
Note: Finalists for the Symposium will be announced at the end of this session. Presenters must attend to qualify for the finals.

Featured Presentations

 Jaden Walker
  “Chronic Polydispersed Nanoplastic Exposure in Daphnia magna: Assessing Transgenerational  Transfer to Neonates”

 

 Gabriella Herrera
  “True Crime and the Power of Perspective: How We Judge Storytelling, and Why It Matters”

 

 

 Christopher Edwards
 “Beyond the Rainbow: Charting a Course to the Redworld Through Obayashi’s Hausu (1977)”

 

CISER Alumni Career Talk Kickoff & Awards

Friday, October 17 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM
SUB Ballroom

Join us for an evening of inspiration as we announce the Symposium winners and hear from distinguished CISER alumni and faculty. This session highlights the legacy of mentorship, research, and academic leadership within the Texas Tech community.

Moderators: Dr. Elizabeth Hall and Dr. Roman Taraban

Featured Speakers
Dr. John Burns
Former Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences (1987–1995) and Provost of Texas Tech (1997–2002). Dr. Burns authored more than 60 publications, secured over $3 million in research grants, and served as the founding director of the Texas Tech Howard Hughes Medical Institute Program (now CISER).

 

Dr. Larry Blanton
Co- or program director of multiple TTU/HHMI Undergraduate Biological Sciences Education grants. In 2002, CISER Scholars established the Larry L. Blanton Endowed Undergraduate Research Scholarship, which has supported more than 80 students since 2003.

 

Dr. Michael San Francisco
Joined Texas Tech in 1990. His research spans soil and atmospheric microbes, plant and wildlife diseases, and microbial mutualisms. He received the Hemphill Wells New Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, and the President's Excellence in Teaching Award. He was a member of the Founding Executive Committee for the Teaching Academy.

 

Dr. Lou Densmore
Joined TTU in 1985 and has mentored countless undergraduate research students. He has graduated 22 M.S. and 22 Ph.D. students, served as Chair of the Biology Department, and received numerous awards including the Presidential Excellence in Teaching Award (2007) and the Graduate Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award (2025).

Saturday Sessions

Saturday, October 18 | HSC Academic Classroom Building

CISER Career Talk Sessions

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Room 150

Hear from professionals, alumni, and researchers as they share insights into careers in science, research, and innovation.

Luncheon and “Women in Research Today” Panel

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Room 150

Join us for an inspiring panel featuring women leaders in research. Lunch will be provided as part of this engaging discussion.

 

For more information on the presenters, click here.