Past TEDx event

TEDxTexas Tech

Took placeMarch 28, 2026
LocationLubbock, Texas, United States
FormatUniversity
Who do we become when the boundaries of our identity shift? How do the hidden patterns of our minds, the physiological margins of our bodies, and the bold choices of our nations converge to define our future? At TEDxTexasTech 2026, we gather on the red circle to explore the theme "Who We Become." This curated afternoon features ten visionary leaders, researchers, and creators from the Texas Tech community and beyond. Together, we will traverse a narrative arc that moves from the internal foundations of the subconscious to the global horizons of leadership and biological innovation. Join us at the Buddy Holly Hall for an immersive experience that combines live talks, an art showcase in the lobby, and a professional string quartet performance. This event is a call to look past the surface of our circumstances and engage with the intentional choices that shape the trajectory of our lives. The 2026 Speaker Lineup Miguel Levario | Director of Graduate Studies Not from here or there: To be in the borderlands An exploration of the resilience and creativity found in the in between spaces of culture and identity. Joe Hodes | Associate Professor of International Studies Becoming Human in 2026 A historical and genetic look at how the story of our species is one of unification and shared DNA. Lotfullah Najafizada | Founder and CEO of Amu TV What Growing Up in Conflict Taught Me About Leadership A reflection on reclaiming purpose and meaning while leading others through the highest levels of uncertainty. Alejandro Abarca | Assistant Professor Who Costa Rica Became A social science analysis of the "Peace Dividend" and the generational impact of a nation’s decision to abolish its military. Jacob Mota | Assistant Professor The Most Dangerous Part of a Dangerous Job A neuromuscular perspective on the physiological "margin" that determines our safety and long term resilience. Irina Lavrova | PhD Student, Experimental Psychology The Hidden Pattern Behind Who We Become A deep dive into how our brains learn from the environment without our awareness and how those patterns define our potential. Michelle Pantoya | Horn Distinguished Professor Finding Your Engineering Identity Blending science and art to show how simple conversations can inspire the next generation to impact humanity. Iveren Akula | PhD Student, Technical Communication The PAUSE That Protects Your Professional Well Being Introducing a communication model designed to mitigate stress and safeguard mental health in professional environments. Francisco Castellanos | PhD Student, Biology Bats and Bytes: Decoding bat evolution with machine learning Utilizing machine learning to unlock the genetic secrets of bats to guide the future of human longevity and immunity. Mark McBrayer | Mayor of Lubbock What is the question A final reflection on the power of intentional transformation and the lifelong pursuit of deciding who we want to become. Experience the Event In addition to our stage program, attendees are invited to engage with: The Lobby Art Showcase: A curated exhibition featuring local artists exploring the "Who We Become" theme. Intermission Reflection: A 20 minute live performance by a professional string quartet followed by a dedicated time for community dialogue. Post Event Networking: A 30 minute session to meet our speakers and discuss the ideas worth spreading. Secure your place in the conversation. Discover who we are meant to become.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Alejandro Abarca

    Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Economics, TTU

    Dr. Alejandro Abarca is an applied economist specializing in crime economics, development, and causal inference. He earned his Ph.D. from Oregon State University and previously served as an economist for the social program administration in Costa Rica. His research utilizes econometrics and machine learning to explore how public policy and systemic choices can optimize social welfare and safety.

  • Francisco Castellanos

    PhD Student, Biology, TTU

    Francisco Castellanos specializes in comparative genomics and genome evolution. His research utilizes machine learning to analyze the genetic code of bats (Chiroptera), with a focus on transposable elements and innate immune genes. By decoding the origins of their unique "super immunity" and extended longevity, his work seeks to uncover biological insights that could guide future advancements in human health.

  • Irina Lavrova

    PhD Student, Experimental Psychology, TTU

    Irina Lavrova is a researcher in the Selective Attention & Perception Lab at Texas Tech. Her work in cognitive and behavioral sciences explores "implicit learning", the process by which the brain acquires skills and patterns from its environment without conscious awareness. Her research specifically examines how these hidden cognitive mechanisms influence language acquisition and human potential.

  • Iveren Akula

    PhD Student, Technical Communication & Rhetoric, TTU

    Iveren Akula is a graduate researcher focusing on the intersection of professional communication and mental well-being. Her work examines how communication habits and digital urgency influence workplace stress. She advocates for the "PAUSE" model, a strategy designed to protect the professional health and resilience of workers through intentional, structured communication practices.

  • Jacob Mota

    Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, TTU

    Dr. Jake Mota directs the Neuromuscular and Occupational Performance Laboratory (NOPL) at Texas Tech. Trained as a neuromuscular physiologist at the UNC School of Medicine, his research focuses on muscle function and injury risk in high-stakes occupations. He works closely with firefighters and law enforcement agencies to develop evidence-based strategies that enhance physical resilience and operational readiness in demanding environments.

  • Joe Hodes

    Associate Professor of International Studies, Honors College, TTU

    Dr. Joe Hodes is a highly decorated educator, having received 13 teaching awards in his first decade at Texas Tech. He holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from York University and is the author of From India to Israel: Identity, Immigration and the Struggle for Religious Equality. Beyond the classroom, he leads annual study abroad programs to India and Spain, focusing on water conservation and cultural history, and is currently working on his second book regarding the partitions of the mid-20th century.

  • Lotfullah Najafizada

    Founder and CEO of Amu TV

    An Afghan journalist with nearly 20 years of experience, Lotfullah Najafizada is the former Director of TOLOnews TV (2009–2021). He is a recipient of the UK-Canada Press Freedom Award (2024), the One Young World Journalist of the Year award (2022), and the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Hero Medal (2016). Named a "Next Generation Global Leader" by TIME Magazine, he has held prestigious fellowships with the Atlantic Council and the University of Chicago.

  • Mark McBrayer

    Mayor of Lubbock

    Elected as the Mayor of Lubbock in 2024, Mark McBrayer is a practicing attorney who earned his law degree from the Texas Tech School of Law. He is also an ordained Baptist minister and a former business owner. His leadership is defined by a commitment to public safety, transparency, and fiscal accountability, with a lifelong dedication to preserving and growing the Lubbock community.

  • Michelle Pantoya

    J.W. Wright Regents Endowed Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering, TTU

    Dr. Michelle Pantoya is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) and an expert in the combustion of energetic materials. In addition to her extensive research in solid fuels, she is a passionate advocate for STEM literacy, co-authoring several children’s books, including Engineering Elephants, to introduce young children to the engineering design process and professional identity.

  • Miguel Levario

    Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of History, TTU

    Dr. Miguel Levario specializes in 20th-century U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, immigration, and militarization. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and is the author of Militarizing the Border: When Mexicans Became the Enemy. A recognized expert in transnational history, Dr. Levario was named the 2011-2012 Honors College Faculty Member of the Year and frequently provides expert commentary on border conditions and national security for international media outlets.

Organizing team