Texas State University makes bold debut at TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo 2025
TXST reseachers at the TechConnect Innovation Conference
In its debut as an institutional participant, Texas State distinguished itself with 23 accepted submissions: 10 technical presentations, six posters, and seven innovation spotlights.
Texas State University reached an important landmark in its research and innovation journey with a strong showing at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo 2025, held in Austin, Texas, from June 9 to 11. In its debut as an institutional participant, Texas State distinguished itself with 23 accepted submissions: 10 technical presentations, six posters, and seven innovation spotlights. More impressive, six of the spotlights were chosen for pitch presentations—a competitive honor awarded to a select group of innovators.
“This was an outstanding display of the creativity and innovation of our faculty, postdocs, and students,” said Dr. Shreek Mandayam, Vice President for Research at Texas State University.
Our strong showing at TechConnect highlights how we are turning high-impact research into practical solutions. From sustainable energy to artificial intelligence, our researchers are addressing important problems and gaining national recognition.
Shreek Mandayam, Ph.D.
TXST Vice President for Research
Texas State’s presenters spanned a broad range of disciplines, showcasing the depth and breadth of the university’s innovation ecosystem:
Dr. Sujata Mandal (Ingram School of Engineering) and Abhimanyu Sharotry delivered pitch presentations on advanced composite materials.
Dr. Yoichi Miyahara (Physics) presented both technical talks and pitch presentations on cutting-edge nanophysics and imaging techniques.
Dr. Michael Goodman and collaborators explored interfacial dynamics in boron nitride layers and DNA nano-device charge transfer.
Dr. Anandi Dutta (Ingram School of Engineering), Rigo Luna, Dr. Apan Qasem (Computer Science), and Zarif Sadman presented posters on large language models and high-performance computing.
Dr. Tahir Ekin (McCoy College of Business) pitched SecureClaims AI, an AI-driven billing audit tool, and contributed a poster on dynamic healthcare billing frameworks.
Dr. Subasish Das (Ingram School of Engineering) showcased RoadRating, a real-time path safety scoring platform.
AquaSipWater, an early-stage startup founded by Dr. Sujata Mandal (Ingram School of Engineering), presented a nanotech-based water purification system designed for crisis relief. This innovative work has garnered both awards and funding in the past year.
Two sustainability-focused projects led by Dr. Emily Zhu (McCoy College of Business) were presented by student researchers. Each explored infrastructure resilience and sustainable design.
Texas State also hosted an institutional booth to highlight research centers, institutes, and resources to amplify the universities in front of corporate partners, federal agencies, and venture capitalists.
Yamin Karpe, Ph.D., TXST VP for Innovation and Commercialization
“This is more than just our first appearance—it’s a major milestone,” said Dr. Yatin Karpe, Assistant Vice President for Innovation, Commercialization & Engagement at Texas State.
“We surpassed many top institutions in both the number and types of accepted submissions. Our team's active support of faculty innovators across departments shows that Texas State is ready to lead in innovation and industry partnerships.”
The initiative was part of Texas State’s broader effort to expand innovation infrastructure, support commercialization pathways, and elevate its status as an emerging national research university on the path to R1.
“TechConnect was just the start,” Dr. Mandayam added. “Our researchers’ energy, talent, and dedication are putting Texas State on the path to becoming a leader in innovation for Texas, the nation, and the world.”
