TEDxTAMU

Speakers

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

• Andrea Porter

  Ergonomist

  Dr. Andrea Porter is a Christian, professional bra fitter, professional speaker, and lifelong learning fanatic. She earned her PhD in interdisciplinary engineering from Texas A&M University, where her research examined the ergonomics of body armor worn by women and the overlooked role of breast support. Before entering academia, Dr. Porter spent more than a decade in higher‑education leadership, mentoring young women growing up in poverty in her free time. Those mentoring experiences shaped her research when several former mentees entered the military and shared how poorly fitting armor harmed their bodies and limited their performance. Today, Dr. Porter’s work has received national media attention, and she educates women—from police officers to athletes—using evidence‑based strategies to reduce pain and improve performance through ergonomic design and garment choice

• Elizabeth Borda

  Professor

  Dr. Elizabeth Borda is an Associate Professor of Biology at Texas A&M University–San Antonio, where she studies the biodiversity of subterranean aquatic ecosystems in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Her research focuses on the evolutionary history and population genetics of Typhlatya, a genus of cave-dwelling shrimp. Through DNA analyses, Dr. Borda and her collaborators uncovered evidence that these tiny shrimp traverse vast underground passages connecting cenotes—natural sinkholes that are linked underground through a complex, stratified aquifer. Dr. Borda demonstrates how these tiny crustaceans can help us understand biodiversity, connectivity, and resilience in fragile environments increasingly threatened by pollution and development. Her talk draws on her scientific expertise to illuminate how even in darkness and chaos, life finds ways to endure, adapt, and connect

• Mark Lasota

  Leadership and Performance Consultant

  Dr. Mark LaSota is a dynamic leader, speaker, and trusted consultant with extensive experience across education, sport, and business. Driven by a deep commitment to helping others realize their full potential and become the leaders they are capable of being, he is globally recognized for his expertise in leadership, performance, culture-building, and international sport environments. As a professor at Texas A&M University, and having served as a Forbes contributor with numerous published articles, his work bridges academia and industry through ongoing collaborations with major sport organizations and leading brands. By integrating academic insight with professional experience and personal perspective, Dr. LaSota equips individuals and organizations with practical strategies to thrive in high-performance environments, guided by an unbreakable approach to leadership and life centered on accountability, growth, and mentoring others

• Mike Miller

  Filmmaker

  Mike Miller is an award-winning writer/director and producer. He began his career in advertising and was a creative director for Young & Rubicam in Sydney Australia and Y&R New York. He created award-winning public service campaigns that help the lives of people in need. Mike then went on to found Silverlining Films and build it into a company highly respected for creativity and professionalism. Among the work he is most proud of is the pro-bono work for The Salvation Army and Amnesty International. He is passionate about using his experience of knowing how to craft stories and a message to help people directly and indirectly. He has spent a lifetime of involvement in projects he cares about, to create positive outcomes for people, families and the environment

• Naymal Siddiqui

  Student

  Naymal Siddiqui is a graduate student at Texas A&M University pursuing her Master’s in Biomedical Sciences. A double-Aggie and classically trained pianist, she is a multi-award-winning scholar recognized by school organizations such as the Biomedical Sciences Association, holding a first-place award in One Health and two Golden Distinguished honors for her service and dedication. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Performance Studies in 2025. At the intersection of her two passions, Naymal is dedicated to reconciling quantitative biomedical principles with the qualitative complexities of musical expression. She envisions a future where the precision of science and the soul of performance work in tandem to improve human wellness. In her free time, Naymal enjoys volunteering at the local animal shelter, playing the piano, being a DJ at KANM student radio, and doodling

• Rene Elms

  Professor

  Dr. René Elms is a Professor of Practice at Texas A&M University in the College of Engineering. With a multi-disciplinary STEM background and diverse work experience, Dr. Elms is passionate about helping to guide, encourage, and broaden the vision of what is possible for students. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M University, she gained research and engineering experience in various academic, government, and private sector projects at NASA, NIST, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, and Bryan Research & Engineering. Dr. Elms holds a B.S. in Biochemistry, a B.S. in Genetics, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. She enjoys traveling, curating her extensive library of memes and Dad jokes, and adventures with her husband, daughter, and corgi

• Temiloluwa Olubakinde

  Tax Professional

  Temiloluwa “Temi” Olubakinde works in tax at Deloitte and is currently pursuing her PhD in Business. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Management Information Systems, and Pre-Law from Ohio University, where she also completed her Master of Accountancy. She later went on to earn her MBA from the University of the Cumberlands. Her professional work focuses on navigating complex financial systems, while her academic pursuits center on strategy, leadership, and the discipline required to build sustainable success. She believes that excellence is intentional and that meaningful impact is created through clarity, preparation, and persistence. Beyond her professional and academic life, Temi values connection. She enjoys watching movies and TV shows, traveling to new places, and spending quality time with her family. At her core, Temi is driven by purpose, progress, and the belief that continuous learning shapes both personal and professional transformation