We are excited to announce the list of plenary and panel speakers for LEAP Conference 2026. Presented alphabetically, we welcome:
Kathryn Cavenaugh
Kathryn Cavenaugh is a certified professional in IACUC administration (CPIA) and has a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of California Davis. She has worked in the field of laboratory animal science since 2013 and is currently the associate director for Research Compliance Training & Development at The Texas A&M University System. In addition to her institutional responsibilities, Cavenaugh regularly speaks at conferences and has published articles pertaining to research compliance topics.
Dr. J.C. Chiao
Dr. J.C. Chiao is the Mary and Richard Templeton Centennial Chair professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Southern Methodist University. He is a fellow of IEEE, IET, SPIE, AAIA, NAI, and AIMBE. He has authored or edited over 350 publications and holds 26 awarded and five pending U.S. patents. He was the founding editor-in-chief of the IEEE Journal of Electromagnetics, RF, and Microwaves in Medicine and Biology. He is a senior editor of the IEEE Journal of Selected Areas in Sensors, serves on the editorial board of the IEEE Access, and is a founding topic editor of the IEEE Journal of Microwaves.
Dr. Joe Elabd
Dr. Joe Elabd is the vice chancellor for research at The Texas A&M University System. As the leader of the A&M System’s Office of Research, Elabd is responsible for providing research leadership and services to support all 20 system members. Prior to these roles, he served in several administrative capacities at Texas A&M University, including as the dean of Engineering, interim director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, associate dean for Research of Engineering, and associate department head of Chemical Engineering. Elabd is also currently a professor and the Axalta Coating Systems Chair II in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University.
Dr. Susan Garfinkel
Dr. Susan Garfinkel is the owner of Research Integrity Partners, LLC, offering support to institutions and Research Integrity officers in managing research misconduct and integrity issues, as well as assisting editors and publishers with publication ethics challenges. She served as the director for the Division of Investigative Oversight at the U.S. Office of Research Integrity (ORI). She also held the role of associate vice president for Research Compliance at The Ohio State University, where she was responsible for developing, implementing, and leading programs and policies to ensure the university's compliance with federal, state, and private sponsor requirements and fostering ethical research practices.
Dr. Mahesh Hosur
Dr. Mahesh Hosur is a professor of Mechanical Engineering and associate dean of Research and Graduate Affairs at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. He is also the director of the NSF-CREST Center for Sustainable Water and the director of the Ph.D. program in engineering. Mahesh Hosur has a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, Master of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore). His research interests include advanced composite materials, non-destructive evaluation, and experimental and structural mechanics. He has led research efforts totaling nearly $36.9 million as principal investigator and over $40.8 million as co-principal investigator. He has helped 13 doctoral and 38 master’s students graduate, and he has mentored junior faculty members. He has authored or co-authored five books, nine book chapters, 127 refereed journal articles, and 235 refereed conference proceedings articles.
Dr. Mariette Marsh
Dr. Mariette Marsh is assistant vice president for Regulatory Affairs/Integrity at the University of Arizona. She oversees the Human Subjects Protection Program (IRB), Institutional Animal Care & Use Program (IACUC), Quality Program, Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (ESCRO) Committee, and serves as the institution's Research Integrity Officer (RIO). Marsh has over 20 years of experience in research at the University of Arizona and the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has extensive experience with all compliance offices and a broad background in research administration. Additionally, Marsh holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has certifications in IRB regulations, HIPAA Privacy, and hospital research compliance.
Dr. Denise Martinez
Dr. Denise Martinez is assistant provost for Curriculum and Assessment at Tarleton State University. She previously served four years as associate dean over the School of Engineering, and prior to that spent five years as department head for Engineering and Computer Science. Martinez is also a full professor of electrical engineering and serves as an evaluator for ABET and SACSCOC.
Meredith Noto, MBA
Meredith Noto is the director for System Research Compliance at The Texas A&M University System. She has worked in research administration for over a decade, with a focus on conflict of interest and regulatory compliance. She holds an M.A. in Anthropology, an MBA, and several certifications in research administration. Additionally, Noto is a frequent presenter at professional meetings and was named “Future of the Field” by Society of Research Administrators International in 2022.
Dr. Lucy Pickering
Dr. Lucy Pickering is the director of Research Integrity and Compliance at East Texas A&M University. She is also a professor in Applied Linguistics and has authored six books and over 40 articles and book chapters. Prior to arriving at ETAMU, she was faculty at the University of Alabama, Georgetown University, and Georgia State University. She has a strong interest in detrimental authorship practices.
Dr. Stacy Pritt
Dr. Stacy Pritt is associate vice chancellor and chief research compliance officer at The Texas A&M University System. As a leader within the A&M System Office of Research, she supports compliance with regulations and guidelines for animal research, human research protections, financial conflicts of interest in research, institutional biosafety, responsible conduct of research, and other areas of research compliance across the A&M System's 12 universities and eight state agencies. Pritt is a nationally recognized expert in research compliance, having authored or coauthored over 60 publications, including book chapters, on various compliance subjects.
Dr. Magesh Rajan
Dr. Magesh Rajan is vice president for Research and Innovation at Prairie View A&M University. He oversees PVAMU's Office of Research Advancement, Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of Research Compliance/Export Controls, Office of Undergraduate Research, Office of Title-III Programs, Office of Innovation-Commercialization-Entrepreneurship-Economic Development, and Office of Research Communications. Rajan is also a full professor of electrical engineering. He has served in the roles of Hoffert Endowed Chair professor, engineering department head with dean responsibilities, board director for the Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and Production (CAMP), among others.
Dr. Nathan Tichenor
Dr. Nathan Tichenor is the chief research officer for The Texas A&M University System's Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) and director of the Ballistic, Aero‑Optics & Materials (BAM) Range. He is a faculty member in the TAMU Aerospace Engineering department, with a focus on experimental hypersonics. In his roles at BCDC, he oversees the full spectrum of proposal development, contracting, budgeting, compliance and sponsor engagement with TAMUS partners, such as TAMU, TEES, AgriLife, and TAMU Health.