2026 National Manufacturing Exhibition & Expo

2026 National Manufacturing Exhibition & Expo

Exhibition

showing sample of project

showcasing project to students

UTRGV presenting at Expo

student in auditorium

Symposium for Autonomous Manufacturing, Future Mobility, & Energy Abundance

2026 National Manufacturing Expo Agenda – March 26, 2026 (Brownsville Campus)
Time	Session Details
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Welcome Remark, Dr. Can (John) Saygin, UTRGV Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of Graduate College Opening Address, Dr. James Li, Director, UTRGV Institute for Advanced Manufacturing
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Keynote Speaker: Future of US Energy and Energy Manufacturing
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM	Panel Discussion (Coordinator, Ron Garza, Senior Associate Vice President - Workforce & Economic Development, UTRGV) Robert Wagner, Associate Lab Director, ORNL (Keynote, Energy) Bruce Gnade, Professor of Material Science, UTD (Keynote, Battery) Joseph Dumont, Scientist, LANL Tommy Rockward, Scientist, LANL Ilias Belharouak, Head / Electrification Section, ORNL
10:50 AM – 11:00 AM	Coffee Break and Networking Session
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM	Keynote Speakers: Digital Transformation and AI in Manufacturing
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM	Panel Discussion (Coordinator, Jianzhi Li, Professor, Director, UTRGV Institute for Advanced Manufacturing) Dr. Thomas Kurfess, Georgia Tech (Keynote Speaker) Dr. Mike Bakas, Lead, ARL South Dr. Cindy Waters, NSWC Carderock (Keynote Speaker) Mr. Andres A. Bujanda, ARL Mr. Fabian Alefeld, EOS North America
12:20 PM – 1:20 PM	Lunch and Keynote Speakers: David Leigh Additive Manufacturing Keynote
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM	Round Table Discussion (Event moderator: Dr. Ahmed Ben, Associate Research Scientist, UTRGV/IAM) Table 1:Workforce Development Needs for South Texas in Energy and Manufacturing (Discussion Facilitator: Dr. Monsuru Ramoni, Mr. Tommy Rockward, LANL) Table 2: AI and Digital Transformation in Manufacturing (Readiness, Training/Education programs to prepare for future talent) (Discussion Facilitator: Dr. Ben Peters, Eugenio Marin, FUMEC) Table 3: Guide to 21st Century Talent for Local Industry Sponsored by America Makes and GBIC. (Ms. Emily Young and Ms. Allison Felger, America Makes) Table 4: Business Incubation, best practices and opportunities (Ms. Angela Pack Zia, STAMP-TX, Dr. Mostafa Malki) Table 5: Critical Minerals and Rare Earth production in South Texas (Dr. Francis Andoh Baidoo, Dr. Mike Bakas)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM	Transition to SpaceX Boca Chica
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM	SpaceX Tour
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM	National Manufacturing Gala and Dinner Reception

National Manufacturing Exposure and Exhibition

IACUC Meeting Dates
March 27, 2026 (Edinburg Campus)
Welcome and opening remarks Invited guest speakers and dignitaries (DOE Representatives)
Exhibition at ENGR and AMRF Building