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New UT Tyler Conference to Focus on Research Impacting East Texas

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June 21, 2018

The University of Texas at Tyler announced this week the new East Texas Research Conference to showcase pioneering scholarship impacting the region. The first conference will be held in May 2019.

"We believe multidisciplinary research focused on the challenges and opportunities facing East Texas is an integral part of our mission and vision," said Dr. Amir Mirmiran, UT Tyler provost and vice president for academic affairs. "This conference will not only showcase that meaningful research, but will also inspire innovative scholarship focused on our region."

The conference, which will take place on UT Tyler's main campus, will be hosted in partnership with Texas College and Jarvis Christian College. Both colleges recently entered into expanded agreements with UT Tyler, and the East Texas Research Conference is one of the first initiatives supported by these partnerships.

"The coming together of our institutions in this initiative creates significant opportunities of value-added experiences for our students, faculty and staff," said Dr. Dwight J. Fennell, Sr., Texas College president. "Moreover, the collaboration has great potential to bring recognition to Tyler and the East Texas region as a place where academic growth is viable and thriving as we work together to make a difference in our communities."

The conference will be open to faculty members from any higher education institution with scholarly research that may impact East Texas.

"We expect to showcase research that will advance education, create entrepreneurship opportunities, improve regional healthcare and benefit the economic drivers of East Texas," said Dr. Kouider Mokhtari, president of the UT Tyler Faculty Senate and Anderson-Vukelja-Wright Endowed Chair. "We expect broad participation from all six UT Tyler colleges and from our colleagues at Texas College and Jarvis Christian College as well."

Research is a key pillar of the UT Tyler strategic plan introduced earlier this year. "Research is an important means by which UT Tyler can engage with and help East Texas communities. This conference is only the first step in UT Tyler's commitment to research that will change people's lives for the better," said Dr. Srini Kambhampati, UT Tyler director of research and scholarship.

Those who are interested in finding out more about the conference can sign up for email announcements online at UTTyler.edu/ETRC.

A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered. With more than 10,000 students, UT Tyler has facilities in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.