Dr. Tomás Díaz de la Rubia is a science and technology leader, strategist, and administrator with extensive experience in national laboratories, academia, and the private sector. He has served as the Deputy Director for Science and Technology and Chief Research Officer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Director in the Strategy and Operations Energy practice at Deloitte Consulting, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Purdue University, and most recently, Vice President of Research and Partnerships at the University of Oklahoma. Tomas is a full professor of physics and of chemical, biological, and materials engineering.

In his last role, Tomas was among the lead authors of the University of Oklahoma’s Lead On Strategic Plan, which guided OU’s mission to become one of the nation’s top-tier public research universities. This included efforts to advance the scale and scope of the university’s research enterprise and its impact on workforce and regional economic development. He developed a new strategic framework and plan for research that propelled the university forward, particularly in aerospace and defense, energy and environmental sustainability, the future of health, Data Science and AI/ML, and materials science and quantum technology. In his time at OU, research expenditures increased 65%, and partnerships with the private sector, invention disclosures, and patent activity all increased markedly.

Tomas is a parent member of the Defense Science Board (DSB), which advises the Office of the Secretary of Defense on Science and Technology relevant to the security of the nation and served six years as a member of the National Academies Intelligence Community Studies Board. He co-chaired the DSB’s study on Climate Change and Global Security, is a member of the permanent task force on nuclear surety and is currently involved in conducting a study on Homeland Defense.

Tomas is also a board member of the National Defense Industry Association and chairs the Board of Directors of CRFD Global, a non-profit headquartered in Arlington, VA, with main offices in Kyiv, Manila, and Amman, that contracts with the U.S. State Department and other government agencies to provide security assistance to U.S. allies around the world.

According to Google Scholar, Tomas’ publications h-index is 62, and he is listed as one of the top 2% of most cited scientists in the world in the 2023 Stanford/Elsevier ranking. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Sangita Judge has extensive operational and leadership experience, with a successful track record of driving organizational and cultural transformation in historically conservative educational and clinical settings. She has a PhD in Molecular Cellular Biology/Cancer Biology, a MSc in Microbiology, and an MBA with expertise in basic research, administration, and management.

Sangita previously served as University of Arizona Assistant Vice President for Research in the Division of Agriculture, Life & Veterinary Sciences & Cooperative Extension, Assistant Dean for Research in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, and Director of the College of Medicine Research Office where she developed the basic and clinical research infrastructure.

Carol Stewart, a long-standing authority on research parks, leads the UA Tech Park at Rita Road and is developing the UA Tech Park at the Bridges. She is also president of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, a technology business incubator network serving the University of Arizona, Tucson, and international community.

Carol’s expertise in university research parks spans decades and nations with more than 20 years of experience working with research parks, technology commercialization, business incubation, governmental relations, and business development.

As a pioneer in the research parks world, she has driven national policy, standardized programs, created national and international networks, built technology clusters, engaged stakeholders, and assisted countries with the development of their national science and technology policies.

Carol is passionate about her community and serves as a champion in university-based economic development. She is a member of Southern Arizona Leadership Council, the Flinn Foundation Steering Committee, Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Sun Corridor Inc., Arizona Technology Council, Desert Angels, City of Tucson Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Council, and the Canadian Global Mentor Program where she also serves on the Board of Directors for Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Elliott Cheu has held multiple senior leadership roles since coming to the University of Arizona in 1996 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics. Most recently, Elliott served as the interim Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation from August 2023 – November 2024. Prior to joining the office of Research, Innovation and Impact, he served as the interim Dean for the College of Science from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, Elliott was appointed by the President as the co-chair for the university’s 2018 Strategic Planning process. From 2008-2019, he was the Associate Dean for the College of Science, and in 2017, he helped guide the Honors College as interim Dean.

Today, Elliott is a University Distinguished Professor of Physics and has built a successful research program studying the fundamental particles and forces in the Universe. He continues to pursue his research at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, where he currently searches for evidence of dark matter.

Doug Hockstad joined the University of Arizona in 2013 initially directing the IP and licensing function, building on more than 25 years of experience in high tech markets.

His career began in the software industry, where he gained experience with both established companies and startups. From there, Doug moved on to tech transfer at the University of Michigan, where his most recent primary responsibility was managing software and other copyright-related intellectual property created across the U of M campus. Doug has also served on the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Board of Directors, helping to set the strategic direction of the organization.

Kim Patten leads a team of research development professionals at the University of Arizona supporting faculty in their pursuit of extramural funding from federal, corporate, and foundation (through honors and awards) sponsors. Their work has resulted in more than $700 million in awards to the university since 2014. She advocates a holistic view of research development and the research lifecycle, emphasizing societal impacts of research (e.g., the incorporation and promotion of undergraduate research experiences, core community partnerships, and inclusive practices).

Kim currently serves on the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) Board of Directors (Term 2022-2026). Before joining the university, Kim managed national and international projects and programs in conservation, renewable energy, and distributed data systems. As Associate Director at the Arizona Geological Survey, she managed and worked with a $30 million research portfolio, including as co-principal investigator on a $3.6 million National Science Foundation (NSF) project and project manager of a $22 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) project. Prior to that, she helped develop the research portfolio of a science-based non-profit organization and secured its first NSF funding.

Lisa Romero leads marketing communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement efforts for the University of Arizona’s research and innovation enterprise. She and her team work broadly within RII and across the entire university to develop and execute a collaborative marketing communications and events portfolio designed to expand awareness of university research impact and thought leadership.

Lisa is a passionate and diligent champion for university researchers, innovators, and initiatives, and focuses her efforts around strategically and consistently communicating how their achievements create societal, economic, and workforce advancement.

Prior to joining the research office, Lisa served as the Executive Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Engagement for the BIO5 Institute from 2012 to 2022, successfully advancing brand impact for the bioscience powerhouse and its nearly 400 interdisciplinary, translation-focused faculty members from colleges, schools, and departments across the university.

She is a proven team and brand builder recognized for her expertise in driving success across large and complex enterprises including academic, scientific, corporate, and non-profit organizations. She has held leadership positions in six other high-profile organizations and has served as a consultant/advisor to many other companies and executives throughout her three-decade career.  As a native Tucsonan, Lisa is highly connected on campus and among key community and statewide stakeholders.

Lisa is a 2013/14 University of Arizona Academic Leadership Institute Fellow, 2017 recipient of the University of Arizona Team Award for Excellence, 2023 University of Arizona Woman of Impact, and 2024 recipient of the Public Relations Society of America Southern Arizona Chapter Career Impact Award. She serves as a member of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee.