Announcing the 2026 SIGP Symposium Agenda
We are pleased to share the speaker list and agenda for the Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership Symposium. The symposium will be held from February 26-28 in Tucson, AZ, and is co-hosted by the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network (SSMN), the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), the Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP), and The University of Arizona Graduate College (UA). This gathering will bring together current SIGP scholars, alumni, faculty/staff, and community members for a multi-day program focused on community building, professional development, and scholarly exchange. The SIGP program and this symposium are made possible through the generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Symposium Agenda | February 26-28, 2026
Skip to: Thursday, 2/26 • Friday, 2/27 • Saturday, 2/28
SIGP Symposium Welcome Reception Dinner
6:00pm - 8:00pm, University of Arizona Health Sciences Innovation Building, 1st Floor Forum
1670 E. Drachman St, Tucson, AZ 85721
Transportation options for travelers:
5:30p.m. - Walking Group: Please plan to meet in the Tucson Marriott hotel lobby (880 E 2nd St) no later than 5:30 p.m. to walk over to the welcome reception. The walk will be about 20-minutes through the University of Arizona campus. The University of Arizona campus shuttle is also available for participants who prefer to shuttle.
5:45p.m. - ADA Shuttle: A shuttle will be provided for participants who've indicated that they require ADA accommodations. Additional details will be forthcoming. If you require shuttle accommodations, please email [email protected].
*Guests arriving after 5:30 p.m. will need to coordinate their own transportation to the welcome reception.
Half-Day Travel and Logistics
Day Status: Half travel day for all participants (except approved early or late arrivals).
Travel, On-Site, and Emergencies Contact: Malu Napuelua, SSMN Program Associate ([email protected], 808-375-6240)
Flights Reservations: Jamie Ramirez ([email protected]) or Corporate Traveler after-hours ([email protected]).
SIGP Symposium - Full Day of Talks and Events
8:00am - 6:30pm, Tucson Marriott University Park
(See map at bottom)
8:00 am: Plenary Opening Prayer
Prayer: Miguel Flores
Pima/Madera Ballroom
8:45 am: Breakfast
Pima/Madera Ballroom
9:15 am: Welcome Remarks
Remarks: Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, Dr. Frans Tax, and Dr. Kevin Gibson
Pima/Madera Ballroom
9:50am - 10:40am: Concurrent Breakout Sessions 1
Session 1A: Communicating Your Research to Diverse Audiences
Presenter: Dr. Melissa Clutter
Moderator: Donna Treloar
Canyon A/B
Session 1B: Postdoctoral Prep: What is it, why a postdoc, and how to maximize your experience!
Presenter: Dr. Kyle Dahlin
Moderator: Dr. Tyler Trent
Canyon C
Session 1C: Weaving Cultural and Professional Identities
Panel: Dr. Seafha Ramos, Dr. Ranalda Tsosie
Moderator: Sara Xayarath-Hernández
Copper Room
10:40am - 11:10am: Coffee Break
Coffee, tea, and snacks available in the Main Foyer.
Poster setup available for scholars in the Sabino Ballroom.
11:10am - 12:00pm: Concurrent Breakout Sessions 2
Session 2A: Indigenous STEM Faculty Panel
Panel: Dr. Camille Griffith, Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, Dr. Kinsey Skillen
Moderator: Dr. Aaron Thomas
Canyon A/B
Session 2B: The Power of Being a Mentee
Presenter: Dr. Kamuela Yong
Moderator: Dr. Veronica Zepeda
Canyon C
Session 2C: Bringing Your Skills Home After Graduate School
Panel: Jason Baldes, Dr. Carrie Joseph, Michael King
Moderator: Felica Ahasteen-Bryant
Copper Room
12:00pm - 12:15pm: Group Photo
Room Location TBA
12:15pm - 1:15pm: Lunch
Pima/Madera Ballroom.
Poster setup available for scholars in the Sabino Ballroom.
1:15pm - 2:45pm: University of Arizona Walking Tours
Meet in the main Pima/Madera ballroom for your group tour! Check for your tour on your namebadge or at the registration table in the Main Foyer. Tour options:
> Indigenous Resilience Center Open House and Coffee Chat
> Paek Cancer Research Lab Tour
> Proteomics and Genomics Lab Tour
> Sonoran Native Plants and Edible Landscapes Tour
1:30pm - 3:30pm: Indigenous Faculty Convening
Sessions and networking opportunities for faculty.
Pima/Madera Ballroom
2:45pm - 3:30pm: Break and Poster Setup
Sabino Ballroom
3:30pm - 4:30pm: Plenary Panel on Higher Education Under the Current Administration: Changes, Impacts, and Strategies for Resilience
Panel: Dr. Joseph Brewer, Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, Dr. Kevin Gibson, Dr. Jacob Moore
Moderator: Felica Ahasteen-Bryant
Pima/Madera Ballroom
4:30pm - 6:30pm: Scholar Poster Presentation Reception
Connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate scholars research!
All are welcome to attend. Refreshments and dinner appetizers will be provided.
Sabino Ballroom
6:30pm: Friday Events Conclude
SIGP Symposium - Half Day & Optional Activities
9:00am - 2:30pm, Tucson Marriott University Park Hotel (see map at bottom)
3:00pm - 8:00pm, Optional Group Hike and Dinner
8:30 am: Breakfast
Pima/Madera Ballroom
9:00 am: Plenary Keynote with Dr. Robin Kimmerer
Pima/Madera Ballroom
10:00 - 10:50 am: Plenary Panel on Work and Research Reaching Indigenous Communities
Building respectful, reciprocal relationships with communities.
Panel: Dr. Rylan Chong, Dr. Darryl Reano, Dr. Marie Fialkowski Revilla
Moderator: Dr. Candice Guy-Gaytán
Pima/Madera Ballroom
10:50-11:20am: Coffee Break
Coffee, tea, and snacks available in the Main Foyer.
11:20am - 12:10pm: Concurrent Breakout Sessions 3
Session 3A: Serving Native Communities After Graduate School
Panel: Dr. Valerisa Gaddy, Dr. Camille Griffith
Moderator: Aaron Slater
Canyon A/B
Session 3B: Writing and Applying for Fellowships
Presenter: Taymee Brandon
Moderator: Malu Napuelua
Canyon C
Session 3C: Indigenous Faculty Convening
Copper Room
12:30pm - 2:30pm: Graduates and Honorees Ceremony Luncheon
Honoring upcoming SIGP graduates and special honorees!
Pima/Madera Ballroom
3:00pm - 5:00pm: Optional Group Hike at Tumamoc Hill
Shuttle: Hikers should report to the Tucson Marriott lobby no later 3:00pm to shuttle to Tumamoc Hill.
Distance & Safety Guidelines: "It is a 3 mile round trip walk (1.5 mile walk from base to top of hill). There is an approximate 700 foot rise in elevation from bottom to top. The grade is gentler on the bottom road, then steeper on the upper road." Be sure to review University of Arizona's entire safety guidelines for walking the hill, dress accordingly, and bring a water bottle.
6:00pm - 7:00pm: Optional Group Dinner
Join us for a casual, come-as-you-are dinner!
Tucson Marriott University Park - Pima/Madera Ballroom
Symposium Concludes and Travelers Depart Sunday, March 1, 2026
Thank you to the entire SIGP community, our funders, coordinators, presenters, and the many supporting hands that make this symposium possible!
Conference Map
