2013 Speakers

Aaronson, an Austin native, was hired by The Texas Tribune after an internship in fall 2010. She reports on health care and develops data interactives. Aaronson graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, Calif., with a bachelor's degree in cultural theory and has previously interned for the Houston Chronicle.

Aguilar covered the 81st legislative session for the Rio Grande Guardian. Previously, he reported from the border for the Laredo Morning Times. A native of El Paso, where he now heads the Tribune’s border bureau, Aguilar has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas.

Alvarez is a senior scientist in the Texas office of the Environmental Defense Fund. He works to reduce air pollution, with an emphasis on emissions from natural gas and oil production. Alvarez led the organization’s campaign to establish the successful Texas Clean School Bus Program.

Armey represented Congressional District 26 in the U.S. House for 18 years and served as the U.S. House majority leader from 1995 to 2003. In his final term, he chaired the Committee on Homeland Security. Since his retirement from Congress, he has worked as a senior policy adviser and chairman of FreedomWorks.

Bailey, a Nassau Bay native, is the co-founder and CEO of The Texas Immigration Solution, a conservative nonprofit organization working toward market-oriented immigration reform. In 2012, he co-authored the immigration plank of the Texas Republican Party platform. Bailey is also serving his third term on the Nassau Bay City Council.

Before joining The Texas Tribune, Batheja worked for eight years at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he covered state and local politics. He has an undergraduate degree in journalism and psychology from New York University and a master's degree in economics from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Beneby leads CPS Energy, which serves the greater San Antonio area, and is the largest municipal electric and gas utility in the nation. He serves on the board of directors for several corporate and industry organizations, including Capital Power Corporation, Keystone Energy, the American Gas Association, the Texas Public Power Association and the American Public Power Association.

Bird is the senior adviser and a founding partner of Battleground Texas, an organization working to register and mobilize Democratic voters in the state. He previously served as the national field director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign and as deputy director of Organizing for America.

Boyne serves as the national director of VOCES Action, a nonprofit conservative Latino advocacy organization. She is the former director of development of VOTO Honesto, the Hispanic initiative of True the Vote. Boyne is a candidate for the District 102 seat in the Texas House.

Bradley serves as superintendent of the Texas State Cemetery, where former legislators, governors, judges and other state officials are buried. Previously, he served as the chief demographer for the city of Austin and as the economic adviser for the Texas Water Development Board. Bradley is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Bristol serves as chairman of the Texas State Parks Advisory Committee. In 1994, he was appointed to the National Park Foundation Board of Directors. After completing his term, he formed the Texas Coalition for Conservation to advocate for better funding for state parks. Bristol also served on the board of directors of the Glacier National Park Fund.

Burgess, R-Lewisville, was first elected to represent Congressional District 26 in 2002. He founded and serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, and he is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Rules Committee. Burgess received his M.D. from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.

Campbell, R-New Braunfels, is serving her first term representing District 25 in the Texas Senate. She is the vice chairwoman of the Nominations Committee and sits on the Education, Jurisprudence, Transportation, and Veteran Affairs and Military Installations committees. Campbell is board certified in emergency medicine and practices at several emergency centers in San Antonio, Austin and beyond.

Carter, R-Dallas, is running for the Texas Railroad Commission and has represented District 102 in the Texas House since 2011. She serves as the vice chairwoman of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Criminal Procedure Reform committees. In 2011, she was appointed to the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council.

Castille became the president of the University of Houston-Victoria in 2011. He expanded the school from an upper-division commuter university to a residential university with lower-division courses. Previously, Castille was vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Hawaii-Hilo and founding dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Education at Eastern Washington University.

Castro has served as mayor of San Antonio since 2009. Under his leadership, the city has created Café College, which provides guidance for college admissions and financial aid, and Pre-K 4 SA, which will fund full-day prekindergarten education. Castro delivered the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Connealy was appointed state fire marshal in 2012 after serving the Cedar Park Fire Department for eight years and the Houston Fire Department for 26 years. He directs the Fire Marshal's Office's fire investigations, inspections and other safety services. In 2009, Gov. Rick Perry appointed him presiding officer on the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Craddick was elected in 2012 to serve a six-year term on the Texas Railroad Commission. She is an attorney specializing in oil and gas, water, electric deregulation and environmental policy. From 2002 to 2011, she served as the chief political and legal adviser to the speaker of the Texas House.

Crownover, R-Denton, was elected to her 7th full term of office from House District 64. Crownover serves as vice chairwoman of the Energy Resources Committee, chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Budget, Transparency, and Reform, and a member of the Calendars Committee. A former public school teacher, Representative Crownover is currently involved in the banking and energy industries.

Darby, R-San Angelo, was first elected to represent District 72 in the Texas House in 2006. He serves as the chairman of the Redistricting Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Higher Education committees. Darby is the founder of W. Drew Darby and Associates Law Firm.

Davis, R-West University Place, has represented District 134 in the Texas House since 2011. She serves as a member of the Appropriations, Public Health and Calendars committees. Davis is a Houston-based attorney who defends individuals, local businesses and Fortune 500 companies against personal injury lawsuits.

Delisi was appointed chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission in 2008. She currently is a partner at Delisi Communications, a public relations, government and political consulting business. Previously, she has served as Gov. Rick Perry’s chief of staff and campaign manager. Delisi received her M.A. in international policy studies from Stanford.

Doggett was named deputy assistant secretary of policy and early learning at the U.S. Department of Education in August. Previously, she was the director of the Pew home visiting campaign to promote effective state policies and investments in programs for new and expectant families. Doggett received her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Eckels is president of Texas Central Railway, a private enterprise seeking to build a high-speed rail system linking the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Houston. Previously, he served as county judge of Harris County and chairman of the Harris County Toll Road Authority.

Fainter became president and CEO of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas, a trade organization of electric companies, in 1998. Previously, Fainter served as first assistant attorney general of Texas, secretary of state and chief of staff for Gov. Ann Richards. He received his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Farrar, D-Houston, has represented District 148 in the Texas House since 1995. She serves as vice chairwoman of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee and sits on the State Affairs Committee. Farrar previously served as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus and as vice chairwoman of the Women’s Health Caucus.

Fenves was appointed provost of The University of Texas at Austin in August while he was serving as dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering. He received his doctoral degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where he later served as chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Fleming serves as the executive director of Grassroots America, a nonprofit conservative organization that advocates for limited government and individual freedom. She served as chairwoman of the TEA Party Caucus Advisory Committee for the 82nd and 83rd sessions of the Texas Legislature. Fleming is a statewide political public speaker.

Fowler was elected to serve as DeWitt County Judge in 2010. He is also a member of the Eagle Ford Shale Task Force, a group of officials lobbying lawmakers to address rural South Texas roads. Fowler previously served as chairman of the DeWitt County Republican Party.

Fox-Penner serves as principal and chairman of the Brattle Group, a 20-year-old economic consulting firm. Previously, he served as a senior official in the U.S. Department of Energy and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Fox-Penner serves on the board of The Solar Foundation and has served on the boards of Enviance and Gridpoint.

Gallego, D-Alpine, was elected in 2012 to represent Congressional District 23, which spans 800 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. He serves on the House Armed Services and Agriculture committees. Before his election to Congress, he served for 22 years in the Texas House.

Gibson was appointed president of Sam Houston State University in 2010. She had previously served as president of National University and as vice president for business and finance at Southern Methodist University. She holds a doctorate in accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Gonzales, R-Round Rock, has represented District 52 in the Texas House since 2011. He sits on the Appropriations; Redistricting; Local and Consent Calendars; and Technology, Economic Development and Workforce committees. Previously, he served as an aide to Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and as an assistant vice chancellor for government relations for the Texas State University System.

Greenberg is the director of the Center for Politics and Governance at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. She served for 10 years as a member of the Texas House. Greenberg received a master’s degree in public administration and public policy from the London School of Economics.

Griffiths has been the executive director of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department since 2012. Previously, he served as the juvenile services director for Dallas County from 1995 to 2010. He is also an adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University. Griffiths received his master of public administration degree from Texas Christian University.

Hall is the editor of college football blog Every Day Should Be Saturday and an editorial director for SB Nation. He writes about college football and participatory pieces involving trying new sports. 

Hamilton covers higher education and politics for The Texas Tribune and hosts the Tribune's weekly podcast. His writing has also appeared in Texas Monthly and The Texas Observer. Hamilton received his bachelor’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University.

Hegar, R-Katy, has represented District 18 in the Texas Senate since 2007. He serves as the chairman of the Nominations Committee and sits on the Finance; Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Homeland Security; and Natural Resources committees. Previously, he represented District 28 in the Texas House for two terms.

Hernandez serves as dean of the University of Texas-Permian Basin College of Education. He previously served as associate dean at Hamline University School of Education and executive director for the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching. He is currently working on a book about Latinos and school leadership.

Hidalgo-Cook is manager of the Southwest Area Regional Transit District. Previously, she served for 23 years as transit director for Community Council of South West Texas. Hidalgo-Cook has been a board member of the Texas Transit Association for more than eight years and is the vice president of rural transportation for TTA.

Hinojosa, D-McAllen, has represented District 20 in the Texas Senate since 2003. He serves as chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and as vice chairman of the Finance Committee. He sits on the Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Homeland Security, Criminal Justice and Natural Resources committees. Previously, Hinojosa served in the Texas House for eight terms.

Huberty, R-Houston, was elected in 2010 to represent District 127 in the Texas House. He is a member on the Public Education and State Affairs committees. He also serves as the secretary of the House Republican Caucus. Previously, he sat on the Board of Trustees for Humble Independent School District.

In 1991, James was hired as curatorial assistant at the State Preservation Board (SPB), the agency responsible for the Texas Capitol, the Capitol Extension and the 1857 General Land Office Building. She became curator of the Capitol in 2001. In 2006 James also assumed responsibility for the visitor experience at the Capitol by overseeing the Capitol Information and Tour Guide Service and the Capitol Visitors Center.

Gov. Rick Perry appointed Jefferson chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court in 2004. In 2010, Jefferson served one term as president of the Conference of Chief Justices. Previously, as a partner in the appellate-specialty firm Crofts, Callaway & Jefferson, he successfully argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kerrigan is chairwoman of the Forensic Science Department at Sam Houston State University. She received her initial training in forensic toxicology twenty-three years ago at the Scotland Yard Forensic Science Laboratory in London, England. Between 2009 and 2012 she served as the Laboratory Director of the SHSU Regional Crime Laboratory, an independent, accredited forensic laboratory in The Woodlands, TX.

Kimberly joined Austin Energy in 2013 as vice president of distributed energy services. She has worked in the utility industry for over 30 years, with more than 22 years at Salt River Project, one of Arizona’s largest utilities, where she had responsibility for energy-efficiency product design and implementation, measurement and evaluation, and market research.

Klein served on the Public Utility Commission of Texas from 2001 to 2004. Currently she is principal of Klein Energy, an energy consulting company based in Austin. Previously, she served as chairwoman of the Lower Colorado River Authority. Klein is the founder and chairwoman of Power Across Texas.

Krause, R-Fort Worth, was elected in 2012 to represent District 93 in the Texas House. He sits on the Special Purpose Districts and County Affairs committees. Krause is the president of the Northwest Tarrant Republican Club. He previously served as litigation counsel for Liberty Counsel.
 

LeCody is the president of Texas Rail Advocates, a nonprofit organization working toward providing information and education on freight and passenger rail issues in Texas. He serves on the TxDOT I-35 Corridor Advisory Committee, the TxDOT Rail Division Steering Committee and the National Association of Railroad Passengers.

Hernandez Luna, D-Houston, was elected in 2005 to represent District 143 in the Texas House. She serves on the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence and County Affairs committees. Previously, she served as chief of staff to state Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston. Hernandez Luna received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.

Malewitz covers energy for the Tribune. Before arriving, he spent two years covering energy and environmental issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. A native of Michigan, Jim has an undergraduate degree from Grinnell College in Iowa. He also holds a master’s from the University of Iowa, where he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism.

Martinez became chancellor of WGU Texas in 2013. Previously, he served in senior government relations roles at Texas A&M International University and Rice University. He has also served as the director of the Texas Senate Higher Education Committee. Martinez received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

McCarty in 2009 co-founded and became president of the NE Tarrant Tea Party, which has since grown to include more than 2,000 members. During the 2012 election season, she volunteered for the election campaigns of several conservative state representatives. In 2012, she served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

McClellan served in the Office of Public Utility Counsel for more than 12 years. As public counsel, she represented residential and small commercial customers in a variety of rulemakings and contested cases. She is now the state affairs director for Good Company Associates, an energy-centric business development consulting firm.

Meissner is a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to the study of migration and immigrant integration policies. She served as director of MPI's Independent Task Force on Immigration and America's Future. Previously, she served in the Clinton administration as commissioner of the INS.

Mielke joined the Harry Ransom Center in 1997. Previously, he served as an archivist at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies. Among the collections Mielke has processed at the Ransom Center are the Anthony Burgess papers, the Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein Watergate papers and the Norman Mailer papers.

Morris has served in the transportation department of the North Central Texas Council of Governments since 1979.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and planning and a master’s degree in civil engineering, both from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Morris has served on several National Research Council committees, including those to review emission regulation and air quality standards.

Muska is serving his first term as mayor of the city of West and has overseen the city’s recovery after this year’s fertilizer plant explosion. He served on the West City Council from 2008 to 2011. Muska studied business at McLennan Community College and is the president of Muska Insurance Services.  

Nelsen was appointed president of The University of Texas-Pan American in 2010. Previously, he was an associate vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He also served as a distinguished faculty member at The University of Texas at Dallas for almost two decades.

Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, was elected in 2012 to represent District 74 in the Texas House. He serves on the Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs; Culture, Recreation and Tourism; and Rules and Resolutions committees. Previously, he served for four years as a trustee on the Eagle Pass Independent School District Board.

O’Rourke, D-El Paso, is serving his first term in Congress as a representative of District 16. He sits on the Homeland Security and Veterans’ Affairs committees. Previously, he served on the El Paso City Council for six years. O’Rourke is a co-founder of Stanton Street Technology.

Appointed Texas commissioner of higher education in 2004, Paredes oversees the operations of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. He also serves on the Education Commission of the States and on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Paredes also previously served as the vice chancellor for academic development at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Patrick, R-Arlington, was first elected in 2006 to represent District 94 in the Texas House. She serves as the vice chairwoman of the Higher Education Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Rules and Resolutions committees. Previously, Patrick served on the Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees for 11 years.

Pauken, who is running for governor, was appointed chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission in 2008. During his four-year tenure, he supervised the development of the Texas Veterans Leadership Program. Pauken previously served as the chairman of the Texas Republican Party and an agency head in the Reagan administration.

Peña represented District 40 in the Texas House from 2003 to 2013, serving as chairman of two House committees. In 2011, Peña founded and chaired the Hispanic Republican Conference. Peña is now a senior vice president with Crosswind Media & Public Relations, headquartered in Austin.

Perry became the first lady of Texas in 2000 when Rick Perry became governor. She has served on the board of trustees for Baylor, Scott & White, on the board of the Haskell Independent School District, as director of client services for consulting firm the Perryman Group and as the national chairwoman for childhood immunizations for March of Dimes.

Phillips, R-Sherman, has represented District 62 in the Texas House since 2003. Currently, he is chairman of the Transportation Committee and a member of the General Investigating and Ethics Committee and the Investments and Financial Services Committee. Phillips received his law degree from the University of Houston.

Pickett, D-El Paso, has represented District 79 in the Texas House since 1995. He serves as chairman of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee and is a member of the Transportation and Redistricting committees. Pickett also sits on the board of of the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Puente was appointed president and CEO of the San Antonio Water System in 2008. He previously served in the Texas House, where he was first elected in 1991. In 2003 he was appointed chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, which develops water policy for the state.

Ramshaw oversees The Texas Tribune’s editorial operations, from daily coverage to major projects. Previously, she spent six years reporting for The Dallas Morning News, first in Dallas, then in Austin. In April 2009 she was named Star Reporter of the Year by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors and the Headliners Foundation of Texas.

Reddy is a policy analyst in the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, where he coordinates the Right on Crime campaign. He has worked as a research assistant at the Cato Institute and as an attorney. He received his law degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

Reyes in May became the first Latino elected to the Farmer’s Branch City Council. Previously, she served as the district manager for state Rep. Rafael Anchia. Reyes ran for the District 1 council seat after a federal judge ordered single-member district balloting to rectify violations of the Voting Rights Act.

Rodríguez, D-El Paso, has represented District 29 in the Texas Senate since 2011. In addition to serving as vice chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee, he sits on the Criminal Justice, Government Organization, and Veteran Affairs and Military Installations committees. Before his election to the Texas Senate, Rodríguez served as the El Paso County Attorney for 17 years.

Rose serves as a juvenile justice policy associate for Texans Care for Children, a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and well-being of Texas children. She also convenes the Texas Juvenile Justice Roundtable, a monthly forum for stakeholders dedicated to helping troubled youth.

Rubio is president of Cintra US, a private company that develops and manages transportation infrastructure. Cintra US formed the SH 130 Concession Company to oversee the building of segments 5 and 6 of SH 130. In 2010, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association named Rubio “Private Sector Entrepreneur of the Year.”

Satija covers the environment for The Texas Tribune. Previously, she worked for a number of East Coast news outlets, including the New Haven Independent, the Connecticut Mirror and WNPR/Connecticut Public Radio. She has also been a regular contributor to National Public Radio. Satija received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University.

Schenck became deputy attorney general of Texas in 2010, serving as chief legal counsel to Attorney General Greg Abbott. Currently, Schenck is a member in the litigation department of the Dykema law firm’s Dallas office. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School.

Sevick is professor and Cullen Chair in Molecular Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center's Institute of Molecular Medicine, where she directs the Center for Molecular Imaging. At the institute, she leads the National Cancer Institute Center for Translational Research, which focuses on the development and validation of new imaging instrumentation, algorithms, and imaging agents and their clinical translation.  

Shaw was appointed chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2009. He has also served as chairman of the Texas Advisory Panel on Federal Environmental Regulations. As an associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University, Shaw conducts research on air pollution abatement.

Smith has served as executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 2008. The agency is dedicated to the management and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of Texas. Smith is a native Texan who has worked on a wide variety of conservation, natural resources and outdoor recreation issues throughout his career.

Smith, R-San Antonio, has represented District 21 in Congress since 1987. He serves as chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee and sits on the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees. He is a former chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Smith received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law.

Smitherman, who is running for Texas attorney general, was elected in November 2012 to a two-year term on the Railroad Commission, to which he was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2011. Smitherman has served as chairman of the Public Utility Commission and as a prosecutor in the Harris County district attorney’s office.

Staples, who is running for lieutenant governor, was first elected commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture in 2007. Previously, he served as a member of both the Texas House and Senate and on his hometown city council. Staples is a business owner, realtor and rancher.

Stockton oversees the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and serves as the designated liaison to the Texas A&M vice chancellor for research. He also serves as the Institute's principal liaison with the Texas Department of Transportation. Stockton received his Ph.D. in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

Sweany is a senior executive editor at Texas Monthly, where he began his career in journalism as an intern in 1996. He has also worked as an assistant professor in the journalism department at Ithaca College and as a senior editor at D Magazine. He is writing a biography of Charles Goodnight called The Kingdom of the Saddle.

Underwood was appointed to the Texas Transportation Commission in 2007. He previously served as chairman of the Lubbock International Airport Board and as a board member of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. Underwood is president of the Trinity Company, a cotton bale storage facility. 

Uresti, D-San Antonio, was elected in 2006 to represent District 19 in the Texas Senate. He serves as vice chairman of the Redistricting, Administration and Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Homeland Security committees. Previously, he was a representative in the Texas House for four terms. Uresti is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

Vega is the mayor of Port Isabel, Texas, and the deputy director of the Cameron County Parks and Recreation Department. He is a lifelong resident of Port Isabel, and he has served as a member of the advisory committee for Texas A&M University’s Texas Sea Grant project.

Villarreal, D-San Antonio, has represented District 123 in the Texas House since 2000. He is the chairman of the Investments and Financial Services Committee and sits on the Public Education Committee. He is currently earning his Ph.D. in public policy at The University of Texas at Austin.

Wasley is CEO of Teaching Channel, an internet- and television-based professional development service for teachers. Previously, she served as dean of the College of Education at the University of Washington. She has also worked as a teacher, public school administrator, researcher and professor. Wasley has authored numerous articles and books on school reform.

Webber is the deputy director of the Energy Institute, co-director of the Clean Energy Incubator and the Josey Centennial Fellow in Energy Resources at the University of Texas at Austin. He also serves on the board of advisers for Scientific American and hosts the TV special Energy at the Movies.

White served as Houston's mayor from January 2004 until January 2010 and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2010. He previously served as the U.S. deputy secretary of energy under President Bill Clinton. He is current chairman of Lazard Houston and has sat on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards.

Gov. Rick Perry appointed Williams in 2012 to head the Texas Education Agency. Williams serves as the governor’s appointee to the Southern Regional Education Board, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the Education Commission of the States. He previously served as a Texas railroad commissioner.

Williams, R-The Woodlands, has represented District 4 in the Texas Senate since 2003. He serves as the chairman of the Finance Committee and sits on the Open Government, Administration, State Affairs and Legislative Audit committees. Williams is president of Woodforest Financial Services.

Wright has served as president of Prairie View A&M University, the second-oldest public institution of higher education in Texas, since 2003. Previously, he was provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington. Wright earned his doctoral degree in history from Duke University.

Zhang is dean of The University of Texas School of Biomedical Informatics at Houston, where he also holds the Dr. Doris L. Ross professorship. He also serves as director of the National Center for Cognitive Informatics and Decision Making in Healthcare. Zhang received his doctoral degree from the University of California, San Diego.