Twenty STEM professionals have been selected to join the 2026 cohort of the Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute (LPSLI), the SACNAS premier leadership development program.
This year's cohort will participate in an immersive five-day leadership experience designed to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and prepare them to lead with purpose and impact across STEM. Through workshops, peer learning, conversations with experienced leaders, and community building, participants will develop the tools and strategies needed to navigate leadership challenges and drive positive change within their organizations and communities.
The institute provides participants with opportunities to explore topics such as leading change, emotional intelligence, leadership development planning, management of bias, and organizational leadership. Participants also engage with distinguished leaders, connect with institute alumni, and develop a personalized leadership development plan to guide their continued growth long after the program concludes.
Today, the LPSLI alumni network includes more than 460 leaders working across academic institutions, nonprofits, government, and for-profit science companies. Alumni serve as executive directors, program directors, assistant deans, department chairs, entrepreneurs, senior scientists, and science policy leaders.
For many participants, LPSLI is more than a leadership program—it is a transformative experience that shapes how they lead and engage with their communities.
“LPSLI was a transformative experience that affirmed the importance of leading with integrity, empathy, and purpose. I am grateful for the facilitators’ honesty, the space for reflection, and the community built throughout the week. Thank you for creating an environment that empowers historically marginalized leaders to lead authentically and effectively.”
— 2025 LPSLI Survey Respondent
Established in 2009 by SACNAS founders Clifton Poodry, Ph.D. (Seneca), and Marigold Linton, Ph.D. (Cahuilla-Cupeño), the institute was created to help cultivate the next generation of STEM leaders.
As Linton explained:
“I was concerned that SACNAS PhDs were not going on to high-level leadership positions. We created the LPSLI to produce leaders who will change the face of science.”
More than 15 years later, that vision continues to shape the STEM landscape through hundreds of alumni who are advancing leadership, innovation, and opportunity throughout the STEM enterprise.
The 2026 cohort represents a broad range of STEM disciplines, career stages, and sectors, including academic institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, research institutes, and independent professionals. SACNAS is proud to welcome the 2026 LPSLI cohort and looks forward to supporting their leadership journeys as they continue to shape the future of STEM.
Adriana I. Hernandez — Stanford University
Adrianna P. Matos-Nieves — Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Ahmed Mahmoud — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Aixa Y. Aleman-Diaz — Independent
Ana Vázquez-Pagán — Eli Lilly and Company
Caryl Ann Becerra — California State University, Channel Islands
Chinyere Okoh — No Patient Left Behind
Eduardo J. Caro-Diaz — University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
Erika María López-Alfonzo — Yale School of Medicine / Yale Ciencia Initiative
Erika Moore — University of Maryland, College Park
Erim Gómez — University of Montana
Felix Pabon-Rodriguez — Indiana University School of Medicine
Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernández — City of Hope
José Vargas-Muñiz — Virginia Tech
Kyle Yoshida — UCLA
Lara Bourdon-Roach — University of Massachusetts Amherst
Odalys J. Torres Luquis — Purdue University
Shanique Edwards — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Stephanie Ramos — Oregon State University
Zulmarie Perez Horta — Howard Hughes Medical Institute
ABOUT SACNAS
For over 53 years, SACNAS has been committed to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American individuals in STEM—from students to professionals—by supporting their pursuit of advanced degrees, meaningful careers, and leadership positions. SACNAS welcomes everyone to join as members and participate in its programs. Today, SACNAS supports a vibrant and expanding community of approximately 5,300 members and more than 150 student and professional chapters across the United States, including Puerto Rico and Guam. The organization strengthens the STEM workforce through outreach, leadership development, and career advancement opportunities—highlighted by its flagship event, the SACNAS Annual Conference. Discover more about SACNAS and how to get involved at sacnas.org or connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X.