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Dr. Thenral Mangadu is the founding director of the Institute for Health and Lifespan Research (IHLR). She is the Associate Vice President for Health and Interdisciplinary Research at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, the Peter de Wetter endowed Professor Health Sciences, and the Director of the Minority AIDS Research Center. Dr. Mangadu' s research expertise are in the areas of Health Disparities, Global and Rural Health, Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health and related disparities, Maternal and Child healthspan, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications in Health and, Public Health Program Evaluation. She and her community-based multi-sectorial teams implement multiple regional applied and intervention research and service programs addressing health and lifespan for communities across West Texas. Dr. Mangadu is particularly committed to addressing the healthcare professional shortage in rural and medically underserved areas (MUAs) in Texas through local capacity building and workforce development. Her research, prevention and treatment programs and workforce development initiatives have received funding support from organizations including the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US Department of Justice (DOJ), US Department of Education (ED) and, State agencies and Private foundations. Dr. Mangadu has over 25+ years of experience in community engaged healthspan research and program implementation and, administration.

Dr. Emre Umucu serves as Associate Dean for Research at the College of Health Sciences and Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, and as a Progam Analyst and Researcher with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A scholar at the intersection of data science, rehabilitation psychology, disability, public health, and technology innovation, Dr. Umucu is internationally recognized for his contributions to advancing health, trauma, aging, community participation, and rehabilitation outcomes, Veteran well-being, and employment outcomes through rigorous, data-driven research. Building on a robust record of federally funded and award-winning research, Dr. Umucu’s work integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital health technologies with rehabilitation and health sciences, positive psychology, and self-determination, and trauma-informed frameworks. His interdisciplinary approach seeks to improve rehabilitation and employment outcomes, promote positive aging, enhance psychological resilience, and optimize recovery following trauma, disability, or chronic illness. Dr. Umucu’s research is distinguished by its translational impact, bridging clinical science, behavioral health, and data analytics to inform real-world care models for service members, Veterans, and civilians navigating complex health challenges. He serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Trauma Research and Combat Casualty Care Collaborative (TRC4), a joint initiative between the University of Texas System and the U.S. Department of Defense. A Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), Dr. Umucu has been honored as an APA Distinguished Researcher and recognized by both the U.S. Senator and House of Representatives for his contributions to advancing Veteran and community health. His research has received support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and several foundations and state agencies. Dr. Umucu’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship. Through his scholarship and service, he continues to shape the future of health science by developing equitable, technology-enabled, and human-centered approaches to rehabilitation and well-being across the lifespan.