Dr. René Elms is a Professor of Practice at Texas A&M University in the College of Engineering. Due to her particular brand of inspiration, storytelling, and humor, she has served as a speaker for various organizations and conferences. With a multi-disciplinary STEM background and diverse work experience, she is passionate about helping to guide, encourage, and broaden the vision of what is possible for STEM inspired students. After working in industry, she transitioned to an academic position teaching first year engineering students at Texas A&M University and has also gained extensive experience in mentoring and assisting students in exploration and navigation of educational and career opportunities in STEM. Reflecting her student-focused approach, she was awarded the Texas A&M University College of Engineering Instructional Faculty Teaching Award and is a member of the inaugural cohort of the College of Engineering Academy of Eminent Educators.

Prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M University, she obtained research and engineering experience in various academic, government, and private sector projects at NASA, NIST, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, and Bryan Research & Engineering. She has work experience across various fields, including space life science, microfabrication, lab-on-a-chip technology development, chemical safety, biofuels, and oil and gas. Dr. Elms holds a B.S. in Biochemistry, a B.S. in Genetics, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. She enjoys traveling, curating her extensive library of memes and Dad jokes, and adventures with her husband, daughter, and corgi.