The AI Enabled University
UC Davis, State of California and Industry Summit
February 27, 2026 @ 9 AM – 4 PM
This event brings together leaders from the State of California and industry with UC Davis faculty and leadership to begin an ongoing conversation and collaboration around the question of what AI-enabled education, research, business and healthcare should look like – and how we can proactively chart a path forward for alignment and collaboration.
This event is generously sponsored by Accenture with support from the UC Davis Library and DataLab.
Agenda
8:30 a.m. Coffee reception
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks: UC Davis
- Carl Stahmer, Director, UC Davis DataLab
- Bill Garrity, University Librarian and Vice Provost of Digital Scholarship
- Gary May, Chancellor, UC Davis
9:30 a.m. Opening Fireside Chat with Amy Tong, Former CIO and Senior Counselor to Governor Gavin
Newsom
10:00 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Panel Discussion: Business and Administration
Moderator: Scott Armanini, Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives,
UC Davis DataLab
- Aisha Jackson, Chief Information and Digital Strategy Executive,
UC Davis - Pablo G. Reguerín, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UC Davis
- Ajali Sen, Managing Director, Accenture
- Duper Tong, Chief, Division of Traffic Operations, Caltrans
11:00 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. Panel Discussion: Research
Moderator: Simon Atkinson, Vice Chancellor for Research, UC Davis
Panelists:
- Charles Bookman, Director, High Performance Computing, UC Davis
- You Chen (Tim) Chao, State Water Project Risk and Resilience Officer,
Executive Division, California Department of Water Resources - Jamie Garcia, Director, Growth and Quantum Partnerships,
IBM Research - Mike Kelly, Managing Director and Client Account Lead, Accenture
- Jack McCauley, Co-Founder, Oculus
12:00 p.m. Fireside Chat with Vera Zakem, State Chief Technology Innovation Officer, California Department of Technology
12:30 p.m. Lunch in Shields Library Courtyard
1:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Education, Teaching and Training
Moderator: Carl Stahmer, Director, UC Davis DataLab, and
Associate Professor of English and Science and Technology Studies
- Martin Hilbert, Professor of Communication and Computer Science,
UC Davis - Tim McCarthy, Financial Services Executive and Former President of
Schwab, Fidelity Investment Advisory Group, and CEO of Nikko AM - John Sanborn, Chief Learning Officer, California Department of Human
Resources (CalHR) - Peter Temes, Founder and President, Institute for Innovation in Large
Organizations - Mimi Whitehouse, Senior Manager, Responsible AI Lead, Accenture
- Carl Whithaus, Professor and Director, University Writing Program,
UC Davis
2:15 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Health and Clinical Services
Moderator: Pamela Reynolds, Associate Director, UC Davis DataLab
- Stefan Keller, Associate Professor of Pathology, Microbiology &
Immunology, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine - Christine Kreuder-Johnson, Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology,
UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine - Cecil Lynch, Chief Medical Information Officer, Allymar, and Department
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Health - Matthew Miller, Managing Director, Accenture
- Bill Otterbeck, Deputy Director, Program Operations, California
Department of Health Care Services
3:15 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Closing Fireside Chat with Vijoy Pandey, Senior Vice President/General Manager and Head,
Outshift by Cisco
4:00 p.m. Closing Remarks & Adjourn
Speakers
Gary May, Chancellor, UC Davis
Gary May is the seventh chancellor of UC Davis, where he leads one of the nation’s most comprehensive public research universities, which contributes over $13.2 billion annually to California’s economy. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Chancellor May is a prominent engineer and scholar in the application of neural networks and intelligent systems to semiconductor manufacturing. He is a leading architect of public-private synergy, evidenced by his role as a Commissioner on the Council on Competitiveness and for spearheading Aggie Square, a state-of-the-art innovation district designed to foster deep collaboration between industry and academia in tech and life sciences. Under his leadership, UC Davis is emerging as a hub for responsible AI leveraged for the public good.
William Garrity, University Librarian and Vice Provost of Digital Scholarship, UC Davis | Chair, UC Council of University Librarians
Bill provides strategic leadership for one of North America’s top research libraries. He oversees all aspects of the library — including UC Davis’ world-class collections, library services and programs, and operations. Bill champions the library as both a core academic partner that advances educational, research, and clinical excellence, and as a “third space” that supports student success and a sense of belonging on campus. Bill oversees the UC Davis DataLab and is a champion for AI literacy.
Carl Stahmer, UC Davis DataLab Director | Associate Professor of English & Science and Technology Studies
A data scientist and digital humanist, Carl leverages his expertise as a computer programmer and system architect to tackle complex problems in the humanities and beyond. As faculty of the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, Carl applies and teaches computational methods to the study of printed materials. His research has been funded by various major granting organizations, including NEH, NSF, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Getty Foundation. He received his PhD in English from UC Santa Barbara, and established the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities prior to joining UC Davis.
Amy Tong, Former CIO and Senior Counselor to Governor Newsom
Amy served as Senior Counselor to Governor Gavin Newsom, where she spearheaded the integration of AI to create a more efficient and engaged state government. Previously the Secretary of Government Operations and California’s Chief Information Officer, she oversaw an agency of 22,000 employees and a $67 billion budget. A pioneer in public-sector tech, Tong led the implementation of Generative AI to streamline state operations and established the nation’s largest middle-mile broadband network. With a bachelor’s in Management Information Systems and an MBA from CSU Sacramento, she is a recognized leader in user-centered design, cybersecurity, and modernizing technology procurement for the public good.
Vera Zakem, State CTIO, Department of Technology
Verais the first woman to serve as California’s State Chief Technology Innovation Officer (CTIO). In this role, she leads the state’s efforts in AI and emerging tech policy, adoption, and digital service delivery, focusing on expanding partnerships to scale innovation for the public interest. An Executive Fellow in Applied Technology at UC Berkeley, Zakem’s career spans senior leadership roles in government, industry, and civil society. She served as USAID’s Chief Digital Democracy and Rights Officer, and has held senior advisory positions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Institute for Security and Technology. With deep roots in Silicon Valley strategy and national security, she is a recognized expert in building global coalitions to drive the responsible deployment of AI and information integrity.
Vijoy Pandey, Senior VP/General Manager and Head of Outshift by Cisco
Vijoy Pandey leads Outshift, Cisco’s internal incubation engine dedicated to pioneering emerging technologies in AI-native infrastructure, quantum networking, and distributed systems. As a key strategic leader, he oversees Cisco Research, the company’s Open Source initiatives, and the Developer Network (DevNet), where he drives API consistency and innovation across the Cisco portfolio. Committed to the ethical deployment of technology, Dr. Pandey also co-chairs Cisco’s Responsible AI committee. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Davis, and is a prolific inventor with over 80 patents in cloud computing and AI/ML. Under his leadership, Outshift ensures Cisco is positioned to capture and scale high-impact opportunities in rapidly maturing tech markets.
Moderators
Scott Armanini, Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives, DataLab, UC Davis
Scott Armanini leads civic and corporate engagement for DataLab, building high-impact partnerships between the university, government agencies, and venture firms. A veteran of the Silicon Valley ecosystem, his career includes leadership roles in business development, innovation commercialization, and venture capital at Accenture Ventures, Cisco, HP, Microsoft, and Samsung NEXT. Armanini’s expertise lies in bridging the gap between emerging technology and market scalability. He holds an MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business and a BA in Economics and Political Science from UCLA.
Simon Atkinson, Vice Chancellor for Research, UC Davis
Simon oversees the UC Davis Office of Research, managing a vast portfolio that includes extramural research awards, Organized Research Units, and the coordination of campus intellectual property. He is a primary architect of the university’s research relationships with government and industry partners, fostering faculty innovation and interdisciplinary scholarship. Simon holds a doctorate in Molecular Biology from the University of Cambridge and a bachelor’s from King’s College London, and he completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Stuart Drown, Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives, CA Office of Data and Innovation
Stuart recently retired from the Government Operations Agency where he spent a decade implementing innovations to improve public-sector efficiency. His work has been central to state-wide transparency initiatives, including the Open and Transparent Water Data Act (AB 1755). Previously the Executive Director of the Little Hoover Commission, Drown also spent two decades as a journalist, concluding his career as the City Editor of the Sacramento Bee. He brings a unique perspective on the intersection of public policy, data transparency, and civic communication.
Pamela Reynolds, Associate Director, UC Davis DataLab
Pamela manages DataLab’s interdisciplinary research, education, and community initiatives, focusing on the intersection of team science and computational thinking. She leads programs that empower students and faculty with the tools necessary for data-driven innovation and research computing. A member of the Academic Federation, Pamela co-leads a global research network and serves on national committees dedicated to academic data science. She earned her PhD in Biology from UNC Chapel Hill and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences and English from UC Davis.
Panelists: Business & Administration
Aisha Jackson, Chief Information and Digital Strategy Executive, UC Davis
As the inaugural CIDSE, Aisha unifies the digital ecosystem across the Davis and Sacramento campuses. She leads technology governance and coordinates IT strategy across academic, administrative, and health units. Dr. Jackson serves as the primary liaison to the UC system, ensuring institutional alignment with systemwide goals. She earned a PhD in Education from the University of Colorado, Denver.
Pablo G. Reguerín, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UC Davis
Pablo oversees 30 units dedicated to student learning, equity, and success. An expert in Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) initiatives, he has secured over $15 million in federal grants to close racial equity gaps in student outcomes. His leadership emphasizes transformative education and inclusive access. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from UC Davis.
Ajali Sen, Managing Director, Accenture
Ajali Sen is Accenture’s Data and Analytics Lead for California State and Local Government. She partners with public sector leadership to modernize services through responsible AI and enterprise data strategy. Notably, she supported California’s data-driven pandemic response by scaling integration platforms for the CDPH. She focuses on building analytics capabilities that support population health and health equity.
Duper Tong, Chief, Division of Traffic Operations, CalTrans
With over 30 years of experience, Duper Tong oversees traffic safety, electrical systems, and operations for Caltrans. He represents California on the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee of Freeway Operations, advancing research and professional capability-building in traffic engineering. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering and a MS in Transportation Engineering from CSU Sacramento.
Panelists: Research
Charles Bookman, Director, UC Davis High Performance Computing Core
Charles Bookman directs the design and operation of advanced computing systems supporting campus-wide research. With a background in healthcare information systems and systems administration, he holds an MS in Information Technology from Western Governors University and a BA from the University of the Pacific.
You-Chen (Tim) Chao, State Water Project Risk and Resilience Officer, California Department of Water Resources
Tim leads strategic risk management for the State Water Project, advancing value-based decision-making for California’s water infrastructure. A licensed Civil Engineer with over 20 years of experience, he previously held leadership roles at the Delta Stewardship Council. He earned a PhD from UC Davis, specializing in seismic risk and uncertainty assessment.
Jamie Garcia, Director, Growth and Quantum Partnerships, IBM Research
Jamie is an IBM Master Inventor with over 115 patents. Her research spans quantum computing applications in chemistry and the development of recyclable polymers. A Technical Program Director for IBM Quantum, her work was featured in the New York Times and Scientific American. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from Boston College.
Michael Kelly, Managing Director and Client Account Lead, Accenture
Mike leads Accenture’s California Account Leadership Team, focusing on enhancing government effectiveness through digital transformation. With nearly three decades of experience, he specializes in building outcomes that bridge physical and digital interactions. His career is dedicated to partnering with government clients to harness technology for improved citizen engagement and operational efficiency.
Panelists: Education, Teaching and Training
Martin Hilbert, Professor of Communications and Computer Science
Martin investigates the role of algorithms and digital information in complex social systems. A former UN Economic Affairs Officer, he has provided technical assistance to Heads of State in over 20 countries and led large-scale digital development projects. His research, published in journals like Science, includes the first global assessment of information capacity. Martin chairs the Computational Social Science emphasis. He holds an MBA and earned PhDs in Communication and Economics and Social Sciences.
Tim McCarthy, Financial Services Executive
An accomplished business leader, Tim McCarthy has served as CEO of Nikko Asset Management and President of both Charles Schwab and Co. and Fidelity Investment Advisory Group. He is the author of The Safe Investor and has served on the UC Davis College of Letters & Science Dean’s Advisory Council since 2014. He holds a BA in Economics from UC Davis and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
John Sanborn, Chief Learning Officer, California Department of Human Resources (CalHR)
John Sanborn oversees learning and development for California’s 250,000 civil service employees. He manages the CalLearns platform and the California Leadership Academy, delivering nearly 500,000 training hours annually. A U.S. Navy veteran and former Walmart HR consultant, he holds a BS in Psychology from Washington State University.
Peter Temes, Founder and President, Institute for Innovation in Large Organizations
Peter founded the ILO to facilitate knowledge sharing among senior executives at organizations like Microsoft, ExxonMobil, and Disney. A former faculty member at Harvard and Dean at Northeastern University, he is a prolific author on leadership and education reform. He holds a PhD and three master’s degrees from Columbia University.
Mimi Whitehouse, Senior Manager, Responsible AI Lead, Accenture
Mimi Whitehouse leads Responsible AI initiatives within Accenture’s AI & Data group, specifically supporting higher education and public service. She specializes in delivering agentic AI solutions and establishing AI Centers of Excellence that meet rigorous policy and regulatory requirements. She holds an MBA from George Mason University.
Carl Whithaus, Professor and Director, University Writing Program, UC Davis
Carl researches writing in technological environments, focusing on digital rhetorics and AI-supported instruction. He is the lead for Peer and AI Review + Reflection (PAIRR), a multi-institutional initiative examining AI integration in writing assessment. A former editor of the Journal of Writing Assessment, he earned a PhD from the City University of New York (CUNY).
Panelists: Health & Clinical Services
Stefan Keller, Associate Professor of Veterinary Pathology, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine
Stefan integrates AI into veterinary pathology to improve the accuracy of histopathological diagnoses. His research focuses on developing predictive models for disease detection using laboratory data and fostering AI literacy among students. He is a leader in applying machine learning to electronic medical records within veterinary medicine.
Christine Kreuder-Johnson, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine
Chris specializes in disease dynamics at the animal-human interface. She directs the NSF Center for Pandemic Insights and leads the EpiCenter for Emerging Infectious Disease Intelligence, focusing on drivers of viral spillover in rapidly changing landscapes. A former U.S. Science Envoy, she is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and AAAS fellow. She earned a MPVM and PhD from UC Davis, and VMD from the University of PA.
Cecil Lynch, Chief Medical Officer, Allymar | Assistant Professor of Medical Informatics, UC Davis School of Medicine
Cecil is a biomedical informatics expert specializing in health data standards and interoperability. He serves on the FHIR Governance Board and has held leadership roles at Accenture and HL7. At UC Davis, he contributes to medical informatics research, focusing on real-time actionable data at the point of care.
Matthew Miller, Managing Director, Accenture
Matt Miller is a healthcare executive with 25 years of experience implementing scalable clinical platforms for health plans. He specializes in leveraging AI-driven data and interoperability to enhance care management and reduce provider friction. His work focuses on improving member outcomes through sustainable digital architectures and regulatory compliance.
Bill Otterbeck, Deputy Director, Program Operations, California Department of Health Care Services
Bill Otterbeck manages $20 billion annually in Medi-Cal provider payments and specialty claims. He is the operational co-sponsor of Medi-Cal Connect, California’s population health management system. A specialist in large-scale transformations, he oversees process and technology solutions within a $200 billion department.
Closing Remarks
Jamie Spagner, Public Health Lead, State of CA, Accenture
Jamie Spagner is the Deputy Account Lead for Health on Accenture’s State of California leadership team, where she spearheads enterprise technology strategy for the public sector. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in enabling high-impact transformations and delivering measurable outcomes for complex health systems. A champion of collaborative leadership, Spagner focuses on building sustainable public-private partnerships that leverage technology to solve pressing societal challenges. Her work is dedicated to fostering diverse, resilient teams and creating lasting value through the integration of innovative digital solutions and strategic health policy.
Thanks to Our Event Sponsor
Accenture is a global leader in helping organizations design, deploy and use AI intentionally and responsibly to reinvent their enterprise and optimize business functions for breakthrough innovation and competitive advantage. Their mission is to fuse technology with human ingenuity, fostering continuous innovation and 360° value for stakeholders in ever-evolving landscapes. A premier reinvention partner, Accenture combines the talent of 784,000 people – including over 1,600 generative AI professionals – with a vast ecosystem of proprietary assets and deep industry knowledge to deliver integrated solutions across strategy, technology, and operations. They aim to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled place to work in the world.