News and Events
Congratulations to Dr. Roy's new research grant for Anti-HIV drug research making the local news.
UTRGV working on new anti-HIV drug
Channel 4 - ValleyCentral - Aug. 7, 2018 - With HIV cases increasing in the Rio Grande Valley, UTRGV is currently working on a new innovative drug to crackdown on the virus. It is all part of a grant from the National Institute of Health that awarded the university about $430,000 to research on an anti-HIV drug.
UTRGV awarded grant for anti-HIV drug research
The Edinburg Review - Aug. 4, 2018 - Researchers at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences are working to develop a next generation of anti-HIV drugs that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
UTRGV to research HIV drug - School granted $500,000 to study development of nano drug
The Monitor - July 11, 2018 - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley received nearly half-a-million-dollars to research and develop a new anti-HIV drug using nanotechnology that could place the academic institution at the forefront of a possible medical breakthrough.
Congratulations BMED Spring Class of 2018!
2018 Spring Graduation photo album
BMED Graduation Celebration photo album
UTRGV School of Medicine Research Symposium "Health Disparities 2018: Closing the Gap"
Saturday, September 15, 2018 Deadline for Registration and Abstract Submissions:
For more information: https://www.utrgv.edu/som/research-administration/symposium/index.htm
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New accelerated program for College of Science and College of Health Affairs undergraduate students.
UTRGV is collaborating with UTHealth to provide a new accelerated curriculum in both Public Health and Biomedical Informatics.
As opposed to the traditional four years of undergraduate work and two years of graduate study,
you can earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years.
The first cohort will start in the Fall of 2018. The deadline to apply for the Accelerated Master’s program is June 1, 2018. If you would like additional information, you may contact the UTH Program Manager Jeanette L. Broshears at 956-755-0678 or by email at Jeanette.L.Broshears@uth.tmc.edu
Deadline to apply is June 1, 2018.
Read more about the new UTRGV 4 + 1 accelerated program here.
Engaged Scholar Symposium Keynote Speaker Dr. Melissa Reynolds
On behalf of the Office of Engaged Scholarship & Learning, we invite you and your students to join us at The Engaged Scholar Symposium (ES2), taking place on April 10 in Brownsville and April 11 in Edinburg. ES2 is the largest multidisciplinary gathering of undergraduate scholars in South Texas and was conceived to share and celebrate multidisciplinary undergraduate research, service learning, and creative works projects. Presentations will be hosted all-day, starting with our Keynote, Dr. Melissa Reynolds from Colorado State University, at 9:25 am on both days.
Melissa Reynolds, Ph.D., is an outstanding scholar of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering. She has developed new approaches to address long term biocompatibility and prevent biofouling on surfaces. These efforts have included collaborative and fruitful discussions with clinicians, manufacturers, engineers, and chemists. By bringing together the various parties, her team addresses the key scientific questions at the same time as the clinical challenges. She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Natural Sciences and is an Associate Professor in Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering at Colorado State University. We are pleased to announce that she will be our keynote speaker at the upcoming Engaged Scholar Symposium, where she can address students about the importance of getting engaged in research.
Professionalism Workshop - March 27, 2018
This was the last workshop for the semester. Thanks to all that participated in all the Promoting Professionalism workshops.
Medical Brigades to Peru
There are currently some open spots for the upcoming brigade to Cuzco, Peru. We would like to give this opportunity to students who are passionate about healthcare and would like to make an impact in underprivileged communities.
If you are interested please contact:
nitchelle.rodriguez01@utrgv.edu or hugo.rodriguez@utrgv.edu
ENGL 2331.90L - Introduction to World Literature
This fully online course will be offered in Fall 2018 and fulfills the Language, Philosophy, and Culture (040) section of the core curriculum.
The Learning Center - Brownsville Campus
Spring 2018 Tutoring schedule
Peer tutors can help students in the following areas:
College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus I, II, III, Elementary Statistics, Physics I & II, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, Biology I & II, History I & II, and most BMED courses.
Professionalism: Time Management Workshop Spring 2018
Building professionalism: the importance of Time management in professional development formation January 30, 2018
Facilitators: Sue Anne Chew, Lorena Lopez, Maria Teresa Castaneda, Andrea Schwarzbach, and Hugo Rodriguez (BMED Faculty)
2nd Annual Biomedical Science Freshman Research Initiative (BFRI) Research Symposium - December 5, 2017
71 BMED students participated in the 2nd Annual Biomedical Freshman Research Initiative (BFRI) Research Symposium on December 5th, 2017 where Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences faculty and staff judge their posters and provide them feedback on how they can improve their projects and presentation skills. The first year BFRI students took a “Research Methods” course this semester and presented their own research project which they designed, executed and analyzed by applying the fundamentals of research they learned in the course. The second year students took a “Research Experience” course this semester where they were part of Dr. Saraswathy Nair and Dr. Hongxing Lu or Dr. Michael Lehker and Dr. Seratna Guadarama’s research stream. They worked on a research project connected to the faculty mentors’ research field and provided an update of their project at the symposium which they will continue to work on next semester.
1st and 2nd year BFRI students |
Dr. Lehker and Dr. Guadarama’s 2nd Year BFRI Stream |
Dr. Nair and Dr. Lu’s 2nd Year BFRI Stream |
Read about all the winners in the BFRI Photo Album page.
PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM Workshop
THURSDAY Nov 30, 2017 Cassia Room - Brownsville campus.
The goal of this workshop is to develop activities and create a positive, professional learning environment that will help students build professionalism. By integrating student professionalism activities students must practice professional behavior during class to prepare for entering the workforce.
Around 60 Biomedical Sciences students attended the third session of the workshop Moving Up/Resilience, called Promoting Professionalism with presenters: Dr. Hugo Rodriguez, Dr. Maria Teresa Castaneda, Dr. Tracia Forman and Dr.Saras Nair.
College of Health Affairs Students Take Home Winning Posters at (SACNAS) 2017
Rio Grande Valley, TX – October 26, 2017 - College of Health Affairs at SACNAS 2017
Students from the College of Health Affairs attended the national scientific conference SACNAS 2017, October 19 -21 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native American Science is the largest National Diversity in STEM Conference. Fifteen students from the College of Health Affairs were accompanied by the Dean of the College, Dr. Michael Lehker and CoHA RISE program Staff, Ms. Bianca Farrell, Ms. Noemi Hernandez, Ms. Magali Ayala and Ms. Ednia Gutierrez to the conference and experienced three days of cutting-edge science, professional development, training and mentoring. Ten students presented their research at the conference. Four student posters placed first in the student competition.
College of Health Affairs students return from the ANNUAL BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE FOR MINORITY STUDENTS (ABRCMS) with 1stPlace Winners.
Fifteen students from the CoHA and the CoHA RISE Program attended the “ANNUAL BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE FOR MINORITY STUDENTS (ABRCMS)”, Nov 1 to 4, 2017 in Phoenix Arizona. Read more about the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students... |
2017 BMED Freshman Induction Ceremony
Ceremony for BMED incoming students that are given a lab coat, presented with a student contract and a student vow of professionalism.
September 8, 2017 @ The TSC Arts Center - Brownsville
2017 Success Academy
During this event BMED incoming students are presented with the following: Overview of BMED Program, Presentations from Faculty about getting into medical school, Independent Research program, mentoring, MCAT, Honors College, Academic Advising, Student Housing.
- Dates: August 18 & 19 2017; 8am to 4pm
- Location: Main 1.502 - Brownsville
UTRGV students and faculty provide medical attention in rural Nicaragua
UTRGV biomedical sciences students provided healthcare this summer for patients in rural Nicaragua. A group of 25 students and two faculty members with the UTRGV chapter of Medical Brigades – a student-led organization that focuses on providing medical attention to underserved areas both domestic and overseas – provided consultations, medications, dental work, lab work and preventive educational presentations to more than 800 people in three rural communities in Nicaragua: Susuli Central, El Zapote and El Hatillo.
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 12, 2017 – A group of 25 biomedical sciences students and two faculty members from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley this summer provided basic medical services and information to rural communities in Nicaragua. Read the full article here.
Medical Brigades at UTRGV Brownsville travel to Nicaragua
Medical Brigades is a global organization that seeks to provide free medical care to underrepresented communities located in Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras. Members shadow medical professionals, get clinical experience and learn from community members.
In August 2017 they traveled to Nicaragua and worked together with doctors and pharmacists to help the local community.
To learn more about Medical Brigades at UTRGV Brownsville visit:
Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences Student Organizations page
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBButrgv/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicalbrigadesutrgv/
Brownsville Chapter - American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association
A new pre-veterinary club that aims in helping and informing prospective veterinary students about the needed coursework and field demands. The club will also help students add community service related to the pre-veterinary field.
School of Medicine Inaugural Research Symposium
August 12, 2017 from 8-5pm
Congratulations! Lakshman Vigneswaran 3rd place winner!
Our BMED students presented at the UTRGV Medical School Inaugural Research Symposium.
Congratulations Class of 2017 BMED graduates!
Spring Commencement 2017 Photo Gallery
Biochemistry scientist in space breaks record!
Astronaut Peggy Whitson Sets NASA Record For Most Days In Space
NPR- April 24, 2017 - Nearly 15 years after her first space launch, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson has now spent more time off-planet than any other American, at more than 534 days. Whitson, 57, is a biochemist who has twice commanded the International Space Station. |
Engaged Scholar Symposium highlights student research, recognizes community engagement
The Engaged Scholar Symposium (ES2), the largest multidisciplinary gathering of undergraduate scholars in South Texas, kicked off Tuesday, April 18 on the UTRGV Brownsville Campus. ES2, a two-day event, was initiated to share and celebrate multidisciplinary undergraduate research, service-learning projects, and creative works being conducted by UTRGV students. During the symposium, UTRGV students showcased their work through oral and poster presentations and displays, which were judged by faculty and graduate students. ES2 continues on the Edinburg Campus Wednesday, April 19. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)
Visit our Student Engagement page to see the full list of presenters.
UTRGV BMED major presents diabetes research at Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
Lakshman Vigneswaran, a biomedical sciences major at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, represented the university at the Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in late March. Vigneswaran presented his research proposal, “Medical and Social Barriers to Optimal Diabetes Care in a Community Health Center.” | |
Lakshman Vigneswaran, a UTRGV freshman biomedical sciences major, met with Rep. Eddie Lucio III (District 38) while presenting his research at Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 28. |
Project SMILE
Marcy Martinez from KGBT CBS 4 News interviewed Kelsey Medina, Anitta Saju, and Alejandra Torres regarding their medical mission trip to Haiti. |
Project SMILE: Mission Trips is a UTRGV student organization that was established on January 2017 with the goal of providing medical care to underserved local and international communities.
During Spring Break 2017, Project SMILE took 6 students (four BMED students: Kelsey Medina, Li-Yuen Poy, Anitta Saju and Alejandra Torres, biology student Zhikynah Lamsis and Computer Engineering student Jovin Joseph) and 3 health care workers to Haiti for its first medical mission trip.. The team was able to successfully provide diagnosis, treatments, and care packages to a total of more than 1000 patients in three days. The students that attended obtained a lot from this experience. They not only attained medical experience but also acquired leadership skills. The students faced many unexpected challenges and learned to find solutions to the problems. They also learned to work together as a team and enhance their communication skills throughout the week to uphold a successful mission. Each individual learned to be confident in his/her strengths and adapt to and engage with a different culture.
All of this would not have been possible without the Haitian community that patiently waited to receive care and work with them to create an efficient system. The positive outlook they had towards life despite the hardships they faced every day inspired and encouraged each of the team member to work harder to serve the community there.
Project SMILE delivered a successful mission this year, and the team is excited to learn from their experience and host another effective medical mission next year.