News Archive 2017
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.
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| 1st and 2nd year BFRI students |
Dr. Lehker and Dr. Guadarama’s 2nd Year BFRI Stream |
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Dr. Nair and Dr. Lu’s 2nd Year BFRI Stream |
Read about all the winners in the BFRI Photo Album page.
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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... |
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.
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/mm_utrgv/
Cooperative Pharmacy Program - Fall 2017
There are slots open for students to apply to the Cooperative Pharmacy Program this year. If there are any BMED students that want to go to pharmacy school and have taken the PCAT or will take it Sept 8, Dr. Lydia Aguilera (Director of CPP, COHA) would like to talk to them about applying thru the CPP program. Our faculty can provide advisement to optimize their candidacy for pharmacy school. Dr. Cruz even leads a Mock Admissions session.
Early admission deadline is Sept 5 and regular admission deadline is November 1, 2017.
Dr. Bianca Cruz is responsible for coordinating mock multiple mini interviews (MMIs) for CPP students with the UTRGV Career Center. UT Austin College of Pharmacy is currently the only pharmacy school in Texas that uses the MMI method. Important information about signing up for mock MMIs. Please know that students who want to participate in the mock MMIs MUST:
- Plan on applying to UT Austin College of Pharmacy in Fall 2017
- Be interested in being part of the UTRGV/UT Austin CPP, meaning that they would return to the UTRGV during their third and fourth years of pharmacy school
Any students not applying to UT Austin College of Pharmacy or who do not want to be part of the CPP may contact the UTRGV Career Center on their own to set up mock interviews. Please let Dr. Cruz know if you have any questions.
College of Health Affairs Information Sessions - October 2017
These info sessions for October will focus on supporting COHA majors academic progression as well as looking into life after graduation. Many University centers, i.e. Student Health Clinic, Student Accessibility Office, on-campus Food Bank, Writing Center, will be at the events in addition to the Career Center and Advising Center. If you are thinking and planning life after graduation, you will be able to talk to our graduate programs as well as the University Graduate College.
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Edinburg: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Brownsville: Thursday, October 12, 2017 |
Join us if you need more information on:
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| For more information and/or special accommodations, please call the College of Health Affairs Dean's Office at 956-665-2291 (Edinburg) or 956-882-5000 (Brownsville). | |
National Recovery Month
Join the voices for recovery. Strengthen families and communities.
September is National Recovery Month and the UTRGV Collegiate Recovery Program is hosting several events on campus to engage the university and surrounding communities in a vibrant discussion about recovery from addiction while highlighting the hope and enrichment recovery brings to individuals, families, and communities. Most of all we want to show everyone that recovery from addiction is possible!
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CRP Open House Tuesday, 9/12 Edinburg: EUCTR 102 Movie Night: "Generation Found" Edinburg: Tuesday, 9/16 6:30pm Brownsville: Wednesday, 9/20 6:30pm Recovery Walk-A-Thon Edinburg: Tuesday, 9/26 11:00am - 1:00pm Brownsville: Wednesday, 9/27 11:00am - 1:00pm |
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International Overdose Awareness Day Thursday, August 31st 9:00am - 4:00pm Edinburg University Center Fountain / Brownsville Student Union Lawn |
For special accommodations or additional information, please contact The Counseling Center at (956) 665-2574
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Edinburg: Brownsville: |
| For more information and/or special accommodations, please call the College of Health Affairs-Dean's office at 956-665-2291 (Edinburg) or 956-882-5000 (Brownsville) | |
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Edinburg Campus Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 |
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Brownsville Campus Date: Thursday, September 21, 2017 |
Reserve your seat today at www.utrgv.edu/grad
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Friday, September 22, 2017 This event will consist of BMED upperclassmen talking about the Medical School Application process, how to find research opportunities, MCAT prep tips, Medical School interview tips, individual experiences and their journey with the BMED program. Two students will also be speaking who are currently getting interviewed at various medical schools. Afterwards, we will show the movie Concussion featuring Will Smith who plays the role of a neuroscientist who wants find a cure for CTE. |
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For any special accommodations please contact raul.ordonez01@utrgv.edu
Biochemistry scientist in space breaks record!
Astronaut Peggy Whitson Sets NASA Record For Most Days In Space
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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.
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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.
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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. | |
| When | Where | Who |
| Tuesday, March 21 11:00am-12:30pm |
Sabal Hall 1.106 | Dr. Rajesh Singh, Ph.D. – Professor - Microbiology & Parasitology - The Andes University Venezuela - “Drug Delivery Approach Using Novel Nanoparticle” |
| Thursday March 23 10:00am–11:30am |
LHSB 1.410 |
Dr. Upal Roy Ph.D. - Research Scientist II - Microbiology - Biosciences Division, Stanford Research Institute International - "Effect of HIV-1 Infection and Targeted Therapeutic Strategies" |
| Tuesday March 28 9:00am-10:30am |
Main 1.220 | Dr. Abdul Hye Khan |
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When: Friday March 10, 2017 at 9:30am-11:00am Where: BSABH 1.106 (Brownsville campus) |