News Archive 2019
Healthy and 'Heart'-y Holiday with Lisa Salinas, PhD and Deepu George, PhD
Nov 27, 2019 - How does a heart-y quinoa salad sound to accompany your Thanksgiving dinner? We had two special guests prepare a delicious protein-filled dish and discuss ways to start off the year on a positive note.
Lisa Salinas, Ph.D., from the College of Health Professions, prepared a delicious quinoa salad while discussing 3 ways to improve mental health with Dr. Deepu George, from our Behavioral Health department at UT Health RGV.
Third Session of the workshop series, Moving Up/ Resilience:
Professionalism and Communication/ Biodanza. (Nov 6, Fall 2019)
The goal in developing activities to create a positive, professional learning environment that help students to build professionalism ,Integrating student professionalism activities, students must practice professional behavior during class to prepare for entering the workforce.
Dr. Saraswathy Nair, Dr. Andrea Schwarzbach, Dr. Tracey Forman , Dr. Hugo Rodriguez. Biodanza Facilitator Alda Enna de la Garza. (Facilitator Dr. Castaneda)
Attention BMED Students:
Dr. Shadding, Associate Dean The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences will be at UTRGV Grad and Professional School Fair on Wednesday in Brownsville. She would like to speak to our BMED students about their graduate programs which include nine PhD programs in the biomedical sciences, three Masters programs (includes the oldest genetic counseling program in Texas), and an MD/PhD program as well as numerous summer research opportunities She would like to present about student options in the sciences and how to prepare for success.
PhD applications are open, and the deadline is Dec. 1 – learn more here: https://gsbs.uth.edu/admissions/
See what their students and faculty love about their school in this short video clip
To learn more about the programs under GSBS visit here: https://gsbs.uth.edu
UTRGV School of Medicine announces Vaqueros MD, early-assurance pre-med program
EDINBURG, TEXAS – OCT. 21, 2019 – The UTRGV School of Medicine, in partnership with the Honors College, has announced a new early-assurance, pre-med program for high school students throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Vaqueros MD, designed to increase the number of high-achieving high school students who enroll and complete their medical education close to home, will be available for select students starting Nov. 1. See the full article in here.
Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE)
The Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators will be awarding several scholarships for students to attend the 12th Annual 2019 AHSIE Best Practices Conference. Scholarship categories include: associate’s level, bachelor’s level, and graduate/doctoral levels.
We are pleased to be partnering with Florida Atlantic University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as the co-host of this year’s conference, which will take place at the Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Weston, Florida from March 8-11, 2020.
Recipients will be selected based on the eligibility requirements and criteria as detailed
below.
- First-Generation college student
- Attend an HSI in U.S. or Puerto Rico
- Enrolled full-time in Fall 2019 and Spring 2020
- Pell-eligible (undergraduate applicants only)
- Undocumented students are eligible to apply
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completed application (including 3 imbedded short essays)
- Scholarship recipients must attend the AHSIE Conference
The ideal candidate will demonstrate not only academic achievement, but also the potential for leadership and contribution to the community. By attending this conference, we hope to provide students the ability to broaden experiences, develop networks and foster mentorship possibilities with HSI designated campus professionals.
The award package includes cash scholarship, conference registration, round trip airfare and lodging and recipients will be honored at the AHSIE Conference.
Deadline to apply is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019, 5:00 p.m. PST.
Review the Scholarship Guidelines and complete the online application at http://www.ahsie.org/scholarship/.
TIME MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP / NUTRITION AND EXERCISE (Wednesday Oct 2, 2019)
Time Management refers to making the best use of time as time is always limited. This workshop promotes BMED students how to get skills to organize their time management when they are college, and get the most out of their experience in the academic year.
Dr. Sue Ann Chew, Dr. Andrea Schwarzbach, exercise Instructor Ricardo Parra, Facilitators (Dr. Castaneda, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Lorena Lopez)
FAFSA Application is now Available.
The 2020-21 FAFSA is now available.
NOW is the time to complete their FAFSA. Students can log on to fafsa.gov to get started and January 15 is the priority deadline.
UTRGV awards over $250 million annually in financial aid and we are proud to have the largest Texas Grant allocation in the state. To determine eligibility for UTRGV Tuition Advantage and all available financial aid, students will need to submit a FAFSA.
Stop by U Central if assistance is needed with completing the FAFSA.
For more information or questions, please visit www.utrgv.edu/finaid or call (956) 882-4026
Center for Teaching Excellence - Faculty Spotlight on Teaching
The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) is pleased to announce the Faculty Spotlight on Teaching. The purpose of the Faculty Spotlight on Teaching is to highlight UTRGV faculty members’ teaching effectiveness. CTE will select a faculty member each month who will (1) participate in an interview about teaching, (2) write a narrative to teaching-related questions, and (3) deliver two workshops or studio sessions on a topic of their choice. These workshops will provide participants with opportunities to learn about best practices and techniques from distinguished UTRGV teachers.
Sue Anne Chew - September 2019
UTRGV School of Medicine Research Symposium 2019
September 13-14, 2019, our own Aaron Carrillo won Best Undergraduate Poster and delivered a Flash talk at the event. In addition, Maria Martin and Ileana Mendoza won the “People’s Choice Award” for their poster as well!
BMED swept the undergrad awards!
DoD SMART Scholarship for Service Program
The Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in STEM disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed by the Department of Defense upon degree completion.
SMART Scholars will receive:
- A full tuition scholarship while in school
- An annual stipend
- Summer research internships
- A job after graduating in their STEM field at a cutting edge Department of Defense Facility
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of the United States (some exceptions apply)
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Be pursuing a technical undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the 21 specified STEM disciplines
Visit smartscholarship.org or read the information flyer to learn more and apply today!
BMED Induction Ceremony 2019
Incoming BMED students receive their white coats at the 2019 BMED Induction Ceremony.
BMED Induction Ceremony 2019 Photo Album
PROGRAM FOR THE WORKSHOP "MOVING UP AND RESILIENCE"
Time for all sessions is 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Room: BMAIN 2.402 (Cassia Room)
Students need to register a week before the date of the session in the BMED office.
This workshop includes a component of Biodanza during sessions.
Biodanza is a world-wide transformational movement practice that integrates music, movement and authentic connections to expand our capacity to live in the present. Using engaging music from around the world, a weekly practice cultivates joy and aliveness, enriches our relationships, and ignites creative expression.
Biodanza Certified Facilitator: Lic. Alda Enna De la Garza.
First Session
RESILIENCE STAY POSITIVE. STRESS MANAGEMENT ( Wednesday Sept 4, 2019)
Designed to promote positive coping skills. Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done, Gratitude journal promotes enthusiasm and help BMED students to deal with stress, ways to reduce and manage stress, Biodanza,how music and movements cultivate joy and aliveness.
Instructors: Dr. Castaneda: Positive Thinking, Mrs. Sally Roach: Dealing and manage stress,Lic. Alda Enna de la Garza, Biodanza in life. Biodanza facilitator Lic. Alda Enna de la Garza. (Facilitator Dr. Rodriguez)
Second Session
TIME MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP / NUTRITION AND EXERCISE (Wednesday Oct 2, 2019)
Time Management refers to making the best use of time as time is always limited. This workshop promotes Bmed students how to get skills to organize their time management when they are college and get the most out of their experience in the academic year.
Dr. Sue Ann Chew, Dr. Andrea Schwarzbach, exercise Instructor Ricardo Parra, Facilitators (Dr. Castaneda, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Lorena Lopez)
Third Session
PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM/ COMMUNICATION ( Wednesday Nov 6, 2019)
The goal in developing activities to create a positive, professional learning environment that help students to build professionalism ,Integrating student professionalism activities, students must practice professional behavior during class to prepare for entering the workforce.
Dr. Saraswathy Nair, Dr. Andrea Schwarzbach, Dr. Tracey Forman , Dr. Hugo Rodriguez. Biodanza Facilitator Alda Enna de la Garza. (Facilitator Dr. Castaneda)
BMED Summer Student Success Academy 2019
BMED Summer Student Success 2019 Photo Album
Volunteers Around the World in Peru 2019
Our non-governmental organization is dedicated to provide free medication, and medical care to locals in Albania, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru, etc.
This organization will be of great help, as it will not only aid our BMED students gain necessary skills for their future but those who are in need. The goal is to raise the amount of money needed to cover all expenses and medications that will be taken to a third world country. This Summer 2019 they visited Peru.
See more photos from their visit to Peru here.
Congratulations BMED Spring 2019 Graduates!
The BMED Spring 2019 Graduation Celebration
Spring 2019 BMED Graduation Celebration photo album
Congratulations Dr. Chew!
Two UTRGV faculty members named recipients of UT Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards
Photo credit: David Pike
Hyun-chul Lee, Ph.D., lecturer III, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Sciences | Sue Anne Chew, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Professions
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JULY 1, 2019 – Two UTRGV faculty members from the College of Health Professions and College of Sciences have been honored with one of the highest and most prestigious awards in the nation that recognizes teaching excellence – the 2019 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards.
Congratulations to Ms. Kim Garcia and Dr. Zasha Romero representing MSHS and Kinesiology Online graduate programs and be recognized at the Graduate Coordinator Summit this June 2019! Respective ranking for the two programs are #14 and #8 in the nation. MSHS also revived an enrollment achievement recognition from the Graduate School.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Rachel Villarreal is Making Headlines in the News for healthy eating lifestyles
Ms. Villarreal has been asked for her expert advice in Nutritional Sciences by news outlets for their healthy living articles. You can read/view articles from the Monitor, KRGV, and The Valley Morning Star here.
The Valley Morning Star - May 10, 2019 - Expert: Low carb, keto diets benefits differ on your needs
The Monitor - March 31, 2019 - Yolk never believe this: Cholesterol not necessarily a bad thing
KRGV - March 28, 2019 - Heart of the Valley: Food Stamp Recipients Advised to Opt for Healthy Foods
Increased Plasma Levels of the TH2 chemokine CCL18 associated with low CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-1-infected Patients with a Suppressed Viral Load Nature.com - April 12, 2019
The latest publication from Dr. Upal Roy's research. Affiliations: Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Brownsville, TX, USA - Jonathan Abshier & Upal Roy
BMED Students’ “What am I made of?” Service Learning Project at the Children’s Museum of Brownsville
The BS in Biomedical Science (BMED) students in Dr. Sue Anne Chew’s BMED 4250 Advanced Cell Biology partnered with the Children’s Museum at Brownsville to teach children about what they are made of. Besides enforcing their knowledge of cell biology, through the service learning project, the BMED students were also able to develop a lot of soft skills including communication and team work skills which are vital in their future as a health professional or other biomedical science related fields such as research. The BMED students used their creativity to think outside the box to develop interactive activities to teach the children difficult concepts. Students expressed how interaction with the children at the museum helped them understand the importance of understanding your audience as future health professionals. The excitement and response from the children showed the BMED students their vital roles as mentors, teachers and leaders to the future generations and also the importance and joy of serving their community in their future careers.
