News Archive 2021
UTRGV Holiday Card Contest expands to include President’s and Provost’s winners
The annual UTRGV Holiday Card Contest this year has awarded six students with scholarships for their holiday card submissions. For the first time this year, in addition to three President’s Holiday Card winners, UTRGV added three Provost’s Holiday Card winners. (Left) Emily Guerra, a junior and graphic design major, took first place for the President’s Holiday Card contest. (Right) Karla Zurita, an Edinburg resident working on her master’s degree in dietetics, was awarded first place for the Provost’s Holiday Card contest. (UTRGV Photos by Paul Chouy and David Pike)
By Amanda Alaniz - RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – December 2, 2021 - When the holidays roll around, people come together to celebrate, and many exchange tokens of appreciation – like holiday cards with unique designs.
The annual UTRGV Holiday Card Contest this year has awarded six students with scholarships for their holiday card submissions, each of which showcased the artist’s appreciation of the university, and the Valley community.
For the first time this year, in addition to three President’s Holiday Card winners, UTRGV added three Provost’s Holiday Card winners.
November 8, 2021 - RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – UTRGV researchers have been awarded $2.8 million over four years by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, for a study aimed at reducing childhood obesity in preschool children.
Principal Investigator Dr. Roberto Treviño, director for the Social and Health Research Center in San Antonio, will work with four professors/researchers from UTRGV to help educate local school districts about physical activity and nutrition.
The researchers will implement the Bienestar coordinated school curriculum and study its impact through the “South Texas Early Prevention Studies/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education” (STEPS/SNAP-ED) project.
Read more... UTRGV awarded $2.8 million grant to study obesity-reducing curriculum in elementary schools
Paid Internship with The National Association of Medical Spanish (NAMS)
The National Association of Medical Spanish (NAMS), also known as la Asociación Nacional de
Español Médico (ANEM), is a non-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization aimed to create a standardized
evidence-based approach to teaching medical Spanish as well as promoting and assessing
bilingualism in medical providers in the United States. It focuses on improving health equity, patient
safety, quality of care for Spanish-speaking patients and physicians’ communication skills.
In alignment with NAMS’s mission, the Internship Program is designed to provide the selected
candidate with a wide range of learning opportunities to build skills for the healthcare industry,
with emphasis on non-for-profit project management, medical Spanish, interdisciplinary
collaboration, and health professions education.
Read more about this opportunity here.
More information about NAMS’s mission and structure is available at
www.NAMSpanish.weebly.com
The Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition (LAHIDAN) is a member interest group within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Their purpose is to support member needs while fostering the development and improvement of food, nutrition and health care for Latinos and Hispanics and their families in the United States and related territories, with outreach to Hispanic and Latino international members. Cosme Rubalcaba, a graduate student in the MS in Dietetics program, received the student FNCE scholarship from LAHIDAN for 2021. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Professor Aguirre.
Office of Innovation and Commercialization have granted a patent for invention.
Professor Aguirre was part of a cancer study at the University of Texas - Brownsville during 2005-2008. One of the aims of this study was to investigate whether diet was significantly correlated with the low incidence of breast cancer among Mexican-American women that has been evidenced in previous studies when compared to non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black women. Her role was to run hormone analyses and lab tests on this and other studies that were also being conducted simultaneously with this cancer study.
Her primary role; however, was to develop a method for the detection of three phytoestrogens (daidzein, equol, and genistein), which are plant metabolites, in the urine of these participants. There were a few published studies at the time which had used similar methods. After much research and planning, using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) which is separation analysis and photodiode array which uses UV light as a detector, Professor Aguirre developed a method for the detection of these metabolites. The method involved a series of steps in preparation of the urine and various solvents for the separation of the analytes. All samples were analyzed using a Waters 2695 Separations HPLC module equipped with a 2996 photodiode array detector (Waters, Millford, Massachusetts, USA). Chromatographic processing was done using the Waters Empower™ 2 Software. Professor Aguirre evaluated the method for reliability (accuracy and precision) for each analyte which met the expected CV < 20% overall. A patent application was filed by the University during September 2018, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office communicated their findings on October 4, 2021, that a patent would be granted.
Congratulations to Maria Luisa Villalon de Davila (2019-2020 cohort) for being awarded the ASCP Laboratory Student Scholarship.
ASCP received hundreds of applications for this school cycle. We are pleased to announce that our UTRGV MLS student, Maria Luisa, was awarded to receive the ASCP Laboratory Student Scholarship Award.
Congratulations to B2BMED Scholar Natasha Garcia-Rodriguez for her TSAHP presentation Menopause - Effects on Metabolic Syndrome, Skin Health, and Immune System?
Emily Jordan and Hannah Obregon won second place at the TSAHP Student Poster Competition for their poster entitled “The Dual Delivery of Y15 and Metformin in a PLGA Scaffold for the Treatment of Platinum Resistant Ovarian Cancer”
2021 Texas Society for Advancement of Health Professions (TSAHP) Awards
BMED Student Juan Amieva was chosen for the 2021 Texas Society for Advancement of Health Professions (TSAHP) Student Award ($500).
The 2021 Texas Society for Advancement of Health Professions (TSAHP) awarded PI: Dr. Sue Anne Chew and Co-PI: Dr. Kristina Vatcheva a Research Grant of $1500.
Project Title: Biomedical Freshman Research Initiative (BFRI): Increasing the Retention, Academic Success and Preparation of Potential Underrepresented Allied Healthcare Profession Students by Providing Them Early Research Experience
Congratulations Paola!
On August 18, 2021, at the College of Health Professions Convocation, Paola Ibarra was awarded the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) 2021 Scholarship of Excellence.
The Texas Campaign Young Ambassador Program
We envision a future where all young Texans have access to accurate, inclusive and judgement free sexual and reproductive healthcare and we understand that the way we do that is to allow young people to lead and teach us how it should be done. The Texas Campaign Young Ambassador Program aims to connect passionate young advocates with the platforms, people and tools they need to strengthen their capacity, increase their knowledge and expand their networks so that they can continue to champion increased access to sexual and reproductive health care and sexual education for everyone for years to come. Through implementing their own project our Young Ambassadors will gain experience in research and identifying their desired impact, designing programs and preparing proposals, collaborating with community partners and getting buy-in from stakeholders. Each young ambassador will be paired with a technical advisor and mentor that will help them shape and design their project.
If you are ready to take the next step and want an opportunity to make an impact in your community, apply to become a Texas Campaign Young Ambassador and join us in fighting for sex-ed and accurate sexual and reproductive health information for every young person in Texas!
We are also accepting nominations for young leaders who are looking to take their ideas and passion to the next level!
The program is open to ten young people living in Texas between the ages of 17 and 20 who are passionate about improving access to sexual and reproductive health, and who are interested in developing their leadership and advocacy skills.
During the program, ambassadors will develop their very own advocacy project with the guidance of an assigned TXC Advisor who will help them with their ideas and how to manage project funds. They will also have the opportunity to meet with experts within the Adolescent & Youth Sexual & Reproductive Health (AYSRH) field and participate in webinars and workshops to gain more knowledge about AYSRH.
Application deadline is October 13th.
To apply click this link: https://txcampaign.org/young-ambassadors/
UTRGV White Coat Ceremony launches SOM's Class of 2025
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS - July 24, 2021 – The UTRGV School of Medicine welcomed its sixth class of medical students with a White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, July 24, at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex Auditorium.
Dr. Michael B. Hocker, the new dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine, was among the school’s leaders who greeted the 55 medical students and spoke of the important symbolism of the white coat.
“Those who take care of patients every day, you are the heroes and, maybe, the white coat is your cape – that piece of clothing you wear to help you in healthcare and education,” said Hocker. “It will serve you well as you look at innovation and discovery in medicine.”
The ceremony is an important first step in the career of a future physician, serving as a rite of passage at medical schools around the country. On Saturday morning, the new students committed to their future before friends and family with the recitation of the Hippocratic Oath and the donning of the white coat.
In this sixth class of UTRGV medical students, 24 of the 55 are from the Rio Grande Valley and 12 are UTRGV graduates, all selected from more than 7,545 highly competitive applications.
Healthy Xocolat: Local entrepreneur shares business journey
Congratulations Dr. Ghaddar!
Funding agency: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award Program
Project Title: Building Capacity in Hispanic Serving Institutions for PCOR/CER focused on Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19
Goal: To increase student stakeholder and scientist capacity for engagement in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) and Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) at Hispanic Serving Institutions with a focus on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and well-being among Hispanic college students.
PI s: Ashley Butler and Suad Ghaddar
Project Period: September 1, 2021-February 28, 2023
Award Amount: $200,001; UTRGV subaward: $91,322
Congrats Dr. Lopez on this great achievement!!!!
Eight UTRGV faculty members recognized with Faculty Excellence Awards
July 15, 2021 - RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – The annual UTRGV Faculty Excellence Awards this year recognize eight faculty members for their accomplishments inside and outside the classroom.
The awards highlight the work of UTRGV faculty in the areas of teaching, online teaching, research, service, student mentoring, community-engaged scholarship and sustainability education.
“I would like to congratulate our faculty members for their hard work and commitment to our UTRGV students and community during this unprecedented time in higher education,” said Dr. Janna Arney, UTRGV interim provost. “Even through the disruptive year we have had, they have demonstrated that not even a pandemic could stop them from doing what they love – teaching, doing research and helping their communities.”
Each faculty winner receives a plaque and a $5,000 monetary award.
Stay on Track
Please visit “Stay on Track” website to see FAQs and impact on financial aid eligibility. Please see some common questions and answers that have come up. Depending on specific financial aid package, credit hr. requirement may vary from 12-15 hrs/semester.
https://www.utrgv.edu/ucentral/paying-for-college/cpos/index.htm
How are courses for double majors treated? Double majors must be officially declared far in advance of the first class day to avoid adverse impacts to financial aid. The Census Date for each term is published on the academic calendar. Courses taken toward an undeclared major will not count in the ‘Stay on Track’ evaluation process.
How are courses for a minor treated? Minors must be officially declared far in advance of the first class day to avoid adverse impacts to financial aid. The Census Date for each term is published on the academic calendar. Courses taken toward an undeclared minor will not count in the ‘Stay on Track’ evaluation process.
Are prerequisite courses eligible for financial aid? When a course is required that is not in a student’s degree plan, this prerequisite course could be considered remedial for financial aid purposes, even if the prerequisite course is not defined as a remedial course by UTRGV.
Is a remedial course eligible for financial aid? Courses such as remedial math and English that prepare students for college are considered eligible for financial aid if student is enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program.
What about study abroad or independent study courses? As with any other course, the study abroad courses or independent study courses must count toward a student’s degree plan to be considered for financial aid eligibility.
What if I am enrolled in 12 hours (or more) that count toward the degree but I’m also in other hours that don’t count? As long as you remain in a minimum of twelve hours that apply toward your degree based on your official degree plan, you will be awarded financial aid for those hours – which match UTRGV’s tuition cap of 12 credit hours.
New UTRGV School of Medicine dean meets the Class of 2025
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JULY 6, 2021 – In his first week as the new dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine, Dr. Michael B. Hocker welcomed the Class of 2025, the newest cohort of medical students on July 2. During a student townhall meeting, Hocker spent some time answering questions about himself and sharing stories of flying helicopters in the Navy, his hobbies, his family, his own journey to become a doctor, and his goals as dean.
Striving for More
Two Brownsville women graduate, set to pursue careers in medicine
Above: Natalia Davila wears her cap and gown Thursday in Brownsville. Below: Sonya Rivera Montes at the Medical Education Building on Wednesday in Edinburg.
Davila is graduating with a Bachelor’s of Biomedical Sciences and will continue her education this fall when she starts Medical School at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She decided to pursue a career in medicine after seeing a loved one fight breast cancer.
“I saw one of my closest relatives fight breast cancer. And for me, that was very touching,” she said. “I not only got to see what a doctor can do, but also the patient side and how it can be very difficult for them.”
Read the full article PDF version here.
Read the full article on myrgv.com here.
Watermark Scholars Scholarship Opportunity
The application period is now open for the Watermark Scholars program!
Watermark is offering women in STEM scholarships for the fall 2021 academic term to provide much-needed support for college students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)-related studies and careers.
Two students will be selected from the pool of applicants, and awardees will each receive $5,000 to help continue their education.
To participate in the Watermark Scholars program, applicants are asked to submit either a written essay, up to 500 words, or a short video on the topic of “Who has inspired you to pursue a career in science or technology, and what do you want to achieve upon graduation?” We’re looking for students who have been inspired by recent events and changes in learning and want to make a difference in their careers!
We’re asking you to help us share this opportunity with your students by posting this link on your institution’s website and sharing it with the appropriate internal resources: https://www.watermarkinsights.com/watermark-scholars/.
The deadline to submit entries is July 15, 2021, and awardees will be notified in August
UTMB Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) – PREPing for SUCCESS
The University of Texas Medical Branch Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) – PREPing for SUCCESS is currently accepting applications for our 1 year research and skills development program.
The UTMB PREP is a program for academically talented post-baccalaureate individuals who are highly motivated to pursue a PhD and desire additional academic research and career skills training prior to applying to PhD programs. UTMB PREP is designed to immerse students in a top tier research environment coupled with multi-level mentoring and academic skills activities to enhance scholars’ competitiveness for graduate school. Students who are nearing or have recently completed your bachelor’s degree within the last 3 years, desire a PhD in biomedical sciences, and are from a group underrepresented in the sciences are eligible to apply. Please refer students to: https://www.utmb.edu/gsbs/prep/prep-home or ask them to email me directly if they are interested.
PREPing for SUCCESS:
- provides a full year salary in an active research lab with full health benefits while preparing for graduate work
- provides enrichment activities to build skills and confidence to succeed at the graduate level
- allows a student to develop a research project under the guidance of an established faculty member
- Areas Include Infectious Diseases, Cancer, Drug discovery and development, Aging, Neurosciences and more!
- provides a multiple-layer mentored supportive environment for each student which includes peer mentors as an integral component
- incorporates an individual student development plan that uses novel interactive activities that engage students and helps them in realistic goal setting
- provides assistance for application to any national graduate program
- provide academic skills and research integrity training
- participate in a graduate curriculum with potential to earn a graduate certificate
- Example Projects carried out this year:
- Neurological Pathogenesis of Viral Infections
- Role of Ubiquitination in SARS-CoV-2 infection
- Role of Hydrogen Sulfide on cytokines in tumor angiogenesis
- High throughput screening of compounds to modulate sodium channel function for studies of psychiatric conditions
GSBS PREP Program information flyer 2021
The city of Edinburg has proclaimed March as National Nutrition Month!
March 2021 - National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and develop healthful eating and physical activity habits. Recently, our BSNS students along with Prof. Rachel Villarreal attended the City of Edinburg's council meeting where Mayor Richard Molina made a proclamation that March is National Nutrition Month. They encouraged the residents to personalize their plates through healthy food choices and to be more active. Happy National Nutrition Month!