skip to main content
UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Main Menu
Donate Now Directory myUTRGV

You are here:

Student Success BS Biomedical Science BMED Alumni

Department of Health & Biomedical Sciences College of Health Professions

  • Home
  • About
    • Message from the Chair
    • Mission
    • Accreditation
    • Faculty
    • Staff
    • News
      • Events
      • News Archive
      • Announcements Archive
  • Graduate Programs
    • MS in Health Science, Concentration in Health Care Administration
      • Admission Criteria
      • Degree Plan
      • Contact Us
    • MS in Health Science, Concentration in Medical Laboratory Sciences
      • Admission Criteria
      • Degree Plan
      • Contact Us
    • MS in Health Science, Concentration in Nutrition
      • Admission Criteria
      • Degree Plan
      • Contact Us
    • MS in Health Science, Concentration in Healthcare Informatics
      • Admission Criteria
      • Degree Plan
      • Contact Us
    • MS in Health Science, Concentration in Health Professions Technology
      • Admission Criteria
      • Degree Plan
      • Contact Us
    • MS in Dietetics
      • Program Highlights
      • Admission Criteria
      • Curriculum
      • Tuition and Fees
      • Mission
      • Goals
      • Objectives
      • Dietetics in Action
      • Contact Us
    • FAQs
  • Undergraduate Programs
    • BS-BMED
      • Home
      • Admissions
      • Degree Plan and Roadmap
      • Program Description
      • Student Engagement
      • Student Success
      • BMED FAQs
      • News and Events
    • BAT - HST
      • Home
      • Admission Criteria
      • Program of Study
      • Roadmaps
    • Medical Laboratory Science Program
      • Home
      • Program Director
      • Admission Criteria
      • Program Outcomes
      • Student Learning Outcomes
      • Faculty
      • Degree Plans and Roadmaps
      • Accreditation
    • Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences Program (BSNS)
      • Home
      • Admission
      • Program Description
      • Newsletter
    • BS-BMED Syllabi
      • Fall 2015
      • Spring 2016
      • Fall 2016
      • Spring 2017
      • Summer I 2017
  • Student Engagement
    • BS Biomedical Sciences
      • HHMI Inclusive Excellence
      • Bridge to Baccalaureate in Biomedical Sciences (B2BMED)
      • BMED Scholars Program
      • BMED Ambassadors
      • Biomedical Freshman Research Initiative (BFRI)
      • Student Organizations
      • Summer Internships
      • Research and Clinical Opportunities
      • Scholarship Opportunities
      • Community Service
      • Photo Albums
    • BAT Health Services Technology
    • BS Medical Laboratory Science
    • BS Nutritional Science
    • MS Health Science
  • Student Success
    • BS Biomedical Science
      • BMED Profiles in Excellence
      • BMED Alumni
      • Conference Achievements
      • Students Accepted into Programs
      • Students Accepted Into Programs 2021-2022
      • Students Accepted into Summer Internships
    • BAT Health Services Technology
    • BS Medical Laboratory Science
    • BS Nutritional Science
    • MS Health Science
  • Student Resources
    • BS Biomedical Science
      • Announcements
      • Registration Instructions
      • BS in Biomedical Sciences Accelerated BMED Track Petition
      • Printable Schedule Planner
      • BMED FAQs
    • Roadmaps
    • Over Hour Credit Petition
    • Health Services
    • Financial Aid
    • Career Opportunities
    • PhD Programs/Graduate School Opportunities
  • Research
    • Faculty Research
    • Grants
    • Publications
  • Student Testimonials
    • BMED Student Testimonials

Student Success - Related Links

  • BS Biomedical Science
    • BMED Profiles in Excellence
    • BMED Alumni
    • Conference Achievements
      • ABRCMS
      • SACNAS
      • Engaged Scholar Symposium
    • Students Accepted into Programs
    • Students Accepted Into Programs 2021-2022
    • Students Accepted into Summer Internships
  • BAT Health Services Technology
  • BS Medical Laboratory Science
  • BS Nutritional Science
  • MS Health Science

Contact Us

Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences
Brownsville Campus: BBRHB 1.101
Edinburg Campus: EHABW 2.206
Email: healthandbiomedicalsciences@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-882-7383 (Brownsville campus) 956-665-5269 (Edinburg campus)
Fax: 956-882-6835
Facebook Twitter

Quick Links

Department Chair Department Homepage Faculty Student Engagement Summer Internships Scholarship Opportunities Over Hour Credit Petition Roadmaps

BMED Alumni

BMED Alumni with Masters and Doctoral Graduates!

Graduated with Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology degrees from UTHSC-Houston

Mark Franco

Paola Vidal (Thesis) Paola Vidal

Aylin FloresAylin Flores

Ramiro Tovar

Ramiro Tovar M.D.

Graduate of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Doctorate in Medicine

Ramiro is currently doing his first year of residency in Family Medicine at Doctor’s Hospital Renaissance. 

“Something that I would like to say is, don't be afraid of making mistakes, but make sure to learn from them. It is normal to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. If I have one regret in this life so far is not making more mistakes so I can learn even more! – Dr. Ramiro Tovar

Alexis Villafranca

Alexis Villafranca M.S.

Graduate of the University of Michigan with a Master’s degree in Health Informatics, a joint degree between the School of Information and Public Health

She is now working as a Healthcare Data Analyst at Milliman New York.

“Do not be afraid to explore your interests and take advantage of every opportunity afforded to you as a college student. It is okay to begin your undergraduate career unsure of what you want to do just yet, but it is also important to network and try out different paths in order to find what you do and don’t like. There is value in finding out what you do not like. Apply for opportunities that pique your interest or even simply qualify for because you never know where it will take you. Whether that means conducting research, participating in an internship, or applying to conferences, put yourself out there.” - Ms. Alexis Villafranca M.S.

Anna Kuklina

Anna Kuklina M.D.

University of Texas Medical Branch – Doctor of Psychiatry 

“No matter where you come from, dare to dream big! Find what motivates you, plan ahead, stay organized, work hard, and seek mentorship. It all pays off in the end. BMED is there for you; their goal is to help you realize your goal. It might seem far and unattainable at times but believe that you can do it. We believe in you!” – Dr. Anna Kuklina

Rolando Hernandez

Rolando Hernandez Ph.D.

Graduate of University of Utah in Bioinformatics with a focus in Structural Bioinformatics.

Rolando will be at the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK as a postdoctoral research fellow in computational biology. My focus here will be on: (1) participating in collaborative studies with physicians on understanding molecular mechanisms of disease for rare congenital diseases, and (2) improving variant effect predictors by using residue- and protein-level properties that are predictive for disease phenotypes.

“BMED was a great launching pad for my graduate education. The curriculum gave me the breadth I needed to understand what I really wanted to study in the future. If you are thinking of doing research as a career, remember that patience and persistence are what you need most. Research is often a multi-year endeavor, so you have to be patient with yourself and the work, as well as persistent in its undertaking. Take criticism objectively, not personally. Don't accept answers based on authority, accept them based on validity. If you don't know something, admit it, look up the answer, and get back to the person who asked the question. Lastly, always ask yourself why you're studying the problem you've taken on. Why is it important? Why are you doing it the way that you're doing it?”  - Dr. Rolando Hernandez

Ian Castell

Ian Castell DDS

Graduate of UT Health School of Dentistry in Houston Texas with a Doctor of Dental Surgery

“The biomedical program exposed me to a lot of the material we covered in the first two years of dental school. Having the strong background in biomedicine allowed me to focus more on other courses which ultimately allowed me to graduate near the top of my class. This provides me with a better opportunity to match into a residency program, if I choose to return to specialize in the future. The more you can learn as an undergraduate student, the less difficulty you will have in graduate school so remember to do your best and forget the rest!” – Dr. Ian Castell

Marcus Medrano

Marcus Medrano PAC

Graduate of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy Studies.

Marcus is currently work in as a Certified Physician.

“ Where you are, I once was. Where I am, you may be. It’s not about how smart you, but what you do with it that counts. It’s not about  where you’ve been but where you’re going. The most important characteristic you can have in your life is to never give up. You can accomplish anything you want in life as long as you stick with it. Dedication, perseverance, and resilience will help you get there.” ~Marcus Medrano PAC

Jose Mario Rodriguez

Jose Mario Rodriguez M.D.

Graduated from McGovern School of Medicine with a Doctorate in Medicine

Jose Mario is currently doing a residency in Family Medicine.

Carlos Flores

Carlos Flores M.D.

Graduate of McGovern School of Medicine with a Doctorate in Medicine

Carlos is currently doing a residency in Family Medicine.

Miriam de Leon

Miriam de Leon PAC

Graduate of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy Studies.

Jump to Top

UTRGV

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Contact UTRGV
  • Required Links
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18 Reporting
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct