Thursday, February 13, 2025
  Health, Community, Research

By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – FEB. 13, 2025 – Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with underserved communities facing significant disparities in diagnosis, treatment and survival rates. This is particulalry evident in regions like the Rio Grande Valley, where access to healthcare poses an ongoing challenge.

To address these issues, the UTRGV School of Medicine will host the 3rd International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities and its 8th Annual Research Symposium. The event will unite national and international experts in cancer research, medical professionals and students to discuss the latest advancements in cancer prevention and treatment. It will take place Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Mission Event Center in Mission, Texas.

This year’s conference will cover innovative research, novel therapeutic approaches and strategies to reduce cancer-related mortality in underserved populations. Additionally, the symposium will explore research on other diseases affecting the Rio Grande Valley, including: 

  • Diabetes
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Behavioral Health
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

The event is open to researchers, medical professionals, students, and community members interested in learning more about cancer health disparities and cutting-edge research.

As part of its mission to address health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley, the UTRGV School of Medicine launched its annual research symposium to raise awareness of current health challenges and foster collaboration among researchers and healthcare professionals. 

“Our goal is to bring the scientific community together to address disparities in cancer care and to encourage innovative research aimed at improving health outcomes, particularly in regions like the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. Manish K. Tripathi, assistant professor of Immunology and Microbiology at the UTRGV School of Medicine. “This event also provides a valuable opportunity for students and early-career researchers to present their work, gain insights from leading experts and contribute to the future of cancer research.” 

Tripathi’s research team is breaking new ground in how cancer cells survive, emphasizing that the work being done in the Valley has the potential to transform cancer treatment strategies globally.

EXPANDING RESEARCH

The symposium will feature oral presentations from faculty, medical students, postdoctoral researchers and healthcare professionals on a variety of topics, including:

  • Cancer research: Innovative treatments for liver, colorectal, breast and cervical cancer.
  • Chronic diseases: Insights into Type 2 Diabetes in Hispanic populations and cardiovascular health.
  • Neurological and behavioral health: Studies on Alzheimer’s Disease, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Behavioral Health Integration in primary care.
  • Medical innovations: The role of machine learning in breast cancer survival analysis, AI-powered solutions for early disorder detection, and biomarker prediction for personalized medicine.

The symposium will also highlight the UTRGV School of Medicine’s commitment to mentorship and the training of future medical professionals and researchers. Students will have the opportunity to present their research and engage in discussions that can shape the future of cancer treatment and healthcare in underserved communities.

For more information, visit the UTRGV School of Medicine Research Symposium website.



ABOUT UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.

UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.