UTRGV Center for Genome Research

In 2024, the Division of Human Genetics, housed within The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) was awarded a $10 million grant to establish a Center for Genome Research with the goal of building UTRGV’s genomics research capacity by: 

1) expanding genomic research capabilities and discoveries in innovative research projects; and  

2) enhancing the size and quality of the available genomics workforce.  

Leveraging the exciting activities and resources available in two highly innovative research projects, The Center's structure and approach are designed to expand the pool of genomic scientists, clinician scientists, and researchers at both the doctoral and technical staff levels who can perform cutting-edge multidisciplinary genomics research. The Center’s Workforce Development Core includes efforts to develop the pipeline of Hispanic pre-college students interested in careers in genetics and genomics, so that workforce development programs will expand and become self-sustaining in the future. The Center’s Community Engagement Core is designed to improve genomic literacy in the predominantly Hispanic local population and increase interest in participation in genomic studies, with a focus on diseases that are important health disparities for the local Mexican American population, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and major depressive disorder. The research programs leverage state-of-the-art instrumentation to provide outstanding training opportunities for faculty, students, postdocs, and residents, led by globally-acknowledged experts across multiple disciplines including genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, computational genomics, statistical genetics, molecular genetics, genetic epidemiology, genomics, proteomics, exposomics, stem cell biology, novel statistical methods, environmental chemistry, environmental epidemiology, neuroscience, imaging genomics, and medical anthropology.  As we work to modernize the scientific workforce in the RGV to better-compete in the 21st century, education and opportunities for scientific research and advancement will be a critical component of this effort, and The Center for Genome Research will allow for newly-trained Hispanic undergraduates to engage in biomedical research, expand their knowledge and scientific acumen, provide career opportunities, and support local initiatives in retention and employment.