GSBS SPECIAL REPORT RESEARCH & TRAINING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MD ANDERSON UTHEALTH HOUSTON GRADUATE SCHOOL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 | RESEARCH AMID A PANDEMIC 4 | 2021 KOPCHICK SYMPOSIUM 8 | STUDENT NEWS 16 | 2021 LAB COAT SPECIAL EVENT

ON THE COVER

22 | A NEW ERA @ THE GSBS

The image on the cover is an illustration created by Ryan Nini. It is a representation of how our students have persevered with their research studies in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

33 | COMMENCEMENT SNAPSHOTS 37 | ALUMNI NEWS 41 | A NEW GENERATION OF GIVING

The Graduate School has adopted a new name and logo, shown below, to correspond with the updates made at our parent institution, UTHealth Houston. The school’s new full name is: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Learn more about this change at go.uth.edu/GSBSlogo.

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RESEARCH AMID A PANDEMIC When the coronavirus pandemic struck the United States in March of 2020, my first thought as dean of the Graduate School was how the school would provide an environment for students to learn and safely conduct research. Like most Americans, I have never gone through a pandemic. I, along with the leadership teams at the school and our parent institutions, was unprepared and had to learn on the fly how to manage biomedical education in a pandemic world. I have been a scientist for 30 years, and my initial response was to seek data and collect input from other educational centers across the nation to develop a plan. I loved reading the literature and solving problems; I had never read so much every day about what information was discovered in China, Italy, throughout the United States on COVID-19 –learning about the spike protein and the virus’ mechanisms. The virus was very scary, and there were so many unanswered questions, but after analyzing all the data, our decision at the GSBS and UTHealth Houston was not to eliminate research. Instead, we established guidelines similar to those used by NIH’s intramural program to make our labs safe for GSBS students and faculty to continue research. We also limited the density of personnel in the labs and ensured that all researchers had adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). Once these protocols were in place, our community pivoted, and I’m proud to say that research never stopped at the school. What was astonishing was how the GSBS staff and faculty were flexible and willing to do whatever it took to solve the problems instantaneously. Our

administrative office and IT team were able to pivot to working remotely and providing classes virtually so that our students’ education outside the lab was maintained. However, as the pandemic lingered into 2021 and with the development and dissemination of the COVID-19 vaccine, we had to consider that this unimaginable event was leaving people on edge and feeling hopeless. So it became really important to layer compassion, empathy, and flexibility so that the mental health of our community was nurtured just as much as their physical well-being.

This message was written by GSBS Dean Emeritus Michael R. Blackburn, PhD, before his retirement in June 2022. Read more about the new era of leadership starting on Page 22.

Over two years now, and with other trials and tribulations endured during the pandemic, I’m amazed at all we have done to ensure our students have continued their education and training to turn discovery into life-saving solutions. Now, more than ever, the world needs dedicated, enthusiastic, young scientists to tackle the medical challenges of an ever-changing world. And in this special report, you will read about how research at the GSBS continued—even in the face of COVID-19.

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KOPCHICK SYMPOSIUM ADDRESSES FAILURE AND PERSEVERANCE

For graduate students, experiencing failure in the lab or on an exam may feel like a major blow to their entire research career at the time, but in hindsight, these obstacles are just bumps in the road that many have faced on their way to becoming successful scientists. To show young researchers how to turn failures into opportunities, the Kopchick Fellows, recipients of the Dr. John J. and Charlene Kopchick Fellowships, organized the 2021 Dr. John J. Kopchick Research Symposium: Failure and Perseverance in Science, which was held Tips for persevering over failures that were on Nov. 8, 2021. The fellows picked this shared by presenters and panelists: topic to normalize failure as just a part of science and to show budding scientists they • Treat failure as information, not damage to are not alone in experiencing failures and your ego. that you can move forward and defeat these obstacles. • To deal with failure/fear of failure, find a mechanism that is coherent with your ethos or More than 130 participants from across belief system. the Texas Medical Center attended the • Don’t take failure personally! Your failures virtual event. Some of the highlights of the don’t mean you aren’t a good person. symposium were GSBS faculty and alumni • It’s OK to grieve a failure, but afterwards presentations that included stories of how reassess and learn from it. the failures they encountered were chances • Overcome hard times with a network of people to grow as scientists; panel discussions with who support you. It’s also helpful to have a students and faculty covering how to grieve a failure and move forward; and a keynote scientific and non-scientific support system to presentation by Maria A. Croyle, RPh, PhD, help you get through difficulties. Glaxo Wellcome Endowed Professor of • Ask yourself if this failure will matter in a Pharmaceutics, The University of Texas at week; in a month; in a year? This will help you Austin. see that in the future, this is not as big as it feels at the time. 4

KOPCHICK FELLOWS 2020

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DR. JOHN J. KOPCHICK FELLOWS

DR. JOHN J. KOPCHICK FELLOWS

DR. JOHN J. KOPCHICK FELLOWS

BRIAN ANDERSON* Advisor: Kristy Brock, PhD

YASAMAN BAREKATAIN Advisor: Sean Post, PhD

SHANNON HARTZELL Advisor: Stephen Kry, PhD

NATHANIEL BERG* Advisor: Holger Eltzschig, MD, PhD

CAROLINA GARCÍA GARCÍA* Advisor: Ilya Levental, PhD

SOLEIL HERNANDEZ Advisor: Laurence Court, PhD

MEDINA COLIC* Advisor: Traver Hart, PhD

JOVANKA GENCEL-AUGUSTO Advisor: Subrata Sen, PhD

CELINE SHUET LIN KONG Advisor: Jichao Chen, PhD

JOSEPHINE DARPOLOR* Advisor: Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD

ARCHIT GHOSH Advisor: Kunal Rai, PhD

KYLE LABELLA Advisor: Ronald DePinho, MD

BRITTANY JEWELL* Advisor: Dung-Fang Lee, PhD

JENNIFER HURTIG Advisor: Ambro van Hoof, PhD

SONIA PATEL Advisor: John Heymach, MD, PhD

WALAA KATTAN* Advisor: John Hancock, MBBChir, PhD, ScD

YIYUN LIN Advisor: Nicholas Navin, PhD

KAREEM WAHID Advisor: C. David Fuller, MD, PhD

ELIA LOPEZ* Advisor: E. Terry Walters, PhD

RUOYU WANG Advisor: Wenbo Li, PhD

NABINA PAUDYAL* Advisor: Vasanthi Jayaraman, PhD

XU ZHANG Advisor: Fabricio DoMonte, DVM, PhD

CHARLENE KOPCHICK FELLOW

CHARLENE KOPCHICK FELLOW

SOLEIL HERNANDEZ Advisor: Laurence Court, PhD

OSCAR VILLARREAL Advisor: E. Scott Kopetz, MD, PhD

BRIGID MCDONALD* Advisor: C. David Fuller, PhD DEBORAH SILVERMAN* Advisor: George Calin, MD, PhD

CHARLENE KOPCHICK FELLOW ELIA LOPEZ* Advisor: E. Terry Walters, PhD

DR. JOHN J. KOPCHICK RESEARCH AWARD AMELIE ALBRECHT* AND XUETONG SHEN, PHD

DR. JOHN J. KOPCHICK RESEARCH AWARD RACHEL VAN DRUNEN AND KRISTIN ECKEL-MAHAN, PHD

*Note: These students have obtained their graduate degrees as of this publication.

The Graduate School’s communication office had the opportunity to interview Dr. John and Charlene Kopchick about the symposium’s theme, failure and perseverance, and each spoke about how these topics have impacted their science and careers. You can watch this interview and see other Kopchick Fellow videos at go.uth.edu/kopchickvideos2021. 5

DEFENDING THESES ONLINE During the pandemic, as classes and studies pivoted from in-person to online, our MS and PhD students had to transition holding their thesis defenses at GSBS classrooms to online. And with these changes, students modified how they celebrated passing this milestone. Here are photos from some of our now alums as they finished their defense via Webex or Zoom.

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WORK BY KRNETA-STANKIC PUBLISHED ON COVER OF CELL REPORTS for studying the adhesion of epithelial cells and nephron development.” What does it mean to you to have this work published in such a high-impact journal? “As with many projects, there were a lot of ups and downs along the way. For example, we utilized various experimental techniques in novel contexts, so experimental procedures had to be optimized. This process was laborintensive and frustrating at times. However, it was very gratifying once experiments started to work and entirely worth it in the end. I am excited to see the work published and share it with the greater scientific community. It is also a testament to overcoming the challenges we faced along the way. “I want to thank my thesis advisor, Dr. Rachel Miller, for making this project possible. I am incredibly appreciative of her support and guidance. Additionally, I want to thank the Miller and the McCrea lab members for their support. I am also tremendously grateful to all my advisory committee members for their valuable feedback and comments on the project. And ultimately, many thanks to all our collaborators on this project.” How did your training at the Graduate School help with this accomplishment? Vanja Krneta-Stankic’s research on kidney development was published in Cell Reports and featured on the cover of the July 2020 issue. In this Q&A with the Graduate School, Stankic discusses her first-author paper and how studying at the school helped her achieve this publishing accomplishment. Can you explain your research featured in Cell Reports? “How cells remodel their adhesions is one of the central questions in epithelial tissue biology. Cells adhere to each other using cell-surface proteins such as E-cadherin. In this paper, we examined the process of cell-cell adhesion during kidney development. Kidneys consist of a network of epithelial tubules called nephrons, and their morphology is vital for kidney function. We show that a protein called Daam1 regulates localization of E-cadherin and adhesion of nephric cells, subsequently regulating nephron shape. These findings provide a new framework 8

“The GSBS allowed me to interact with so many amazing and supportive scientists that were instrumental in pushing this project forward. Besides, it presented scholarship opportunities that helped with the funding of this project. Thank you, GSBS!” Krneta-Stankic graduated in the fall of 2020 with a PhD in Genes and Development. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of GSBS faculty Jichao Chen, PhD. Her advisor was Rachel Miller, PhD.

Read more about our student and faculty successes at gsbs.uth.edu/news.

EMAM PUBLISHES RESEARCH ON GENOMIC INSTABILITY IN NATURE CELL BIOLOGY Ahmed Emam joined the MS program in the hopes of learning and conducting cancer research in the Texas Medical Center. He paired with Bin Wang, PhD, and her lab to contribute to their research into genomic instability and cancer. Emam’s research is published in the July 2022 issue of Nature Cell Biology. Emam’s paper titled “Stalled replication fork protection limits cGAS–STING and P-body-dependent innate immune signaling,” examines genomic instability as a characteristic commonly found in most cancer cells. “Genomic instability is associated with many human diseases, including cancers,” explains Emam. “To minimize genomic instability during DNA replication, a structure known as the replication fork coordinates the unwinding and repair of old and new DNA. Stalls at the fork need to be protected from DNA degradation to prevent excess DNA fragments from accumulating outside the nucleus, triggering an inflammatory response.” To investigate the link between genomic instability and inflammation-related diseases and cancer, Emam and his peers generated cells without Abro1 and FANCD2, two proteins previously shown to be involved in fork protection from excessive degradation by DNA2 nuclease. The team found that loss of these proteins led to degradation of the stalled replication fork accumulating cytosolic singlestranded ribosomal DNA, which is detected by the cGAS protein to trigger an innate immune response that is dependent on DNA2 nuclease. Interestingly, this also led to an increase in P-bodies — granules that form in response to replication stress — showing that Abro1 and FANCD2 normally inhibit their production.

faculty, staff, and students who wanted to help him achieve his aspirations. “The students here feel secure because we have the GSBS as our backbone,” says Emam. “The GSBS staff and faculty make it a point to support each one of their students both emotionally and academically.” After successfully completing his MS at the Graduate School, Emam was accepted into the Genetics & Epigenetics PhD program at the GSBS to continue his research and academic goals. Emam dreams of one day having a cancer research lab of his own, and would love to provide the type of mentorship he receives at the GSBS to his own mentees, continuing the cycle for future generations of scientists. “I want to thank my advisor*, Bin Wang, PhD, for making this project possible. I am extremely grateful for her support and guidance. Additionally, I want to thank my advisory committee members for their valuable feedback and support: Pierre McCrea, PhD, Richard Behringer, PhD, Kevin McBride, PhD, and Zhiqiang Zhang, PhD. I consider myself fortunate to have Jichao Chen, PhD, Francesca Cole, PhD, and Elisabeth Lindheim on my academic journey, as their support in the G&E program was extraordinary. I am beyond grateful for the amazing lab environment I was in: Erin, Ella, Longqiang, Xiao, and Shichang you made this project possible! I appreciate being your lab mate; you taught me a lot.” * Emam’s current advisor is John Tainer, PhD

Receiving the news that his paper had been accepted by Nature Cell Biology was an important moment in Emam’s academic journey. “In that instant, I felt a sense of accomplishment, a thirst for more, and an endorsement that hard work pays off. I felt committed to my paper and myself, and I was even more appreciative to Bin for her mentorship.” Before beginning his journey at the Graduate School, Emam worked at the National Cancer Institute of Egypt, and was encouraged by peers to pursue a continued education at MD Anderson Cancer Center—one of the premier cancer treatment centers in the world. Emam was accepted at the GSBS and quickly found that he was surrounded by 9

GARCÍA GARCÍA PUBLISHES PAPER IN GASTROENTEROLOGY; GIVES ADVICE TO FIRST AUTHORS Pancreatic cancer is infamous for being one of the harder cancers to treat. This is because pancreatic cancer resides within a dense network of scar-like tissue called stroma that shields the cancer from chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In this lowoxygen environment, HIF1 and HIF2 stabilize and are thought to cause aggressive cancer growth within the pancreas. The research team found that stromal HIF2 is an essential component of pancreatic cancer pathobiology and is a druggable therapeutic target (with a class of HIF2 inhibitors recently being FDAapproved) that could be repurposed to enhance response to immunotherapy in this disease.

Preclinical research on hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF1 and HIF2) led by Cancer Biology PhD student Carolina García García, her advisor and GSBS faculty member Cullen Taniguchi, MD, PhD, and MD Anderson’s Yanqing Huang, PhD, and Natividad Fuentes, PhD, found that loss of stromal HIF2 delayed progression of pancreatic cancer. Their findings on suppressing HIF2 to improve immunotherapy response in pancreatic cancer have been published in Gastroenterology. In addition to her GSBS faculty members, García García was helped by GSBS students Maria Monberg and Emily G. Caggiano from the Cancer Biology program as well as Vincent Bernard, MD, PhD, a GSBS alum. In the article titled, “Stromal HIF2 regulates immune suppression in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment,” García García explores HIF2 as a potential therapeutic target to enhance immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer by using a class of FDA approved inhibitors to block HIF2 activity.

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In analyzing her research, García García found herself wanting to explore many different avenues that her data could potentially address. However, she advises first authors going through the same process to maintain a “laser focus” when writing and working on their papers. “There will always be new hypotheses to test, additional experiments to do, and more questions to answer—that’s the beautiful thing about science. It took some reflection to realize these are great questions for future study, but for right now, whatever is not in the lines of ‘paper submitted’ to ‘paper published’ is a distraction.” García García also credits organization and emulation as part of her success. She recommends starting early with organizing data, compiling thoughts, and being aware of deadlines. Remember that you will be working with this data for a long time, so having everything organized in a way that makes sense to you

“Everyone at the GSBS is nice to me, open to helping me, and even knows me by name. It’s so rare that with such a big school and so many students, people still know each other.”

will save you an inordinate amount of time while you do revisions. She also spent time reading through the issues of journals she aspired to be published in, and emulated the concise structure and figure styles she noted so often within their pages into her own paper. “You want the editors of the journal to look at your manuscript and think ‘this belongs here.’” The GSBS staff, faculty, and students have been such a great encouragement to García García and her studies. “Everyone at the GSBS is nice to me, open to helping me, and even knows me by name. It’s so rare that with such a big school and so many students, people still know each other.” Graduate school is objectively hard, but the amount of support she receives from her peers and mentors counteracts any self-doubt she may face in the moment.

GSAW 2022 In April 2022, the Graduate School hosted Graduate Student Appreciate Week (GSAW), which is part of a national observance celebrating the positive impact graduate students have on their community. The school received a proclamation from Mayor Sylvester Turner for this year’s celebration. Learn more about GSAW and read messages of support and encouragement to our students at go.uth.edu/GSBSGSAW2022Kudo.

Another piece of valuable advice she has for students just starting off in their labs is to embrace the people you work with. In the years that García García has worked in her lab, she has formed a sort of family with her lab mates. She found they all had the same love of science, and are all working towards a common goal—that is automatic common ground to form a support group around. Your peers celebrate with you during a win, and commiserate during a loss. The members of her lab often meet outside of the lab, coming together to bond as friends. García García even flexed her cooking muscles to make beef lasagna from scratch for their most recent meetup (and eggplant lasagna for the vegetarians of the lab). Getting her study published in Gastroenterology has been such an exciting development for García García, her lab, and the GSBS. “We are excited to share our discoveries and hopeful that they will have a positive impact in our field and in patients down the line. Our work addresses a long-standing knowledge gap about the relative roles of hypoxia signaling in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. I am excited for new opportunities that will come with publishing in this journal.” García García and Monberg graduated in the spring of 2022 with PhDs in Cancer Biology.

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SALINAS HELPS BUDDING SCIENTISTS FIND CAREER DIRECTION, PASSION From a young age, Raquel Ybanez Salinas’ father told her she has a great talent in seeing the potential in others, and as she was navigating through early career decisions, it was the guidance and vision of her mentors that set her on the path to help budding scientists bloom. Salinas, PhD, serves as the GSBS director of student affairs and career development. She works with students and trainees to facilitate career exploration and experiential learning opportunities for graduate students, and provides coaching and mentorship to them as they navigate the muddy waters of figuring out how to become a scientist. She is also a trained scientist, earning her PhD in pharmacology, cell and molecular biology from Duke University. “I think about my dad’s words often,” she said. “I think of my mentors who saw potential in me. We all, especially our students, are capable of so much more than we may realize. I love helping students figure out their passions, and seeing that potential in them when they may not see it themselves yet.” Salinas, an Austin native, showed an early aptitude for sciences. In middle school she was accepted into a science-based magnet high school, and felt that science brought her connectivity to the world through understanding how it works on a molecular level.

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That passion prompted her to study chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin as an undergrad. From there, she taught chemistry for five years at Austin-area high schools, using the skills honed in the study of science to help students transition in their next steps. “Teaching allowed me to use science to develop critical thinking skills and basic science literacy in students, which helped prepare them for whatever their next experience was,” Salinas said. “Through that process, you get to know students, and help them think beyond what their current vision for themselves is. What I did then is still what I do now. Just through a different lens.” After five years in the classroom, Salinas decided she wanted a more in-depth science experience, so she attended graduate school at Texas State University in San Marcos to study biochemistry. There, she had her first true experience in research and loved it. “I had deep interactions with my mentors, and they encouraged me to move on and expand my vision — that I could go to a prestigious university and that I could leave Texas,” Salinas said. “These were not things I thought for myself, but they were seeds that were planted in me. I never would have applied if it hadn’t been for my mentors suggesting it. Their advocacy of writing letters for me made that a reality.” Salinas said it was exciting to be accepted into Duke’s cellular and molecular biology program, but it was also isolating as the only person of color in the program. “I knew I was well prepared; I was well trained and qualified to be there, but it was definitely a struggle in terms of feeling like I belonged there, and working through my own perceptions that other people thought I didn’t belong there because I was a minority

student,” she said. “There weren’t many resources on campus at the time, and there were many times I thought about dropping out. It was not easy that first year.” Fortunately, the intervention of a mentor helped her navigate her transition into graduate school. She joined a lab, where she was excited about the research and able to quickly make contributions to the work. “I joined a lab, and I had a great mentor who gave me the confidence that I belonged there,” Salinas said. “He was excited I joined his lab; he was excited in the project we were working on and he gave me confidence that I was contributing. He became one of my biggest cheerleaders in grad school.” From there, it all fell into place. Duke University was working to increase its services to and recruitment of minority students, and Salinas was part of the winds of change. She began volunteering for the new Office of Biomedical Graduate Diversity, and teaching workshops and mentoring others. “I was advising graduate students on how to get on their best footing in grad school, and how to integrate into their graduate programs. I love doing that kind of work, and I felt so connected,” she said. “I had such a challenging first year, and it was meaningful to me to help other students get the best start possible so they could do more in their research programs, tackle their projects, be productive in their labs, and enjoy their graduate training.” After more than seven years away from Texas, Salinas decided it was time to come home. She returned to Texas State as a faculty member teaching a fundamentals of research course in the classroom, and continuing to mentor underserved students. Salinas came to UTHealth Houston in 2019, looking to expand her mentoring footprint. She said she was instantly enamored with the graduate school. “The university cares genuinely about the students,” she said. “They create this familial experience, and it becomes a central location. We are here for you, we care about you, and we will be your family while you are away from your family. Everyone here cares so deeply about the students, and I wanted to be a part

of that. I felt I had a lot to contribute to the mission of educating and training graduate students.” Salinas’ work at UTHealth Houston involves helping new students learn the cultures of graduate school, helping students explore and be introduced to new ideas, and validating experiences. “What helped me was to hear other people say, ‘This is normal. You’re at the beginning of your graduate training; you are a learner here,’” she said. “They explained, ’Your job as a graduate student is to work hard but also to ask questions, ask for help, and to accept help from others who offer it to you.’” She likes to think of herself as a “transition specialist,” helping students at pivotal moments in their training, including navigating the transition out of graduate school and into the workforce or a postdoctoral program. “A lot of what I do is help students find their direction,” she said. “Students who have a direction are more productive in their labs and in their training because they know what they are working toward. I love to help students explore all of their options, and find things that excite them.” That spirit of giving back, and of training the next generation is embedded in the culture of science. “Even for those who no longer practice science in our day-to-day, this idea of improving our community, growing it, and helping the next generation of scientists along is incredibly motivating,” Salinas said. “At the end of the day, we all think about what we leave behind in our work. As educators, I think we give back by knowing we gave the students the best experience while they were here. That they can positively reflect back on their time, and that we instilled something in them — a desire to give back. It’s a small part of paying it forward, and helping train our future scientists, who will go on to make their own impacts on science and the people they train.”

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RESEARCH SKILLS, TENACITY HELP RECENT GSBS GRADS SECURE COMPETITIVE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES As the 2021-2022 school year draws to a close, many GSBS students have gone through the job search process and have come out victorious. Highlighted here are three students with fantastic careers on the horizon. Learn how each student landed their post-grad positions, and their future goals. MARY FIGUEROA, PHD, THERAPEUTICS & PHARMACOLOGY Figueroa has accepted a position on the cell therapy team at Fenix Group International, a life science consulting firm headquartered in Pennsylvania. She started her PhD journey not knowing what direction she would like her career to take, but found a plethora of resources at the Graduate School that steered her towards the fields in which she was most interested. “I attended many seminars and panels from student groups or the Career Development office, which definitely helped me narrow down my career choices. I was able to gain leadership skills through student groups, committees, and the UTHealthLeads program, which also helped. Lastly, the course flexibility of the Therapeutics and Pharmacology program allowed me to learn from a wide array of classes, including Principles of Toxicology and Design and Management of Clinical Trials.” Figueroa found her current employer purely through networking. After speaking to a representative looking at her poster at the American Society of Hematology conference in December of 2021, she reached out to her new contact and quickly delved into the interview process. Within a few months, she had secured an offer. “I had no consulting experience prior to getting this 14

job interview. I joined the TMC Consulting Club and entered my first case competition after the second interview. I think the main reason they hired me was because of my broad scientific knowledge. Dr. Salinas was also a huge help for me in preparing my resume, tailoring my interview responses, and reviewing my job offer.” ALEXIS MOBLEY, PHD, NEUROSCIENCE & IMMUNOLOGY Mobley recently accepted a position at Johnson and Johnson as a global regulatory affairs associate. When she first began her job search, she knew she wanted to work with a company that encouraged mentorship, camaraderie, and opportunities to work with senior leadership. She credits the GSBS Office of Career Development and being a Scientist Mentoring and Diversity Program (SMDP) scholar with fostering the networking connections that made it possible for her to meet senior and junior level employees at Johnson and Johnson. “The Office of Career Development really worked with me as I tried to find an industry job that would accommodate my autoimmune disorder and still be fulfilling. We worked together to make sure I was competitive for the SMDP program. One of the heads of the Global Regulatory Affairs program at Johnson and Johnson is a SMDP scholar as well, and I was able to meet with him to make sure this was really something I wanted to do. The application process was a whirlwind of personality tests and screenings, where I landed the ‘in-person’ interview. I don’t know how many people can say this, but the interview was fun. I really clicked with the other heads of the program (and, unbeknownst to me at the time, my future supervisors). I was honest, open, and truthful about what I wanted and needed,

while making sure I was the right fit for the company’s needs too.” Mobley is beyond excited to join a company that is established in its field and genuinely cares for its employees. She has ambitious goals for her career as well. “I want to eventually be the head of an innovation center, leading pharmaceutical companies to cutting edge science and getting promising translational science to the market for patients. In the more grandiose, I want my voice to be heard and my representation to be meaningful. I represent and am a community leader for so many of my intersections and I’m happy to be ‘in the room where it happens,’ helping guide decisions that will benefit marginalized voices.” JESSIE MORRILL, PHD, BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY Morrill is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). In her lab at UNL, Morrill’s goal will be to better understand the benefits and consequences of dietary nutrients on health and disease in both animals and humans. This research will go towards making scientific advancements that will help farmers and ranchers in their efforts to provide the world with an abundant and nutritious food supply. Along with her scientific aspirations, Morrill is excited to be a supportive mentor

to her future students, just as her graduate school advisors have been for her. “As a mentor, I will strive to provide my students with opportunities and the resources they need to achieve success in their personal and professional lives.” While Morrill has had many successes during her time at the Graduate School, including receiving a TL1 Training Grant from the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, she believes her mentors and peers were an important aspect of her journey. “As a student from a nontraditional background, many of the topics I learned in the classroom and techniques I learned in the lab were entirely new to me. There were learning curves to overcome, but the faculty, staff, and students were a tremendous support. Through each step of my journey at the GSBS, from learning about grant writing to passing candidacy to preparing for my career, I thrived because of the training environment and resources that the GSBS offers.” While attending a scientific conference, Morrill made the acquaintance of a few faculty members from the Department of Animal Sciences at UNL. They shared memorable conversations, and several months later, when a new position in the department was announced, she was invited to apply, and the rest is history. “During my interview for the position, I felt that the department was a perfect fit for my research program. I am thrilled to be joining a wonderful team, and am excited to see my lab flourish at UNL.”

The Office of Career Development is devoted to student success with dedicated staff members. Services include: • • • • • •

Individual career advising Career planning using the individual development plan (IDP) Internship navigation and integration into student’s educational experience Career exploration seminars/programming for GSBS students Assistance with job readiness tools: CV/resume, LinkedIn profiles Promotion of job, postdoc, internship, and fellowship opportunities

Learn more at gsbs.uth.edu/career-development. 15

2021 LAB COAT SPECIAL EVENT

On Sept. 30, 2021, the school hosted a special invitation event (part lab coat pickup, part GSBS open house) to recognize our secondyear students. Nearly 40 students walked through the halls of the GSBS administrative offices to receive personalized letters, water bottles, business cards, and participate in a mini photo shoot to commemorate receiving their lab coat from former Dean Blackburn. Here is a snapshot of the festivities.

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17 More photos at go.uth.edu/GSBSlabcoat2021photos.

The winners of the GSRD competitions pose with former GSBS Dean Michael R. Blackburn, PhD, far left.

2022 GSRD After two years of virtual events, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences held its annual Graduate Student Research Day in person at the Cooley Life Center on June 23, 2022. More than 250 alumni, students, and faculty participated in the event, which featured a full day of competitions for Graduate School students, including oral and poster presentations and elevator speeches GSBS alumni Brian Anderson, PhD ‘21, Samantha Debes, PhD ‘22, Erin Lopez, PhD ‘18, Jackie Peltier-Horn, PhD ‘81, PhD, Emily Thompson, PhD ‘22, and Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD ‘17, were judges for the competitions. GSBS alumnus John J. Kopchick, PhD ‘80, and his wife Charlene, attended the event to see presentations by their Kopchick Fellows. GSBS supporters Sue and Logan Brown were also in attendance. “GSRD is a wonderful annual tradition that brings together our community to highlight the high caliber research performed by GSBS students,” said GSBS Director of Student Affairs and Career Development Raquel Ybañez Salinas, PhD. “This year, over 60 students presented on their research and participated in friendly competition. It was so joyful to be back together in person and see so many students throughout the entirety of the day deeply engaged in conversations where they were explaining their research and building stronger connections with their GSBS community.” To view the complete list of contests and winners, visit gsbs.uth.edu/gsbs-events/gsrd. See photos from the event at go.uth.edu/GSBS-GSRD2022photos. 18

WINNERS FROM THE 2022 GSRD CONTESTS Oral Presentation Skills Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year • 1st: Hunter Mehrens (Advisor: Stephen Kry, PhD) • 2nd: Shannon Erhardt (Advisor: Jun Wang, PhD) • 1st Year Bonus: Andrew Gillard (Advisor: Candelaria Gomez-Manzano, PhD)

Post-Candidacy PhD • 1st: Janani Subramaniam (Advisor: Shane Cunha, PhD) • 2nd: Xu Zhang (Advisor: Fabricio Do Monte, DVM, PhD)

Poster Competitions Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year • 1st: Stephen Farmer (Advisor: Sheng Zhang, PhD) • 2nd: Joshua Morse (Advisor: Zhiqiang An, PhD) • 1st Year Bonus: Stephen Farmer (Advisor: Sheng Zhang, PhD) Post-Candidacy PhD • 1st: Raisa Reyes Castro (Advisor: Swathi Arur, PhD) • 2nd (tie): Emily Caggiano (Advisor: Cullen Taniguchi, MD, PhD) & Sonia Patel (Advisor: John Heymach, MD, PhD)

Elevator Speech Contests Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year • 1st: Barbara Marquez (Advisor: Laurence Court, PhD) • 2nd: Marvin Wirianto (Advisor: Seung-Hee (Sally) Yoo, PhD) • People’s Choice Award: Xin Ru (Cheryl) Jiang (Advisor: Katy Rezvani, MBBS, PhD) Post-Candidacy PhD • 1st & People’s Choice Award: Tanvi Visal (Advisor: Sendurai Mani, PhD) • 2nd: Joan Jacob (Advisor: Kendra Carmon, PhD)

Top photo: PhD student Heather Tsong explains her research poster to GSRD attendees as part of the event’s poster session. More than 35 GSBS students participated in the contest. Center photo: PhD student Xin Ru (Cheryl) Jiang participates in the Elevator Speech Competition. Sixteen graduate school students competed in this competition. Bottom photo: Shannon Erhardt participates in the Oral Presentation Skills Competition at GSRD. Erhardt was one of 10 students to compete in this contest. 19

NEW PROGRAM BUILDS STRONG COMMUNITY FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED RESEARCHERS The Academy at the GSBS is designed to train the next generation of leaders in the field of biomedical sciences. Established in 2021 and developed by Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Affairs Cherilynn Shadding, PhD, the Academy is based on national models for graduate programming to enhance diversity in the biomedical sciences. It is a success-based program to build community, leadership, and scholarship for underrepresented students to help navigate common barriers to inclusion and equity in graduate education. By actively participating in this program, students will gain the skills necessary to thrive in graduate school such as time management, navigating their biomedical career, and effective scientific communication. The Academy provides academic, professional and social networking skills for our students to build a fulfilling biomedical science career beyond graduate school. BENEFITS In addition to the many benefits of being a GSBS student, Academy scholars receive supplemental activities designed to help them focus on success as a student and beyond, guidance and resources of the Office of Diversity and Student Affairs, and a social support network within their cohort and the current GSBS student community from diverse backgrounds. This program also includes seminars and activities tailored to scholars as well as peer and individualized mentoring. SELECTION Full and Associate Scholars are selected after the GSBS has offered admission and/or once the offer is accepted. Full Scholars receive a scholarship in addition to their stipend. The program is open to students entering our PhD and all of our MS programs. For more information about the Academy, please contact Diversity and Student Affairs Program Manager Tanieka Young, MBA, MSHRD ([email protected]). 20

THE GSBS CREATES NEW DEI COMMITTEE In 2021, the Graduate School established its first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to ensure that the school creates and maintains an environment that is inclusive and equitable for all its students. The other duties of the committee include: regular assessment of the community; establishing impactful training and programming; reviewing GSBS data and setting benchmarks; surveying GSBS policies and mission; and making recommendations to GSBS leadership. This group, led by Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Diversity Cherilynn R. Shadding, PhD, consisting of staff, faculty, and students, also includes four GSBS alumni:

school in 2017 and is affiliated with GSBS Program in Cancer Biology, and Therapeutics and Pharmacology. RALF KRAHE, PHD, PhD, professor, Department of Genetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Krahe graduated in 1995 with a doctorate in human and molecular genetics. His advisor was Michael Siciliano, PhD. MABEL PÉREZ-OQUENDO, PhD student affiliated with GSBS Program in Genetics and Epigenetics. Her advisor is Don Gibbons, MD, PhD. JOSUÉ PINEDA, PhD student affiliated with GSBS Program in Immunology. His advisor is Matthew Gubin, PhD.

KARI BREWER SAVANNAH, PHD, program manager, Department of Imaging Physics, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Brewer Savannah graduated in 2012 with a doctorate in biomedical sciences. Her advisor was Dina Lev, MD.

NATALIE SIRISAENGTAKSIN, PHD, GSBS academic affairs program manager. Sirisaengtaksin received her MS in 2010 in cell biology from the GSBS and graduated in 2017 with a doctorate in neuroscience. Her PhD advisor was Andy Bean, PhD.

JENNIFER CZERWINSKI, MS, CGC, associate professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Czerwinski graduated in 2006 with a specialized master’s in genetic counseling. Her advisor was Joan Mastrobattista, MD.

KAREN WEINBERG, director, GSBS Student Affairs and Admissions. Weinberg is responsible for overseeing onboarding and new student orientation and serves as primary administrative contact for general admissionsrelated inquiries from GSBS faculty.

CANDELARIA GOMEZ-MANZANO, MD, professor, Department of Neuro-Oncology, MD Anderson. She joined the school in 2007 and is affiliated with the GSBS Program in Cancer Biology. TAYLOR HALSEY, PhD student affiliated with GSBS Program in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Her advisor is Robert Jenq, MD. DANIEL HARRINGTON, PHD, assistant professor, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry at UTHealth Houston. He joined the

MELINDA YATES, PHD, assistant professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, MD Anderson. She joined the school in 2014 and is affiliated with the GSBS Program in Therapeutics and Pharmacology. She is also the chair of this newly formed committee. To learn more about the school’s DEI initiatives, visit gsbs. uth.edu/diversity or contact Associate Dean Shadding, PhD, ([email protected]).

ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE ON DEI COMMITTEEE “I’ve had a passion for DEI and have worked on underrepresented minority-related initiatives for a long time and have made this a significant focus throughout my career,” said Brewer Savannah. “As an alum, I hope to provide input that can help the committee improve the diversity of the GSBS (students, faculty, and staff), continue to build, optimize, and exude a culture of inclusivity where students of all backgrounds feel comfortable speaking up and knowing that their voices are heard, respected, and valued, and to develop and ensure equitable opportunities for all students.”

“As a practicing genetic counselor in the clinical space for over 15 years, I see health disparities daily and try to use my voice to help identify spaces where we can do better for our patients of underrepresented groups,” said Czerwinski. “I am proud to be an alumna of the GSBS (class of 2006) and current GSBS faculty member. Our students continue to teach me, and I continue to learn about myself and systems that require change. As part of the GSBS DEI standing committee, I want to be part of the momentum moving toward a more inclusive and equitable graduate school environment.”

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NEW ERA AT THE GSBS DEAN MICHAEL BLACKBURN, PHD, RETIRES FROM THE SCHOOL AND UTHEALTH HOUSTON After a decade of exceptional leadership, Michael R. Blackburn, PhD, retired from his roles at the Graduate School and UTHealth Houston. Blackburn joined the university and the GSBS in 1997, and in July 2012, he was appointed dean of GSBS—a dual deanship shared with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Michelle Barton, PhD. He was also the holder of the John P. McGovern Distinguished Professorship in Biomedical Sciences, and was a professor in and vice chair of the Medical School’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Findings from Blackburn’s lab have led to the hypothesis that excessive adenosine signaling contributed to the progression of pulmonary conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. This pre-clinical research has led to promising phase I and II clinical trials now underway to treat chronic lung disease. In 2013, Blackburn, along with GSBS faculty member Yang Xia, MD, PhD, and another colleague at the University of Colorado, were awarded a nearly $10 million Program Project Grant (PPG) by the National Heart, 22

Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

and Kevin A. Morano, PhD, will work with the firm to identify highly qualified candidates.

The author of more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 25 invited reviews or book chapters, Blackburn also was noted for his success in recruiting and training outstanding students and fellows, and guiding MD/PhD candidates through completion of their doctoral degrees.

Over the course of his career, Blackburn received many well-deserved honors, including the Paul E. Darlington Mentor Award ( 2011) and the 2015 distinguished alumni award from his alma mater, Jefferson Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia.

Upon his departure, Dean Blackburn worked closely with Sharon Y.R. Dent, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis at MD Anderson, who will serve as dean ad interim, and other members of the Graduate School leadership team to ensure a smooth transition. Efforts are underway to select a permanent dean who will usher the school into a new era of education and discovery in the biomedical sciences.

The GSBS administration organized an in-person retirement reception for Dean Blakcburn, and a message board full of well-wishes from students, staff, faculty and alumni. View the message board at go.uth.edu/blackburn-kudos.

Spencer Stuart, an executive search and leadership consulting firm, is conducting a national search. The search committee, led by Guillermina Lozano, PhD,

From top: Pictures here show Dean Blackburn throughout the years 23 at various GSBS events.

DEAN MICHELLE BARTON, PHD, DEPARTED FROM THE SCHOOL IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 Dean Michelle Barton, PhD, left the Graduate School on Aug. 31, 2020, to accept a leadership role at the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center at the Knight Cancer Center in Portland, Oregon. Her eight years of leadership with Michael Blackburn, PhD, of our MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) and her 20 years of innovative research at MD Anderson has had significant and lasting impacts on graduate students, trainees and cancer patients alike. Barton came to MD Anderson as a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and she joined the faculty of the graduate school in 2000. In 2014, she transferred to the department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, where she held the Colin Powell Chair for Cancer Research. During her tenure, she advised 40 graduate students and numerous postdoctoral fellows, as well as teaching several courses within the school. In 2012, she accepted the novel role as one of a two-dean leadership team of our graduate school. As MD Anderson’s dean, she worked tirelessly to advocate for our students and to implement programs that put them on a path for success. Together with UTHealth Houston’s Dean Blackburn, Dean Barton established a grant navigator program that doubled the number of student fellowship proposals submitted and increased funding success. They initiated the creation of the Core Course to provide a strong background in graduate-level

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biosciences to all first-year students. A thoughtful reorganization of the program structure in 2016 enhanced collaboration between our two institutions and focused on the needs of individual students, reducing the number of formal doctoral programs from 13 to nine. Under their leadership, the school received its most transformative gift to date from alumnus John J. Kopchick, PhD, and wife Charlene, $10.5 million to fund student fellowships. Barton’s research focuses on basic mechanisms of regulated and aberrant gene expression during development, tissue regeneration and cancer, especially as dictated by chromatin structure modification and the p53- family, their interacting protein partners and chromatin structure. Using deep sequencing, proteomic analyses and bioinformatics, her lab is determining chromatin interactions, post-translational modifications and protein partners of p53. She identified TRIM24, a previously unknown E3-ubiquitin ligase of p53 that co-activates estrogen receptors and is a histone reader of a unique signature present at estrogen-

regulated genes in breast cancer cells. Over the course of her career, she has published numerous articles and received many welldeserved honors, including MD Anderson’s Faculty Achievement Award in Education, the Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award, the Paul Darlington Award for Outstanding Mentoring and the Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Education. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The GSBS administration organized a virtual send off event for Dean Barton, which inlcuded a message board full of well-wishes from students, staff, faculty and alumni. View the message board at go.uth.edu/barton-farewell.

From top: Pictures here show Dean Barton at various GSBS events.

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GAUGHAN RETIRES FROM THE GSBS BRENDA GAUGHAN started her career at UTHealth Houston in 1974 as the secretary to the GSBS registrar Mary Archer. During that time, the school was under the leadership of Alfred G. Knudson, Jr., MD, PhD, and the school’s administrative offices were located in the parking garage of the Hermann Professional Building. From 1974 to 1995, Brenda’s responsibilities at the Graduate School encompassed admissions, academic standards, curriculum, student affairs, registration, and alumni - but her priority was always the “care and feeding” of graduate students, as she puts it. In 1996, Gaughan moved to Connecticut, but returned to Texas and the GSBS in 2005 to work in faculty affairs with then-Dean George M. Stancel, PhD. She administered faculty membership, program reviews, and the committees for the program directors, faculty executives, and faculty membership.

“The GSBS and I grew up together —the school was 11 and I was 20 when I came to work here. I didn’t plan to stay for long but I’m so glad I did. I’m the luckiest person in the world to have worked at the GSBS all these years. Our students and faculty are the best in all ways, and the funny, amazing staff is truly like a family. When someone asks me what I do, I’m always so proud to tell them about the GSBS. I cannot lie: I’m beyond excited and grateful to make it out alive, but I know that I will miss this wonderful place and love it for the rest of my days.” 26

In 2012, the year that Michelle C. Barton, PhD, and Michael R. Blackburn, PhD, took the helm of the school, Brenda was tapped to work directly with graduate students again in the Office of Academic Affairs under the leadership of Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Education Bill Mattox, PhD. In this role, Gaughan advised PhD students, including guiding first-year PhD students as they conduct rotations and choose advisors; and co-organizes many annual events such as the GSBS Student Research Day, Lab Coat Ceremony, and commencement exercises. She also served as the administrator for PhD program reviews, and the program directors committee. “It has been so wonderful to work with Brenda,” said Dean Blackburn. “Her dedication and commitment to students and faculty is contagious and raises us all up. She has helped to shape this school into the quality institution that it is and we will miss her tremendously; especially her great sense of humor and deep compassion for others.” “For longer than I can remember Brenda has been the true heart of the GSBS,” said Senior Associate Dean Mattox. “She’s at the center of what we do and personally cares about each student’s happiness and success from the first moment they walk in the door.” Gaughan retired in December 2020. A farewell online mesage board was set up so that GSBS comminuty members could leave well-wishes for Gaughan. This board can be viewed at go.uth.edu/brenda-farewell.

MEET THE DEAN AD INTERIM Effective July 1, 2022, Sharon Dent, PhD, was appointed

dean ad interim for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, she has been a valuable part of the Graduate School since she joined the faculty in 1993. Both her philosophy on mentorship and her focus on the students foster a feeling of security in a new era for the institution. Dent earned her PhD in Biochemistry at Rice University before pursuing a postdoctoral role at Baylor College of Medicine. After her time at Baylor, she filled a senior staff fellowship position at the NIH. From there, she decided to join the faculty at MD Anderson as an assistant professor and began to make a name for herself in research and education. In 2010, Dent was named the chair of the Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis department at MD Anderson’s Smithville campus. She accepted the dean ad interim position at the GSBS in April 2022 so that she could learn from former dean, Michael R. Blackburn, PhD, before his retirement at the end of June. Spencer Stuart, an executive search and leadership consulting firm, is conducting the national search on behalf of MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston. The search committee, led by Guillermina Lozano, PhD, and Kevin A. Morano, PhD, will work with the firm to identify highly qualified candidates. As the dean ad interim for the Graduate School, Dent will continue to focus on supporting all of our students and faculty, especially during this time of transition for the GSBS. “I would love to hear from our community members as to what opportunities and challenges they see as priority in the coming year, and I look forward to getting to know our current students and new students as they come in.” Dent views mentorship as a two-way partnership rather than a rigid hierarchy. From the time she welcomed her first student into her lab at the Graduate School in the mid-1990s, Dent has found that bouncing ideas around with her mentees lends new creative solutions that she would not have thought of otherwise. “Students are at the frontlines of scientific discovery, and I am committed to helping each of them reach their full potential,” says Dent. Throughout her time at the Graduate School, Dent has had the pleasure of directly training 20 GSBS students, as well as several post-doctoral fellows. Open communication is tantamount to success for Dent. Just as our students and faculty deftly communicate their scientific discoveries with peers, she believes that clearly communicating ideas, as well as challenges, to an administration that actively listens is crucial to the advancement of the school. GSBS community members are welcome to contact Dean ad interim Dent at [email protected] or the school’s leadership team at [email protected].

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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OFFICE WELCOMES NEW PROGRAM MANAGERS WASSIM CHEHAB, PHD, joined the school in July 2021. He received his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2003. After graduating, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California Davis, where he performed research in plant biology, and mentored and advised undergraduate students on research projects. In his position, Chehab will be the academic advisor for all GSBS master’s students and the coordinator of the Foundation of Biomedical Research Course. “Working at the GSBS will give me the opportunity to use my expertise in science, teaching, and academic advising to help students explore and develop plans that will aid them in carving their niche in science,” said Chehab. Prior to joining the GSBS, Chehab was a research scientist and instructor at Rice University where he taught undergraduate and graduate classes, and helped develop and implement a lab course curriculum based on real world research projects. NATALIE SIRISAENGTAKSIN, PHD, joined the school in December 2020. She obtained her MS in cell biology (2010) and PhD in neuroscience (2017) from the GSBS. Her MS and PhD advisor was Andy Bean, PhD. She also received several student awards during her time at the school, including the Russell and Diana Hawkins Family Foundation Discovery Fellowship (2013-2016), Presidents Research Scholarship (2016), and Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (2016). After graduation, Sirisaengtaksin worked as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at McGovern Medical School and a postdoctoral fellow in the UTHealth-CPRIT Postdoctoral Innovation in Cancer Prevention Research Training Program. In her position, Sirisaengtaksin will be advising students 28

and will also be the school’s 504 ADA coordinator (academic). “I learned everything the hard way!,” said Sirisaengtaksin “For example, I didn’t know to have a lab already picked out when I started as an MS student. I made every mistake you could make in graduate school. I’m hoping I can use my experiences to help students figure out their path.”

MATTOX PROMOTED TO SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN William “Bill” W. Mattox, PhD, was promoted from associate dean to senior associate dean of graduate education, effective September 2020. Mattox joined the Graduate School faculty in 1993 and became an associate dean of graduate education in 2012, leading the school’s office of academic affairs. In his new role, Mattox will continue to direct academic affairs while taking on the new responsibility of interfacing with MD Anderson leadership on matters important to the school, thus filling one of the gaps left by Dean Barton’s departure. Mattox received his PhD in molecular genetics from The California Institute of Technology. Following his training as a Helen Hay Whitney Foundation and American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University, he joined MD Anderson Cancer Center as an assistant professor in 1992. In 1994, Mattox was named a Pew Scholar of Biomedical Sciences. He served as director of the Genes & Development Graduate Program from 2003—2005. He has also received many awards for his educational activities including The William Randolph Hearst Foundation Faculty Achievement Award in Education (2010), and MD Anderson Distinguished Educator (2019). “The partnership between people at UTHealth Houston and MD Anderson who are dedicated to graduate education is what makes our school special,” said Mattox. I’m honored and excited to take on this new role.”

FROST NAMED GSBS ASSISTANT DEAN OF GRADUATE EDUCATION Jeffrey A. Frost, PhD, was appointed assistant dean on April 1, 2022. Frost joined the GSBS faculty in 2000 and is currently a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. At the Graduate School, he is affiliated with the Programs in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and Genetics and Epigenetics. As a past director of the former Cell and Regulatory Biology Graduate Program, former co-director for the Biochemistry & Cell Biology Graduate Program, and former GSBS Faculty president, Frost has proven himself to be a leader.

In his new role, Frost will serve as a co-director of the Predoctoral & Postdoctoral Training in Clinical & Translational Sciences at UTHealth Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center (CCTS- TL1). He will also help with multiple facets of graduate education at the GSBS. He will continue to work in his research lab, which focuses on cell signaling in breast and neuroendocrine tumors. In 2020, he received of The University of Texas System Board of Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award (ROTA), one of the most competitive awards in the nation that recognizes teaching in higher education. He has also served on numerous student advisory and examining committees, and taught in many GSBS courses, including Foundations of Biomedical Research. Frost currently directs the GradSURP Summer Undergraduate Research Program, and co-directs the Molecular and Translational Medicine Scholarly Concentration at the McGovern Medical School.

NEW GSBS STAFFERS CAROLYN AGURCIA-PARKER, DRPH, program coordinator, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

LAURA RADEMACHER, MED, program manager, Student Affairs and Career Development

AYISHA HAWKINS, program coordinator, Genetic Counseling Program

EMILY RECH, communication assistant

STACEY MUELLER-ORTIZ, PHD, program manager, Medical Scientist Training Program NICOLLE PATTERSON, MS, program manager, TL1, Immunology and Quantitative Sciences Programs JENNIFER PRICE, MBA, MHRM, program manager, Faculty Affairs

OSCAR SEVILLA, MED, program manager, Admissions COLDEN SNOW, senior administrative coordinator, Finance TANIEKA YOUNG, MBA, MSHRD, program manager, Diversity & Student Affairs DAWN WOLF-TAYLOR, MA, program coordinator, Cancer Biology, and Therapeutics & Pharmacology

Find information about all our staff at gsbs.uth.edu/contact-us. 29

Allison Institute Leadership (all GSBS faculty members), from left to right: Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD, Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD, and James P. Allison, PhD, institute director

MD ANDERSON LAUNCHES JAMES P. ALLISON INSTITUTE TO USHER IN NEW ERA FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY On March 24, 2022, MD Anderson launched the James P. Allison Institute, a visionary research and innovation hub within the cancer center designed to foster groundbreaking science, to develop new treatments and to bring the benefits of immunotherapy to all patients. 30

The Allison Institute will advance exceptional discovery, translational and clinical research to integrate immunobiology across disciplines and unlock the full potential of science and medicine for human health. The institute builds upon the legacy of its namesake, GSBS faculty member James P. Allison, PhD, who was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his fundamental discoveries in T cell biology and his invention of ipilimumab, the first immune checkpoint inhibitor to treat cancer. “Immunotherapy has transformed cancer care over the past decade but, unfortunately, not all patients benefit equally. Our goal is to change that,” said Allison, regental chair of Immunology and director of the Allison Institute. “Our vision is to lead the world in immunotherapy research by empowering interdisciplinary scientific excellence and by accelerating discoveries into novel and synergetic therapies that enable cures.” Unlike the traditional pillars of cancer care — surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapies — immunotherapy does not target the tumor directly but instead works to unleash the immune system. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of immunobiology, the institute will develop treatment approaches that effectively integrate these pillars to work in concert and prime immune cells for an anti-tumor response that can eliminate cancer — permanently. Together with Allison, the institute will be led by renowned experts in immunotherapy and cancer research. GSBS faculty member Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD, professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Immunology, will serve as scientific director of the Allison Institute, and Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD, professor and chair of Cancer Biology, also a GSBS faculty member, will serve as director of operations. “Our unique ability to seamlessly integrate fundamental discovery science with translational drug development and impactful clinical research offers an unprecedented opportunity to realize the promise of immunotherapy and to take a critical step toward finally ending cancer,” said Peter WT Pisters, MD,

president of MD Anderson. “The Allison Institute is an essential component of our institutional Strategy to make the greatest impact on the most people, and I am confident the work of the institute will have a lasting impact on all of humanity.”

EMPOWERING SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS Jim Allison was not driven initially to discover a new cancer therapy, but rather to understand the mysteries of T cells and the immune system. His curiosity and persistence drove him to groundbreaking discoveries in immune checkpoint proteins. Similarly, discovery research across all disciplines is central to the mission of the Allison Institute.

Our vision is to lead the world in immunotherapy research by empowering interdisciplinary scientific excellence and by accelerating discoveries into novel and synergetic therapies that enable cures. - James P. Allison, PhD

“We will empower our researchers to make scientific breakthroughs that advance our understanding of immunobiology and enable exciting new therapeutic opportunities,” Sharma said. “Starting with highimpact discovery science, we will follow the evidence toward biological insights, novel treatment targets and innovative new technologies.” Leveraging the strength of MD Anderson’s drug discovery capabilities and clinical expertise together with strategic biopharma collaborations, the Allison Institute will rapidly advance discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back again, with clinical insights informing ongoing laboratory studies. These efforts will bring both new medicines and tailored combinations that can be evaluated in well-designed studies through MD Anderson’s leading clinical research engine.

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To achieve maximum impact, Allison Institute researchers will seek to learn as much as possible from the patients they aim to help. Cutting-edge data science will generate unparalleled insights from clinical trials in real time. Employing the reverse translational research model of MD Anderson’s immunotherapy platform, co-led by Allison and Sharma, these insights will guide simultaneous laboratory studies to answer critical questions for future trials.

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH MODEL TO DRIVE PROGRESS The ambitious goals of the Allison Institute necessitate a unique organizational approach to change the way researchers come together, share ideas and accelerate progress. “We endeavor to be a worldwide leader in research and innovation, and that requires moving away from the traditional departmental silos toward dynamic teams assembled and reassembled to answer specific questions,” Kalluri said. “By recruiting and engaging the top minds around the world, we will unleash individual brilliance in a collaborative environment.” The Allison Institute will establish a diverse and inclusive environment with a culture of excellence and innovation. A priority of the institute will be to train and nurture rising stars who will lead the next generation of immunotherapy pioneers, thus ensuring progress is maintained for decades to come. Allison Institute members will encompass several categories of researchers, including established and rising scientists housed within the institute as well as internal and external scientists contributing to collaborative projects. Project-focused teams will be assembled to integrate expertise across scientific disciplines. As progress is made or new questions are revealed, teams will be reassembled to respond to the evolving scientific landscape. These teams will have access to the well-established infrastructure already present at MD Anderson, including innovative research platforms, cutting-edge data science efforts and the drug discovery and development capabilities of the Therapeutics Discovery division. In this context, MD Anderson will make strategic capital investments to establish specialized core facilities and platforms that will support both the work of the institute and MD Anderson priority research efforts. The institute will be housed in state-of-the-art facilities now being constructed on the TMC3 life-science campus and future laboratory space on MD Anderson’s south campus.

A VISIONARY FUTURE The Allison Institute is among the most ambitious efforts undertaken by MD Anderson — a testament to the institution’s commitment to making a profound and lasting impact on science and medicine. “MD Anderson has always been committed to conducting the best science possible to achieve impactful breakthroughs, and the Allison Institute will be instrumental to our future success,” said Giulio Draetta, MD, PhD, chief scientific officer. “This visionary institute will be unique in the depth, breadth and applicability of its approach to drive all-encompassing therapeutic advances that improve patients’ lives.”

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COMMENCEMENT

SNAPSHOT

On Sunday, May 2, 2021, GSBS graduates participated in commencement exercises with the School of Biomedical Informatics and McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston at Minute Maid Park. Over 100 masters and doctoral graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 were honored at the ceremony. COVID-19 protocols were followed at the event. Here are some photos from the celebration. See footage from the event at go.uth.edu/GSBS2021grad.

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THE DAY I CELEBRATED MY GRADUATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

When I enrolled at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 2017, I never expected to write most of my master’s thesis without being able to go into the lab. But when MD Anderson’s labs closed to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, we had to adjust so quickly that I did the majority of my thesis writing at home. I was glad to have very supportive members of laboratory and my defense committee, especially my advisor, Jeffrey Molldrem, MD, who helped me navigate this weird time. I successfully defended my thesis over Zoom in August 2020, and began my PhD work virtually from my apartment a week later. Because my transition to PhD work in the Therapeutics and Pharmacology program was done virtually, it didn’t feel like I’d really passed a milestone in my training until I was finally able to walk across the stage on May 2, 2021, a year after finishing my master’s studies. Going from defending my thesis at my small apartment to getting my diploma on the field at Minute Maid Park was a big but welcome change. My parents and brother traveled from San Antonio to celebrate with me. It was really nice to feel the closure from the end of one chapter of my academic journey, even as

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I continue with another. Celebrating my graduation was something that I didn’t realize that I needed, but being able to stop and realize, “I did that, I made it through,” was powerful. I’ve always liked puzzles and trying to figure things out, and I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to train here, where I’ve discovered a love for bench science and working in the lab. I’m continuing in Dr. Molldrem’s lab for my doctoral work, looking at CAR T cell therapies that target acute myeloid leukemia. I’m learning new techniques — and how to be a better, well-rounded aspiring scientist.

This article was written by MS alumnus and PhD student Rolando Vedia. Vedia is affiliated with the GSBS Program in Therapeutics and Pharmacology, and works in Hematopoietic Biology and Malignancy at MD Anderson.

LEWIN NAMED DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS MATTHEW LEWIN, MD, PHD, FACEP, was named the recipient of the 2020-2021 GSBS Distinguished Alumnus Award. He received his MD/PhD in neuroscience in 1999 and his advisor was Edgar T. Walters, PhD. Before studying at the Graduate School, Lewin obtained a bachelor’s in entomology from the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating from the GSBS, he was an internal medicine intern at California-Pacific Medical Center and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of California, San Francisco Level 1 trauma center in Fresno, California before joining the faculty at San Francsco’s main campus in 2003. Today, Lewin is the director of the Center for Exploration and Travel Health at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, and is world renowned for his work with novel approaches to snakebite antidotes. He is founder of Ophirex Inc., a Public-Benefit biotechnology company working to improve outcomes for victims of snakebite around the world. In March 2020, Ophirex began developing varespladib as a first-in-class, toxin-targeting antidote for snakebite, with the ultimate goal of safe and rapid administration to snakebite victims in the out-of-hospital setting where — without immediate access to antivenom — most snakebite deaths occur. Clinical trials of the drug occurred in India and the United States. Lewin is also a grantee of the Wellcome Trust and has received funding from the United States Department of Defense whose mission focuses on far-forward medical care as well as the care of ill or injured civilians they encounter throughout the globe. He was a member of the WHO Snakebite Envenoming Working Group that set the goal of reducing death and disability from snakebite 50% by 2030. More than 100,000 people die each year from snakebite with an estimated 5-times that many losing limbs or limb function. A majority of the world’s victims of snakebite (98%) live in poverty. Lewin’s work over the past decade has changed the way people think about treating this ancient scourge for which the modernization of treatment — and access to

it — is overdue. “Understanding how to challenge assumptions and test hypotheses about even the riskiest ideas was a great product of my education in Houston,” said Lewin. “I didn’t anticipate the grit it would require to change how people think about treating snakebite, but understanding what would be needed to make a convincing case made it easier to believe what I was seeing when the prototype antidote finally started coming together. “I had good mentors and still turn to them for advice. For example, I was always encouraged to seek help and this has recently come in the form of interest in snakebite from well-known public figures such as musician Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads, Modern Lovers) and Dr. Derrick Rossi (mRNA vaccine pioneer and co-founder of Moderna) who can raise awareness in more arenas than I can as an individual whose concepts have potential, but are not yet proven. “For students, I commit the same long-term support I have gotten from my lifelong mentors. It is a very rewarding cycle of exploration, discovery and lifelong friendships that arose from all around the medical center and now, with colleagues and friends from around the world. I always expected to have a mission in life, but I never expected to have such a great adventure.” His advisor, Edgar T. Walters, PhD, has many vivid memories of Lewin in the lab. “Matt’s PhD dissertation (published in Nature Neuroscience) defined new cell signaling mechanisms in sensory neurons that help to drive persistent pain,” said Walters. “For example, Matt’s late-night experiments were sometimes undertaken (surreptitiously) with his Amazon parrot, Mr. Grumbly, perched on the lab door. On Saturday nights Matt often volunteered in the Hermann Hospital Emergency Room, where he developed a close relationship with famous trauma surgeon James ‘Red’ Duke. “Matt remains an energetic supporter of the MD/PhD Program. He has returned several times to give formal presentations to the Program, generously offering career advice and even suggesting specific topics for MD/PhD students to submit for publication as clinical letters, and then helping individual students to write them up.”

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Yanhong was the recipient of the 2019 Investing in Student Futures Scholarship.

TAKING ROOT &

BRANCHING OUT

Stony precipices and wooded slopes swell out of the rocky landscape in the rural village in Guizhou, China, where Yanhong Zhou, PhD ’20, grew up. The view is breathtaking, but this sparse, rugged terrain makes it difficult to cultivate much—whether crops, livestock, or people. Despite the challenges, families work together to harvest corn and nurture dreams, while rapid development continues to improve living conditions for all. “Many parents in our village had to earn a living in a faraway city, leaving their children to work on the farms under the supervision of their grandparents,” she says. “Growing up, I always dreamed of doing something to improve the lives of my family and neighbors.”

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SCHOLARSHIP NURTURES GRADUATE STUDENTS AND INSPIRES A NEW GENERATION OF GIVING In 2011, Yanhong left China with her husband to pursue her dream in the United States. She started a graduate program in recreation, parks, and tourism resources at West Virginia University, but she quickly discovered a passion in statistics after taking a couple of courses. Unable to choose between the two, she eventually earned a master’s degree in each discipline. When her husband’s job prompted a move to Houston, Yanhong began researching how she could further her education in statistics and launch a career in this new city. With a three-year-old child at home, the couple also wanted to keep their growing family together. It was the only PhD program Yanhong applied to, and she was accepted in 2016. Early in her studies, she found two exceptional faculty mentors in J. Jack Lee, DDS, PhD, and Ying Yuan, PhD, who hold primary appointments in the Department of Biostatistics at MD Anderson. Under their tutelage, Yanhong worked to develop adaptive designs and software for early-phase clinical trials and outline a path for her future. “As a first-generation graduate student, I found it difficult to even envision what my career path might look like before joining MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School,” says Yanhong. “But my time there was a lifechanging period for me, and it was largely thanks to Dr. Lee and Dr. Yuan, who taught me how to conduct rigorous research and prepared me for a successful future career.” In 2019, Yanhong received the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship, an endowed award established by Priscilla Saunders, PhD, in memory of her husband and beloved Graduate School faculty member, Grady F. Saunders, PhD. The scholarship helps advance the work of students who are conducting vital research with the potential to advance the field of biomedical science by providing financial assistance to enable them to pursue their dreams. “Earning this scholarship was a defining moment of my time at the school, and it reinforced my belief that anything is possible through hard work,” says Yanhong. “With a child at home, it provided much-needed financial assistance to help me commit to my research.”

Houston Graduate School receive graduate research assistantships, which cover tuition, fees, and benefits, for 16 months. Afterward, students earn support from their faculty advisors through traineeships and fellowships. Scholarships help supplement these stipends and

“When I read about the Quantitative Sciences program at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School, I knew it was where I wanted to pursue my dream.” - Yanhong Zhou, PhD

provide students with the financial freedom to cover other expenses or pursue interests or opportunities they otherwise could not afford. With support from the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship, Yanhong pursued her dream of improving lives in her village in Guizhou. Using a portion of the funds, she distributed her own scholarships to more than 20 schoolchildren in her home village who showed academic promise and needed financial assistance. “I know the challenges these children face, and I wanted to encourage them to continue pursuing their dreams,” says Yanhong. “Seeing the impact the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship made on me, and in turn, the impact it made on those children, taught me the power of giving.” In 2021, Yanhong launched her career designing clinical trials for new cancer therapies. Thankful for her experiences at the Graduate School and the support she received through the scholarship, she decided to establish her own endowed scholarship at the school with help from her company’s matching gift program.

Doctorate students at MD Anderson UTHealth

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In 2021, Yanhong launched her career designing clinical trials for new cancer therapies. Thankful for her experiences at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School and the support she received through the scholarship, she decided to establish her own endowed scholarship at the school with help from her company’s matching gift program. “I hope my gift makes a difference in someone’s life the way donors to the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship made a difference in my life,” she says. Since 2013, the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship has been awarded to 14 graduate students like Yanhong, with as many as three recipients per year. The 2021 recipient, Anh “Kim” Trinh Nguyen, a PhD student in the lab of Anne-Marie Krachler, PhD, at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, is researching how bacteria adhere to tissues in the gut and infect their hosts, which could lead to new ways to prevent and treat bacterial infections and chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. “Scholarships inspire students to be innovative and pursue excellence,” says Kim. “By helping me to focus more on research and less on finances, the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship has created new opportunities for me and enabled me to think outside the box.” One of Kim’s proudest accomplishments at the Graduate School is sparking a collaborative project between the Krachler Lab at UTHealth Houston and a lab at MD Anderson. Together, the teams are investigating how cell division and death in epithelial tissue in the gut may drive bacterial infections like E. coli.

Nguyen, shown here working in the lab of GSBS faculty member Anne-Marie Krachler, PhD, is the recipient of the 2021 Investing in Student Futures Scholarship.

Faces. One Mission. in 2015, with 31 gifts from 19 donors, including a significant commitment from alumna Dianne K. Hammond, PhD ’89, and her husband Jim. Like Dianne, many supporters of the scholarship are alumni who want to honor the memory of an esteemed faculty member and support the next generation of biomedical scientists. “Contributing to this endowment each year is a way for me to extend Dr. Saunders’ legacy and give thanks for the opportunities he gave me,” says Stephen Hewitt, MD ’96, PhD ’95. Just as corn sprouts from the mountains of Guizhou, opportunities often bloom where seeds are planted. Gifts in support of the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship or other scholarships enable MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School to attract extraordinary students like Yanhong and Kim and empower them to branch out in pursuit of their dreams.

The ripple effect of the Investing in Student Futures Scholarship has only grown since the beginning of Many

“Scholarships at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School create opportunities for our graduate students to acquire the passion to demystify the unknown and the ability to transform discovery into lifesaving solutions,” says Michael R. Blackburn, PhD. “This sends a ripple through our communities, as our students go on to make major impacts on the treatment of diseases and improve lives.”

Learn how you can support the Graduate School at gsbs.uth.edu/give. 40

MANY FACES. ONE MISSION.

WHY GIVE BACK TO THE GSBS?

This photo featuring GSBS fellows and scholars was taken at the school’s 11th annual Evening of Discovery event held on Jan. 29, 2020, before the pandemic.

My interest in graduate education was fueled by my family growing up. My mother was a professor at Baylor College of Medicine where she ran a lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. I got to know many of her colleagues and students over the years and I always admired them because they were the smartest people I knew! I also was impressed by their ability to focus on long term goals when our world rewards short term results. They were patient and never seemed to give up in the face of a setback in the lab, of which there were numerous. It is the nature of the beast! When Russell and I started our Discovery Fellowships we wanted to support two students as they could hopefully work in related areas and they could benefit from collaborating with each other. During COVID, we didn’t want our support to lapse as we didn’t want to leave a student without the funding that had gotten them this far in their research. These students work on a long timeline already, and COVID has caused enough disruptions in their work day and schedule. We didn’t want financial insecurity to contribute to what is already a stressful situation. Let me know if you have any other questions as you go along. Our students have been written up in publications over the years so you might look for what has been written already! Diana Hawkins, GSBS supporter, Russell and Diana Hawkins Family Foundation Discovery Fellowship

For over 55 years, students and faculty at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School have pursued research that shapes tomorrow’s health care. Students have access to the resources and mentors they need to become outstanding research scientists. Here, they work with top faculty across UTHealth and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, creating unique opportunities to learn and grow. From advancing critical discovery science and translational research that improves the health and well-being of our communities to broadening our reach through community education programs that instill a passion for science, your support of Many Faces. One Mission. is your opportunity to commit to the promise, purpose, and progress our students embody. “The need for a steady pipeline of dedicated, curious, young scientists has never been clearer, and the Graduate School and its world-renowned faculty stand ready to educate and train those scientists, said Dean emeritus Michael R. Blackburn. “They graduate with a desire to demystify the unknown, the ability to advance scientific knowledge, and the drive to transform their discoveries into life-saving solutions. Many Faces. One Mission. will play a critical role in making this type of education and its attendant opportunities possible.” 41

EDITOR: Tracey Barnett DESIGN: Kelly Hamburg/ImageSet WRITERS: Carolyn Agurcia-Parker, DrPH Tracey Barnett Clayton Boldt, PhD Faith Harper John Kriescher Gillian Kruse Meredith Raine Emily Rech PHOTOGRAPHY Dwight C. Andrews Tracey Barnett Adolfo Chavez III Michael Craft

GSBS Special Report is published by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences All correspondence should be addressed to: Communications MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School P.O. Box 20334 Houston, TX 77225-0334 [email protected] Articles and photos may be only reprinted with permission. For information on supporting our programs, call 713-500-3118. The online version of this is available at go.uth.edu/GSBS-2022.

OUR LEADERSHIP Sharon Y.R. Dent, PhD Dean ad interim

Karen Weinberg Associate Dean for Management ad interim

William W. Mattox, PhD Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Education

Jeffrey A. Frost, PhD Assistant Dean of Graduate Education

Cherilynn R. Shadding, PhD Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Affairs

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The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is a joint venture of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) that offers PhD, MD/PhD, and MS degrees in many areas of study. Established in 1963, MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School is ranked among the best in the nation, according to the National Research Council assessment. Through Synergy in Science®, the school provides students with access to top research programs, curriculum that develops their potential, and training that prepares them for top positions across the biomedical workforce. VISION STATEMENT To create a collaborative and innovative academic environment that inspires and lays the foundation for new generations of biomedical scientists to realize their potential, commit to success, and make discoveries that have major impact on treatment of diseases worldwide. MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to maintain an innovative and diverse environment that provides an unprecedented breadth of opportunities for outstanding graduate students to train with leading biomedical scientists at MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston. The combined strengths of these institutions provide students with access to basic and translational scientific programs that are at the cutting edge of the fight to treat all major diseases. The curriculum is designed to give students rigorous exposure to critical thinking strategies, area-specific scientific skills, and career development initiatives. The curriculum, together with an emphasis on research training and scientific productivity, is designed to position our students for an outstanding and successful career in the biomedical sciences.

STAY CONNECTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL www

gsbs.uth.edu

@mdandersonuthgrad

@MDA_UTHGrad

go.uth.edu/MDA_UTHGradLinkedIn

mda_uthgrad

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SUPPORTING INNOVATION MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School equips the researchers of tomorrow with the education and training to turn discovery into life-saving solutions. From advanced cancer treatments to breakthroughs in heart surgery inventions, our students work with world-renowned faculty to use their education to improve lives around the world; won’t you join them in that pursuit? Learn how you can make a difference by visiting go.uth.edu/givetoGSBS.