UTMB Announcements for 12/4/2025

On Tuesday, Dec.9th, the Employee Health Clinics will be closing in the morning at both locations while we celebrate upcoming holidays. We appreciate your understanding. We will resume normal operations at 1:00pm that day.

Thinking about retirement? The Human Resources Benefits Center is hosting a virtual Optional Retirement Program of Texas (ORP) informational session on:

Friday, December 12, 2025, from 2:00pm – 3:00pm

This session will cover retirement benefits eligibility, required documentation, and other important critical items. To register for this retirement session, please click on the link below.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email, which will be saved to your Outlook calendar.

Optional Retirement Program of Texas Benefits Information Session

The UT SELECT medical plan, administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, provides a full range of services to care for you and your family.

The plan includes preventive check-ups and screenings with no out-of-pocket expenses when you visit in-network providers. Using in-network providers is one of the most effective ways to manage your health care costs, and you can save even more if you choose UT Health Network physicians.

The plan also offers well-being programs designed to support your overall quality of life.

If you have not explored your plan features recently, now is a great time to take another look at what is available. Click here to review your benefits.

Helpful Tools & Resources
Your coverage through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas includes tools and resources to help you make the most of your UT SELECT medical plan.

Blue Access for Members is a secure online platform that provides 24/7 access to your plan information. Once you set up an account, you can:

• Check the status of your claims
• View and print Explanation of Benefits
• Confirm the dependents covered under your plan
• Find in-network doctors and hospitals
• Compare provider costs for common services and procedures
• Request a new or replacement ID card
• Sign up for email or text alerts

Click here to register and begin using your account.

With the BCBSTX Mobile App, you can even access your plan details right from your phone. The app lets you share your digital ID card and search for in-network providers wherever you are. It is available for both iPhone and Android users. Click here to learn more and download the app.

The Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences is looking for Healthy Adult Volunteers

· 18-49 years old

· No previous Pneumonia Vaccine (Prevnar, Pneumovax)

· Interested in taking part in a Phase I, First in Human, Pneumococcal Vaccine Study

· Able to attend 9 in-clinic visits and be available for 4 telephone calls over approximately 13 months

For information contact Andrea Baker, BSN Email: anebaker@utmb.edu sivsctp@utmb.edu

Thinking about retirement?

The HR Benefits Center is hosting a virtual TRS informational session on:

Friday December 12, 2025, from 10:00am – 11:00am

This session will cover retirement benefit eligibility, required documentation,

and other critical items. To register for this retirement session, please click on the link below. 

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email, which will be saved to your Outlook calendar.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas Benefits Information Session

UTMB Pediatrics Grand Rounds

Friday, December 5, 2025, 8:00 – 9:00 AM (Central Time)

Virtual: Microsoft Teams

Meeting ID: 284 336 641 645 32; Passcode: u7wq3s7M

Dial in by phone

+1 409-240-0721,,440166695#

Cindy Canales, MS, CGC

Nneka Ogbonnaya, MS, CGC

Jenny Do, MS, CGC

Pediatric Medical Genetics & Metabolism

Department of Pediatrics

University of Texas Medical Branch

Challenges & Considerations with Genetic Testing & Counseling

Objectives:Following this session, participants should be able to

• Overview of the role of genetic counselors and genetic counseling in pediatric patient care
• Exploring unique clinical and psychosocial considerations of genetic counseling
• Navigating uncertain genetic results and how to interpret them in the clinical setting

Each week the Pastoral Care Department brings you a Moment of Hope and a Weekly Anchor to encourage you. 

Weekly Anchor ⚓

December is filled with many holiday celebrations. This week we highlight Advent. Advent is observed by many Christian denominations, and begins on November 30^th and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24^th. In many churches and homes a circle of candles is placed on a table and one candle is lit each week representing one theme of the season.

🌟Week 1 – Hope: Advent begins with hope—God is the light in our darkness.

🕊Week 2 – Peace: God brings peace to troubled hearts and reconciliation to the world.

😊Week 3 – Joy: Advent joy reminds us to rejoice in the good news of the holiday season.

❤️Week 4 – Love: God’s love is revealed in the gifts we give, and the gifts we receive...

Moment of Hope

Listen to today's Moment of Hope entitled, “God of Comfort,” read by one of our UTMB Chaplains. May it encourage you today.

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 13:15)

NOW TAKING APPOINTMENTS!

 Need help designing your research study? Assistance in generating or retrieving data?

Guidance with the analysis of your collected data? Other biostatistics, bioinformatics, or health informatics assistance?

 Highly qualified experts in these areas are available for consultation at NO COST* during the

 Institute for Translational Sciences

Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Studio

* Additional services are available; fees may apply.

 3rd Monday of each month

1:00pm-2:00pm

6.110 Research Building 6

Consultations are by appointment only.

To schedule: https://utmb.us/8e2

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Presents Speaker:

Wah Chiu, PhD

Wallenberg-Bienenstock Professor

Director, Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging

SLAC National Accelerator Lab

Stanford University

“Cryogenic Electron Imaging of Macromolecules, Cells and Tissues”

Thursday, December 4, 2025

4:00 p.m.

Basic Science Auditorium, Rm 2.212

or

Via Zoom:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1607460318?pwd=Jd8LCuuURt57mL8g9x1ZfhJauL393s.1

Meeting ID: 160 746 0318
Passcode: 472184

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS WELCOME

HOSTED BY:

Michael Sherman, PhD

COME OUT AND VISIT GRACE ANNA’S BOUTIQUE!

Grace Anna’s Boutique offers $6. jewelry and much more – including

necklace sets, rings, bracelets, earrings, fashion accessories,

scarves, dresses, tops, electronics, and more.

They’re also having a Lavish Linens Sale to include sheet sets and bamboo pillows.

      WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3^RD     

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

        THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4^TH       

7:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

   FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5^TH  

7:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

JENNIE SEALY HOSPITAL – 2^ND FLOOR

BETWEEN P.J.’s COFFEE AND THE CSW

Cash, debit cards, and credit cards are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

The Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program Presents

“Histamine production as a novel virulence trait”

By

Blake Neil

PhD Candidate

Mentor:Ashok Chopra, PhD CSc

Research Interests:

Microbiology, bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial virulence, molecular virulence mechanisms

Friday, December 5, 2025

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

HEC 3.206

COME OUT AND VISIT BEYOND BLING

AT THE CLEAR LAKE CAMPUS!

Beyond Bling Boutique offers lots of bling fashion jewelry ranging

from $3.00 - $25.00, including bracelets, charm necklaces, rings,

earrings, fashion headbands, bows, freshies, diffusers

(for your car), and wristlets as well.

  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3^RD  

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4^TH

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5^th

9:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

1^ST FLOOR – MAIN LOBBY

Credit cards, Debit cards, Cash App, and Venmo are accepted.

Proceeds benefit Patient and Volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

LEAGUE CITY HOSPITAL ENTRYWAY

The Gourmet Cupboard sells dry ingredients that, when mixed with wet ingredients,

make full meals, entrees, sides, soups, breads, dips, beverages, crock pot meals, etc. 

They also sell salsas, pickles, and spreads from Crosby, TX.

Easily plan your weekly meals!!!

     THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4^TH     

AND

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5^TH

8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

LEAGUE CITY HOSPITAL ENTRYWAY

Cash, Debit Cards, MasterCard, Visa, Discover,

and American Express are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

K’S CREATIONS WILL BE IN LEAGUE CITY

 TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND FRIDAY!

Drop by and visit with the nice folks from K’s Creations and you’ll find an easy and

  convenient way to shop for great gifts or something uplifting for yourself.

 Discover a fun assortment including women’s clothing and accessories, scarves,

fashion jewelry, a large selection of new merchandise, and clearance items to

 choose from for yourself, your family, and all of your friends.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2^ND

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3^RD  

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4^TH

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5^TH   

9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS (CLINIC SIDE) – 1^ST FLOOR

Cash, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

The Community of Research Administration Leaders (CORAL) provides continuing education on all research administration topics.  It is open to all UTMB employees whose responsibilities bring them into contact with any aspect of research administration.

Thursday, December 4 from 10 - 11:00 am

Virtual: Microsoft Teams

Topics:

• AI and Research - Darwin VanDyke, Director - Administrative IS
• Grant Proposal Services Update - Matt Lakich, Asst Director- Office of Grant Development & Spt
• NIH/Sponsor Updates
• Research Administration Updates

Join the CORAL meeting using this link:  https://utmb.us/byn

To receive calendar invite with meeting link, register at https://research.utmb.edu/register

(FY2026)

Short-term Seed Funds targeting DPRIT

Background:

The purpose of the IHII Short-term Seed Funds Program is to support innovative research projects for team building and proposal development targeting the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). Modeled on the successful CPRIT program, DPRIT aims to position Texas as a leader in dementia-related research and innovation.  The initiative is backed by a proposed $3 billion from state general revenue over 10 years, with up to $300 million allocated annually. Texas voters have approved the constitutional amendment (Proposition 14) in the November 2025 election for DPRIT.  

It is expected that when needed, core facilities at the UTMB will be used. Requests for equipment and travel must be highly justified and should be part of the work plan (i.e., not to attend scientific conferences). Funding research taking place outside of the UTMB campus must be well justified. Funds may not be used for tenure-track faculty salary or for indirect costs.

This IHII initiative will support UTMB faculty in constructing competitive proposals for the state’s DPRIT initiative to accelerate dementia research and prevention. The purpose of each grant is to support refining of the proposal, which fosters innovative approaches to address the growing dementia crisis that affects many Texans. 

Funds available:

$30,000, primarily to be used for data acquisition. All funds must be spent before August 15, 2026. 

Important dates:

• Announcement date:                              December 2, 2025
• Application due date:                              December 8, 2025
• Anticipated review date:                         December 15, 2025
• Anticipated funding period:                  January 1, 2026, to August 15, 2026

Eligibility:

All UTMB employees with a faculty title are eligible.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who will develop collaborative, inter-disciplinary/inter-departmental projects.

Principal investigator (PI) must not have already received funding for the proposed project from other intramural or extramural resources; all related, pending proposals must be disclosed in your application.

Application instructions: Two pages maximum for sections 1-5

1. Title
2. Names, affiliation, and expertise of the PI and collaborators as relevant to proposal.
3. Specific aims of the project that are planned.
4. A description of how the proposed research will strengthen the DPRIT research application and benefit the infectious disease and immunology research program.
5. Requested budget and proposed use of funds.
6. Literature cited: Please keep it brief and relevant.
7. Bio sketch(es). Follow NIH format and include ‘Other Support’ (active and pending grants) and address any overlap.
8. If applicant has been funded by IHII grant programs in last three years, attach the progress report(s).

Grant Submission:  Please submit the proposal in a single pdf file by email to mclaughlin.ihii@utmb.edu. Please name your file as Last Name-DPRIT (e.g., Smith-DPRIT).

Important Considerations

• The proposed grants will not supplement or replace externally funded research projects. It is incumbent upon the PI to address the relationship between the proposed research and ongoing projects, and to convince the reviewers that successful completion of the proposed experiments will have a reasonable likelihood of attracting new grant support/collaborations. Reviewers will critically evaluate proposals for scientific merit and the potential to attract new funding.
• If you have received a grant from IHII in the past, then progress reports will be reviewed to assess your past productivity.
• A condition of the award is the submission of a DPRIT grant. An abstract of a submitted grant can be used as this final report.

For information or answers to specific questions, please contact Ms. Marcela Lopez (mblopez@utmb.edu) or Dr. Nisha J Garg (E: nigarg@utmb.edu).