UTMB Announcements for 10/13/2026

Subjects Needed for Infectious Disease Research

YOU CAN HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EMERGING PATHOGENS!

STUDY PURPOSE:

To collect samples such as blood and urine for the Biorepository for Severe Emerging Infections for researchers to use for future research.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

·        Anyone age 18 or older

·        With or without a diagnosis of an acute infection in the last 30 days

·        Those with well controlled chronic infections (like HIV) are encouraged to participate.

·        Pregnant & breastfeeding individuals are encouraged to participate

WHAT TO EXPECT:

·        One clinical visit lasting around 60 minutes involving taking a health history and collection of specimens.

·        Participants will be compensated for their time.

For more information and to discuss interest in the study, contact:

Malinda Ruelas              Charles Cass                 Study PI: Corri Levine

maruelas@utmb.edu         cocass@utmb.edu        cblevine@utmb.edu

409-772-0367                  409-772-0367              409-747-0234

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY IN GALVESTON

FOR THE GOURMET CUPBOARD BY JULI!!!

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!!!

   TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13^TH

  9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

JENNIE SEALY HOSPITAL – 2^ND FLOOR

BETWEEN P.J.’S COFFEE AND THE CSW

Cash, Debit Cards, MasterCard, Visa, Discover,

and American Express are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month.  Join the Workforce Risk Division and earn the code name objective of “The Gadget” by visiting the Infosec Cybersecurity Awareness Month website (beginning Monday 10/12/2026), receiving specialized training and participating in an interactive tabletop exercise.

Code name Objective: The Gadget

Role: Tech Specialist

Specialty: AI safety and deepfake detection

Motto: Keep your tools sharp…and your mind SHARPER.

See you next week, WRD Agents!

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, OCTOBER 15TH           

     AND

          FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16^TH

       CLEAR LAKE HOSPITAL

9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Cash, Debit Cards, MasterCard, Visa, Discover,

and American Express are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Seminar Presentation

"Harnessing Stress-Evolved Microbes to Promote Health Aging"

Ajay Bhat, Ph.D
Research Investigator
Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology
University of Michigan Medicine

Thursday, October 15, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
2.212 Basic Science Auditorium

 JOIN IPE TEAM TALK PODCAST

Elevating Voices. Empowering Teams.

Moderator

Dr. Ashley Parikh, EdD, MSHS, PTA
Director
Office of Interprofessional Education, Practice and Quality Enhancement Plan
Health Education Center

October 21, 2026, 9:00-10:30am

Location: Virtual MS Teams

Featured Guest

Dr. Jan-Jaap Reinders, PhD
University Medical Center Groningen
University of Groningen, Netherlands

Topic:

Extended Professional Identity Theory (EPIT) in Interprofessional Education and Practice

Register Here to Attend

                                                                     Earn Extra Money with Federal Work-Study!

Are you a student interested in earning extra money while attending school? Federal Work-Study is hiring!

Federal Work-Study offers students opportunities to work in various departments both on and off campus.

                                                                     Eligibility Requirements & Pay:

• FAFSA Requirement: You must have a 2026-2027 FAFSA on file and have federal financial need.
• Work Hours: Up to 19 hours per week.
• Hourly Pay: Varies
• Available Positions: Opportunities are available in various departments, with limited off-campus tutoring positions.

How to Apply:

Interested students can explore available opportunities by visiting the UTMB Careers website and searching for “Student FWS Titles.”

You can also stop by the Financial Aid Office to view a list of open positions.

Take advantage of this opportunity to earn money while gaining valuable work experience!

If you are interested in applying for any FWS position, please send an email to the contact information below.

 The email should include your contact info:

  Student ID#

 Name of position, and the 7-digit requisition #

Contact: Email: workstudy@utmb.edu         Phone: 409-772-1215 -optn#3

We are very excited to announce the first Epic Cosmos Datathon training on Thursday, October 29th at the Health Education Center (HEC). This one-day event will be in-person only & no virtual option will be offered. A laptop device with Cosmos connectivity is required to attend. Epic Cosmos is a massive, de-identified electronic health record research database maintained by Epic that combines clinical data from hundreds of participating health system to support medical research and patient care. Please submit the following form to reserve your spot! Seating is limited and contact Juan Artigas, Andrew Nugent, or Darwin VanDyke with any questions or insights. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration Due Friday: Epic Cosmos Datathon Training Event RSVP – Fill out form

On Thursday October 15, 2026 at the Health Education Center, the UTMB Police Department will be conducting "free basic" Bicycle Maintenance. The maintenance provided includes air in the tire and oil on the chain. The UTMB PD will also register bicycles. Registering bicycles helps to deter bicycle theft and it also aids law enforcement in the recovery of lost/stolen bicycles. Those registering their bicycles will receive a free U-lock and lights for their bicycles (while supplies last). The service will be held at 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and is provided to all UTMB Students, Faculty, and Staff. All are required to have valid identification and their UTMB ID badge. If you have any questions, please contact Corporal Dorsey at 409-772-2691.  

East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is offering opportunities for eligible veterans who are blind or have significant vision loss to receive Meta AI glasses at no cost, including hands-on setup and training. Find out more at East Texas Lighthouse

Vision Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Meta AI Glasses for Veterans program, applicants must experience significant visual impairment, including legal blindness or low vision, that interferes with daily living.

Some qualifying conditions may include macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, ocular or brain injury, stroke, or other conditions resulting in significant vision loss.

Legal Blindness

Best-corrected central visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

Low VIsion

Significant vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with ordinary glasses or contact lenses and affects safety, daily activities, or independence.

Applicants do not have to meet the definition of legal blindness to qualify. East Texas Lighthouse will review the vision documentation provided to determine eligibility.

Important: This is not a walk-in event. Veterans must apply in advance; approved applicants receive a scheduled appointment time. 

UTMB Pharmacy Department's Southeast Texas Poison Center is proud to host our first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  Join us Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the UTMB Galveston Campus Circle Drive between Levin Hall and the Moody Medical Library.

UTMB employees and members of the surrounding community can conveniently drive up and safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications without leaving their vehicles. Pharmacy professionals will also be on site to provide medication counseling and answer medication-related questions.

Clean out your medicine cabinet, reduce the risk of accidental poisonings and medication misuse, and help the UTMB Pharmacy Department build a safer, healthier community.

SPAN

Study of Pregnancy And Neonatal health (SPAN), pregnancy cohort investigating paternal contributions, placental/fetal genetics, and timing of delivery on neonatal health

What is the purpose of this study?

AIMS: This study will establish a cohort from multiple sites to collect common data elements and conduct a randomized trial among women with gestational diabetes.

(1) paternal cardiovascular health in association with fetal and neonatal outcomes accounting for maternal factors and pregnancy complications,

(2) fetal genetic and placental epigenetic markers influencing fetal growth and neonatal outcomes, and

(3) determining the optimal timing of delivery for women with gestational diabetes (GDM) with lowest risk to neonatal morbidity and perinatal mortality

Inclusion criteria:

1. Age ≥18 Years
2. Accurate gestational age as verified by ultrasound*
3. Verified GA* is <24 weeks, 0 days gestation at time of consent
4. English or Spanish speaker
5. Singleton gestation
6. Does not expect to terminate the pregnancy
7. Plans to deliver at the study site hospital
8. Ability to provide informed consent
9. Male partner willing to provide informed consent
10. Verified diagnosis of GDM with abnormal glucose levels or meeting other criteria for poor control

Please contact the study team at obgynrsu@utmb.eduor research coordinators: gaybarra@utmb.edu ,esvillaa@utmb.edu, scrobaze@utmb.edu

Continue the conversation at Session 4 of the UTMB DPRIT Forum Series.

Kevin Johnson, PhD, will present on the use of organoids to address scientific questions.

Dr. Dongmyung Oh will discuss his methods for single molecule imaging microscopy in living cells and how they could be applied to neuronal cells in future research.

Have a DPRIT-aligned idea of your own? Sign up for a 5-minute pitch to share your concept, connect with potential collaborators, and receive feedback from the UTMB research community.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/284406823585000?p=dcdu0CXxfOh0THLVn1

Meeting ID: 284 406 823 585 000

Passcode: Bq6aT7q5

Halloween is a fun time to get creative, connect with others, and enjoy seasonal traditions. This year, consider a few simple ways to reduce waste and make your celebration more sustainable.

1. Choose a Sustainable Costume

Many costumes are worn only once and are made from synthetic materials. Consider shopping at a thrift store, borrowing from friends or family, participating in a costume swap, or creating a costume using items you already own. These options can save money while reducing waste.

2. Compost Your Pumpkin

After Halloween, avoid sending pumpkins to the landfill. Instead, compost them or save the seeds for roasting. If your pumpkin has been carved, remove any candles, lights, or decorations before composting. Painted pumpkins should not be composted.

3. Decorate with Reuse in Mind

Select decorations that can be used year after year, such as items made from fabric, wood, or durable materials. Natural decorations like pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, and autumn leaves can add seasonal charm and can often be composted when the season ends.

Small choices can make a meaningful difference. By reducing waste and reusing materials whenever possible, we can all help create a more sustainable Halloween.  Happy Halloween from the UTMB Campus Waste Department!

CLEAR LAKE CAMPUS

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

Please come out and welcome our newest vendor to UTMB!

Wreaths By Gunny creates wreaths, door decor, lanterns, garland, and

tabletop décor to make your doors and living spaces more beautiful.

Wreaths By Gunny creates these beauties for all holidays and

everyday decor as well.  Each piece would be a great gift

for a loved one or a friend, or maybe for yourself.

       TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13^TH     

 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

AND

        WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14^TH     

 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

                                    1^st FLOOR – MAIN LOBBY

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

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

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, a great selection of scrubs at great prices, electronics, and more.

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12^TH

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14^TH  

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16^TH  

8:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

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

AND

LEAGUE CITY HOSPITAL ENTRYWAY (ACROSS FROM THE PHARMACY)

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

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

If you have:

Allergic rhinitis, asthma, or no allergies

Age between 7-25 years old

Men and women

Have not received allergy shots

Are not taking an antihistamine within two weeks

Have been tested for allergy (skin tests or ImmunoCAP), or not have any history of allergies

Are willing to donate nasal wash

You may be eligible to participate in our study.

Successful participants will be compensated for their time and effort.

If interested, please contact

Terumi Midoro-Horiuti

(409) 772 3832

tmidoro@utmb.edu

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

Weekly Anchor ⚓

This week's Anchor: Dispersing the Shadows

Conquering personal anxiety and hidden fears by stepping directly into the light of God's truth.

As a child, Leo was terrified of the basement. He was convinced that something monstrous lurked in the far corner behind the water heater. Every time his mother asked him to grab a jar of preserves, he would sprint down the stairs, grab the jar in a panic, and race back up, his heart hammering. One afternoon, his father noticed his fear. Taking Leo by the hand, his father walked him slowly down into the basement. He didn't just stand at the stairs; he walked Leo straight to the terrifying dark corner and turned on a small, clip-on utility light. The "monster" was simply an old, discarded winter coat hanging crookedly on a rack. The moment the light hit it, the fear vanished instantly.

Fear thrives in secret, unexamined places. Our anxieties, doubts, and shame grow into monsters in the dark. Darkness is merely the absence of light. When we intentionally bring our deepest worries to God and look at them through the lens of His promises, they lose their power.

What is a specific fear or worry you have been running away from or trying to ignore? Write it down on a piece of paper. Underneath it, write out a Scripture of promise, goal (like Joshua 1:9 or Psalm 23). Physically cross out the worry with a heavy marker as an act of surrender.

Father, you are my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? I bring my hidden anxieties out of the dark and lay them at your feet. Teach me to trust your character more than my circumstances. Pierce the shadows of my mind with your perfect peace. Amen.

Moment of Hope

🦻Listen to today's Moment of Hope entitled “You Presence Matters,” by Henry Quintana, Chaplain at UTMB’s Galveston campus. We pray it encourages you today.

Religious Observances

• Navaratri - Hinduism: Continues through October 11–20, 2026. This festival honors the Divine Mother (Durga) in her various forms with prayers, traditional dances, and fasting.
• Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) - Judaism: Continues from the evening of October 12 through October 18, 2026. It commemorates the 40-year journey of the Israelites in the desert and God's provision.
• Mawlid al-Nabi (Eid Milad un-Nabi) - Islam: Begins at sundown on October 18, 2026 (continuing into October 19), marking the traditional observance of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

Indulge in a Culinary Adventure at Our Cafe!

We're thrilled to serve our latest menu offerings that promise to tantalize your taste buds and ignite your culinary curiosity! Get ready to embark on a journey of flavor exploration with the freshest ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.

Click the link below to explore our tantalizing menu options for this week:

Food & Nutrition (utmb.edu)