UTMB Announcements for 5/25/2026

THE DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY

PROUDLY PRESENTS 

THE BOHDAN R. NECHAY, PHD LECTURESHIP IN PHARMACOLOGY

Vasanthi Jayaraman, Ph.D.

John S. Dunn Professor and Casey Chair

Chair Ad-interim

Department of Biochemistry and Mol. Biology

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, TX

“Structure-dynamics of glutamate receptors”

Friday, May 29, 2026

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Basic Science Building, 2.212 Auditorium

Hosted by: Pharmacology and Toxicology Scholar Organization

Ask a Career Strategist: Become the Employee They Can’t Afford to Lose

May 28 | 1:00 PM CT | Virtual

Join this interactive “no-filter” Q&A session focused on the habits and strategies that help employees stand out, increase their value, and build long-term career success. Ideal for individuals starting new roles or looking to strengthen their job security and professional influence.

This opportunity is brought to the UTMB community through the GSBS Writing Studio’s partnership with Indeed Job Search Academy.

Register for Ask a Career Strategist

Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 Nicholas and Katherine Leone Award for Administrative Excellence.  This award recognizes managers/supervisors who display the highest degree of professionalism and come with a $7,500 monetary prize - $2,500 for the winning manager/supervisor and $5,000 for the development and training of their department/unit.  The deadline for nominations is May 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.  See UTMB Employee Advisory Council website to learn more about the award or to submit a nomination. 

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

Weekly Anchor⚓

Today’s Anchor encourages you to reflect on your daily "why." When the hospital halls get chaotic, remember that your dedication provides a safe haven for the community. The sacrifices you make to keep a patient breathing, comfortable, or informed are a continuation of the spirit of selflessness we celebrate today. Honor the fallen by recognizing that your service breathes hope into the lives you touch.

To keep the spirit of community and resilience strong, implement this actionable care plan in your department:

• Create a "Wall of Gratitude": Hang a bulletin board where staff can post anonymous notes of appreciation for one another or write the names of patients who inspired them.
• Establish a Buddy System: Pair newer staff members with veterans of your unit to encourage peer-to-peer check-ins, mentoring, and emotional venting.
• Mandate "Brain Breaks": Encourage a culture where stepping away for a 10-minute quiet break without looking at patient charts is not just allowed, but enforced and respected.

Dear Lord,

Today, we lift up our hospital staff—the doctors, nurses, technicians, and support personnel who serve on the frontlines of healing. Lord, grant them the spirit of endurance, bravery, and selflessness. When they are weary, be their strength. When decisions are heavy, be their wisdom. When they are overwhelmed by loss or exhaustion, wrap them in Your peace. Bless their hands as they bring comfort to the sick. Bless their minds with clarity and compassion, and bless their families at home who share in the burden of their calling. Keep our team united, resilient, and deeply appreciated. May they always feel the magnitude and holiness of the work they do. In Your holy and healing name, we pray. Amen.

Moment of Hope

🦻Listen to today's Moment of Hope entitled “Memorial Day” by Enrique (Henry) Quintana , Chaplain at UTMB’s Galveston campus. We pray it encourages you today.

Religious Observances/ Holidays this Week

May 24 – Buddhist: Buddha’s Birthday - Celebrates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.

May 27 – Islamic: Eid-al-Adha - Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.

May 29 – Baha’i: Ascension of Baha’u’llah - Commemorates the passing of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.

Interested in contributing to important blood platelet research?

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch want to learn more about how mechanical force regulates platelet function, and whether mechanobiology can be used to better treat arterial thrombosis.

This study may be a good fit for you if:

You are at least 18 years old and non-pregnant (if a woman).

No history of trypanophobia or anemia.

What’s involved?

Only 1 visit in total, for about 20 minutes, where you will have a small-amount blood donation.

The collected blood volume will be 3-30 ml (venous blood draw).

There is no cost to you and you will be compensated for your time and participation.

This study is not testing any drugs or treatments.

The research will take place at the 5th floor of Waverly Smith Pavilion, Jennie Sealy Hospital.

Purpose in Play: UTMB Kickball Tournament invites employees from across the UTMB community to participate in a fun, wellness-focused event designed to promote camaraderie, teamwork, and institutional pride. Inspired by the excitement of FIFA World Cup month, the tournament will feature a spirited, family-friendly atmosphere with teams representing campuses, schools, and operational areas across UTMB.

Event Information
Saturday, June 13, 2026

Alumni Fields – Galveston Campus

• Check-In Time: 7:30am
• Opening Remarks/Warm Up: 8:00am
• First Games Begin: 8:30 AM
• Awards Ceremony: 12:30 PM

Registration Deadline: May 27, 2026

Employees interested in playing are encouraged to contact their Employee Advisory Council (EAC) representative. A list of representatives can be found at UTMB Employee Advisory Council.

One 12-member team will be formed in each of the following areas:

• Galveston Campus Health System
• League City Campus
• Angleton Danbury Campus
• Clear Lake Campus
• Correctional Managed Care
• Ambulatory
• School of Nursing
• Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• School of Medicine
• School of Health Professions
• School of Public and Population Health
• Institutional Support

Employees are encouraged to attend, cheer on their teams, and enjoy the event festivities. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and coolers to enhance their experience and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.

Inhaled/Intranasal SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

· 18-64 years old

· Must have completed primary series and at least 1 booster of an approved COVID-19 vaccine

· Able to attend 8 in-clinic visits and be available for 1 telephone call over 6 months

· No significant respiratory history (asthma, allergies requiring nasal rinse)

· Compensation for time and travel provided

For information contact Robert Cox, RN Email: roacox@utmb.edu sivsctp@utmb.edu

Tel: (409) 772-5278

Dear UTMB Colleagues,

We are excited to share that UTMB is a proud partner of the Texas Brain Economy Summit, taking place on June 9 and 10, 2026, at Helix Park in the Texas Medical Center.

This inaugural summit brings together global leaders across neuroscience, artificial intelligence, healthcare, venture capital, and policy to advance one of the fastest-growing sectors: the brain economy.
 

Register here: Texas Brain Economy Summit - Brain Capital HTX

Why attend:

Hear from global leaders in brain health, AI, and investment
Engage in cross-sector collaboration opportunities
Help shape the future of brain health innovation and policy
 

This is a unique opportunity to represent UTMB at a high-impact, global-facing event aligned with our leadership in brain health and the Brain Economy initiative.
 

We encourage you to register early as space is limited.

For more details, please contact: UTMB Office of Innovation & Commercialization | innovate@utmb.edu

DEADLINE EXTENDED FROM MAY 20, 2026 TO JUNE 1, 2026!

Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA)

Request for Applications: Mentored Pilot Awards

Applications Due: June 1, 2026

Award Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

The Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA), through the Institute for Translational Sciences (ITS) at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), will provide pilot funding for joint projects among its Alliance partners – UTMB, Houston Methodist (HM), Texas Southern University (TSU), and the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL). These awards will provide funding to address challenges commonly found in patients from Southeast Texas that impact overall health and well-being.

Four awards of $25,000 each are available to support a mentor and mentee at each Alliance partner institution. Priority will be given to projects that address emergency preparedness, safety and effectiveness, and removal of barriers to advance clinical translational research. More specifically, projects must address a translational science question so that generalizable solutions can further research and must also include a plan for team science (see RFA for more information). The proposed project must be for a new pilot study and therefore must differentiate from any existing funding.

Innovative solutions need to address key issues that involve public health, emergency preparedness, and removal of barriers to enhance the science of translation. The proposal needs to justify how the project will address translational science challenges. Eligible projects can include in vitro, in silico, animal studies, and clinical studies, as well as bench-top testing of new diagnostics or therapeutics.

Who should apply?

This is a pilot award for faculty who are new investigators (defined as having not received a R01 or equivalent award) interested in pursuing translational science. Faculty investigators (mentee) must identify a mentor and a co-mentor (note: co-mentors should be from a different Alliance partner institution). Only one application can be submitted from the same mentor-mentee team. Priority will be given to projects with established working relationships, e.g., previous relationships with a mentor.

For more information and complete submission instructions, please download the RFA here. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2026. Late and/or incomplete applications and applications not following the specified format will not be reviewed.

Questions? Email us at CTSA@utmb.edu.

DEADLINE EXTENDED FROM MAY 20, 2026 TO JUNE 1, 2026

Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA)

Request for Applications: Alliance Pilot Awards

Applications Due: June 1, 2026

Award Period: July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027

The Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA), through the Institute for Translational Sciences (ITS) at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), will provide pilot funding for joint projects among its Alliance partners – UTMB, Houston Methodist (HM), Texas Southern University (TSU), and the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL). These awards will provide funding and expertise to address challenges commonly found in patients from Southeast Texas that impact overall health and well-being.

Up to two awards ($50,000 each) are available to support investigator-initiated studies. The primary goal is to use pilot funds for future extramurally funded joint collaborative projects. Priority will be given to innovative projects that address emergency preparedness, safety and effectiveness, and removal of barriers to advance clinical translational research. More specifically, the joint projects must address a translational science question so that generalizable solutions can further research. Projects must also include a plan for team science (see RFA for more information). The proposed project must be for a new pilot study and therefore must differentiate from existing funding.

Innovative solutions need to address key issues that involve public health, emergency preparedness, and removal of barriers to enhance the science of translation. The proposal needs to justify how the project will address translational science challenges. Eligible projects can include in vitro, in silico, animal studies, and clinical studies, as well as bench-top testing of new diagnostics or therapeutics.

Who should apply?

This is a collaborative project that must include Co-PIs from at least two Alliance partner institutions. Faculty from any partner institution can apply. Only one application can be submitted from the same Co-PI team. Priority will be given to projects with established working relationships, e.g., collaborative teams.

For more information and complete submission instructions, please download the RFA here. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2026. Late and/or incomplete applications and applications not following the specified format will not be reviewed.

Questions? Email us at CTSA@utmb.edu.

Join us for a Texas RCMAR (Resource Center on Minority Aging Research) presentation online on May 26, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Konrad H. Stopsack, MD MPH, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, BIPS in Bremen, Germany, will present, "Reproducibility and Integrity in Observational Research: A Research Community Approach."

Join us for a hybrid UTMB Pepper Center Investigators Lecture on May 26, 2026, at noon. Shalender Bhasin, MB, BS, Harvard Medical School, will present, "Targeting Skeletal Muscle to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults".

Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Time: 12:00-1:00pm

Location: Rebecca Sealy 6.100 & via TEAMS

(lunch provided for those in person, first come, first served)

Join the meeting now

Ready to elevate your writing beyond a single manuscript? Learn how partnering with an author’s editor can transform not only your work—but your confidence as a writer.

In this engaging 2-hour virtual session, open to UTMB Faculty, you will:

• Gain insider insight into the role of an author’s editor and how to leverage their expertise
• Learn practical strategies for collaborating effectively at every stage of the writing process
• Turn editorial feedback into a powerful tool for long-term writing success

Facilitated by:
Rachel Walden, MS, ELS
Johns Hopkins University

📅Date: June 4, 2026
⏰Time: 8:00 – 10:00 AM
💻Location: Zoom

Spots are limited—secure yours today: https://utmb.questionpro.com/t/AbwAJZ8Are

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

Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026

The McLaughlin and T32 Training Grant Fellowship Committee requests new applications for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships. Fellowship research must be in infectious diseases and immunology. Approved fellowships will provide up to two years of funding beginning Sept. 1, 2026.

Application packages are available via the McLaughlin Endowment website at www.utmb.edu/mclaughlin. Please note that the same predoctoral application forms are used to apply for McLaughlin Fellowships and T32 trainee positions.

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to McLaughlin.IHII@utmb.edu.

Applications are due Friday, May 29, at 5:00 p.m.

Make sure you keep a copy of your email sent receipt that includes the attachment as confirmation of your submission.

** Please note that, as stated in the application instructions,it is imperative that both the applicant and the mentor(s) read all instructions carefully and follow them exactly.

Applications which do not strictly adhere to the instructions will be rejected without review. **