UTMB Announcements for 3/25/2026

• Google Chrome is recommended, but any browser should work provided Flash in enabled.
• If paying by PO, select “Pay with PO#”. Please do not include taxes when paying with a PO. Please get with your department’s administrative support for assistance with submitting your PO.
• If paying online, select “Pay Online”.
• Your email address is required to receive a confirmation.
• To avoid late fees, orders must be submitted by March 29, 2026.

The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases proudly presents:

Stacey D. Gilk, PhD
Associate Professor
Departments of Pathology and Microbiology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE

Presenting:

“Subverting Organelle Crosstalk: Metabolic Control and Niche Formation in Intracellular Infection ”

as part of the
Infectious Diseases & Immunity Colloquium
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
12:00pm-1:00pm
2.212 Basic Science Auditorium

All interested persons are encouraged to attend!

Sponsored by: The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases,
the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Center for Tropical Diseases

Learn how to build an AI agent in the Microsoft Power Platform User Group using Microsoft Copilot Studio — no code required.

Join us April 8 at 11:00 AM at our next monthly meeting on Microsoft Teams.

• The core building blocks of an agent
• Testing and publishing
• How to build agents without writing any code
• Where Copilot Studio fits within the Power Platform ecosystem

Who Should Attend

Anyone curious about AI, Power Platform, or Copilot Studio — no prior experience required.

CLEAR LAKE CAMPUS

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, MARCH 23^RD

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

 THURSDAY, MARCH 26^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

 FRIDAY, MARCH 27^TH

8:30 A.M. – 2:00 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!

The UTMB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation will hold our third annual Orthopaedic Research Forum on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Levin Hall on the Galveston Campus.

We invite anyone conducting musculoskeletal-related research to submit an abstract for consideration. Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to present their research at the event.

The person submitting the abstract must be the presenting author. There is no registration fee. For abstract submission instructions and application: https://forms.office.com/r/MM3tDQL1eC.

The submission deadline is April 20, 2026.

Contact: Aaron Quintanilla            Email: aaquinta@utmb.edu

For: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation          Phone: X75750

Yes! Digital accessibility is for everyone. We all create digital content and need to learn the basics of digital accessibility.

Anything created or consumed electronically (needs to be made accessible, for example:

• Email
• Office productivity documents (Word, Excel, PDFs, presentations, etc.)
• Digital Images
• Teams chats
• Online meetings (Teams, Zoom, etc.)
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc)
• Videos (Microsoft Stream, Panopto, YouTube, etc.)
• and more!

From March 23-27, 2026, join Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) East as we celebrate National AHEC Week. We'll bring valuable sessions designed to deliver these benefits to you as a participant:

• Your gateway to healthcare careers
• Connect with the Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
• Meet mentors
• Enter for a chance to win prizes
• As an AHEC Scholar, receive a $500 stipend your first year
• As an AHEC Scholar, receive $1,000 stipend your second year
• Assistance with job placement

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Year 2 Projects Informational Session: From Idea to Impact

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 HEC 3.200

• Event for Enrolled 1st year Scholars
• Food provided

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Texas AHEC East — Your Health Career Wingman Info Session

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 HEC 3.200

• Food provided

Friday, March 27, 2026

End Your Week the AHEC Way

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 SON/SHP Building Lobby

• AHEC Scholars Recruitment

UTMB’s Institute for Translational Sciences (ITS) and the Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA) invite you to participate in a conversation on The Value of Primary Care for Island Whole Health: A Community Conversation.    

Location: MOD Coffeehouse, 2126 Post Office Street, Galveston

Date/Time: Thursday, April 9, 2026;  5:30-6:30pm    

This conversation features Kendall M. Campbell, MD, FAAFP, Professor and Chair, Sealy Hutchings and Lucille Wright Hutchings Chair, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, Primary Care Center for Galveston Island Whole Health, UTMB; and Carmela Dailey, Director of Business Operations, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, UTMB.

Please join us as we explore and discuss the current knowledge and research related to primary care. 

Please RSVP to Krista Bohn at krbohn@utmb.edu.

Light refreshments will be provided. 

SCI Café (where Science and Communities Interact) is a community dialogue about science, health and possibilities among community members, researchers and scientists. The purpose is to engage and connect community members with science and science with the local community. Topics for SCI Cafés are driven by community learning interests and discovery from UTMB faculty.

🎉 March Madness, Spring Savings & Easter Deals at Our Optical Shop! 🕶️🌸

Get ready to refresh your look this season with some fantastic savings from our Optical Retail Shop!

🏀 March Madness Special (Now – March 29)

Enjoy 50% OFF all additional pairs when you purchase lenses with anti-glare—perfect for a backup pair or a new style!

🌼 Spring Deal (Now – April 4)
Save 30% OFF a complete pair of glasses and step into the season with clear vision and style.

🌷 Easter Deals (Starting March 27 through April 6)
Take 20% OFF non-prescription sun frames—just in time for sunny spring days!

Don’t miss out—these limited-time offers are the perfect opportunity to update your eyewear!

Visit our Optical Shop and take advantage of these great deals while they last!

📍 Locations and Hours:

• Eye Center, Galveston
  700 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77550
  (409) 747-5823 | Open 8 AM – 5 PM
• Eye Center, Texas City
  10121 Emmett F Lowry Expy., Texas City, TX 77591
  (409) 978-4315 | Open 8 AM – 5 PM

Need an updated prescription? Call 409-747-5800 for an appointment to schedule your annual comprehensive eye exam at one of our UTMB Health Eye Center locations in Galveston, Texas City, League City and Friendswood.

The Caregiver Connection support group will meet on Friday, March 27 from 12:00 – 1:00pm.  Join us by Zoom or phone.   

The Caregiver Connection is a support group for family members and friends of people with Alzheimer's or other dementia.  The group is a safe, welcoming place to ask questions, learn about caring for someone with dementia and get tips for caregiver self-care. 

Sign In  ZOOM ONLY Meeting link (4th Fridays): https://alz-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/LyCk112BTPy9c95TnavyGQ 

OR  Phone Call to join the meeting  1- (346) 248-7799  or Toll Free  888-788-0099        Meeting ID:  929 2227 3585  Passcode:  382699                                                       

OR Call the Alzheimer's Association HelpLine to register at 800-272-3900

FIRST TIME ATTENDEES -SIGN IN with ALL requested information.  Email Alice Williams alwillia@utmb.edu for more info.  

PREVIOUS ATTENDEES – SIGN IN ONLY with name, email, zip code and preference on receiving Alz. Association emails.   
After sign in, check your email for a link to join the meeting.

Meeting facilitators:  Alice Williams, MS, LBSW  UTMB Sealy Center on Aging and Virginia Pixley, LMSW, UTMB Social Worker

Caregiver support group meetings are sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter. 

Research participants as ‘pioneers’? Exploring how neurotechnology research is adapting the rhetoric of scientific risk-taking, exploration and trailblazing

Speaker:

Andrew Ivan Brown, PhD

Research Fellow

Centre for Biomedicine, Self, and Society | Usher Institute

University of Edinburgh Medical School

March 26, 2026

Noon to 1:00p.m. presentation

Lunch on a first come first serve basis

Location: HEC 3.206

Abstract: The theme of pioneers charting new frontiers has long been a staple of scientific and technological discourse in the United States. Scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs perceived as doing groundbreaking work are lauded as pioneers in their fields. In recent years, the application of the pioneer label has expanded to include research participants in clinical trials for neurotechnologies such as Neuralink or other brain-computer interface (BCI) devices: ‘BCI pioneers.’ What might explain this new popular usage of the pioneer label? Drawing on the sociology of expectations and novelty, I first explore how American science policy in the mid twentieth century exploited the mythos of the American frontier as a way of mobilizing public interest in scientific and technological innovation on a mass scale. I then complicate this sociological framing by attending to less explored usages of frontier rhetoric: the application of the pioneer label to patients in biomedical studies, and in the lived experiences of present-day BCI pioneers. Far from strictly mobilizing support for scientific and technological innovation, such rhetoric, I argue, helps to mobilize support for the research participants themselves, by calling attention to the novelty of their participatory practices, and acknowledging their contributions to science. I frame my argument as an example of the generative value of bridging sociological inquiry with neuroethical sensitivities.

BOOKS AND GIFTS AT GREAT SAVINGS!

Come out and visit Angela’s Books and Gifts.  With great titles at

unbelievable prices, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list! 

Product categories include Children’s Story Books, Cookbooks, General Interest

Books, New York Times Best Sellers, Stationery, Scrapbooking, Music Collections,

Early Learning Products, Children’s Educational Products, and gifts for all ages.

Enjoy first run, top-quality products from various world leading publishers!

        WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25^TH         

9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

AND

          THURSDAY, MARCH 26^TH         

9:00 A.M. – 3:00 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!

K’S CREATIONS WILL BE IN LEAGUE CITY

 WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY!

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.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25^TH

AND

THURSDAY, MARCH 26^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!

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, MARCH 26^TH           

AND

       FRIDAY, MARCH 27^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!

TEACHING BASICS BOOTCAMP
Office of Faculty Development 

March 30 - April 1, 2026
1:00 - 4:00 pm each day
Health Education Center (HEC) 1.200

Educators at UTMB – whether you’re starting out or looking to sharpen your skills – join us for a dynamic, 9-hour bootcamp!

Through interactive workshop-style sessions, explore evidence-based teaching practices for today's learner:

• Communicating expectations to learners
• Application of active learning strategies to increase engagement
• Selecting appropriate assessment strategies
• Using evaluation tools for quality improvement

Leave with an actionable plan to apply an evidence-based teaching or assessment strategy in your course, program, or teaching session.

$75.00 registration fee

*Participants must attend all 3 days of the bootcamp to receive a certificate of completion

Register for the Teaching Basics Bootcamp

Administrative Professionals Association

April 2026 Monthly Luncheon Meeting

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

Location: Administration Building, 6.300

Topic: The Architect's Toolkit: Systems, SOPs, and Strategic Execution

Presented By:

Anne Browning

Please RSVP by Monday, March 30, 2026 if you are attending in person or virtually.

APA April 2026 Luncheon – Fill out form

For additional information, please contact: Karen Andrews-Mack  kyandrew@utmb.edu409.772.1904

Reminder to renew your FY26 APA membership!

https://forms.office.com/r/jmu2yDwMTV

DATE: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026

EXHIBITION OPENING HOURS: 11.30am-1.30pm. No appointment necessary.

LOCATION: Third floor, Old Red/Ashbel Smith Building 

The Pastoral Care Department invites you to a virtual Good Friday Service.

Please join the UTMB chaplains for a virtual Good Friday Service where they will share about the seven last sayings of Christ while he was on the cross. 

This holiday is celebrated by Christians around the world and leads up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Please join us on Zoom at noon on Friday, April 3, 2026.

Time: Apr 3, 2026 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://utmb-edu.zoom.us/j/8719779362?pwd=1pPZsINGxVrbGI20DrwzEYVd7uCP9z.1&omn=97062719676

Meeting ID: 871 977 9362

Passcode: 028622

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,8719779362#,,,,*028622# US (Houston)

+16699006833,,8719779362#,,,,*028622# US (San Jose)

Join instructions

https://utmb-edu.zoom.us/meetings/97062719676/invitations?signature=Wi-38JzydE5QR05C_75jDxalslMp7PpVi7NDEzfmcnE

Are you allergic to Ragweed pollen or Peanuts? If so, we need your help!

If you are:

Allergic to ragweed pollen, peanuts, tree nuts, or not allergic to any pollen

Older than 18 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) within 6 month, or if not tested we can test by skin test

Are willing to donate 50 mL of blood (about 3 table spoons)

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

UTMB Pediatrics Grand Rounds

Friday, March 27, 2026, 8:00 – 9:00 AM (Central Time)

In-Person: Research Bldg. 6, Room 2.312

Virtual: Microsoft Teams

 Meeting ID: 241 272 601 723 13; Passcode: pw6uj7X8

Dial in by phone

+1 409-240-0721,,528625993#

Supported by:

Chonmaitree-Pong Visiting Professorship in Pediatric Infectious Disease

Shannon Ross, MD, MSPH

Professor

Pediatric & Microbiology

Infectious Diseases

Department of Pediatrics

University of Alabama at Birmingham

From Detection to Care:  Epidemiology, Testing,

Management & Prevention of Congenital CMV

Objectives: Following this session, participants should be able to

•  Describe the clinical spectrum and outcomes of congenital CMV infection
• Select the appropriate diagnostic test to screen and diagnose congenital CMV in the newborn infant
• Describe the difference between targeted and universal newborn screening
• Identify key maternal CMV transmission routes and apply practical behaviors that reduce the risk of congenital infection.

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.

March is National Nutrition Month® - a time to focus on making informed food choices and developing healthy habits. We invite you to participate in the following events: 

In addition to the CTSA-supported Multi-Institutional Collaborative Translational Studio (MiCTS), investigators can also access free consultations through the NIH-NCATS Trial Innovation Network (TIN) for PI-initiated, multi-site clinical trials.

TIN is a national infrastructure supported by the CTSA program that connects investigators with experts in multi-site trial design, operations, and recruitment. Whether you’re developing a new study or troubleshooting recruitment challenges, this service can provide tailored guidance and resources.

What to expect:
• Brief intake call to assess needs
• 1–2 consultations with domain experts
• Written recommendations and resource referrals
• Optional comprehensive consultation for proposal development

💡 Investigators are encouraged to leverage both services—the MiCTS for institutional guidance and TIN consultation for national multi-site expertise.

Submit a proposal through the TIN website to get started:

https://trialinnovationnetwork.org/elements/trial-innovation-network-proposal-process/

Don’t leave trial success to chance — expert support is available at no cost!

Join us for the next Pepper Investigators Lecture on March 25, 2026, “Home Hospice Care: A Journey to Understand Hospice Discharge, Symptom Burden, and Family Caregiving," presented by Veerawat Phongtankuel, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of a non-invasive, low-intensity brain stimulation, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on locomotor skill learning and training. We wish to look at how tDCS impacts learning and overall motor function in people with chronic stroke.

We are looking for adults who had a stroke at least 6 months and can walk safely with or without an assistive device (ex. cane) for more than 100 feet.

All participants will be compensated for their time!

PI: Shih-Chiao Tseng, PT, PhD shtseng@utmb.edu 409-772-9555

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of a non-invasive, low-intensity brain stimulation, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on locomotor skill learning and training. We wish to look at how tDCS impacts learning and overall motor function in people with chronic stroke.

We are looking for adults who had a stroke at least 6 months and can walk safely with or without an assistive device (ex. cane) for more than 100 feet.

All participants will be compensated for their time!

PI: Shih-Chiao Tseng, PT, PhD shtseng@utmb.edu 409-772-9555

NetZero Summit 2026 – Earth Day at UTMB

UTMB invites you to join us for the NetZero Summit 2026 on April 30th, 2026 in HEC 5.200, as we come together to advance sustainability, innovation, and environmental leadership across our campus community.

This Earth Day event will feature keynote remarks, speeches and panels and the presentation of the Green Lab Ambassador Awards. The Summit will highlight UTMB’s commitment to responsible research practices and our shared goal of achieving a net zero future.

Date: April 30th, 2026
Location: HEC 5.200

Time: 9:45 am - 12:00 pm
Check-in begins at 9:45 AM

Whether you are a student, researcher, faculty member, or staff, the NetZero Summit offers an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, celebrate sustainability achievements, and contribute to shaping UTMB’s environmental future.

🌱 Be part of the conversation. Be part of the solution.

Register Here: NETZERO Summit 2026 at UTMB – Fill out form