UTMB Announcements for 12/5/2025

Roberto Logroño, MD Award
for Professionalism in Healthcare

CALL FOR FACULTY NOMINATIONS

Award
We seek nominations for the annual Roberto Logroño, MD Award for Professionalism in Healthcare for meritorious faculty of UTMB’s five schools: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Professions, School of Medicine, School of Nursing and School of Public and Population Health. This lectureship and award are given annually in memory of Roberto Logroño, M.D., a Tenured Professor and Director of Cytopathology in the Department of Pathology from 1997 until his unexpected death in 2006. Dr. Logroño exemplified many of the attributes of professionalism, including altruism, accountability, excellence, duty, honor and integrity, and respect for others.

This year’s award ceremony will celebrate UTMB exemplars of professionalism from the past (Dr. Logrono), the present (a faculty member), and the future (a trainee). The Logrono award recipients will be honored at a ceremony to be held in Spring 2026. Awardees will be asked to present their insight about professionalism.

Award Criteria
The nominee should be a UTMB faculty member noted for a high level of professionalism in teaching, research, patient care, or service. Nominees must clearly manifest their commitment to professionalism and nominations should be based on these qualities rather than length of UTMB service or professional achievements. Desired features include but are not limited to:

• Evidence of altruistic activities that benefit others (e.g., putting the needs of patients, trainees, or others above their own, volunteer or pro bono service, advocacy)
• Demonstration of going above and beyond in service of patients, peers, and/or students of UTMB (e.g., mentorship)
• Commitment to accountability, duty, and integrity (e.g., transparent communication, self-identifying mistakes or challenges and correcting them, actively seeking feedback to improve personally and professionally)
• Commitment to excellence (e.g., exemplary clinical/teaching/research practice, recognizing and promoting ethical innovation, ethical attitude and response in interactions, particularly in challenging situations).

Nominations
Students, faculty and staff may nominate a candidate. Nominations should include a nomination letter (maximum 500 words) describing in detail, with specific examples, how the candidate exemplifies the principles of professionalism in daily interactions with colleagues, students, patients, and community partners. The nomination should also include the candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV) and up to two (2) additional letters of support (maximum 500 words each) from colleagues (including mentees and learners) who are well acquainted with the candidate. Nomination packets that exceed the word or letter counts will not be reviewed.

The deadline for nominations is January 2, 2026.Supporting documents should be sent together to Ms. Angela Culler at anculler@utmb.edu, with subject heading “Roberto Logroño Lectureship”. Documents should be sent as one single PDF file for each nomination. All nominees will need to be available to attend the ceremony on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 4:00pm.

Roberto Logroño, MD Award and Lectureship
for Professionalism in Healthcare

CALL FOR STUDENT/FELLOW/TRAINEE NOMINATIONS

Award
We seek nominations for the annual Roberto Logroño, MD Award and Lectureship for Professionalism in Healthcare for meritorious trainees (students, fellows, residents) of any of UTMB’s five schools: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Professions, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Public and Population Health. This lectureship and award is given annually in memory of Roberto Logroño, M.D., a Tenured Professor and Director of Cytopathology in the Department of Pathology from 1997 until his unexpected death in 2006. Dr. Logroño exemplified many of the attributes of professionalism, including altruism, accountability, excellence, duty, honor and integrity, and respect for others.

This year’s award ceremony will celebrate UTMB exemplars of professionalism from the past (Dr. Logrono), the present (a faculty member), and the future (a trainee). The recipients of the Logrono award will be honored at a ceremony to be held in Spring 2025. Awardees will be asked to present their insight about professionalism.

Award Criteria
The nominee should be a UTMB student, resident, post-doctoral fellow or other trainee who is recognized for a high level of professionalism in their daily interactions and daily work. Desired features include but are not limited to

• Evidence of altruistic activities that benefit others (e.g., volunteer or pro bono service, advocacy)
• Demonstration of going above and beyond in service of patients, peers, and/or UTMB students (e.g., mentorship)
• Commitment to accountability, duty, and integrity (e.g., transparent communication, self-identifying mistakes or challenges and correcting them, actively seeking feedback to improve personally and professionally)
• Commitment to excellence (e.g., exemplary clinical/teaching/research practice, recognizing and promoting ethical innovation, ethical attitude and response in interactions, particularly in challenging situations).

Nominations
Students, faculty and staff may nominate a student/fellow/trainee candidate. Nominations should include a nomination letter (maximum 500 words) describing in detail, with specific examples, how the candidate exemplifies the principles of professionalism in daily interactions with members of the UTMB and/or surrounding community. The nomination packet should also include the candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV) and up to two (2) additional letters of support (maximum 500 words each) from peers, mentors, faculty members, or staff members who are well acquainted with the candidate. Nomination packets that exceed the word or letter counts will not be reviewed.

The deadline for nominations is January 2, 2026. Supporting documents should be sent together to Ms. Angela Culler at anculler@utmb.edu, with subject heading “Roberto Logroño Lectureship”. Documents should be sent as one single PDF file for each nomination. All nominees will need to be available to attend the ceremony on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 4:00pm.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY IN GALVESTON

FOR 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.

   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!

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.

 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!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY IN LEAGUE CITY

FOR K’S CREATIONS!!!

Come and take advantage of the last day for K’s Creations.  Folks are buzzing

 about the fun items and good service.  Check out a great collection of gifts

 including women’s clothing and accessories, scarves, fashion jewelry, lots of

new merchandise, and clearance items. 

It’s such an easy way to shop!

     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!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY IN LEAGUE CITY

FOR THE GOURMET CUPBOARD!!!

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!!!

     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!

Come and enjoy holiday music performances at each of our campuses. 

• Angleton Danbury Campus
  • Friday, December 12^th, 10am – Danbury High School Band
  • Tuesday, December 16^th, 9am – Heritage JH Band
• Galveston Campus/Jennie Sealy Main Entrance
  • Friday, December 5^th, 1:30pm – Odyssey Academy Choir
  • Tuesday, December 9^th, 12pm – Galveston Chorale
  • Wednesday, December 10^th, 11am – Ball High Choir
  • Tuesday, December 16^th, 12:30pm – Austin Choir
• League City Campus/Clinic Main Lobby
  • Tuesday, December 9^th
    • 1:30pm – Victory Lakes Intermediate Band
    • 2:30pm – Dickinson High School Choir
  • Wednesday, December 10^th, 2pm – Clear Falls High School Choir
  • Friday, December 12^th, 11:30am – Clear Creek High School Choir
  • Monday, December 15^th
    • 11am – Clear Creek Intermediate Choir
    • 2:30pm – Bayside Intermediate Orchestra
• Clear Lake Campus/Main Lobby
  • Wednesday, December 10^th, 1pm – Clear Falls High School Choir
  • Thursday, December 11^th, 12pm – Bayside Intermediate Choir
  • Monday, December 15^th
    • 1pm – Clear Creek Intermediate Choir
    • 3:30pm – Clear Lake High School Choir

Happy Holidays!!

Please join us for a festive market of diverse vendors offering goods, such as clothing, jewelry, holiday gifts, and treats. Sales will benefit UTMB volunteers.

• 12/8 - 12/12 - Angleton Danbury Campus - Daily in the main lobby
• 12/8 - League City Campus/Hospital Main Lobby (8am - 4pm) 
• 12/9 - Clear Lake Campus/Hospital Main Lobby (8am - 4pm)
• 12/11 -Galveston Campus/John Sealy Main Hallway (8am - 4pm)

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 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

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

Please join the Administrative Professionals Association for our Holiday Luncheon

Date:  Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location:  Administration Building, Caduceus Room, 6.300

Join APA for an Ugly/Cute Sweater Contest, Stocking Decorating, Hot Chocolate Bar, and Toy Drive.

Join us for the Region VI Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Health Summit. This year, the event is focoused on Meeting the Moment: Advances & Impacts on Health.

Time: January 23-24, 2026

Location: Hybrid (please use the same link for registration if you want to attend it by Zoom)

(1) HOPE Health & Wellness: 13930 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77083

(2) Conference hotel: https://www.guestreservations.com/doubletree-by-hilton-houston-westchase/booking?utm_source=microsoft&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=431076845&msclkid=dac3f457da1414db7f149d714a43beba&ctTriggered=true

Registration: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ajv1fBQcJ4jvpBbvVFT8gZw1p3huYawONS7yHjmIZiegdMp-N-Lc~AlVDmQ3NpzBp9W9mYWxRSp9Gp504r-8wkW_8UdVlSIaIuXtVv1DMW2whnA

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 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

Infectious Diseases & Immunity Colloquium
2025-2026
The Department of Microbiology & Immunology
proudly presents:

"Roles of mosquito immune cells in vector competence:
A tale of two pathogens"

Tuesday, December 9, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
2.212 Basic Science Auditorium

Ryan C. Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, & Microbiology (PPEM)
Iowa State University

(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).

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.