Michael Cornforth, Ph.D., professor of radiation oncology within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, received 
$1.2 million from NASA's Johnson Space Center to study the impact of radiation exposure on the human genome. This allows researchers to safely investigate the effects of deep space radiation on astronauts. For space travelers, radiation is a concern, as astronauts are exposed to far more radiation than what people typically encounter on Earth and are at higher risks of cancer.
Dr. Gary Hankins, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at UTMB, received $1.88 million from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in delaying delivery and prolonging pregnancy in women who are at risk of early delivery. Hankins’ clinical interests include maternal and fetal physiology, critical care obstetrics, operative obstetrics, normal and abnormal labors, and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Loren Skinner, MBA, joined UTMB as associate vice president of operations for the Academic Enterprise on May 4. In his new 
role, Skinner will work closely with the Provost's Office, Health System and Institutional Support executive leadership, chairs, center and institute directors, administrators and faculty members to help oversee and coordinate operational activities. Skinner comes to UTMB with more than 20 years of financial and operational experience in diverse academic and health care environments. Most recently, he served as vice president of operations at Mercy Health Springfield Communities, with fiscal year operating revenues of more than $1.5 billion.
UTMB nurses Bobby Burns (Coffield Unit), Beth Pipkin (Eastham Unit), Stephen Rogers (Jester IV Unit) and Cynthia Rynearson (SICU), will be recognized by the Houston Chronicle during National Nurses Week, May 6-12. The Chronicle’s annual Salute to Nurses recognizes the top 150 nurses in Houston’s growing health care community. Area hospitals, clinics, schools and patients submit nominations and the top nurses are selected by a panel of experts. Congratulations to our wonderful nurses!
UTMB senior volunteers received accolades from mayors across the region as part of National Service Recognition Day on April 7. Eight Galveston County mayors signed proclamations honoring UTMB's RSVP senior program in recognition of the positive impact of the volunteers' service.
Since January 2002, the RSVP Volunteer Program has been sponsored by the UTMB Sealy Center on Aging and is funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Department of Aging and Disability Services. Volunteers are engaged in projects supporting food and diaper banks, veterans, adult day programming, GLBT youth and adults, Meals on Wheels, health education and many other areas.
The Director of Sealy Center on Aging, Dr. Elena Volpi, said, “The Sealy Center on Aging is honored and committed to support such meaningful outreach and engagement among the senior community.”
Angleton Danbury Volunteers were recognized as a top three finalist for Hospital of the Year by the Gulf Coast Regional Blood 
Center. So far in 2015, approximately 300 community members have donated blood or plasma at the campus’ monthly blood drive. After their donations, donors are treated to a delicious gift of homemade cookies. There are more than 200 active UTMB Health Angleton Danbury Campus Auxiliary members who work tirelessly each month to provide blood to the GCRBC. Volunteers also assist visitors and patients in all areas of the hospital and serve as a vital link to the community. Thank you, ADC volunteers!
Dr. Karen Szauter was honored at the Roberto Logroño, M.D. Lectureship for Professionalism in Medicine and Award Ceremony on April 30. The event is a memorial to a faculty member in UTMB’s Department of Pathology, Dr. Robert Logroño, whose life demonstrated the characteristics of professionalism that we value. Szauter is a professor within the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Gastroenterology and Hetapology and serves as the medical director for UTMB’s Standardized Patient Program.
The UTMB Vascular Lab was spotlighted in Alvin Community College’s quarterly newsletter as the Clinical Site of the Year for 
the third time, chosen as #1 from all facilities within the Texas Medical Center. Special kudos to Jeanne Patton and Dr. Michael Silva for doing such an excellent job in preparing future vascular sonographers.
Center for Addiction Research Accomplishments -- UTMB doctoral students Elizabeth Crofton and Yafang Zhang received awards during the National Student Research Forum dinner at The Hotel Galvez in Galveston on April 24. Crofton received a total of three awards: Outstanding Poster Presentation (1st place), Best Presentation in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Excellence in Translational Science Award. Zhang received the Frances Adoue Lynch Addiction Research Fund Award and Best Poster Presentation in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.