Ashley Purgason, a UTMB student pursuing her doctorate in preventive medicine and community health, was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry as a student regent for the University of Texas System.
A NASA researcher and president of the UTMB Student Government Association, Purgason is one of 11 students appointed to serve on their respective university systems and to a position on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. One student representative is chosen to serve on the UT System Board of Regents each year. Purgason’s term is effective June 1 through May 31, 2013.
Read more about her appointment.
Kathryn Cunningham, director of the UTMB Center for Addiction Research, was invited to speak at the American Chemical Society, the largest scientific society in the world. Presenting at the group’s national meeting, she discussed the center’s work to develop new ways to treat addiction and eating disorders.
The fifth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Houston drew 1,000 participants and raised $2 million to advance care and research on finding a cure. UTMB received a grant for $200,000 for community education, outreach and patient navigation.
The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) is thrilled to announce the selection of the 2012-13 Houston-Galveston Schweitzer Fellows—two of whom are students at the UTMB Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, ThuyQuynh Do (pictured left) and Karon Wynne (pictured right).
These students will join approximately 240 other Schweitzer Fellows across the country this year in conceptualizing and carrying out service projects that address the social determinants of health in underserved communities.
Do and Wynne will address childhood obesity in Galveston by developing and implementing an educational curriculum for elementary students aimed at encouraging them to make healthier choices and incorporating family participation in adopting lifestyle changes.
Upon completion of their Fellowship year, these students will become Schweitzer Fellows for Life—and join a vibrant network of nearly 2,500 individuals who are skilled in, and committed to, addressing the health needs of underserved people throughout their careers as professionals. 99 percent of Fellows for Life say that ASF is integral to sustaining their commitment to serving those in need. To learn more about the Schweitzer Fellowship’s story, watch the new, short video -
“Creating Change, Improving Health.”
The UTMB Facebook fan club hits the mark with 3,000 “likes” as the site marks its second anniversary.