Rooted in a One Health approach — which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health — Dr. Gray’s Laboratory team has become a hub of innovation and education. Their training initiatives span from local engagement in Galveston, TX to global partnership with researchers in Mongolia.
Locally, the One Health Laboratory has established a mentorship program with Galveston College, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (award number 2023-70432-39558, Gregory C. Gray PI) through USDA APHIS. This program provides young community college students with hands-on research experiences. Dr. Alex Peniche of Galveston College guides trainee selection and progress. Through laboratory shadowing, skill-building training, and active participation in research, students are introduced to scientific curiosity early in their academic career. This mentorship aims not only to inspire the next generation of scientists, but also to expand access to research careers among underrepresented students in the area. As Dr. Lyudmyla Marushchak, a mentoring scientist at the One Health Laboratory, explains: “Young people come to us with little to no experience in laboratory work and only a basic understanding of virology, biosafety, or molecular biology concepts like RNA and DNA. Over time, you witness a transformation—their awareness deepens, their thinking evolves, and their research interests take shape. They begin to discover which direction they want to pursue professionally, learn new things, and eventually they tell you, ‘This is what I want to do in the future.’ And that’s a wonderful thing to see.”
Internationally, the One Health Laboratory hosts graduate fellows from Mongolia, a program funded by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U2RTW012239, UTMB’s (Gregory C. Gray PI). Dean and Professor Dambadarjaa Davaalkham MD, PhD of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences leads the effort in selecting trainees. The One Health team provides training and mentors them through the design and execution of interdisciplinary research projects that address critical zoonotic and environmental health issues in their home country. These fellows receive training in laboratory methods, data analysis, and research communication with the ultimate goal of producing publishable findings that can inform public health policy in Mongolia. This program strengthens scientific capacity abroad while also fostering long-term partnerships. Reflecting on this experience, Dr. Judith Uche Oguzie, a mentoring scientist at the One Health Laboratory, shares: "Mentoring scholars from Mongolia has been a personally enriching journey. It's inspiring to watch their growth as emerging scientists. This experience fosters cross-cultural exchange and strengthens our shared commitment to building sustainable research capacity and improving global readiness for emerging health threats."
Since 2022 UTMB’s One Health laboratory has trained eight Mongolian graduate students and eight Gaveston College scholars in virology. Each trainee receives a detailed training record of their accomplishments, which helps them in seeking future employment and graduate training.
In combining local mentorship with global collaboration, the One Health Laboratory exemplifies UTMB’s commitment to translational research and education. Whether it’s mentoring a first-generation college student in Galveston or equipping Mongolian scientists to drive policy change, the One Health team’s efforts demonstrate the transformative power of mentoring young scholars.
As the world faces increasingly complex health challenges, UTMB’s One Health Laboratory continues to serve as a model of how research, education, and international cooperation can come together to foster and encourage the next generation of researchers.