Funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, UTMB is hosting three scholars from the Mongolian National University of Medical Science (MNUMS) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for three months of intensive training in virology, biostatistics, and toxicology.
Mongolian scholars training to perform molecular research techniques at the UTMB One Health Research and Training Laboratory (Photo by: Lyudmyla Marushchak)
In March 2026, the One Health Research and Training Laboratory at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) welcomed the fourth cohort of visiting Mongolian scholars for three-month of intensive training in basic virology, biostatistics, and toxiciology. The cohort includes Nyamkhuu Ganbat, Gunbayar Maral, and Urangoo Enkhbilig, all early-career professionals committed to advancing infectious disease and environmental health research in Mongolia.
The scholars will receive hands-on training in a wide range of laboratory techniques for performing molecular virology and One Health research. Under the guidance of experienced UTMB One Health laboratory staff, they will develop practical skills in RNA/DNA extraction, real-time and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, bioinformatics and biostatistics, as well as bioaerosol sampling techniques.
Nyamkhuu Ganbat is a molecular biologist with more than seven years of experience in molecular medicine. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree and Master of Science in Medicine from the MNUMS and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Debrecen in Hungary.
Maral Gunbayar graduated from Seoul National University of Science and Technology, South Korea in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She is currently a research fellow at the MNUMS, where her work is focused on the impact of environmental exposures on human health. 
Urangoo Enkhbilig is a graduate student in biomedical sciences at MNUMS with a strong interest in disease pathogenesis and immunology. She has hands-on experience in vaccine design and skills in research methodology and expertise in independent scientific thinking. She is continuing her master’s studies to deepen her understanding of disease mechanisms and to contribute to the advancements of vaccine development.
Through this 3-month of training, the scholars aim to strengthen their understanding of infectious disease mechanisms, while acquiring advanced laboratory competencies. The training is expected to complement their backgrounds in molecular biology, broaden their research perspectives within the One Health framework, and support their transition toward independent research careers. In the long term, the scholars plan to apply the knowledge and skills gained at UTMB to address infectious disease and environmental health challenges in Mongolia.
This training initiative is part of a broader initiative aimed at establishing a Mongolian Center for Environmental and Occupational Health, also known as the Mongolian GEOHealth Hub. The center will foster closer collaboration between U.S. and Mongolian scientists and professionals to address complex health challenges in Mongolia. Previous Mongolian fellows have also benefited from this UTMB One Health research training to strengthen both practical and theoretical research competencies. Notably, several alumni are now serving as faculty members at the MNUMS School of Public Health, contributing directly to sustainable capacity building and the development of the next generation of health professionals in Mongolia.