Experimental Pathology Graduate Program

We welcome prospective students to explore our training program, faculty and students in experimental pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

The Experimental Pathology Graduate Program provides trainees with unique opportunities and training experiences that can only occur when students, basic scientists and physician scientists alike come together to answer the most challenging questions in disease pathogenesis. The cornerstones of pathology include host cell injury, inflammation and repair, hemodynamic abnormalities, immunopathology and organ-based pathology. Knowledge in these critical components is necessary for understanding and investigating the molecular and cellular basis of disease. We have state-of-the- art facilities and world-renowned research faculty. Our outstanding Program Faculty conduct multidisciplinary research in many areas including vector-borne and tropical infectious diseases, vaccines, vector-pathogen-host interactions, infection and immunity, biodefense and environmental toxicology.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Experimental Pathology Graduate Program (EPGP) is to educate students in the underlying mechanisms of human pathological processes caused by infectious agents and environmental toxins and provide comprehensive training in the design and performance of safe and ethical laboratory research. The program empowers students with critical skills, including data analysis and interpretation, and helps them develop strong written and oral communication abilities.
The goals of the EPGP are focused on training students in the pathological disease processes across multiple levels---molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and organ systems. To achieve this, the program has evolved to offer a diverse range of opportunities, allowing students to learn and apply both traditional and modern molecular techniques within their chosen area of study. The major goals and objectives are to:
  1. Provide a comprehensive foundation in biomedical sciences and general pathology. Educate students in the basic biomedical sciences of cell morphology, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology alongside their pathological counterparts in disease processes. The program also specializes in infectious disease pathogenesis equipping students with a broad understanding of both normal and diseased states.
  2. Facilitate interactions with clinical scientists. Foster opportunities for students to engage with clinical scientists, promoting appreciation for the challenges, technologies, and methodologies involved in diagnosis, management and treatment of human diseases. This interaction bridges the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications, enriching students’ understanding of medical problems.
  3. Train in research methodology and data analysis. Provide students with comprehensive training in research methodologies and data analysis, emphasizing the complex techniques and strategies used to investigate pathological processes. This includes exposure to cutting edge research tools and approaches that are crucial to advancing the field of experimental pathology.
  4. Guide students in completing original research projects. Offer personalized guidance, mentorship and support to help students successfully complete original research projects in specialized areas of experimental pathology. This process fosters critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and the development of innovative solutions to complex pathological questions.
  5. Prepare students for a range of career paths in biological sciences. Equip students with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to pursue diverse career opportunities available to PhDs in biological sciences. Whether in academia, industry, or government, students, will be prepared for a variety of roles where they can contribute to advancing scientific knowledge and human health.

NIkos_Vasilakis_close-up

Nikos Vasilakis, PhD, FASTMH
Professor
Department of Pathology
Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Center for Tropical Diseases
Institute for Human Infections and Immunity
CREATE-Neo
Center for Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Director, Experimental Pathology Graduate Program
Office: (409) 747-0650
nivasila@utmb.edu

Ashley Rhame

Ashley Rhame, MBA
Experimental Pathology
Graduate Program Coordinator
(409) 772-2521
Email: anrhame@utmb.edu

The Experimental Pathology Program Director, Dr. Nikos Vasilakis, earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Hofstra University and worked for several years in the pharmaceutical industry, where he developed vaccine candidates for pediatric diseases. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from UTMB and, after a brief postdoctoral position at the University of Pittsburgh, came back to UTMB, where his laboratory studies the evolution and pathogenesis of arthropod-borne viruses, as well as virus–mosquito and virus–host interactions, for which he helped develop field study sites in Southeast Asia and Central and South America. Dr. Vasilakis is a Fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and a nationally recognized expert in viruses like dengue and Zika spread by mosquitoes and other insects. His research helps scientists understand how these viruses evolve, spread, and cause disease, and how they interact with both people and other insects. His work supports the development of vaccines and helps identify new viruses before they become major public health threats. His research also explores how insect-borne viruses behave and spread around the world, including field studies in regions where these viruses are most common and advanced genetic research to discover and better understand new viruses that could impact human and animal health.


The Program Coordinator, Monica Gracia, is solely responsible for the administrative duties of the Program as well as coordination with the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences concerning all aspects of policy and procedures pertaining to the Experimental Pathology Graduate Program.