Provost's Lecture Series

The Provost’s Lecture Series brings distinguished leaders and experts from across the nation to the UTMB community to share their knowledge, perspectives and insights on issues shaping health care, science, education and the world around us. The series provides opportunities to learn from accomplished voices across a range of fields, engage in meaningful dialogue and explore ideas that inspire innovation, leadership and continued growth within our academic medical community.

Presented by:

The Provost's Lecture Series is presented by The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and the Office of the Provost.

Upcoming Lecture

Portrait of Dr. J.D. Polk against a textured blue background and orange banner running across the bottom of the page

Event Details

Tuesday, October 27
Health Education Center, 1.200
Galveston Campus

  • 4:30 p.m. — Lecture
  • 5:30 p.m. — Ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception celebrating the new UTMB Department of Aerospace and Exploration Medicine

Register to attend

Can't attend in person? View the livestream here.

 

Speaker

Dr. J.D. Polk
Chief Health and Medical Officer, NASA

Dr. J. D. Polk oversees health and medical policy for NASA. An expert in aerospace and emergency medicine, he has served in leadership positions across federal government, higher education, and the nation’s space program.

 

Lecture

"The Road Ahead... in Space Medicine"

Dr. J.D. Polk will explore the profound physiological changes astronauts experience, the critical health challenges facing deep-space exploration, and how the advent of technologies like 3-D printing, artificial intelligence, and bioprinting are set to revolutionize mission safety and medical care. Crucially, he will also highlight the urgent need for specialized training in aerospace medicine and spotlight the groundbreaking educational pathways UTMB is pioneering to prepare the next generation of spaceflight medical experts.