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WE Summit 2026 Indistinguishable from Magic: The Science of What's Next

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

— Arthur C. Clarke
Date
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time
4:30PM – 6:30 PM
Location
Health Education Center (HEC) 3.206 & Atrium

Every breakthrough in medicine begins with curiosity. A question, an idea, a new way of seeing a problem. The WE Summit brings together UTMB researchers, clinicians, and medical students to explore how today's discoveries become tomorrow's standards of care.

From artificial intelligence and simulation to behavioral health, translational science, medical education, and community-engaged research, this year's summit highlights the innovations shaping the future of healthcare while showcasing opportunities for students to become part of that future.

Meet faculty investigators. Explore research opportunities. Connect with mentors. Discover how today's questions become tomorrow's breakthroughs.

Medical Students

Whether you're looking for your first research experience or hoping to expand your scholarly portfolio, the WE Summit is an opportunity to meet faculty from across UTMB, learn about ongoing research, and discover projects that match your interests.

Students are encouraged to register for the summit and may also choose to participate in the optional Medical Student Research Competition, showcasing their scholarly work alongside peers from across the School of Medicine.

Medical Student Registration & Optional Research Competition Form

Research Faculty

Join colleagues from across UTMB for an evening of discovery, collaboration, and mentorship.

The WE Summit provides an opportunity to share your research, connect with medical students interested in scholarly work, recruit future members of your research team, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across the institution. Your participation helps cultivate the next generation of physician-scientists and clinician-investigators while advancing UTMB's culture of research and innovation.

Research Faculty Registration Form

The 2026 WE Summit is sponsored by the JSSOM Office of Research and Scholarship and the Department of Health and Human Services,
HRSA, UTMB Center of Excellence for Professional Advancement and Research 1 D34HP49234.

2025 4th Annual WE Summit Research Competition WinnersCongratulations!

Class of 2027

1st Place:Farhad Al Marzook
2nd Place:Zahir Malik Amin
3rd Place:Rahul Nanduri

Class of 2028

1st Place:Philong Nguyen
2nd Place:Varun M. Trivedi
3rd Place:Arsalaan Asad

Class of 2029

1st Place:Noelle Gonzalez
2nd Place:Alvina Zia
3rd Place:Joseph J. Smoot

Photo Galleries

Student Winners

Questions

Erik Rytting, PhD
erryttin@utmb.edu

Berengaria Navarre, MS, MFA
bcnavarr@utmb.edu

Amanda Simpson
adsimpso@utmb.edu