SPECTRE Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment Readiness & Education Program

Welcome to SPECTRE!

We are SPECTRE—the Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, and Education Program—housed within the Division of Infectious Diseases at UTMB. Our mission is to strengthen local and regional readiness to respond to high-consequence infectious diseases, ensuring self-sufficiency and operational resilience.

SPECTRE supports the ongoing preparedness of UTMB’s Biocontainment Care Unit (BCU) by developing targeted training and education initiatives grounded in practical, frontline care. We focus on equipping healthcare professionals, across all of Region 6, with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to act swiftly and safely during special pathogen events.

We also foster collaboration with regional healthcare partners and public health entities, promoting a unified, state-driven response framework that ensures coordination without unnecessary duplication of federal efforts. In addition, we contribute to the infrastructure needed for clinically grounded research, ensuring that emerging knowledge translates directly into improved patient care and safety protocols.

 

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Who is SPECTRE

SPECTRE strengthens healthcare preparedness through training, education, research, and regional coordination. By equipping healthcare professionals with specialized skills, advancing infectious disease research, and leading regional preparedness efforts, SPECTRE enhances the ability to manage high-consequence infectious diseases. This video highlights SPECTRE’s mission and its role in providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to respond effectively. Through evidence-based education, research, and strategic partnerships, SPECTRE helps build stronger response capabilities at institutional, regional, and national levels.

What we do

News & Events

 Latest News

SPECTRE’s Malinda Ruelas Attended National Clinical Trials Workshop

Malinda Ruelas of SPECTRE recently took part in the Achieving Data Quality and Integrity in Clinical Trials Involving High-Consequence Infectious Pathogens workshop, held on-site at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. The event organized by NETEC, UTMB, UNMC, and the FDA brought together professionals from across the clinical research spectrum to tackle the unique challenges of conducting trials involving special pathogens.

The workshop offered in-depth discussions and practical strategies on maintaining regulatory compliance, ensuring high-quality data collection, and safeguarding data integrity throughout the trial process. Attendees also explored critical aspects of trial oversight and the complexities introduced by working with high-consequence infectious diseases.

In addition to gaining valuable insights, Ruelas had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with peers in the field, reinforcing SPECTRE’s commitment to advancing excellence in clinical research under extraordinary conditions.