Early studies show a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidate protected nonhuman primates, supporting preparedness as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries work to contain cases.
The link between early neuronal damage and the brain’s immune response is poorly understood, but the significance of concussive injury has become a topic of public interest over the last few years, especially in the context of sports injuries. In this study, UTMB researchers were interested in the type of concussion that occurs when impact does not penetrate the brain but causes it to move inside the skull, resulting in injury.
Primary care physicians say regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings are essential at every stage of life, helping patients identify risks early and make informed decisions about their health. Alicia Monroe, MD, with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UTMB Health, said preventive care should evolve over time.
“We’re learning from this work that the aging microbiome actively contributes to liver dysfunction and cancer risk rather than simply reflecting the aging process,” said Qingjie Li, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at The University of Texas Medical Branch, and lead researcher on the study. “The microbiome has a broader influence on the body’s cancer defenses than previously understood.”
From advanced biocontainment care to regional training, UTMB is strengthening readiness to protect patients, healthcare workers, and communities from emerging infectious threats.
Choosing the right level of care — primary care, urgent care or the emergency room — can save time, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. Madhumita Banga, MD, stresses that having a primary care provider and staying current with preventive care can help catch issues early and guide patients to the appropriate care when problems arise.
Sarah Dang, a first-year medical student at UTMB, balances rigorous studies in anatomy with a passion for contortion, a discipline she discovered through childhood curiosity and later developed through international training, including time in France and Mongolia.
"An unexpected byproduct of the Covid-19 pandemic was an “infodemic” — a flood of information where misinformation, contradictory claims and politicized content complicates public-health communication efforts." - Assistant Professor Dr. Jarrel De Matas
Ebola expert Thomas Geisbert of The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, who helped develop Merck's Ervebo vaccine against the Zaire species of Ebola, discusses potential treatments, including the antiviral pill obeldesivir and an antibody cocktail called MBP134.
As food pantries face rising demand, UTMB is expanding a St. Vincent’s House vegetable garden through UTMB President’s Cabinet grants. The project grows fresh produce for pantry shelves while giving students hands-on training in community nutrition.
UTMB scientists identified two SARS-CoV-2 proteins that suppress early immune defenses, advancing understanding of COVID-19 infection and informing future antiviral and vaccine strategies.
The 2007 outbreak in Bundibugyo killed at least 37 people but had been contained by the end of the year. A second outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus, also relatively small, came in 2012 in Congo’s northeast. Initial cases in those outbreaks were identified early, allowing for a quick public health response, according to Dr. Tom Ksiazek, a University of Texas Medical Branch virologist who directed the group within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that first identified the Bundibugyo virus.
Researchers are increasingly linking age-related changes in the intestinal microbiome to chronic inflammation, liver dysfunction, and higher cancer risk, suggesting gut health plays a key role in long-term disease prevention.
Preventive women’s health care isn’t just about annual checklists, it’s about catching concerns early and building care that lasts a lifetime. UTMB Health doctors explain why the appointments women delay may matter most.
Hurricane season on the Texas Gulf Coast is inevitable, making early and consistent preparation essential to reduce risks. UTMB emergency preparedness experts emphasize that even in quieter years, a single storm can cause major damage, so residents should plan ahead, build emergency kits, secure property and stay informed throughout the season.
In his column for The Daily News, Dr. Samuel Mathis poses the question, "What if I told you that adding bananas to our smoothies may reduce the beneficial effects of this drink?"
From bold innovation to measurable impact, Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, at UTMB is redefining what leadership looks like in modern healthcare. Learn why The Galveston County Daily News named him Business Person of the Year.
Some Ebola outbreaks have had death rates approaching 50 percent, making it one of the world’s most feared infectious diseases, write Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences faculty members Drs. Megan Berman, a professor of internal medicine, and Richard Rupp, a professor of pediatrics, at UTMB.
The university’s infectious disease researchers helped generate preclinical data that moved the vaccine into FDA cleared Phase 1 trials, earning national recognition for their role in a multiagency effort to counter a growing global health threat.
Having scaled five of the renowned Seven Summits, Dr. Harold Pine, UTMB Health pediatric ENT, plans to attempt the tallest one, Mount Everest, in 2027. But first, he will embark on a Mount Everest medical mission this month, providing round-the-clock medical care for conditions such as altitude-related illnesses, frostbite, and injuries.