Vol. 39 | October 2024 – 6 minute read

Lasker Foundation President Claire Pomeroy, M.D., pictured right, presented Zhijian “James” Chen, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of the Center for Inflammation Research, with the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award in New York on Sept. 27.

His discovery of the cGAS enzyme, which senses foreign and self DNA, has significantly advanced our understanding of innate immune signaling, the body’s first line of defense against infections and cellular damage. Dr. Chen, who received the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2019, was also announced as a recipient of the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, Germany’s highest honor in the field of medicine, last month.

Dr. Chen is the fourth UT Southwestern faculty member to earn a Lasker Award, following Nobel Laureates Alfred Gilman, M.D., Ph.D., Michael Brown, M.D., and Joseph Goldstein, M.D.

Watch the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation's animated video about Dr. Chen's groundbreaking research and explore all 2024 winners and awards.

Faculty members in each of UT Southwestern’s four degree-granting schools carry on a strong tradition of service through their participation on various committees and task forces.

Their rich perspectives provide a strong foundation to elucidate how to better serve the needs of our students, trainees, and faculty members across our schools. We value the experience and expertise of committee members who weigh in on essential matters including school admissions, scholarly awards, promotion and tenure, as well as issues related to research. The experience of serving side-by-side with colleagues outside their usual departments helps committee members gain insight and expand their network.  

A full list of standing committees is available in the Office of the Provost website. We appreciate the time and commitment these faculty members are dedicating to furthering our mission. 

On Sept. 5, W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of the Medical School, hosted a reception to welcome Alyssa H. Hasty, Ph.D., Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Career Development.

From left: Sherry Huang, M.D., Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Education; Dr. Lee; Dr. Hasty; Eric Peterson, M.D., M.P.H., Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research; Joan Conaway, Ph.D., Vice Provost and Dean of Basic Research.

The Medical School interview season is underway and the expertise our faculty bring to the process is vital to help us select the most qualified applicants for our program. We are seeking Medical School faculty to conduct virtual interviews the following dates and times:

• Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. or 2-3 p.m.
• Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.

Please email your availability to conduct 1-hour virtual interviews from now through January 2025 to admissions@utsouthwestern.edu. 

To enhance postdoc recruitment by connecting aspiring postdocs with our faculty, the Office of the Provost has established the MatchMeMentor (M3) service.

M3 employs sophisticated algorithms to align candidates’ research interests, expertise, and career aspirations with compatible mentors, simplifying the search process and improving recruitment efforts.

Under the leadership of Rueyling Lin, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Biomedical Research Recruitment and Advancement, the M3 service is being amplified through an open-ended recruitment campaign inviting prospective postdocs to participate.

The success of the program hinges on a robust faculty participation. There are currently over 125 faculty members enrolled. If you are looking for postdocs, please consider creating your research profile on the platform. If you have questions about the M3 service, reach out to Dr. Lin. 

In our commitment to enhancing the tools and resources that help our learners manage their mental health effectively, Headspace's support services have been expanded to include UT Southwestern students, non-employee trainees, and their dependents.

Enrollment in the service is free and grants users access to guided meditation, mindfulness exercises, and sleep support to help manage stress, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges.

Additionally, users can utilize one-on-one, text-based mental health coaching to set and achieve their well-being goals. All interactions with Headspace, whether through the app, phone, or website, are completely confidential and occur solely between the user and Headspace’s coaches and licensed providers.

A new campus shuttle route is now available for faculty, staff, and learners traveling between East and North Campus. As part of a pilot program, the shuttle will run for the next three months to help determine if a dedicated route is necessary.

The new route will take approximately eight minutes round trip, stopping at three locations along Forest Park Road: 

• Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building (EA)  
• T. Boone Pickens Biomedical Building (ND)  
• W.A. Monty & Tex Moncrief Radiation Oncology Building (NF)  

Service runs Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. As a reminder, the On Demand shuttle, which services Southwestern Medical Park apartments, should not be used for travel except by students who live there. For questions, contact Shuttle Services at 214-648-3375 or via email.

There are four more weeks to participate in the 30th annual State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC).

With several hundred state-vetted charities to choose from, the SECC gives you the opportunity to support the causes and organizations that resonate with your values and passions.

The impact of a single donation cannot be overstated, nor can the combined generosity of the UT Southwestern community. Together, we can meet the goal of raising $300,000 by Oct. 31 to make a lasting difference in the lives of many.

The Office of Faculty Development, in partnership with the Southwestern Academy of Teachers (SWAT), is offering an Educator Development at UTSW (EDU) course.

The EDU course provides faculty members at all levels with helpful tips to become better educators, scholars, and academic medicine professionals. The course contains 10 modules, with a total duration of less than 2.5 hours. Those who complete all 10 modules will receive a certificate of completion and recognition during the November SWAT meeting.

Explore clinical teaching techniques in this EDU module, featuring Jessica Campbell, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, as she discusses strategies for integrating learners into the clinical environment. Access the full module on Taleo Learn by searching for “EDU 2024.”

Articulating Your Mentoring Philosophy Workshops

These interactive workshops will help you leverage your mentoring experience to craft a strong personal statement. 

• Oct. 10. Register to attend.
• Nov. 5. Register to attend.

Successfully Earning a K (SEAK) Grant Writing Workshop*

SEAK weekly workshops will keep you accountable as you write sections of your grant application for review at each session, turn in a completed grant at the conclusion of the program, and take part in a mock study section as part of the process.

• Apply by Oct. 11.

WISMAC/Women’s Careers Fall Faculty Reception

The event will include a faculty panel. Topics will encompass the theme “Growing into Leadership.”

• Oct. 24. Save the date.

Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences 50th Anniversary Symposium on Regulatory Biology and Chromatin

Celebrate five decades of leading-edge basic and translational research in reproduction and gene expression during this all-day symposium that will feature nine distinguished speakers.

• Oct. 29. Register to attend.

2024 Snyder Lecture

Lynne Kirk, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine and Family and Community Medicine, will deliver this year’s William H. Snyder III, M.D. Lecture titled “Professionalism and Physician Well-Being.”

• Oct. 30, 1:30 p.m., Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium

Save the Date: Demystifying the Promotion and Tenure Process Symposium

This event is designed for junior faculty seeking to learn how to navigate the Promotion and Tenure process and also for department chairs, center directors, division chiefs, and faculty members who may be serving as mentors.

• Jan. 13, 2025. Register to attend.

*Sponsored by the UT Southwestern Clinical and Translational Science Award Program