We are thrilled to welcome Ahmad Alhourani, M.D., to the Dean’s Scholar in Clinical Research program.

Dr. Alhourani will join UTSW from the University of California, San Francisco where he is completing a fellowship in functional neurosurgery. The scholarship program will support his independent research over the next two years, which will focus on using deep brain stimulation to improve brain inhibitory control mechanisms. Specifically, he will be testing the ability of various electrode stimulatory patterns to delay or stop unwanted motor activities. This therapeutic approach could be effective in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease as well as obsessive-compulsive disorders.

The Dean’s Scholar in Clinical Research program strives to enhance the success of UT Southwestern faculty members in the Clinical Scholar Track. It provides early-career faculty protected research time, support, didactic training, career guidance, and mentorship to facilitate their development as successful clinical investigators.

2025 Research Colloquium Recap

In June, the 4th Annual Clinical Research Colloquium gathered hospital leadership, clinicians, clinical researchers, and operational staff to examine the advancements made in our clinical care and opportunities for growth and to review our financial performance.

Clinical Research Overview

UTSW clinical research continues the growth trend seen over the last five years in active studies and overall funding. We hosted approximately 6,000 clinical studies in FY24, up 38% over the last five years. The trend also is reflected in our federal research expenditures, which increased 57% over the same period. In total, clinical trials and other clinical research received $209 million in financial support in FY24, including $73.9 million provided by industry investments and $111.2 million from federal funding.

This summer, The UT Health System AI Oversight Committee is working with Health System IT, executive leadership, data security experts, and AI regulatory oversight to bring cutting-edge, secure AI tools to UTSW researchers and clinical staff. The tool kit will ensure the UT Southwestern community benefits from AI advances, while keeping patient and operational data secure. 

The following licenses will be available for purchase: 

• Microsoft 365 Copilot, for personal, operational, and financial productivity, including Teams intelligent meeting recap 
• Open AI’s ChatGPT, for content ideation and generation, including direct access to the latest models and API access 
• Open AI’s Azure Data, for creation of AI models and speeding data analysis; this existing offering will remain as a continuing option 
• Cloudforce nebulaONE, for creation of AI agents and dashboards, including a wrapper-based ChatGPT option using consumption-based pricing
• Dragon Copilot, for dictation, clinical note generation, and EPIC integration 

Learn more about UTSW’s AI use guidelines (VPN required). 

2026 Hill Prize in Artificial Intelligence

UT Southwestern researchers working on AI innovations are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Hill Prize in Artificial Intelligence. This recognition will recognize bold ideas and innovations in AI and related technologies, both in foundational science and commercial applications across disciplines.

• Applications are due by Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at 6 p.m. CT. Apply here.

Accessibility 101

Due to popular demand, Glenn Philp, Information Resources Accessibility Officer, and Yulia Piller, Ph.D., Director of Educational Technology, will offer two more overview sessions on strategies for creating accessible and inclusive learning environments. These sessions are developed to help faculty build inclusive content in line with recent updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• July 31 at 9 a.m. Register here.

Developing and Executing High-Quality Multisite Clinical Research Trials*

Join panelists for a discussion on strategies to improve the quality and efficiency of multisite trials, increase collaboration and communication among multisite research investigators, develop standardized procedures and best practices, increase success rates of multisite clinical trials, and amass a larger pool of investigators capable of managing multisite trials.

• Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. Register here.

Sign Up for the Writing Accountability Group*

Join a community of writers who are all committed to success. It’s the perfect way to stay accountable, make consistent progress, and push through writer’s block. Sign up here.

*Sponsored by the UT Southwestern CTSA Program