We are thrilled to welcome Swapneel Patel, M.D., Ph.D., to the Dean’s Scholar in Clinical Research program.

Dr. Patel, who is an Instructor in the Department of Dermatology, aims to extend his research on the important inflammatory pathway involving cGAS/STING signaling in the lab of Zhijian "James" Chen to patient populations. The Scholar Program will help to support his research to specifically assess the cGAS/STING pathway’s role in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This study will be one of the first to directly assay cGAS/STING activity in the peripheral blood of patients and correlate this with disease activity. The results from these studies could lead to identifying directed therapies for patients with lupus.

The Dean’s Scholar in Clinical Research program strives to support 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 into successful clinical investigators. The fall application cycle opens Sept. 1 and closes Dec. 12.

Announcing UTSW’s Sequencing Populations to Accelerate Research and Care (SPARC)

UT Southwestern has launched the Sequencing Populations to Accelerate Research and Care (SPARC) program, a transformative initiative designed to create an institutional biobank and perform whole-exome sequencing on up to 150,000 patients across our Health System. Conducted in partnership with Regeneron, SPARC will generate a library of linked genetic and clinical data to accelerate discovery, improve disease screening, and advance population health and precision medicine at scale. The SPARC program aims to identify novel genetic drivers of disease, inform treatment responses, and enhance preventive and personalized care for patients.

To participate, eligible patients from UT Southwestern or Children’s Health can enroll and contribute a blood sample to receive genetic insights, risk assessments, and genetic counseling upon request. SPARC builds on our institution’s legacy of translating research into positive patient outcomes and supporting population health.

The SPARC initiative will be housed within the Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development. Contact Eric Peterson and Kate Esselink for more information about SPARC.

UT Southwestern has recently acquired Proofig AI, an advanced artificial intelligence-driven software that assists investigators in detecting errors in figures prepared for manuscripts and grant applications. The tool can help to identify potential concerns, such as image duplication, splicing, and other inconsistencies that may occur during figure creation.

By screening figures early in the preparation process, you can help safeguard the integrity of your scholarly work and avoid delays or complications that may arise when problematic images are identified during peer review or after publication.

Key features of Proofig AI:

• Evaluates entire manuscripts in minutes.
• Reduces human errors with precise AI-powered detection.
• Ensures confidentiality with secure processing.

Access the Training.

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 is for 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.

NAIRR Pilot Deep Partnerships

The National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot is seeking applications for 'Deep Partnership' proposals leveraging state of the art models for health, molecular and materials discovery. The NAIRR Pilot aims to connect U.S. researchers and educators to computational, data, and training resources needed to advance AI research and research that employs AI. Visit the site for information on specific resources and deadlines.

How to Write a Successful K-Application*



• Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. Register here.

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Quarterly Seminar*

• Sept. 9 at noon. Register here.

Supercharging implementation science with insights from behavioral economics*

Join us to better understand the research-to-practice gap and the science of implementation, explore the principles of behavioral economics and how they provide insight into clinical decision-making, and investigate the intersection of implementation science and behavioral economics using examples from NIH-funded research in cancer, cardiovascular disease, injury prevention, and behavioral health.  

• Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. Register here.

2025 Beth Levine, M.D. Prize in Autophagy Research award ceremony

The entire UT Southwestern community is invited to honor the legacy of the late Beth Levine, M.D., a pioneering UTSW scientist whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the field of mammalian autophagy. The Beth Levine, M.D. Prize in Autophagy Research is awarded biennially to recognize excellence in this vital area of biomedical science. 

This year’s recipient is Andrea Ballabio, M.D., an internationally recognized medical geneticist who has devoted his career to explaining the mechanisms underlying genetic diseases.

• Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-Noon. Register here.

Call For Abstracts | Fall PMID Symposium

Mark your calendars for Oct. 24, and get ready for the UT Southwestern Program in Microbes, Immunity, and Disease (PMID) Symposium. This event brings together researchers from both clinical and basic science disciplines who share an interest in infectious disease, immunology, microbiology, and inflammation. The symposium will feature presentations from UTSW investigators and a keynote address by Eric Skaar, Ph.D., M.P.H., Director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation. 

If your research relates to these areas, we encourage you to submit an abstract for consideration. Abstracts are due Sept. 15, 11:59 p.m. Submit your abstract.

Workshop: Kidney cancer model systems for discovery and translation

UT Southwestern’s Kidney Cancer Program, in partnership with the Kidney Cancer Association, is hosting a three-day event that will bring together more than 30 leading experts from around the world.

• Sept. 11-13. Register here.

Call for Scientific Sessions and Poster Proposals | 2026 Translational Science Meeting

Translational Science 2026 will bring together research leaders and emerging voices to exchange ideas, tackle pressing challenges, and showcase innovative work in clinical and translational science.

• Scientific session submissions due Sept. 22.
• Poster proposal submissions due Oct. 20.

Submit proposals here.

SEAK (K-Grant Writing) Workshop*

Improve the likelihood of funding your K award application for review. Your grant application will be reviewed and participants will take part in a mock study section. Pre-requisites include having a K award (or similar) under development or for February 2026 submission.

• Applications due Oct. 10. Apply here.

2025 New Faculty Research Forum

Join us in fostering collaborations among our researchers and cultivating the environment of innovation and discovery that makes UT Southwestern unique. This year’s event will introduce 14 speakers representing 10 departments and two schools. We hope you join us for this exciting event!

• Oct 14. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Register here.

Biostatistical Support at UTSW: How to Find It and Make the Most of It*

This session is for anyone starting a project or who is knee-deep in data. Learn how to find the right biostatistician at UTSW, get practical tips, avoid common mistakes, and learn what to bring to your first meeting. Join us to learn how biostatisticians can help with study design, grant writing, and getting your paper published.

This session will help you work smarter not harder! 

• Oct. 21 at noon. Register here.

Compass Spring 2026 Faculty Track Application*

Compass is a remote training and mentoring program for early-career faculty and postdocs who want to develop essential leadership and management skills for the research environment. Compass provides knowledge, skills, and tools to help scholars identify new and refined approaches to their work that will foster their achievement and fulfillment as scientists.

• Spring applications close Dec. 26. The cost of the program is $2,000. Enroll here.

*Sponsored by the UT Southwestern CTSA Program