"Women in Medicine and Science Month" is celebrated throughout September. Each week this month will feature female faculty medical doctors and scientists from the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV who are leading academic medicine, research, and education.

Today, meet and celebrate:

A look back at 10 years of empowering futures and changing lives

This year, as The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley commemorates its 10th anniversary, we reflect on a decade filled with notable accomplishments and transformative innovations, along with the challenges that have shaped our journey.

UTRGV has much to celebrate – from welcoming 29,000 students in 2015 to surpassing 50,000 graduates by 2023. And let’s not forget the much-anticipated kickoff of college football on August 30, 2025, as the Vaqueros launched their inaugural season and celebrated a 66-0 win over Sul Ross State.

But the journey doesn’t end there. UTRGV continues to further transform higher education, research and healthcare in South Texas.

Read more here.

The School of Medicine's Staff and Faculty Forum celebrated the institution's achievements, including its ranking as the top university in Texas and its expansion of medical education.

Dr. Guy Bailey, UTRGV president, highlighted the university's growth, including the School of Medicine's inaugural medical class in 2020 and the enrollment of over 200 medical students. The forum also introduced Brian Dean as the new executive vice president for Health Affairs, emphasizing the expansion of UT Health RGV and the importance of primary care.

Dr. Everardo Cobos, the interim dean, chair, and professor of Medicine and Oncology at the UTRGV School of Medicine, detailed the school's progress, including the hiring of new faculty, achieving high pass rates, and securing additional funding for the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center. The forum also recognized staff contributions with awards.

Congratulations to those recognized, and thank you to those who joined and participated! 

The UTRGV School of Medicine helped lead the International Materials Research Congress (IMRC) 2025 in Cancún, Mexico, by co-hosting a symposium on nanofiber technologies with partners from Rice University, CNyN-UNAM (Mexico), and the University of San Sebastian (Chile). The event highlighted global advances in nanofiber fabrication and applications in biomedicine, engineering, and industry—from tissue scaffolds and drug delivery to energy storage and large-scale manufacturing.

"By uniting expertise from medicine, engineering, and industry, this symposium created a platform for shaping the future of healthcare innovations and advanced materials," said Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan, symposium chair and director of South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research.

The effort underscored UTRGV's growing role on the international stage as a hub for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

The UTRGV School of Medicine helped lead the International Materials Research Congress (IMRC) 2025 in Cancún, Mexico, by co-hosting a symposium on nanofiber technologies with partners from Rice University, CNyN-UNAM (Mexico), and the University of San Sebastian (Chile). The event highlighted global advances in nanofiber fabrication and applications in biomedicine, engineering, and industry—from tissue scaffolds and drug delivery to energy storage and large-scale manufacturing.

"By uniting expertise from medicine, engineering, and industry, this symposium created a platform for shaping the future of healthcare innovations and advanced materials," said Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan, symposium chair and director of South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research.

The effort underscored UTRGV's growing role on the international stage as a hub for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Congratulations to Dr. Wayne Wilson, associate professor of Medicine, on receiving a new award totaling $1.74 million from Family Health Services in support of his work with the Family Planning Program. This five-year award will fund critical services and outreach from Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2030.

Dr. Wilson's commitment to improving access to reproductive and preventive health care continues to make a lasting impact on patients across the Rio Grande Valley. Through his leadership at the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV, he has championed efforts that serve both students and the broader community with compassion and excellence.

He credits this achievement to a dedicated team of healthcare and administrative professionals, without whom he would not have been successful in obtaining this grant and would not have been able to carry out its mission.

"There are too many to name, but you know who you are," he said. "Congratulations to all of you as well!"

Kudos to Dr. Wilson and his team on this achievement and their continued success in advancing public health in the region. Congrats! 

The UTRGV School of Medicine is emerging as a leader in nanomedicine for uterine health. A recent review in Bioactive Materials by Dr. Murali M. Yallapu, associate professor, and Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan, chair of the department of cancer and immunology, outlines how nanotechnology can target gynecological conditions such as endometrial cancer and endometriosis.

Their work highlights bio-responsive nanoparticles—innovative delivery systems that react to the diseased tissue's microenvironment—to improve precision and reduce harm to healthy tissue. The research, also featured by Happiest Health, reflects UTRGV's growing investment in translational nanomedicine and its role in positioning South Texas as a hub for women's health innovation.

Congratulations!

At the recent American Heart Association Hypertension Scientific Sessions, Dr. Jesús Melgarejo, assistant professor of Neuroscience at the UTRGV School of Medicine, presented his research on the connection between 24-hour blood pressure variability and cognitive decline.

His work shows that it's not just average blood pressure levels that matter, but also how much blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day and night. Using advanced methods to measure "complexity" in these fluctuations, Dr. Melgarejo found that more chaotic blood pressure patterns are linked to a higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Watch more here.

The UTRGV Internal Medicine Residency Program celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a special event coordinated by faculty member Dr. Martha Solis.

As part of the program, residents Dr. Nestor Malaga and Dr. Elimar Gonzalez highlighted their home countries—Venezuela and Peru—sharing cultural insights and traditions.

These celebrations help teach about the diverse backgrounds of SOM residents, faculty, and staff, enriching the UTRGV community and strengthening its mission of excellence in education, service, and patient care.

Thank you to those who particpated!

Two important programs at the UTRGV School of Medicine have recently been renewed.

• The UTRGV Primary Health Care (PHC) grant, led by Dr. Beatriz Tapia, associate dean of Faculty Affairs, will continue to provide essential services across the Rio Grande Valley through both fixed clinics and the UniMóvil mobile health unit. These efforts bring comprehensive care—including diagnosis, treatment, preventive services, urgent care, and health education—to communities in Hidalgo, Starr, and Cameron Counties.
• The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) Special Projects Undergraduate and Medical School Awards, now under the leadership of Dr. Shizue Mito, associate professor of Medicine, have also been renewed, ensuring ongoing support for students pursuing careers in medicine.

Congratulations to Dr. Tapia, Dr. Mito, and their teams for their outstanding work advancing healthcare and medical education in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Congrats!

The Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparities Research Center (RGV-CHDRC), supported through the Research Centers in Minority Institutions program, hosted a community event titled, Research in Action: Partnering with Our Community.

The event drew 61 participants, including UTRGV faculty, staff, and representatives from more than a dozen community organizations, to strengthen partnerships and explore ways to address cancer health disparities in the Valley.

The program featured presentations from RCMI Core leaders and UTRGV researchers on pilot projects focused on cervical cancer, liver cancer, and social support. Participants also joined interactive discussions on community needs, research collaboration, and resources for patients and caregivers.

The gathering underscored RGV-CHDRC’s commitment to community-engaged research and advancing health equity across the region.

Dr. Ivana Mangione joined the UTRGV School of Medicine team in Adult Primary Care. She is a board-certified Family Medicine physician through the American Board of Family Medicine.

She is fluent in English and Spanish and is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to patients and families across the community.

Welcome!

Ms. Paola Campano, PA, joined the Orthopedics & Sports Medicine team as a certified physician assistant.

She will provide valuable expertise in patient care and a strong commitment to helping individuals achieve their best health. Ms. Campano will provide care in English and looks forward to serving this community.

Welcome!

Dr. Theresa Pagliuca joined the UT Health RGV Cancer Care team.

She is a board-certified radiation oncologist, certified by the American Board of Radiology. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is dedicated to providing advanced, patient-centered cancer care to the community.

Welcome!

UTRGV School of Medicine students Philippe Dentino and Johanna Mora, with Dr. Alex Zuo, have published a literature review in Cureus examining the role of vitamin D deficiency in oxidative stress and disease. The study highlights vitamin D's potential to slow the progression of oxidative stress–related conditions and offers new insights into bone health therapies.

Dentino, recipient of the 2025 PWC Building Trust Medical School Endowed Scholarship and Best Student Presenter at the Dell Medical School Research Symposium, and Mora, who called the paper an essential milestone in her medical journey, bring recognition to UTRGV's growing research presence.

Read more here.

UTRGV School of Medicine is proud to congratulate Dr. Alex Zuo on being named the faculty member to hold the prestigious UTRGV Foundation Professorship.

He is the second university-wide endowed professor awarded at the discretion of the President since UTRGV welcomed its first class in 2015, recognizing his outstanding contributions to research and education, including his work exploring oxidative stress and molecular mechanisms of disease, further cementing his impact on UTRGV's academic and scientific community.

Congratulations!

Veronica Villarreal joins the UT Health RGV team as the new AVP of Operations.

She brings over a decade of healthcare leadership experience spanning strategic planning, clinic operations, and team development.

A Rio Grande Valley native, her connection to the institution is deeply personal, having spent time on campus as a teenager while her mother worked at the institution.

In her new role, she is focused on advancing operational excellence, enhancing patient care, and supporting clinical innovation across UT Health RGV.

Villarreal is also the author of C-Suite Bound, a guide for emerging leaders aiming to reach executive roles. Her leadership philosophy centers on service, collaboration, and empowering teams to tachieve their full potential

Welcome!