UTMB Announcements for 6/12/2026

We invite you to join us as we come together to honor the memory of UTMB colleagues, friends, and family members who have passed away during the past year.

All employees are welcome to attend as we remember their lives, celebrate their contributions, and reflect on the lasting impact they have made on the UTMB community.

Event Details

Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Noon – 1 p.m.

William C. Levin Hall Dining Room
1006 Market St.
UTMB Galveston Campus

This event will be livestreamed for those who wish to attend remotely: https://www.utmb.edu/celebrate/memorial-service

Contact:

Jim George, Chaplain
UTMB Department of Pastoral Care at jijgeorg@utmb.edu

Kandyce Rollins, Business Coordinator at kjrollin@utmb.edu

Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Tuesday June 16, 2026

10:00 – 11:00 AM

TEAMS Attendance Only

Join the meeting now

Sanjay Johan Mathew, M.D.

Professor and Head

Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry

Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine, Texas A&M University

_________________________________________________

 Emerging Pharmacotherapies for Difficult-to-Treat Mood Disorders

Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants should be able to:

• Summarize several major recent studies evaluating glutamate modulators for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder
• Evaluate the scientific rationale for several novel pharmacotherapy approaches for mood disorders
• Identify future directions for clinical and translational research for experimental therapeutics

Target Audience and Needs: Physicians, fellows, residents, medical students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Accreditation: In support of improving patient care, The Office of Interprofessional Continuing Education, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit: The University of Texas Medical Branch designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Educational Method: Lecture

Disclosure: Dr. Sanjay Mathew has the following disclosure(s): AtaiBeckley, Autobahn Therapeutics, Aytu Biopharma, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Clexio Biosciences, Definium Therapeutics, Delix Therapeutics, Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Freedom Biosciences, Motif Neurotech, Newleos, Sensorium Biosciences, Supernus, Syndeio, Xenon Pharmaceuticals (Consultant) Engrail Therapeutics & Neumora (Consultant & Research Funding). Any potential conflicts for this presentation have been resolved, and the speaker attests that the clinical recommendations within this presentation are evidence-based and free of commercial bias (e.g., peer-reviewed literature, adhering to evidence-based practice).

CLEAR LAKE CAMPUS

Grace Anna’s Boutique offers $6. jewelry and much more – including

necklace sets, rings, bracelets, earrings, fashion accessories, scarves, 

dresses, tops, a great selection of scrubs at great prices, electronics, and more.

They’re also having a Lavish Linens Sale to include sheet sets and bamboo pillows.

MONDAY, JUNE 15^TH

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

TUESDAY, JUNE 16^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

 THURSDAY, JUNE 18^TH

8:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

 1^ST FLOOR – MAIN LOBBY

Cash, debit cards, and credit cards are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Online Respiratory Therapy Degree Advancement Programs

You already make a difference every day as a Respiratory Therapist. Whether your goals include career advancement, leadership opportunities, teaching, or graduate education, UTMB offers flexible online programs designed specifically for working Registered Respiratory Therapists.

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy

AS-to-BSRT Pathway

Designed for:
RRTs who hold an associate’s degree and are ready to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Program Highlights

• Strengthen skills in evidence-based practice and professional development
• Enhance qualifications for advancement opportunities
• Prepare for future graduate-level education

Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy Degree Advancement

BS-to-MSRT-DA Pathway

Designed for:
RRTs who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are ready to move into advanced professional roles.

Program Highlights

• Develop leadership, management, and education expertise
• Build skills to lead innovation and system-wide improvement initiatives
• Choose from three specialized tracks: Operational, Educational, or Research
              

Designed for Working RRTs

UTMB is committed to supporting your professional growth in respiratory therapy. Whether you are completing your bachelor’s degree or pursuing graduate education, these programs are designed to help you take the next step while continuing the important work you do every day.

✔ 100% Online Format
✔ Flexible for Full-Time Schedules
✔ Continue Working While Advancing Your Education
✔ Career-Focused Curriculum
✔ Leadership and Professional Development Opportunities
✔ Pathways for Advancement Within Healthcare Systems

DID YOU KNOW? UTMB offers up to $5,250 per fiscal year with the Tuition Assistance Program? Email: benefits.services@utmb.edu for details.

BioPASS

Multicenter Prospective Diagnostic Study Assessing PAS Biomarker Panel BioPASS: Standard Operating Procedures

What is the purpose of the study?

Aim 1: The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a novel maternal biomarker for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) compared to standard (history and imaging based) methodology.

Aim 2: Measure the resiliency of patients with PAS compared to patients without PAS during the pregnancy and postpartum period.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years of age or older

• Viable singleton gestation

• Between16.0 to < 31.6 weeks’ gestation

• Ultrasound diagnosis of o Anterior placenta previa (anterior placenta covering or abutting the internal cervical os) OR o Low-lying placenta (anterior placenta within 2cm of the internal cervical os)

• Able and willing to provide written, informed consent

• Plans to deliver at UTMB Galveston

• English/Spanish Speaker Exclusion criteria

• Multiple gestation

• Unable to consent or deliver at UTMB Galveston

Please contact the study team at obgynrsu@utmb.edu or research coordinators: esvillaa@utmb.edu, gaybarra@utmb.edu

NOW TAKING APPOINTMENTS!

 Need help designing your research study? Assistance in generating or retrieving data?

Guidance with the analysis of your collected data? Other biostatistics, bioinformatics, or health informatics assistance?

 Highly qualified experts in these areas are available for consultation at NO COST* during the

 Institute for Translational Sciences

Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Studio

* Additional services are available; fees may apply.

 3rd Monday of each month

1:00pm-2:00pm

6.110 Research Building 6

Consultations are by appointment only.

To schedule: https://utmb.us/8e2

Take 15 min from your day today and do something to enhance digital accessibility.

• Update at least one image to have an alt tag. 
• Learn about Writing meaningful alternative text microlearning at Level Access (Account required).
• Check out this Microsoft support article on adding alt text to Outlook images.
• Take the Accessibility Fundamentals course at Microsoft, includes modules on SharePoint and AI.

#DigitalAccessibilityIsForEveryone

ADA Title II Follow-Up for Libraries: Questions, Challenges, and Solutions

When: Jun 26, 2026 11:00 AM 

Where: Online, link sent after completing the Registration form.

Description: The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is offering a follow-up session to the March webinar, Website Accessibility and ADA Title II: What Libraries Need to Know.

Librarians who attended the March webinar, or who are working through next steps on their own, will find this an invaluable opportunity to get targeted, practical guidance directly from one of Texas’s leading digital accessibility experts.

Marie Cohan, Texas Statewide Digital Accessibility Officer at the Department of Information Resources (DIR), will return to lead the discussion.

The webinar will focus on the practical implementation questions and challenges libraries are encountering as they work toward compliance with the new ADA Title II website accessibility requirements.

Attendance of the live webinar qualifies for 1 hour of Texas State Library Continuing Education credit (CPE eligible for Texas educators). Printed certificates will not be issued. A follow-up email will be sent within 3 days of the event. Attendees are advised to save and/or print the follow-up email as it will serve as proof of attendance for CE purposes. This webinar will be recorded; however for maximum benefit, including the ability to ask questions in real time, we strongly encourage you to attend the live session.

This monthly meetup is for Texas public sector employees to discuss digital accessibility regulations, answer questions, and share resources. These meetings are open to Texas state and local government employees, so, feel free to share with your colleagues. Registration is required and the link below will register attendees for all 12 sessions. (The dates and content below may change.)

⁠Important: Registration is required

2026 Coffee Chat dates and content 

• June 9 - Open forum 
• July 14 - Judge Group (TBD) 
• August 11 - Open forum 
• September 8 - DubBot (website testing) 
• October 13 - Open forum 
• November 10 - Todd Moon (Data Visualizations) 
• December 8 - Open forum

Seminar Presentation

"A Prophage Protein Preserves the Salmonella Genome During Oxidative Stress"

Siva Uppalapati, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Vazquez-Torres Laboratory
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Monday, June 15, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
1.202 Health Education Center

On Thursday 6/11 beginning at 10am.  ITS Voice will be enabling a spam/robocall protection for all external inbound phone calls.  There is a potential external callers may experience a CAPTCHA prompt to be able to proceed with phone call.

CC#66346

Please contact the ITS Service Desk with any questions at (409) 772-5200

The John Sealy School of Medicine

is recruiting faculty to teach Phase 1 medical students for

Academic Year 2026–2027

New This Year!!!

PBL facilitators will receive an increased allocation of 0.025 tFTE for every 4-week PBL block, with adjustments tailored to the exact length of each course.

Facilitator Opportunities Available

Pre-clerkship small group and problem-based learning (PBL facilitation).

Year 1 Courses Available:

Doctoring and Clinical Skills 26 (Semesters 1 and 2), Molecules to Mechanisms, Dermatology, Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue, Neurobiology and Human Behavior, and Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Renal.

Year 2 Courses Available:

Doctoring and Clinical Skills 25 (Semester 3), Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Gastrointestinal and Nutrition, and Essentials of Endocrinology.

How to Apply

Faculty may apply via the online survey available February 17 (Noon)–June 1, 2026.

Registration Link

Recruitment Timeline

• Registrations are ongoing.
• June 15, 2026: All teaching assignments finalized.

Additional Details

• Faculty may request a full or shared facilitation slot and note a preferred co-facilitator in the survey.
• Content expertise is not required for PBL facilitation; facilitators guide the learning process.
• For questions, contact Dr. Lisa Elferink or Jennifer Earl.

Thank you for supporting the educational mission of JSSOM.

New members of the UTMB faculty who are interested in conducting research are invited to an Orientation for Research Faculty on June 18, 1-5 p.m. in the Health Education Center, Room 3.201.

Joining a university's faculty and trying to navigate a  new place and system can present challenges. Attending this half-day event will help to minimize those challenges so you can begin your research as quickly as possible and with few barriers. This orientation will help prepare you for conducting research at UTMB, including local policies, training requirements, and a general overview of who your key contacts and resources are on campus.

By attending, you will meet key members of UTMB's research leadership team, as well as receive fundamental training required of all researchers before engaging in projects.

AGENDA

• Welcome and Introductions
• Research Infrastructure
• Overview of Research Administration
• Overview of Regulatory Science 
• Overview of Clinical Research 
• Research Security
• Required Training (Coi/ Effort Reporting/ Infoed)
• Experts And How To Find A Community/Network

If you are interested in attending, please register online.

New World screwworm was eradicated from the United States in 1966, but its northward spread through Central America and Mexico has led to renewed concern. As you may have seen on the news, recent U.S. detections in Texas (and now New Mexico) mark the first domestic cases in roughly six decades. This presentation is intended to give a broad understanding of the screwworm’s biology and history, its re-emergence, and the current situation in the United States. We will also briefly mention some efforts taken by UTMB to contribute to the local and national response.

Presented by:

Dr. Maureen Laroche, MS, PhD, FRES
Medical Entomologist
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Friday, June 12, 2026
Health Education Center, room 3.201
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM