John Peterson, Samuel Baron Distinguished Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, was awarded more than $140,000 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study the efficacy of a new anthrax vaccine. Peterson's research focuses on evaluating drugs, antibodies and vaccines that block anthrax.

Sandra O. Davis with UTMB Office of County Affairs has been appointed to the Texas Indigent Health Care Association's board of directors. The association is a professional society of county indigent care offices and county governments that provides information and guides training and education on issues related to indigent care. Davis is also a leadership member of the Council on Diversity and Inclusion.

Dr. Elena Volpi has agreed to continue leading the Sealy Center on Aging as its director. She has successfully served as SCOA's interim director for the past year. A world-renowned expert in clinical and translational research on sarcopenia and functional recovery in older adults, Volpi’s major scientific contributions to research on aging include the discovery of pathways that lead to loss of muscle mass and strength; the identification of therapeutic targets; and testing novel nutritional, exercise and pharmacological interventions in clinical trials to improve physical function and independence in geriatric patients.

Tandra L. Medellin has been chosen as the Labor & Delivery Recovery Post-Partum nurse manager for the new UTMB Health League City Campus. She will be instrumental in selecting a strong team of staff for the LDRP unit. In her 18 years at UTMB, Medellin has served in a variety of roles including adjunct faculty as a Women's Health Care nurse practitioner, obstetrical consultant for high-risk patients in the Regional Maternal Child Health Program and research program coordinator through the Chairman's Research Division.

Linda Rounds has been appointed to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies’ Advisory Committee. TCNWSAC was created by the Texas legislature under the governance of the Statewide Health Coordinating Council to address mounting concerns about Texas’ nurse shortage. The group serves as a resource for data and research on the nursing workforce across the state. Rounds is the director of UTMB School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and is the Betty Lee Evans Distinguished Professor in Nursing.