Dear Alumni,
I am delighted to share some exciting updates from UTMB and the Division of Allergy and Immunology. This year has brought remarkable changes, including the appointment of Dr. Jochen Reiser as our new university president and Dr. Salim Hayek as our interim chair of Internal Medicine. New leadership has brought a revitalized emphasis on innovation and strategic investment in education and research, creating a vibrant environment for academic growth and discovery—truly an exciting time here at UTMB.
Our division remains deeply committed to excellence in education, clinical care, innovation, and research. Faculty members are actively engaged in medical education, helping to shape the next generation of physicians. Dr. Jennifer McCracken serves as the co-course director for the first-year medical student Pathobiology Host Defense course, where medical students get their first exposure to allergy and immunology topics. I serve as a course director for the four-year Physician Healer Concentration, and Dr. Cleavon Covington serves as a facilitator for the Doctoring and Clinical Skills (DoCS) first-year medical school course and the Practice of Medicine (POM) year 4 course. He also serves as chair for the pediatric residency clinical competency committee.
Clinically, we continue to serve as a proud referral hub, providing cutting-edge care and consultation for complex cases.
Research within the Division is thriving, with collaborative projects that underscore our dedication to advancing knowledge and improving patient care. Highlights include:
- Investigating the role of breastmilk in early sensitization to food allergens.
- Exploring cardiovascular disease risk in patients with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD).
- Developing innovative treatments for itch in burn scars.
- Assessing patient preferences in integrative medicine and allergy management.
- Evaluating the mental health benefits of omalizumab therapy in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).
- Investigating impedance oscillometry and its relationship to asthma hospitalizations
- Use of nasal provocation and rhinomanometry in the diagnosis of local allergic rhinitis
These projects reflect the breadth and impact of our research initiatives, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s achievements.
We are also excited to welcome Dr. Nicole Christians, our newest faculty member, whose expertise and enthusiasm will undoubtedly enrich our division. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce a new endowment that will support our fellowship program and help fund a prestigious invited lectureship series, further enhancing our educational mission.
With such exciting times here at UTMB, I am honored to serve as the Division Director of Allergy and Immunology, a role I have held for the past 18 months. As a proud UTMB alumnus, this position allows me a unique opportunity to give back to the university, division, and fellowship program that has been so formative in my career. However, sustaining and enhancing these efforts is not something I can do alone—it requires the generosity and philanthropic support of our alumni community to ensure ongoing success and growth.
As we look to the future, I am filled with optimism and gratitude. It is a privilege to lead this exceptional division, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to its continued success. Together, we will build on our strong foundation, striving to innovate, educate, and provide unparalleled care to our patients and community.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I would love to hear from you and welcome any opportunity to collaborate.
Warm regards,
Julia W. Tripple, MD
Division Director, Allergy and Immunology
UTMB