Program

1. Introductions By Dr. David Weiss, Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

2. Dr. William Henrich, President, UTHSCSA

3. Dr. Bettie Sue Masters, Robert A. Welch Distinguished Professor In Chemistry and Professor of Biochemistry

4. Dr. Patrick Davis, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College Of Pharmacy, UT-Austin

5. Dr. Francisco Gonzalez-Scarano, Dean, School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs

6. Dr. David Shelledy, Dean, School of Health Professions

7. Dr. Eileen Breslin, Dean, School of Nursing

8. Dr. Jacqueline Mok, Vice President for Academic Faculty and Student Affairs

9. Dr. Reto Asmis, Senior Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

10. Dr. Birgit Glass, Associate Dean For Academic Affairs, Dental School

11. Dr. Sara Gill, Director Of Doctoral Studies, School of Nursing

12. Dr. Nicquet Blake, Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

13. Dr. Sophie Piña, Assistant Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

14. Dr. Jose Cavazos, Assistant Dean for the M.D./Ph.D. Program

Mohammed BarayanMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: The Efficacy of Image Enhancement Tools in The Diagnosis of Root FracturesResearch Interests: Dentistry

Mohammed will be teaching Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Mentor: Hassem Geha D.D.S., M.S.

Damian BlackMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: An evaluation of the sealing capability of the internal conical connections of implants with titanium and zirconia abutments placed under different screw torque valuesResearch Interests: Prosthodontics

Damian will start an assignment at Langley Air Force Base, VA this summer. His best memories of graduate school were socializing and learning with the UTHSCSA prosthodontic residents!

Mentor: Chol H. Chong, D.M.D., M.S.

Tyler Dale BorgMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Histological Comparison of Healing Following Tooth Extraction with Ridge Preservation using Mineralized Freeze Dried Bone Allograft Alone versus a Combined Mineralized-Demineralized Freeze Dried Bone AllograftResearch Interests: Alveolar Ridge PreservationNotable Awards: John F. Prichard Research Award, Dental Science Symposium Research Award

Tyler will be entering private practice in Denver, Colorado.

Mentor: Brian L. Mealey, D.D.S., M.S.

Enas BsoulMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Maxillary palatal canine displacement in subjects with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisorsResearch Interests: Orthodontics, RadiologyNotable Awards: Jordan Medical Board Certificate

Enas will be practicing Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology after graduation. Her best memory was her thesis defense.

Mentor: Marcel Noujeim D.D.S., M.S.

Bradley S. DeGrootMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Short-Term Dimensional Changes Following Buccal Contour Augmentation In Conjunction With Immediate (Type 1) Implant Placement: A Case Series.

Research Interests: Immediate Implant Esthetics

Bradley will be joining a private periodontal practice in Chicago, Illinois after graduation. His best memories of graduate school are the meaningful personal and professional relationships with brilliant and talented faculty and residents.

Mentor: Guy Huynh-Ba D.D.S., M.S.

Kayleigh EavesD.D.S./M.A. Program

Thesis Title: Buccal Plate Thickness of Posterior Dentate Areas: A Prospective Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) StudyResearch Interests: Periodontics

Kayleigh has truly enjoyed my training in the graduate periodontics program here at UT. The faculty have been a wealth of knowledge and have invested fully in her future as a periodontist. Her co-residents have become some of her best friends and a pillar of support through thick and thin.

Mentor: Brian Mealey D.D.S.,

Ashley HodersMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Esthetic, clinical, patient-centered, and radiographic outcomes of immediately placed implants (Type 1) and early placed implants (Type 2): A randomized controlled clinical trial

Ashley will enter a private practice in Tacoma, Washington. Her best memories include establishing relationships that will be long-lasting.

Mentor: Guy Huynh-Ba, D.D.S., M.S.

Pete HoldenMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Periodontal Pathogens in Whole Saliva Are Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Markers in a San Antonio Mexican American CohortResearch Interests: Basic Science

The best memory of graduate school that Pete has are of the people that he worked with daily. Marcia Grayson and Dr. Theresa Johnson are incredible people and he was fortunate to have them as mentors at UTHSCSA. At the base, EirleenHyun, Lisa Shoff, and Yong Suh made it so every day was an OUTSTANDING Air Force day.

Mentor: Robin Leach, Ph.D.

Eirleen HyunMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Maternal Nutrient Restriction: Effects on the Oral Microbiome in Baboon OffspringResearch Interests: Basic ScienceNotable Awards: Prichard Award

Eirleen will be moving to Dayton, Ohio for active duty service in the US Air Force to practice periodontics. She would like to thank UTHSCSA perio staff, Dr. Kraig, and all the great friends she met along the way, especially Pete Holden, Lisa Shoff, and Caroline Hall who made the this journey possible.

Mentor: Ellen Kraig, Ph.D.

Ketu P. LincolnMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Comparative Accuracy of Facial Models Fabricatedusing Traditional and 3D Imaging Techniques Research Interests: Prosthodontics

Ketu will be stationed at Lackland AFB-Prosthodontics Flight. He will miss the graduating UT Prosthodontics residents. Good luck with your future endeavors Drs. Fortmann, Johnson, and Sutton!

Mentor: Richard Batzer, D.D.S., MS.

Scott MakinsMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Proximal caries detection using digital radiographs – a comparison of proprietary standard images and enhancement filters versus a fifth-degree polynomial regression algorithmResearch Interests: clinical radiography and endodontics

Scott will be continuing his academic career and clinical practice. His best memories of graduate school are his classmates and TODAY!

Mentor: Hassem Geha, D.D.S., M.S.

Robert McKenzieMaster of Science in Cell and Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: The Role of Grp75 in Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex Quality ControlResearch Interests: Mitochondrial Pathology, Neuroscience, Anatomical Sciences

Robert will attend medical school at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Mentor: Yidong Bai, Ph.D.

Ashley ReyesMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: Accuracy of surgical guides made from conventional and a combination of digital scanning and rapid prototyping techniquesResearch Interests: Prosthodontics, Dental Materials

Ashley’s next duty station is Offutt AFB in Omaha, NE. Go Huskers!

Mentor: Col Richard Batzer, D.D.S., M.S.

F. David SettlesMaster of Science in Medical Physics

Dissertation Title: An MR Compatible Exercise Device for Measuring PCr Recovery as an Index of Mitochondrial MetabolismResearch Interests: Diagnostic Medical Physics, Pancreatic Beta Cell QuantificationNotable Awards: Julio C. Palmaz Academic Grant

David is continuing at UTHSCSA in the new Doctorate of Medical Physics program. His best memory of graduate school was the day Dr. Ralph DeFronzo referred to his work as “clever” in front of my mentor and peers.

Mentor: Geoffrey D. Clarke, Ph.D.

Lisa J. ShoffMaster of Science in Dental Science

Dissertation Title: A Domain of Dentin Sialoprotein (DSP) Regulates Dental Cell Differentiation Via its Receptor Occludin

Research Interests: Basic Science

After graduation, Lisa is moving to Northern California for active duty service in the USA Air Force to practice Periodontics. She really loved working with and getting to know everyone in Dr. Chen’s lab. She enjoyed the exceptional mentorship of the UTHSCSA Periodontics staff and the comradery of the Air Force and UTHSCSA Perio residents.

Mentor: Shuo Chen M.D., Ph.D.

Xi TanMaster in Biomedical Engineering

Dissertation Title: Modeling Brain Volumes byChromosomal Deletion Size and Age in 18 IndividualsResearch Interests: Neuroimaging

Mentor: Jack L. Lancaster, Ph.D.

Lakshmi VishwanatMaster of Science in Clinical Investigation

Dissertation Title: Clinical Trial of Toothpastes For Treating Dentin HypersensitivityResearch Interests: Dental Research

Being an international student, after graduation, Lakshmi wishes to gain admission into the International Dentists Program to be able to practice dentistry in the United States.

Mentor: Bennett T. Amaechi BDS, MSc, PhD, FADI

Wilbert F. CruzDoctor of Philosophy in Medical Physics

Thesis Title: A Comparison of Continuous Versus Discrete Data Acquisition For Linear Accelerator DosimetricCharacterizationResearch Interests: Radiation Therapy, Radiological Sciences, Radiation MeasurementsNotable Awards:

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority ParticipationGSG ScholarshipTRS Travel Grant

Wilbert’s next step is to pay his student loans. His best memories are the wonderful friendships.

Mentor: Sotirios Stathakis, Ph.D.

Kalyn Marie AckerDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards:TPA Luther and Mary Ann Parker Scholarship for Leadership, Merit, & Need Courageous Leader Award, Phi Lambda SigmaTexas Pharmacy Foundation Scholarship

Next year, Kalyn will be completing a 2-year Health-System Pharmacy Administration Residency (PGY1/PGY2/MPH Program) at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her favorite memory of pharmacy school is the white coat ceremony because once she got her white coat, she felt like she had superpowers!

Jacqueline ArgamanyDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards: Graduating with High Honors;San Antonio Pharmacy Student Research Award

After graduation, Jacqueline will be continuing her studies as a graduate student and resident in our college’s Pharmacotherapy Division.

Mentor: Kelly Reveles, Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Dana Gayle Boeck Doctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards:Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Poster

Presentation WinnerDavila Endowed Scholarship Recipient,Generations Club Endowment RecipientUniversity of Texas Financial Aid Committee Scholarship

RecipientPhi Lambda Sigma National Pharmacy Leadership Society

Dana plans to be a PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at the University Health System, San Antonio, Texas. Her best memory of graduate school are at the National Convention Meetings.

Chia-Lin ChangDoctor of Pharmacy

What she is doing next: PGY-1 at Methodist San AntonioShe is thankful for: Her husband, family and faculty at UTHSCSABest memory of pharmacy school: Finding time to hang out with family and friends in the midst of chaos!

Julie ChinnDoctor of Pharmacy

Julie’s best memory is leading education classes to patients on diabetes and psychiatric medications.

Christina Brooke DormanDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards:Baptist Health Foundation ScholarshipAbbott Laboratories Endowed Presidential Scholarship in

PharmacyNACDS Foundation Endowed Presidential Scholarship in

PharmacyEckerd Endowed Presidential Scholarship in PharmacyRho Chi Academic Honor Society in PharmacyPhi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society

After graduation, Christina will be a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Resident –South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX. Her best memory of graduate school were supportive, lasting relationships.

Mentor: Christopher Frei, Ph.D.

Laura GordonDoctor of Pharmacy

Pharmacy school has been a wonderful experience and I have especially enjoyed my time in San Antonio!

After graduation, Laura will be moving to Alabama and working at Walgreens.

Amber GossettDoctor of Pharmacy

Career Interests: Ambulatory CareNotable Awards: Texas Society of Health Systems Pharmacists Student Poster Winner-2014

Amber will be joining the South Texas Veterans Health Care System PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program in San Antonio, Texas. Her best memories are with the friends she gained during the last four years!

Philip Edward GravesDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards:UTCOP APhA-ASP Distinguished Member 2011-2012James Franklin Beran Endowment in Pharmacy Scholarship 2011-2012

After graduation, Philip will begin a career in infusion pharmacy at Healix, Inc. in Houston, TX.

Jose GuzmanDoctor of Pharmacy

Research Interests: Antisense Oligonucleotide AnticoagulantsNotable Awards: Intern of the Summer

After graduation, Jose will be joining a community pharmacy practice. His best memories of school are weekend jogs along Lady Bird Lake.

Mentor: Jessica Morales, Pharm.D.

Justin HorowitzDoctor of Pharmacy

Research Interests: Heme/OncNotable Awards: Published in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation; member of Rho Chi

In the future, Justin will be a PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

Mentor: Tony Dasher, Pharm.D.

Crystal HowellDoctor of Pharmacy

Research Interests: Infectious Disease, TransplantNotable Awards: ACCP Infectious Disease PRN Student Travel Award

After graduation, Crystal will be a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Emory University Hospital. Her best memory of graduate school is the misfit crew.

David HuggarDoctor of Pharmacy

After graduation, David will be a resident in the College of Pharmacy’s Masters of Pharmacotherapy program.

Steven LeeDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards:1st Place: ACCP 2014 Clinical Pharmacy Challenge Local CompetitionHonorable Mention: Clinical Skills CompetitionUniversity Health System Silver Achievement Award

After graduation, Steven will be pursuing a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Huntsville Hospital.

Elaine LoDoctor of Pharmacy

The University of Texas at Austin/UTHSCSA

Fondest Memories: Experiencing happiness with family, mentors and friends

After graduation, Elaine will be a PGY1 at VA North Texas Health Care System.

Travis SmithDoctor of Pharmacy

Professional Interests: Emergency Medicine

After graduation, Travis will be a University Health System PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident.

Teresa Irene WiseDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Achievements:Midi Grant Recipient: Center for Medical Humanities and EthicsExcellence in Community Service Learning

Team Lead – Project IMPACT

Publications:

TSHP Bulletin: Drug Information Service – Public Health Alert

After graduation, Teresa will be entering practice as a community pharmacist in the Greater Houston area.

Sara Woods-YakhinDoctor of Pharmacy

Project Title: Raising Awareness about Hypertension in the HIV/AIDS Community in Bexar CountyResearch Interests: Health LiteracyNotable Awards:

Midi Grant Recipient: Center for Medical Humanities and EthicsOutstanding Community Service Learning Project: Center for Medical Humanities and EthicsAward for HIV Outreach: Student Government Association Community Service Learning Award: College of Pharmacy

Linda YangDoctor of Pharmacy

The University of Texas at Austin/UTHSCSA

After graduation, Linda will be a PGY1 Residency at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.

Most memorable part of pharmacy school:

Elizabeth Frances YuDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards:

Project IMPACT CSL Team Midi-GrantJames Franklin Beran Endowment in Pharmacy

After graduation, Elizabeth will be a staff pharmacist at University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy Hospital in Galveston.

Kendra J. AlfsonDoctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and

Immunology

Dissertation Title: Characterizing and understanding the biological consequences of filovirus genome plasticityResearch Interests: VirologyNotable Awards: Student travel awards from ASV, ASM, and UTHSCSA M&I Department

Kendra will become a postdoctoral researcher at Texas Biomedical Research Institute.

Mentor: Anthony Griffiths, Ph.D.

Xin BaoDoctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Ubiquitin Mediated Proteolysis In Yeast

Research Interests: Proteolysis, Biochemistry

In the future, Xin will be looking for a postdoctoral position.

Mentor: Hai Rao, Ph.D.

Izhar Singh BatthDoctor of Philosophy in Cellular and Structural

Biology

Dissertation Title: New roles for RON in Prostate CancerResearch Interests: Prostate Cancer Notable Awards:

AACR Scholar-in-training (2014)Travel Award – CPPS (2013)Young Investigator Award (2012)Scholarship – David P. Green Family Endowment (2012)Best Presentation – Annual South Padre Conference (2012, 2013)

Izhar is currently a postdoctoral fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. His best memories of graduate school are all the fun and laughs with his labmates.

Mentor: A. Pratap Kumar, Ph.D.

Danielle CallawayDoctor of Philosophy in Cellular & Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: The Roles of Caspase-2 and Connexin43 in Osteoclast DifferentiationResearch Interests: Bone, Oxidative StressNotable Awards:

David Carillo Memorial Fellowship Award 2012F30 Fellowship from the National Institute on Aging

Danielle will graduate from Medical School in May 2016 and plans to go into a pediatrics residency followed by a fellowship in neonatology.

Mentor: Jean Jiang, Ph.D.

Yanan ChenDoctor of Philosophy in Cellular and Structural

Biology

Dissertation Title: Impact of the Calcineurin b Isoform on the Unfolded Protein Response in Astrocytes After Acute Brain InjuryResearch Interests: Neuroscience

After graduation, Yanan will be a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago.

Mentor: James D. Lechleiter, Ph.D.

Huai-Chin ChiangDoctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Crosstalk Between BRCA1 and a Transcription Elongation Factor in Mammary Gland DevelopmentResearch Interests: Breast Cancer ResearchNotable Awards:

TST Scholar for 2012-2013

Mentor: Rong Li, Ph.D.

Doo Eun ChoiDoctor of Philosophy in Cancer Biology

Dissertation Title: c-Abl kinase targets tight junction ZO-2 in regulation of cell migration and morphology.Research Interests: Cancer Biology, Translational Research

After graduation, Doo will be a postdoctoral fellow. Her bestmemory of graduate school were moments with her good friends.

Mentor: Zhi-Min Yuan, M.D., Ph.D.

Patricia Dahia, M.D., Ph.D.

Vinh DaoDoctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology

M.D./Ph.D. Program

Dissertation Title:Oral rapamycin (eRapa) prevents carcinogen and inflammation-induced dermal cancer through immune and DNA damage mechanismsResearch Interests: Cancer ImmunologyNotable Awards:

Jess Hay Chancellor’s Graduate Student Research FellowshipRuth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F30)Translational Science Training TL1 GrantMicrobiology & Immunology Student of the Year Award

After finishing his MD/PhD studies, Vinh plan to establish an academic career around cancer immunology and use his scientific findings to advance effective clinical care for cancer patients.

Mentor: Tyler Curiel, M.D., MPH

Dewayne DefoorDoctor of Philosophy in Radiological Sciences

Dissertation Title: Development of An End-to-End Patient Specific Dose Monitoring System Using the Epid and MLC Log Files Research Interests: In-vivo dosimetry, IMRT QA

After graduation, Dewayne will be staying at CTRC for residency.

Mentor: Sotirios Stathakis, Ph.D.

Fangjian GaoDoctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: MED12 Modulates SOX17 Transcriptional Activity In Early Mouse Development

Research Interests: Development, BiochemistryNotable Awards:

UT Health Science Center At San Antonio Research Prize

After graduation, Fangjian will be looking for a postdoctoral position.

Mentor: Thomas G Boyer, Ph.D.

Gretchel Ajon GealogoDoctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

Dissertation Title: “A Light in the Dark”: Development of a Conceptual Model for Person- Engaged Dementia CareResearch Interests: Complex adaptive systems theory, care engagement, health care policyNotable Awards: U.S. Department of Education GAANN Fellow; papers presented at the International Council of Nurses and World Congress for Gerontology and Geriatrics

After graduation, Gretchel will be telling the stories of the participants in her dissertation study.

Mentor: Carrie Jo Braden, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

Caroline HallDoctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and

Immunology

Dissertation Title: Baboon T Cell Immunity Challenges Conventional Paradigms of Immune Aging

Research Interests: Microbiology and Immunology

Notable Awards: NIH T32 Molecular Mechanisms in Microbial Pathogenesis Training Grant

Caroline will be a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio. Her best memory of graduate school was presenting a poster at her first national meeting.

Mentor: Ellen Kraig, Ph.D.

Kaitlyn Lewis HardellDoctor of Philosophy in Cellular and Structural

Biology

Dissertation Title: Contribution of Nrf2-signaling to cytoprotection, cancer resistance, and longevity in the naked mole-rat

Research Interests: Biology of AgingNotable Awards:

Dean’s Award of ExcellenceBiology of Aging Training GrantExcellence in Women’s Health ScholarshipDiehlmaan Foundation AGE Meeting Travel AwardAmerican Aging Association Walter R. Nicolai Award

After graduation, Kaitlyn is pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Jonathan Gelfond.

Mentor: Rochelle Buffenstein, Ph.D.

Pei-Yin HsuDoctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Spatiotemporal control of estrogen-responsive gene transcription in luminal breast cancer cellsResearch Interests: Epigenetics, Cancer biology Notable Awards:

GRC Poster Award 2013 AACR-WICR Scholar Award 2014 GSBS Travel Award 2015

Mentor: Tim H.-M. Huang, Ph.D.

Raehannah J. JamshidiDoctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology

M.D./Ph.D. Program

Dissertation Title: “Peripheral Mechanisms of Opioid Analgesia: Regulation of Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) Function.”

Research Interests: Pharmacology; drug efficacy; cell signaling; opioid receptors; pain neurotransmission.

Notable Awards: Translational Scientist Training Award (UTHSCSA, 2013); Outstanding Oral Presentation Award at the Behavior, Biology and Chemistry Conference (San Antonio, 2015).

Raehannah plans to complete her final two years of medical school and then begin a medical residency program where she will practice medicine and conduct research.Her favorite part of graduate school was working with an incredible group of individuals in the Clarke/Berg Lab. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and team work kept her challenged, “hungry” for science, and inspired everyday.

Mentors: William P. Clarke, Ph.D. and Kelly A. Berg, Ph.D.

Norberto González JuarbeDoctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and

Immunology

Dissertation Title: A new mouse model of Serratia marcescens

pneumonia and the mechanisms of bacterial pore-forming toxin-induced necroptosis and caspase-associated necroptosis

Research Interests: Pneumonia, Pore-forming toxins, Cell death signaling

Notable Awards: Keystone Symposia Travel Award5 Best Poster Presentation Awards

Noberto will be doing a postdoc in Dr. Orihuela’s lab. His best memory of graduate school was when he went to Brazil to present his research at a Keystone meeting.

Mentor: Molly A. Bergman, Ph.D.

Sarah Junco WongDoctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

Dissertation Title: Structure and Functional Studies of the PRC1.1 ComplexResearch Interests: BiochemistryNotable Awards: NIH NIGMS F31

Sarah is currently an IRACDA postdoctoral fellow in medicinal chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin.

Mentor: Chongwoo A. Kim, Ph.D.

Kevin KauweloaDoctor of Philosophy in Radiological Sciences

Mentors: Nikos Papanikolaou, Ph.D. & Panayiotis Mavroidis, Ph.D.

Dissertation Title: Practical aspects and applications of the biologicaleffective dose three-dimensional calculation for multi-phaseradiotherapy treatment plans

Research Interests: Biological effective dose modeling, radiobiology,adaptive radiation therapy, deformable image registration, computedtomography image reconstruction, magnetic resonance imaging guidedradiation therapy

Notable Awards: Third place oral presentation award for the YoungInvestigator Symposium at the Southwest American Association ofPhysicists in Medicine 2014 spring meeting.

Following graduate school, Kevin will be a resident in the radiation therapy, medicalphysics residency program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Hisfavorite moment in graduate school is when he received his third first authorpublication – first here at UTHSCSA – in the Medical Physics Journal.

Samaya KrishnanDoctor of Philosophy in Cellular and Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: Role of PELP1 in the DNA damage response pathwayResearch Interests: Cancer BiologyNotable Awards:

WICR Scholar AwardAACR Annual meeting2014 SABCS Scholar-In-Training Award2012 SABCS Scholar-In-Training Award

After graduation, she will be joining Integral Molecular, Inc in Philadelphia, PA as a Business Operations Associate. Her best memory of graduate school was being part of a nerd softball team, day long retreats, and grad school picnics.

Mentor: Ratna Vadlamudi, Ph.D.

Justin Alexander LongDoctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

Dissertation Title: MRI characterization of mild TBI in rats and evaluation of neuroprotection by Methylene BlueResearch Interests: Biomedical Imaging and Product DevelopmentNotable Awards:

2011 – Three SALSI Translational Science Awards – Surgical Cooling Device, 3D Biopsy Guidance System, and Drainage Catheter Fixation Device2013 –ISMRM New Entrant Stipend2014 – UTHSCSA TST Translational Science Trainee

Justin is currently a senior R&D engineer for Medtronic Cardiovascular in Galway, Ireland.

Mentor: Timothy Duong, Ph.D.

Jorge L. Medina, Ph.D.Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and

Immunology

Dissertation Title: The Impact of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Cards Toxin in Asthma Pathogenesis Research Interests: Microbiology and Immunology Notable Awards:

Translational Science Training Across Disciplines FellowshipMolecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis T-32 Training GrantAAI Trainee Abstract AwardFASEB MARC Program Travel Award

Jorge will have a postdoctoral fellowship at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX. His best memories of graduate school are all the great friends that he made.

Mentor: Peter H. Dubé, Ph.D.

Sweta MishraDoctor of Philosophy in Cellular and Structural

Biology

Dissertation Title: Role of microRNA-21, estrogen and TGF beta signaling in prostate cancerResearch Interests: Chromatin and Cancer BiologyNotable Awards:

Rennels Memorial Award for Excellence in Graduate StudiesTranslational Science Training AwardCSH Travel AwardAACR Travel AwardUTHSCSA Endowed Student Scholarship

After graduation, Sweta will be a postdoctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Mentor: LuZhe Sun, Ph.D.

Angela D. PalDoctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

Dissertation Title: Getting a New Life: Women Living with a Left Ventricular Assist DeviceResearch Interests: Cardiovascular Disease, Communication between Nursing and Other Healthcare Providers

Angela plans to focus on family and a faculty position in cardiac surgery research.

Mentor: Sara L. Gill, Ph.D., RN, IBCLC

Kimberly RayDoctor of Philosophy in Radiological Sciences

Mentor: Angela R. Laird, Ph.D.

Dissertation Title: A graph theoretical analysis of human intrinsic connectivity networks

Research Interests: Neuroscience ImagingNotable Awards:

UTHSCSA Presidential Student Ambassador Scholar 2012

Malcolm Jones Student Award 2010 – 2014 Palmaz Academic Travel Award 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Kimberly is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California - Davis in the Psychiatry department.

Michael RiedelDoctor of Philosophy in Radiological Sciences

Dissertation Title: Hierarchical Perspectives in Intrinsic Brain Networks

Research Interests: Neuroscience, intrinsic brain networks, altered connectivity in drug abuse

Notable Awards: Palmaz AwardInvited Lecturer at International Conferences

Michael has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at Florida International University investigating dysfunctional connectivity across substance use. His favorite memory of graduate school is the opportunity to travel to Hamburg, Germany for the Organization for Human Brain Mapping meeting to present his dissertation work.

Mentor: Angela Laird, Ph.D.

Therese RizzoDoctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

Dissertation Title: Impact of an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course Enhanced with High Fidelity Human Simulation on Nurses’ Knowledge, Megacode Performance, and Observed Clinical Reasoning ComponentsResearch Interests: Health promotion, education, and the Wounded Warrior

Therese will be doing research with the Sidra Medical Center in Qatar.

Mentor: Andrea Berndt, Ph.D.

Jamila Sanchez Doctor of Philosophy in Cellular & Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: Mechanisms mediating age-associated changes in AP endonuclease 1 abundance in spermatogenic cellsResearch Interests: Aging, DNA repair and reproductive biology Notable Awards:

Predoctoral Biology of Aging Training Grant AwardeeWalter R. Nicolai Award for AGE Meeting PosterDielmann Foundation AGE Meeting Travel Award

Jamila will be pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Rochelle Buffenstein at The Barshop Institute for for Aging and Longevity Studies.

Mentor: Christi A. Walter, Ph.D.

Rachel SmallwoodDoctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

Dissertation Title: The neurobiology of comorbid opioid addiction and chronic low back pain: magnetic resonance imaging-based regional and connectivity alterationsResearch Interests: NeuroimagingNotable Awards:

Valero Research ScholarAmerican Academy of Pain Management Abstract Blue Ribbon

Rachel will be pursuing a postdoctoral research position in neuroimaging.

Mentor: Donald A. Robin, Ph.D.

Sunil K. ValaparlaDoctor of Philosophy in Radiological Sciences

Dissertation Title: MRI and MRS of Skeletal Muscle Lipids in Type2 Diabetes MellitusResearch Interests: Medical Physics, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and SpectroscopyNotable Awards:

American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship

After graduation, Sunil will be a Clinical Medical Physicist in Lexington, Kentucky. His best memory of graduate school were his friends and a warm San Antonio culture.

Mentor: Geoffrey D. Clarke, Ph.D.

Xiaowen ZhangDoctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Functional Interaction Between BRCA1 and Its Co-factor COBRA1 in Mammary Gland Research Interests: Breast cancer research

Mentor: Rong Li, Ph.D.