UTHealth Houston

Before the white coats, research labs, clinics, classrooms, and careers, they were just kids with big dreams. 💙

Today, those dreams are taking shape across UTHealth Houston as students prepare to make a difference in healthcare, science, research, and their communities.

Working with patients and families who live with autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities, Pauline Filipek, MD, recognized that disaster readiness looks different for everyone.

After witnessing the challenges many families faced following Hurricane Harvey, Filipek and the LoneStar LEND team researched ways to make emergency preparedness inclusive, accessible, and hands-on.

That vision became reality with the Disaster Readiness EXPO. Families practiced rescue boat procedures, learned about emergency supplies, tried floating devices, and used noise-canceling headphones during emergency simulations, all in a supportive environment. Families also became comfortable with emergency vehicles and first responders—many for the first time.

The EXPO built confidence, reduced fear, created inclusion, and helped families feel safer and more empowered during emergencies.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this incredible event possible for our community!

Learn more at go.uth.edu/LoneStarLENDExpo.

Three UTHealth Houston researchers have received more than $6 million in grants from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to advance cancer research, treatment, and prevention. The awards support projects ranging from training the next generation of cancer researchers and developing innovative large-molecule therapies to exploring a noninvasive ultrasound-based treatment to help smokers quit.

Zhongming Zhao, PhD, MS, professor and director of the Center for Precision Health at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston, received renewed funding to help train the next generation of cancer researchers. Qingyun “Jim” Liu, PhD, professor at the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, earned support for a core facility focused on advancing next-generation cancer therapies. Xiaoming Du, PhD, associate professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School, received funding to study a novel noninvasive ultrasound-based treatment to help smokers quit.

Learn more about these projects and the researchers advancing cancer innovation at go.uth.edu/CPRIT6M.

Research from UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry has officially launched into space.

Aboard the International Space Station, the VIBES — Vibration-Induced Bone Exercise Stimulation — project is studying how low-intensity vibration may help protect bone health in microgravity. The research could support future space exploration while also advancing understanding of bone loss and aging here on Earth.

Representing the School of Dentistry on the interdisciplinary research team are Mary C. “Cindy” Farach-Carson, PhD, professor and associate dean for research, and Danielle Wu, PhD, assistant professor, from the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences.

Read more at Go.uth.edu/VIBES.

Commencement 2026, complete 🎓🧡

From celebrating milestones to capturing moments with classmates, this week was a reminder of how much heart, hard work, and community make up UTHealth Houston.