Dean Aballay standing with students Jacob Mattia, left, and Kaylene Lu, right, at the board meeting.

Dean Aballay sitting with Jacob Mattia and Kaylene Lu during the board meeting panel discussion.

Honored to join the UTHealth Houston Development Board Spring Meeting for the “Driven to Discover” panel with two students, MD/PhD candidate Jacob Mattia, and PhD candidate Kaylene Lu. Their cancer and developmental science research reflects the future of science taking shape at the Graduate School.

Kevin Morano, PhD; Carin Hagberg, MD; Sharon Dent, PhD; standing with Dean Alejandro Aballay, PhD.

PhD student Julianna Quinn standing with Dean Alejandro Aballay, PhD, presenting her research poster.

It was a pleasure to host the 15th Annual Evening of Discovery last night, where nine students shared their research and passion for advancing human health. An inspiring evening that highlighted the talent, curiosity, and dedication of our next generation of scientists. @mda-uthgrad.bsky.social

It was a pleasure to welcome Dr. Melina Kibbe, President of UTHealth Houston, to the Graduate School. We appreciated the thoughtful discussions and the chance to share how our partnership with UTHealth Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center continues to drive innovation in research and training.

Proud to share about the Kopchick Fellowships. Thanks to the Kopchicks for their generosity and commitment to our students, and to Dr. Huda Zoghbi for her Kopchick Symposium address, and dedication to mentoring. Congratulations to Stephen Farmer on his future postdoctoral work in the Zoghbi Lab.

Visitation weeks are energizing for me, to personally welcome prospective students from as far away as Mexico City, who could become the next generation of scientists trained here. Also, to see our student volunteers and others helping our visitors get the most from their visits. #WeAreGSBS

A gut-activated NHR-86–CYP pathway mediates the neuroprotective effects of Enterococcus faecium probiotics in a nematode model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Probiotics can influence neuronal health, but how microbial signals are translated into neuroprotective host responses remains poorly understood. This study shows that Enterococcus faecium activates a...

Our new work shows that live E. faecium reduces motor neuron degeneration and improves locomotion in a C. elegans ALS model. Protective effects depend on the induction of cytochrome P450 genes regulated by the intestinal nuclear hormone receptor NHR-86: journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...

Students from several GSBS programs joined me for the first Lunch with the Dean of 2026 yesterday — it was a great opportunity to talk with them about the importance of mentorship, lab environments, and building a strong foundation for research and career growth. #WeAreGSBS

Circadian-shaped immune variability predicts infection outcome Basal immune state under circadian control predicts infection outcome, and clock gene perturbation shifts survival patterns.

Circadian timing shapes infection outcomes.
In our new paper, we show that baseline inflammatory state—measurable before infection—strongly predicts which individuals will survive a bacterial challenge.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

This brief explanation from Candise about her work with Dr. Bernard to find new ways of treating pancreatic cancer is a powerful example of how our students help others understand the impact of our research. Great pitch!

I had the pleasure of joining our Graduate Student Association this afternoon for a thoughtful town hall discussion. What I appreciated most was the openness of the conversation — hearing directly from students about their experiences. Our goal is simple: to help every student succeed. #WeAreGSBS

Listen to what our graduate students are saying. Terrific advice for new trainees: manage your time, do not be afraid to ask for help, and make the most of Houston’s vibrant community. Great to see how our students build both science and life at the TMC

Impressive work from one of our Medical Physics PhD candidates. Elevator pitch a great analogy: just as pilots train on simulators before flying, his research uses AI to give future doctors a safe space to practice radiation oncology skills. A great example of GSBS innovation improving cancer care.

Serving as Chair of MMI was one of the most rewarding roles of my career. The department is full of brilliant scientists tackling host–pathogen interactions from every angle. I can’t think of a better opportunity. And of course, doing it all in the natural beauty of the PNW doesn’t hurt.

Great start with our new students. Curious minds, strong values, real drive. Welcome to GSBS. #WeAreGSBS

Excited to welcome the new class of students to the MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences! I look forward to seeing the science you will create, and the impact you will have on the future of biomedical research. @mda-uthgrad.bsky.social

Exciting week! We're thrilled to meet the newest members of our community.

Thanks to our Program Directors for all they’ve done for the GSBS and their dedication and leadership!

I’m pleased to help introduce our Paper of the Month series — a great way for researchers and anyone interested in science to learn more about our work to advance healthcare.

Congratulations again, to Molly Bray! It was an honor to present her with this award at our commencement. Dr. Bray is an outstanding role model for our young scientists. #WeAreGSBS

It’s great to see Heather's research in the spotlight. Her NIH-supported research reflects the kind of curiosity and commitment that drives scientific discovery and improves human health. We look forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make in the field of neuroscience. #WeAreGSBS

Proud of the three students who presented their research at MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Town Hall today and answered questions about their important work to better understand brain and colorectal cancer, embryonic development and fertility challenges. Thanks for your dedication to science!

Today’s commencement reminded me what it looks like when a community stands behind science. In these uncertain times, when funding is tight and priorities shift, I’m inspired by our students’ perseverance, families' support, and faculty dedication. The future of biomedical science is in good hands!

Grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate the research, resilience, and rising talent that define the GSBS.
I remain proud that our school is not just holding steady—we’re growing. Thanks to the support of our donors and institutional partners.

Another opportunity to celebrate our students' commitment to leadership as part of their journey. Takese, Bhargavi, Zeph, and Larissa, your commitment to becoming thoughtful leaders as well as strong researchers is inspiring. Congratulations to each of you! #FutureLeaders #WeAreGSBS

Had a great time last night at the Deans’ Dinner for the UTHealth Student InterCouncil. Proud to be there with our GSBS representatives—grateful for their dedication to student leadership and for representing our school so well.
#WeAreGSBS
#UTHealth #StudentLeadership

Graduate Student Appreciation Week 2025 was full of special moments with our students, and we are already looking forward to creating more next year! #WeAreGSBS #GSAW2025 #GraduateStudentAppreciationWeek @mda-uthgrad.bsky.social

Every gift from our donors makes a difference in advancing biomedical science — one student and one breakthrough at a time. We greatly appreciate your support.

It's #UTHealthHoustonGivingDay and we’re on a mission to make a big impact in a short amount of time. Whether you’re making a gift, sharing our message, or cheering us on, I hope you will join me in supporting breakthroughs in biomedical science. Every gift makes a difference at go.uth.edu/GDGSBS25.

Big day! Congratulations to our MD/PhD students on your matches — enjoy your residencies at these universities across the country.

We are pleased to welcome MD Anderson Cancer Center scientist and educator Francesca Cole, PhD, as our new associate dean for academic affairs! She is pictured fourth from left in the Cole Laboratory. Read more at go.uth.edu/FrancescaCole-AssociateDean-AcademicAffairs
@francescacole.bsky.social