GSBS Dean’s Report – Faculty Senate April 14, 2014
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The GSBS has partnered with Texas A&M–Corpus Christi and the University of
Texas-Brownsville on the submission of two NIH Office of the Director – BUILD
grants. These grants are designed to enhance the pipeline of students from
underrepresented groups pursuing a doctoral degree in the biomedical sciences.
Also, Mark Hellmich, Ph.D., Gustavo Valbueno, M.D., Ph.D. and Christine
Cestone, Ph.D. submitted a BEST grant which seeks to provide access to career
opportunities to GSBS students and postdoctoral fellows including internships at
governmental and international agencies. The GSBS also partnered with the Gulf
Coast Consortium on another BEST grant focusing on biotechnology career
development.

Laura Rudkin, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Preventive Medicine and Community
Health gave the GSBS Dean’s lecture as part of UTMB’s Homecoming 2014. Her
lecture was entitled: “Preventive Medicine and Community Health: Past
Contribution’s, Future Possibilities”. The lecture was attended by UTMB faculty,
staff and students and GSBS and SOM alumni attending homecoming events.

Jo Bremer, M.A. the founding director of the Office of Postdoctoral and
Postgraduate Affairs retired from UTMB after 15 years of service at UTMB. She
was the originating director of the office and responsible for establishing the
policies and operational basis of the office. The postdoctoral program is
recognized nationally for the breadth of its curriculum and career development
elements and its support of postdoctoral fellows.

Dorian Coppenhaver, Ph.D. the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the
Director of Basic Biomedical Science Curriculum in the GSBS has announced his
retirement from UTMB on June 1, 2014.

GSBS Commencement will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 in Levin Hall starting
at 4 pm. The commencement speaker and Distinguished Alumnus will be
William Griffith, Ph.D. Dr. Griffith is a Professor and Department Chair in the
Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics at Texas A&M
Health Science Center. He received his PhD from the Graduate Program in
Pharmacology and Toxicology in 1980. Faculty awards in research, service and
teaching will also be given.

The Kempner Fund has announced its annual fellowship competition. This year
applications will be accepted from pre-doctoral and postdoctoral trainees. Dr.
Taglialatela chairs the Kempner Committee. Deadline for the application and all
other support documents is 5 p.m. April 21, 2014