COMMENCEMENT 2015

Members of Platform

David Weiss, Ph.D., Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

William Henrich, M.D., MACP, President, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

Bettie Sue Masters, Ph.D., D.Sc, M.D. (Hon), Robert A. Welch Distinguished Professor in Chemistry and Professor of Biochemistry

Patrick Davis, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Pharmacy, UT-Austin

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

David Shelledy, Ph.D., RRT, FAARC, FASAHP, Dean, School of Health Professions

Eileen Breslin, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Dean, School of Nursing

Jacqueline Mok, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs

Andrea Giuffrida, Ph.D., Vice President of Research

Reto Asmis, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Birgit Glass, D.D.S., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Dentistry

Sara Gill, Ph.D., Director of Doctoral Studies, School of Nursing

Nicquet Blake, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Sophie Piña, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

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

Master of ScienceClass of 2015

Mohammed BarayanMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Dental Radiology)

Dissertation Title: The Efficacy of Image Enhancement Tools in the Diagnosis of Root Fractures

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

(Prosthodontics)

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 Values

Damian will start an assignment at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia this summer.

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

Tyler Dale BorgMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Periodontics)

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 Allograft

Notable Awards: John F. Prichard Research Award, Dental Science Symposium Research Award, Maria Yeung 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

(Dental Radiology)

Dissertation Title: Maxillary Palatal Canine Displacement in Subjects with Congenitally Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisors

Notable Award: Jordan Medical Board Certificate

Enas will be practicing Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology after graduation.

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

Bradley S. DeGrootMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Periodontics)

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

Bradley will be joining a private periodontal practice in Chicago, Illinois.

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

Kayleigh EavesMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Periodontics)

Dissertation Title: Buccal Plate Thickness of Posterior Dentate Areas: A Prospective Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Study

Kayleigh will be entering private practice at Tyler Periodontics in Tyler, Texas.

Mentor: Brian Mealey, D.D.S.

Ashley HodersMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Periodontics)

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.

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

Pete HoldenMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Periodontics)

Dissertation Title: Periodontal Pathogens in Whole Saliva Are Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Markers in a San Antonio Mexican American Cohort

Mentor: Robin Leach, Ph.D.

Eirleen HyunMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Periodontics)

Dissertation Title: Maternal Nutrient Restriction: Effects on the Oral Microbiome in Baboon Offspring

Notable Award: Prichard Award

Eirleen will be moving to Dayton, Ohio for active duty service in the U.S. Air Force to practice periodontics.

Mentor: Ellen Kraig, Ph.D.

Ketu P. LincolnMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Prosthodontics)

Dissertation Title: Comparative Accuracy of Facial Models Fabricated using Traditional and 3D Imaging Techniques

Ketu will be stationed at Lackland Air Force Base -Prosthodontics Flight in San Antonio, Texas.

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

Scott MakinsMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Dental Radiology)

Dissertation Title: Proximal Caries Detection Using Digital Radiographs – a Comparison of Proprietary Standard Images and Enhancement Filters versus a Fifth-Degree Polynomial Regression Algorithm

Scott will be continuing his academic career and clinical practice.

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

Robert McKenzieMaster of Science

Cellular and Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: The Role of Grp75 in Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex Quality Control

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

Mentor: Yidong Bai, Ph.D.

Ashley ReyesMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Prosthodontics)

Dissertation Title: Accuracy of Surgical Guides Made from Conventional and a Combination of Digital Scanning and Rapid Prototyping Techniques

Ashley’s next duty station is Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska.

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

F. David SettlesMaster of Science in Radiological Sciences

(Medical Physics)

Dissertation Title: An MR Compatible Exercise Device for Measuring PCr Recovery as an Index of Mitochondrial Metabolism

Notable Award: Julio C. Palmaz Academic Grant

David is continuing in the Doctorate of Medical Physics program at UT Health Science at San Antonio.

Mentor: Geoffrey D. Clarke, Ph.D.

Lisa J. ShoffMaster of Science in Dental Science

(Periodontics)

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

After graduation, Lisa is moving to Northern California for active duty service in the U.S. Air Force to practice periodontics.

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

Xi TanMaster of Science

Biomedical Engineering

Dissertation Title: Modeling Brain Volumes by Chromosomal Deletion Size and Age in 18q-Individuals

Xi plans to look for jobs in the biomedical engineering field.

Mentor: Jack L. Lancaster, Ph.D.

Lakshmi VishwanatMaster of Science

Clinical Investigation

Dissertation Title: Clinical Trial of Toothpastes For Treating Dentin Hypersensitivity

Lakshmi plans to continue her studies in an International Dentists Program and practice dentistry in the United States.

Mentor: Bennett T. Amaechi, BDS, MSc, Ph.D., FADI

Doctorate of Medical PhysicsClass of 2015

Wilbert F. CruzDoctorate in Medical Physics

Dissertation Title: A Comparison of Continuous Versus Discrete Data Acquisition For Linear Accelerator Dosimetric Characterization

Notable Awards: Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, GSG Scholarship, TRS Travel Grant

Wilbert plans to move back to the Rio Grande Valley with his family and start consulting in medical physics.

Mentor: Sotirios Stathakis, Ph.D.

Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2015

Kalyn Marie AckerDoctor of Pharmacy

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

Kalyn will be completing a two-year Health System Pharmacy Administration Residency at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jacqueline ArgamanyDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Award: San Antonio Pharmacy Student Research Award

After graduation, Jacqueline will continue her studies in pharmacotherapy at University of Texas College of Pharmacy.

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

Dana Gayle Boeck Doctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards: Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Poster Presentation Winner, Davila Endowed Scholarship Recipient, Generations Club Endowment Recipient, University of Texas Financial Aid Committee Scholarship Recipient, Phi Lambda Sigma National Pharmacy Leadership Society

Dana plans to be a pharmacy resident at the University Health System in San Antonio, Texas.

Chia-Lin ChangDoctor of Pharmacy

Chia-Lin will be a resident at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

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 Scholarship, Abbott Laboratories Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Pharmacy, NACDS Foundation Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Pharmacy, Eckerd Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Pharmacy, Rho Chi Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy, Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society

After graduation, Christina will be a pharmacy resident at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio, Texas.

Mentor: Christopher Frei, Ph.D.

Laura GordonDoctor of Pharmacy

After graduation, Laura will be working as a pharmacist in Huntsville, Alabama.

Amber GossettDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards: Texas Society of Health Systems Pharmacists Student Poster Winner- 2014

Amber will be a pharmacy resident at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio, Texas.

Philip Edward GravesDoctor of Pharmacy

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

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

Jose GuzmanDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Award: Intern of the Summer

After graduation, Jose will be joining a community pharmacy practice.

Mentor: Jessica Morales, Pharm.D.

Randall HinojosaDoctor of Pharmacy

Randall will be a pharmacy resident at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas.

Mentor Name: Laurajo Ryan, Pharm.D., MSc, BCPS, CDE

Justin HorowitzDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards: Published in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation; member of RhoChi

In the future, Justin will be a pharmacy resident at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

Mentor: Tony Dasher, Pharm.D.

Crystal HowellDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards: ACCP Infectious Disease PRN Student Travel Award

Crystal will be a pharmacy resident at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

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 Competition, Honorable Mention: Clinical Skills Competition, University Health System Silver Achievement Award

Steven will be a pharmacy resident at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama.

Elaine LoDoctor of Pharmacy

Elaine will be a pharmacy resident at the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas, Texas.

Teresa Irene WiseDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Achievements: Midi Grant Recipient: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, Excellence in Community Service Learning, Team Lead – Project IMPACT

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 County

Notable Awards: Midi Grant Recipient: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, Outstanding Community Service Learning Project: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, Award for HIV Outreach:Student Government Association, Community Service Learning Award: College of Pharmacy

Sara will be pursuing a career in pharmacy management.

Elizabeth Frances YuDoctor of Pharmacy

Notable Awards: Project IMPACT CSL Team Midi-Grant, James Franklin Beran Endowment in Pharmacy

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

Doctor of PhilosophyClass of 2015

Kendra J. AlfsonDoctor of Philosophy

Microbiology and Immunology

Dissertation Title: Characterizing and understanding the biological consequences of filovirus genome plasticity

Notable Awards: Student travel awards from ASV, ASM, and UTHSCSA M&I Department

Kendra will be a postdoctoral fellow at Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.

Mentor: Anthony Griffiths, Ph.D.

Xin BaoDoctor of PhilosophyMolecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Ubiquitin Mediated Proteolysis In Yeast

Xin will pursue a postdoctoral fellowship.

Mentor: Hai Rao, Ph.D.

Izhar Singh BatthDoctor of Philosophy

Cellular and Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: New Roles for RON in 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 a postdoctoral fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Mentor: A. Pratap Kumar, Ph.D.

Krystle A. BlanchetteDoctor of Philosophy

Microbiology and Immunology

Dissertation Title: Interaction of Bacterial and Host Derived Components During Robust Biofilm Formation in a Murine Model Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Nasopharyngeal Colonization

Notable Awards: COSTAR Fellow, Microbial Pathogenesis Training Grant Recipient

Krystle will be searching for a job in the field of microbiology and immunology.

Mentor: Carlos J Orihuela, Ph.D.

Armand O. BrownDoctor of Philosophy

Microbiology & Immunology

Dissertation Title: Cardiac Microlesion Formation During Invasive Pneumococcal DiseaseNotable Awards: Travel Award - 5th International Conference on Gram-Positive Pathogens (2014), NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (2014), Translational Science Training Award (2013-2014), Travel Award - American Society for Microbiology (ASM) General Meeting (2013), Patent UTSK.PO434US.P1 ( 2013)

Armand is a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University in New York City, New York.

Mentor: Carlos J. Orihuela, Ph.D.

Danielle CallawayDoctor of Philosophy Cellular & Structural Biology

M.D./ Ph.D. Program

Dissertation Title: The Roles of Caspase-2 and Connexin 43 in Osteoclast Differentiation

Notable Awards: David Carillo Memorial Fellowship Award 2012, F30 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

Cellular and Structural Biology

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

Yanan will pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

Mentor: James D. Lechleiter, Ph.D.

Huai-Chin ChiangDoctor of PhilosophyMolecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Crosstalk Between BRCA1 and a Transcription Elongation Factor in Mammary Gland Development

Notable Award: Translational Science Training Scholar for 2012-2013

Huai-Chin will be pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship.

Mentor: Rong Li, Ph.D.

Doo Eun ChoiDoctor of Philosophy

Cellular & Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: c-Abl Kinase Targets Tight Junction ZO-2 in Regulation of Cell Migration and Morphology

Doo will pursue a postdoctoral fellowship.

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

Vinh DaoDoctor of PhilosophyMicrobiology and Immunology

M.D./Ph.D. Program

Dissertation Title: Oral Rapamycin (eRapa) Prevents Carcinogen and Inflammation-Induced Dermal Cancer through Immune and DNA Damage Mechanisms

Notable Awards: Jess Hay Chancellor’s Graduate Student Research Fellowship, Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F30), Translational Science Training Scholar, Microbiology & Immunology Student of the Year Award

After finishing his M.D./Ph.D. 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 PhilosophyRadiological Sciences

Dissertation Title: Development of An End-to-End Patient Specific Dose Monitoring System Using the Epid and MLC Log Files

Dewayne will be a resident at the Cancer Therapy Research Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Mentor: Sotirios Stathakis, Ph.D.

Fangjian GaoDoctor of PhilosophyMolecular Medicine

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

Notable Award: UT Health Science Center At San Antonio Research Prize

Fangjian will be pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship.

Mentor: Thomas G. Boyer, Ph.D.

Gretchel Ajon GealogoDoctor of Philosophy

Nursing Science

Dissertation Title: “A Light in the Dark”: Development of a Conceptual Model for Person-Engaged Dementia Care

Notable 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

Microbiology and Immunology

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

Notable Award: NIH T32 Molecular Mechanisms in Microbial Pathogenesis Training Grant Awardee

Caroline will be a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio.

Mentor: Ellen Kraig, Ph.D.

Kaitlyn Lewis HardellDoctor of Philosophy

Cellular & Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: Contribution of Nrf2-Signaling to Cytoprotection, Cancer Resistance, and Longevity in the Naked Mole-Rat

Notable Awards: Dean’s Award of Excellence, Biology of Aging Training Grant, Excellence in Women’s Health Scholarship, Dielmann Foundation AGE Meeting Travel Award, American Aging Association Walter R. Nicolai Award

Kaitlyn is pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Jonathan Gelfond at theUT Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Mentor: Rochelle Buffenstein, Ph.D.

Pei-Yin HsuDoctor of PhilosophyMolecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Spatiotemporal Control of Estrogen-Responsive Gene Transcription in Luminal Breast Cancer Cells

Notable Awards: GRC Poster Award 2013, AACR-WICR Scholar Award 2014, GSBS Travel Award 2015

Pei-Yin will be pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship.

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

Raehannah J. JamshidiDoctor of Philosophy

PharmacologyM.D./Ph.D. Program

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

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.

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

Norberto González JuarbeDoctor of Philosophy

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

Notable Awards: Keystone Symposia Travel Award, A total of five Best Poster Presentation Awards

Norberto will be a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Carlos Orihuela’s laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Mentor: Molly A. Bergman, Ph.D.

Sarah Junco WongDoctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

Dissertation Title: Structure and Functional Studies of the PRC1.1 Complex

Notable Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (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 PhilosophyRadiological Sciences

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

Dissertation Title: Practical Aspects and Applications of the Biological Effective Dose Three-Dimensional Calculation for Multi-Phase Radiotherapy Treatment Plans

Notable Awards: Third Place Oral presentation Award for the Young Investigator Symposium at the Southwest American Association of Physicists in Medicine 2014 Spring Meeting

Kevin will be a resident in the radiation therapy, medical physicsresidency program at the University of Texas MD Anderson CancerCenter in Houston, Texas.

Samaya KrishnanDoctor of Philosophy

Cellular & Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: Role of PELP1 in the DNA Damage Response Pathway

Notable Awards: WICR Scholar Award, AACR Annual meeting, 2012 SABCS Scholar-In-Training Award, 2014 SABCS Scholar-In-Training Award

Samaya will be joining Integral Molecular, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a Business Operations Associate.

Mentor: Ratna Vadlamudi, Ph.D.

Justin Alexander LongDoctor of Philosophy

Biomedical Engineering

Dissertation Title: MRI Characterization of Mild TBI in Rats and Evaluation of Neuroprotection by Methylene Blue

Notable Awards: 2011 Three SALSI Translational Science Awards (Surgical Cooling Device, 3D Biopsy Guidance System, and Drainage Catheter Fixation Device), 2013 ISMRM New Entrant Stipend, 2014 UTHSCSA Translational Science Training Scholar

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

Mentor: Timothy Duong, Ph.D.

Jorge L. MedinaDoctor of Philosophy

Microbiology and Immunology

Dissertation Title: The Impact of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Cards Toxin in Asthma Pathogenesis

Notable Awards: Translational Science Training Across Disciplines Fellowship, Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis T-32 Training Grant, AAI Trainee Abstract Award, FASEB MARC Program Travel Award

Jorge will pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, Texas.

Mentor: Peter H. Dubé, Ph.D.

Sweta MishraDoctor of Philosophy

Cellular and Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: Role of MicroRNA-21, Estrogen and TGF Beta Signaling in Prostate Cancer

Notable Awards: Rennels Memorial Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies, Translational Science Training Award, CSH Travel Award, AACR Travel Award, UTHSCSA Endowed Student Scholarship

Sweta is a postdoctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mentor: LuZhe Sun, Ph.D.

Angela D. PalDoctor of Philosophy

Nursing Science

Dissertation Title: Getting a New Life: Women Living with a Left Ventricular Assist Device

Angela plans to pursue a faculty position in cardiac surgery research.

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

Kimberly RayDoctor of PhilosophyRadiological Sciences

Mentor: Angela R. Laird, Ph.D.

Dissertation Title: A Graph Theoretical Analysis of Human Intrinsic Connectivity Networks

Notable Awards: UTHSCSA Presidential Student Ambassador Scholar 2012, Malcolm Jones Student Award 2010 – 2014, Palmaz Academic Travel Award 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Kimberly is a postdoctoral fellow at the psychiatry department at the University of California – Davis.

Michael RiedelDoctor of PhilosophyRadiological Sciences

Dissertation Title: Hierarchical Perspectives in Intrinsic Brain Networks

Notable Awards: Palmaz Award, Invited Lecturer at International Conferences

Michael will pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at the Florida International University in Miami, Florida.

Mentor: Angela Laird, Ph.D.

Therese RizzoDoctor of Philosophy

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 Components

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

Mentor: Andrea Berndt, Ph.D.

Jamila Sanchez Doctor of Philosophy

Cellular & Structural Biology

Dissertation Title: Mechanisms Mediating Age-Associated Changes in AP Endonuclease 1 Abundance in Spermatogenic Cells

Notable Awards: Predoctoral Biology of Aging Training Grant Awardee, Walter R. Nicolai Award for AGE Meeting Poster, Dielmann Foundation AGE Meeting Travel Award

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

Mentor: Christi A. Walter, Ph.D.

Rachel SmallwoodDoctor of Philosophy

Biomedical Engineering

Dissertation Title: The Neurobiology of Comorbid Opioid Addiction and Chronic Low Back Pain: Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Regional and Connectivity Alterations

Notable Awards: Valero Research Scholar, American Academy of Pain Management Abstract Blue Ribbon

Rachel will be pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroimaging.

Mentor: Donald A. Robin, Ph.D.

Sunil K. ValaparlaDoctor of Philosophy Radiological Sciences

Dissertation Title: MRI and MRS of Skeletal Muscle Lipids in Type2 Diabetes Mellitus

Notable Awards: American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship

Sunil will be a clinical medical physicist in Lexington, Kentucky.

Mentor: Geoffrey D. Clarke, Ph.D.

Xiaowen ZhangDoctor of Philosophy Molecular Medicine

Dissertation Title: Functional Interaction Between BRCA1 and Its Co-factor COBRA1 in Mammary Gland

Xiaowen will be pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship.

Mentor: Rong Li, Ph.D.

Congratulations Class of 2015!