CATALYST
CATALYST
Dean: Stephanie A. Santorico, Ph.D.
Editor: Ryan Schoensee
Contributing Editor: Lauren Crawford
Graphic Designer: Coral Díaz
Copyeditor: Ashley Festa
Student Writers: Adine Bahambana, Kendall Green, Anastasiia Gordeeva, Md Mohsin, Kayo Rahmat, Mariel Ortega, Gauri Raje
Contributing Writer: Olivia Schneider
Student Artist: Alyssa Kornegay
COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Nicolas Large, Ph.D./HDR
Associate Dean for Research: José Lopez-Ribot, Pharm.D./Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Transdisciplinary Research: Leslie Neely, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Operations: Tracy Beasley, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies/ Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Success: Timothy Yuen, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Fiscal Administration: Mike Findeisen
Assistant Dean for Instruction, Assessment and Faculty Development: Terri Matiella, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Faculty Support: Mostafa Fazly, Ph.D.
Congratulations
u James P. Chambers (Molecular Microbiology and Immunology) joined the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Class of 2025 as a senior member. The NAI senior member program recognizes active faculty members, scientists and administrators with notable success in patents, licensing and commercialization and who have produced technologies that can impact the welfare of society. Chambers was also named UTSA’s 2024 Innovator of the Year. The annual UTSA Innovation Awards recognize innovation excellence in categories representing key indicators of UTSA’s success at commercializing innovations.
u UTSA launched the Center for Space Technology and Operations Research (CSTOR), a new research center dedicated to advancing engineering, technology and operations that will support space missions between the Earth and the moon as well as on the lunar surface. The center will address the growing demand for research and workforce development by civil, commercial and national security space agencies and companies. David Silva, distinguished professor of physics and astronomy, will serve as the center’s inaugural director.
u Stanton F. McHardy, associate professor of medicinal chemistry and co-director of the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery (CIDD), was named a 2024 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. McHardy was recognized for his prominent advancements in the fields of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
u Researchers with the School of Data Science’s aptly named ScooterLab launched the first wave of their sensor-equipped e-scooters. By combining the data taken from the scooters’ onboard sensors with data collected from the users via surveys and their own smart devices, researchers
can analyze where and when the scooters are ridden, who is riding them and how scooter usage varies based on different population segments. The ScooterLab test bed could potentially help researchers better understand traffic and road conditions and explore how scooters fit into the larger urban mobility infrastructure.
u Researchers from UTSA and UT Health San Antonio were honored with prestigious 2025 Hill Prizes in medicine and technology. The recipient for medicine is Kenneth M. Hargreaves, a professor in the Departments of Endodontics, of Pharmacology, of Physiology and of Surgery at UT Health San Antonio. His co-investigator for the award is Stanton McHardy (Chemistry). The prizes are awarded by the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST) and Lyda Hill Philanthropies.
u The Department of Computer Science launched a new bachelor of science degree in software engineering to address regional and national workforce needs. The novel program provides students with technical training, collaboration and project management opportunities, and an introduction to emerging industry trends.
u UTSA’s MATRIX AI Consortium recently received a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund the Neuromorphic Commons (THOR) project. The THOR project is a multiuniversity initiative giving researchers in various domains—including AI and machine learning, physics, life sciences, and neuroscience—access to large-scale neuromorphic computing hardware systems.
u John McCarrey, co-director of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine and a professor in the Department of Neuroscience,
Developmental and Regenerative Biology, was awarded a $2.7 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation. McCarrey’s lab is exploring how epimutations–heritable changes in gene expression resulting from environmental exposures to compounds like endocrine-disrupting chemicals–are introduced into the epigenome and persist over multiple generations.
u Christopher Sandford (Chemistry) is using $1.8 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to pioneer a novel approach to drug discovery by using catalysts that are triggered by light. This innovative approach, paired with advanced automated lab techniques, could lead to the next generation of antibiotics.
u Doctoral student Tu Ho (Chemistry) received an American Chemical Society (ACS) Pharma Scholars award. The ACS Pharma Scholars program recognizes individuals who are interested in the pharmaceutical industry as a career path. The program provides recipients with an industry mentor and a stipend for travel to the ACS Fall 2025 Meeting in Washington, D.C., where Ho will present her research and network with other program members and industrial chemists.
u Two College of Sciences researchers were elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science Class of 2024 Fellows. Eric Schlegel, the Vaughan Family Endowed Professor in Physics, was recognized for his achievements in astronomy and astrophysics. Alan Whittington, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, was recognized for his contributions to Earth science and volcanology.
Good to Know: Zoe Hoffpauir
By Ryan Schoensee
Zoe Hoffpauir is a postdoctoral researcher in the UTSA Department of Chemistry. After completing her bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas at Austin, she earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
When Hoffpauir was deciding where to complete her postdoctoral training, a trusted mentor recommended Audrey Lamb, professor and chair of the chemistry department, as a postdoctoral adviser. Hoffpauir was living in the Houston area at the time and was invited by Lamb to present her graduate research over Zoom, which also provided the opportunity for Hoffpauir to meet Lamb’s research group. Following the presentation, Lamb scheduled a separate meeting with Hoffpauir that ended with a job offer. Impressed by the opportunity, Hoffpauir immediately accepted the offer and made arrangements to begin her new role at UTSA.
“Dr. Lamb is committed to making the chemistry department the best it can be, and she has that same level of commitment to helping me become the best researcher I can be,” Hoffpauir said.
Hoffpauir’s primary research project in Lamb’s lab involves studying the enzymes of riboflavin biosynthesis. Enzymes are a special type of protein that catalyze the chemical reactions required for organisms to live and function. When enzymes are not working properly, it often leads to disease. Enzymes can be targeted by drugs to treat those diseases. Similarly, when a pathogen, like bacteria, causes an infection, the bacteria’s enzymes can be targeted to treat the infection.
Riboflavin, commonly known as vitamin B2, is essential to every organism, and many pathogenic bacteria rely on the riboflavin they synthesize to produce adequate amounts of FMN and FAD, essential cofactors for many other enzymatic reactions needed to keep an organism alive. Cofactors are considered “helper molecules” and are chemical compounds that are required for an enzyme to serve in its role as a catalyst. Humans don’t produce the enzymes needed for riboflavin biosynthesis, making them an attractive target for novel antibiotics to address the growing threat of
Recommended Reading
The Only Woman in the Room
by Eileen Pollack
“Pollack highlights the careers of women in STEM while drawing on her personal experiences.”
antibiotic resistance. Hoffpauir’s work characterizes the structure and mechanism of these potential drug targets to help inform future drug design.
Hoffpauir urges her fellow students to be observant about chemical reactions in everyday life, as this could spark their interest in chemistry research. Whether it’s understanding why a low tire pressure light comes on during a cold front, or performing an extraction when brewing your morning cup of tea, she encourages students to notice chemical reactions that occur outside of the classroom.
“If you want to make a career out of chemistry, take advantage of all the research opportunities available at UTSA,” Hoffpauir said. “Your lab classes are a great way to get acquainted with the concepts, but there is no substitute for an authentic research experience.”
Hoffpauir’s favorite thing about being a postdoc is that she can fully commit to her professional and scientific growth.
With the strong research foundation she’s building at UTSA, Hoffpauir hopes to one day become a tenure-track professor at a Tier One institution in Texas, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
One of the chemical reactions Hoffpauir is studying is visually striking—a solution changes color from clear to orange and then to pale yellow in about five minutes. At social gatherings, she is quick to pull out her phone and show a video of the reaction, and she invites others on campus to ask her about the reaction.
The College at a Glance
FALL ENROLLMENT
6,190 SCIENCE
Fall 2024
6,679
Fall 2023
NUMBER OF MAJORS ENROLLED BY DEPARTMENT
NIH Grant Expands Biomedical Data Science Education
New grant funds creation of cloud-based instructional materials for UTSA students.
Researchers with the UTSA School of Data Science (SDS) and the College of Sciences have been awarded a three-year, $474,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create and refine customizable, cloud-based instructional materials for undergraduate and graduate students studying biomedical data science (BDS) and computational genomics and data science (CGDS).
Their project, “Expanding Genomic Data Science Access via Cloud Computing and Dynamic Learning Modules,” focuses on multidisciplinary fields that leverage the statistical analysis of large amounts of biomedical data, such as genome sequences, to advance biomedical research and further scientific understanding of biology at the molecular level. A genome refers to the complete set of genetic material in an organism, including all its DNA sequences.
According to the project’s principal investigator, Jianhua Ruan, a professor of computer science and an SDS core faculty member, the goal of the project is to address the existing gaps in biomedical data science education.
This fall, the UTSA Department of Computer Science moves into the new College of AI, Cyber and Computing. The College of Sciences is excited to support this strategic transition and looks forward to future collaboration with computer science faculty.
“This initiative responds to the changing landscape of modern biomedical science, which frequently generates vast amounts of genomics and other ‘-omics’ data, thanks to the rapid advancements in experimental technologies,” Ruan said. “Transforming this data into valuable products requires strong mathematical, statistical and computational skills, which are often absent from traditional biology or computer science curricula.”
Ruan is joined by multiple principal investigator Yufeng Wang, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology; Palden Lama, associate professor of computer science; and Jeffrey Vedanayagam, assistant professor of neuroscience, developmental and regenerative biology and an SDS faculty affiliate.
Together, the researchers aim to develop cloud-based instructional modules for students studying biomedical data science. These modules will be tailored to meet the needs of biology and data science majors, allowing students to build upon their existing knowledge and work toward their
individual career goals while prioritizing experiential learning using real-world data. Furthermore, the use of cloud computing aims to expand access to these tools by mitigating resource accessibility challenges that traditionally underrepresented student groups might face.
The initiative will enhance UTSA’s reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary research and education, particularly in genomic science and biomedical data analytics.
These tools include lecture slides and videos, hands-on practice problems, and miniature research projects, all organized by theme and student background. To create these tools, the team is building upon existing cloud-computing resources housed in the NIH and using real genomic datasets and state-of-the-art computational methodologies. To further refine the modules, the researchers plan on soliciting feedback from UTSA students and faculty this summer. Once the improvements are completed, Wang says the team will begin releasing the modules at other institutions.
The program, Wang says, will significantly benefit UTSA students by bolstering their marketable skills and improving their job prospects.
“This project provides UTSA students with a comprehensive educational framework in biomedical data science and is designed to bridge existing gaps in education and prepare students for careers that increasingly demand sophisticated data science skills,” she said.
Additionally, Wang believes the program will help cement UTSA and its new College of AI, Cyber and Computing as forerunners in the field of biomedical data science.
“The initiative will enhance UTSA’s reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary research and education, particularly in genomic science and biomedical data analytics,” she said.
“This effort aligns with UTSA’s strategic goals, supporting the upcoming merger with UT Health San Antonio to create a world-class university that excels in biomedical education.”
The team anticipates releasing and refining their course modules through Summer 2027. Anyone interested in learning more about the program or contributing to its development is encouraged to contact the principal investigators.
Adapted from the January UTSA Today story “UTSA researchers receive NIH grant to expand biomedical data science education” by Christopher Reichert
that our study will provide a detailed biological mechanism for this devastating pathological condition, and we can also learn from that overall how neurons, [which are] postmitotic cells that can’t divide, are responding to chemotherapeutic agents differently compared with mitotic cells.”
In a separate project, Syed Muhammad Usama, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, is developing more efficient and economical near-infrared fluorophores for use in fluorescence-guided tumor removal surgery.
“Fluorescence-guided surgery is an up-and-coming field where surgeons use the fluorescence from fluorophore attached to a molecule to target cancer cells and remove the tumor,” Usama explained. “For most solid tumors, surgical resection is the only and most effective way to treat a patient. And the caveats are that the fluorophores that we have are not ideal for the surgical applications.”
Usama and his team are trying to address the shortcomings of existing fluorophores: their sensitivity to high-intensity light, called photobleaching, and their ability to aggregate, which reduces their optical performance and reduces tumor specificity. Addressing these issues through economical synthesis methods has the potential to improve surgical outcomes for patients undergoing tumor resection surgeries.
Like Usama and Lee, Erika Tatiana Camacho, professor in the Department of Mathematics and in the Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, aims
to bridge the gap between fundamental and translational research. Camacho and her team are working on integrating mathematical models of retinal degeneration into wet lab work and experiments to better understand eye diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration as well as the effects of blue light exposure on photoreceptors. She is using mouse models to study retinal degeneration, focusing on mechanisms of metabolic dysregulation.
“The immediate impact [of my research] is hopefully to be able to mitigate blindness, independent of the particular gene being affected or specific mutation driving the degeneration of photoreceptors,” Camacho said. “To actually come up with such a universal design not based on a particular gene but instead based on the affected or altered metabolic pathways in order to be able to mitigate blindness or slow it down would then likely extend to other eye diseases.”
The work of Saugata Datta, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the director of the Institute of Water Research, Sustainability and Policy, aims to understand how water composition affects human health. Datta and his team use geochemical and stable isotopic tools to understand water sustainability. This includes analysis of toxic elements and nutrients in drinking water, their biogeochemistry, and tracing sources of groundwater contamination, all of which affect human health.
“Drinking water is a health concern for millions of people across the world,” Datta explained. “We have delved into many places in South Asia, but even in the U.S., you face problems either from the water, the food or the air. These are three different pathways that can be monitored really closely, and that’s what we do. Our studies are not just restricted to water quality. We also look at the food compositions, as these same water bodies are sources
Jared Head, a doctoral chemistry student, works in Syed Muhammad Usama’s lab to collect a sample of fluorescent dye after purification.
Ronny Saunders, a graduate student of Saugata Datta’s who is pursuing a master’s in geosciences, collects water samples to analyze the quality at the Cibolo Preserve, a groundwater recharge area located north of San Antonio.
Classes and Friendships and Bills, Oh My!: Resources to Manage It All
Well-being resources help UTSA students thrive personally and professionally
By Mariel Ortega
Perhaps you’ve spent your whole life thinking college was it. That once you stepped foot on campus, newly independent, you could finally start living life. Or maybe college was just something expected of you, and you wish high school would last forever. (At least now you won’t have to deal with tardy slips anymore.) And perhaps, now that you’re here, life isn’t how you pictured it. Classes are harder, time with friends is shorter, and problems are more complex. It might feel completely overwhelming, and you just can’t do it alone
Here’s the good news (and don’t worry—there’s no bad news): You do not have to do college alone. Whether you are an 18-year-old freshman struggling to adjust to college life, a nontraditional student returning to school after decades of parenting, or anything in between, UTSA and the College of Sciences (COS) have resources designed for you.
Wellness 360
Wellness 360 provides free medical and healthcare services for UTSA students. Led by advanced practice registered nurses, Wellness 360 provides primary care, prescriptions, vaccinations, treatment for chronic conditions, routine health assessments, diagnostic blood work and counseling. They also provide sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment as well as behavioral health care (e.g., quitting smoking). Nutrition and fitness education is also available.
To access these services, call 210-458-4142 or visit wellness360.uthealthsa.org.
TimelyCare App
TimelyCare is a free and confidential virtual health and well-being app. Mental health professionals are available 24/7 to provide emotional support and talk about anything via phone, video call or messaging. More structured counseling is also available (nine visits per year), and psychiatry appointments are available through referrals. TimelyCare health coaching can provide help with nutrition, sleep habits, time management and mindfulness. TimelyCare also can help students access reduced-cost food, housing assistance, transit support and childcare.
Download the TimelyCare app from the App Store or Google Play, or go to timelycare.com/utsa.
Center for Collegiate Recovery
The Center for Collegiate Recovery provides support for students struggling with substance use disorders, addiction, body image disorders and more. In addition to support meetings and social activities, students have access to a community room and one-on-one services such as counseling. Groups meet in person and virtually.
To access these resources or join a support group, call 210-458-8317.
Student Assistance Services
Student Assistance Services helps students progress academically and develop personally and professionally. Student assistance advocates offer informal and confidential support to help students evaluate their individual concerns and determine the best path forward, and they can serve as mediators between students and the school.
To schedule an appointment, call 210-458-4985 or email studentassistance@utsa.edu.
College of Sciences Student Success Center
The COS Student Success Center (SSC) is a comprehensive resource hub for students in the college. The COS SSC helps students overcome the unique set of challenges STEM majors may face. In addition to a student study area, the COS SSC provides workshops and activities to build professional skills such as interviewing, personal skills such as techniques to manage stress, and academic skills such as how to study and time management. Science mentors—students who have completed at least two semesters in the College of Sciences—are available to all COS students.
For more information on all the resources the COS SSC has to offer, visit sciences.utsa.edu/student. Students are also encouraged to participate in the COS Four-Year Plan. This resource provides students with a checklist to keep them on the right track for all four years of college and can be tracked on their COS 24-25 Canvas page.
Asking for help is a good thing. Chris Lockard, the COS SSC program coordinator, explains it well: “Everyone’s brain is kind of like an iceberg, and all those things you want to do are penguins. You can only fit so many penguins on your iceberg before they start falling off.”
Whether you need help building a bigger iceberg or help reducing the number of penguins, please reach out to the COS SSC to access these resources. UTSA and the COS are here to help.
using job search tools effectively. “As a career center, we don’t do placement; we cannot pick out an employer or a program. But we give you all the other tools to help you succeed in your application,” said Ritchie.
The COS SSC offers tailored support for STEM students, focusing on academic success and professional growth. The center facilitates career preparation through mentorship programs and networking events. Experiential learning plays a crucial role in this initiative, led by biology major Divya Peketi, chair of the COS Experiential Learning Committee. “I remember when I started college, fear of failure was one of my biggest fears,” said Peketi. “When I met with my mentor, the biggest thing she told me was that I had time, and she taught me that it’s OK to take things slowly and that as long as I focus on my path, it doesn’t matter what others are doing.” Peketi now passes this lesson of persistence and focus on to her mentees by offering the same support she once received.
The Experiential Learning Committee provides training opportunities such as workshops, hands-on activities and collaborations with student organizations. Recent events have included CPR training, coding workshops and LinkedIn careerbuilding sessions in partnership with the UCC. The mentorship programs connect students with experienced peers, guiding them through academic and career challenges.
Ritchie also highlights the importance of real-world experience, whether through internships, part-time jobs or volunteer work. “Gone are the days when you could just go to class, graduate and get a job,” said Ritchie. “The job market is highly competitive,
and with AI [artificial intelligence] making job applications more accessible, employers are seeing a 40% to 50% increase in applicants per job.” Similar to internships, experiences like parttime jobs at retail stores or volunteering can provide valuable transferable skills.
UTSA students can further position themselves as superior job applicants with the help of Coursera, an open online learning platform where they can earn industry-recognized project management and data science certifications from companies like Google and IBM. “Does that mean a student can substitute that certificate for one to two years of job experience? Probably not. But for those entry-level jobs that require you to have foundational knowledge, Coursera is going to be the bridge to help get you there,” added Ritchie.
Through mentorship programs, career workshops and networking events, UTSA students gain confidence and professional skills while positioning themselves for success in the job market. With the combined efforts of the UCC, COS SSC and institutional partnerships like the SwRI collaboration, UTSA continues to bridge academia and industry, ensuring students are well-equipped for their transition from academics to the workplace.
“College is a big transition for many students,” said Peketi. “We want to show them that college life is more than just education. By participating in workshops and gaining hands-on experience, students continue to learn with fun while preparing for their future careers.”
The College of Sciences Student Success Center, located in FLN 2.03.02, hosts mentorship programs and mock-interview workshops to help COS students grow professionally.
Faculty Spotlight: Richard Anantua
By Kendall Green
Brooklyn, New York, native Richard Anantua is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He received his undergraduate degrees in physics and philosophy and in economics and mathematics from Yale University and his Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University. He also holds a master of education in education policy and management from Harvard University. After completing a postdoctoral position at Berkeley Theoretical Astrophysics Center, where he conducted high-energy astrophysics research on near-horizon emission modeling of accretion disks and outflows, he returned to Harvard for a second postdoctoral position where he modeled jet/accretion flow/black hole (JAB) systems emission for the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration.
“When the second postdoc finishes, that’s about the time when postdocs leave the nest. Either you continue with your research or enter the job market. I applied mainly to positions in the Middle and Southern U.S. to have a different experience. I had never visited San Antonio before. My only impression was the 1999 NBA Finals when the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks. [The job] was an unexpected opportunity.”
Anantua’s lab at UTSA focuses on black hole astrophysics and principles of general relativity. “My group was the first to bring Event Horizon Telescope science to Texas. We were able to capture the first-ever image of [the Milky Way galaxy’s supermassive] central black hole, named Sagittarius A*. The Event Horizon Telescope is a very important physical
probe. This instrument sees what goes on in the vicinity of these test beds of the theory of relativity, directly probing the light coming from the strong potential well of a black hole. I am proud of bringing this type of science to UTSA.
“... The theory of general relativity can accommodate the fabric of spacetime both condensing and expanding. So, the expansion of the universe is really fundamental to the fate of the universe. And extrapolating backward, the expansion of the universe will tell us about the conditions that matter for the very beginning of the universe. The next step in my research is to further our understanding of general relativity by modeling plasma dynamics in jet/accretion flow/black hole systems for comparison with impending black hole movies to be observed by the Event Horizon Telescope.
“A day in my life at UTSA involves reading through homework and teaching electrodynamics. It also includes employing the theories that are consistent with [Albert] Einstein’s relativity, specifically the electrodynamics special relativity. There’s lots of interactions with students, and I have a growing research group, including a postdoc, graduate and undergraduate students, and even some high school students.
“When I am not in the lab, I like traveling. I enjoy making the effort to learn different languages. I also like public speaking, especially if there’s an opportunity to give science talks. I really enjoy following sports.
“I am still lamenting how New York doesn’t do that well in sports,” Anantua added with a laugh.
Recommended Reading
u The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene “It’s a gateway into string theory.”
u Introduction to Electrodynamics by David J. Griffiths “A one-stop shop for vector calculus and electricity, magnetism, and special relativity.”
u A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking “It’s a book through which Stephen Hawking lives on.”
Awesome Alum: Fernanda Flores
By Adine Bahambana
Although Fernanda Flores graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, she still has strong ties to UTSA.
You might see her working out at the Campus Recreation Wellness Center or soaking up the late-night vibes at the Sombrilla. When Flores looks back at her years at UTSA, her favorite memory was her opportunity to study abroad in Urbino, Italy.
Flores had spotted a Study Abroad program flyer in the Flawn Sciences Building a week before the first meeting. It was the first year that the College of Sciences was offering the Study Abroad experience in Urbino, and because she was a senior, Flores jumped at the opportunity. “It was always something I wanted to do since high school,” she said. “My dad was able to study abroad, and he did his master’s abroad as well, and it really influenced me.
“This program changed my life; it really changed everything I thought I could do in the future,” she said.
While studying abroad, Flores took an Italian studies course to get a deeper understanding of Italy’s history, environment and architecture with field trips around the country. The program also gave students the option to take cultural classes along with their major coursework, so Flores took an Italian language class. Flores enjoyed the trip with financial support through scholarships from UTSA’s Study Abroad office, UTSA’s One Stop Enrollment Center and FAFSA.
The experience not only taught her about her major, but it also taught her about herself. Flores recalls what a former student who went to Italy said to her: “The person that’s going to get on the plane to Italy is not going to be the same person that comes back.”
“I thought it was the cheesiest thing I’d ever heard, but it’s true. It changed my perspective on school and the world,” Flores said. During
her time studying abroad, Flores also had the opportunity to go on trips to other European countries and landmarks where she could apply her newfound experiences to her own life.
Now, as a UTSA alumna, Flores has joined the local San Antonio workforce as an environmental scientist, currently working as an environmental consultant for an engineering firm. But she has plans to fulfill her childhood dream of living abroad in the future. In fact, Flores enjoyed her time in Italy so much that she is determined to pursue a master’s degree overseas. “I’m planning on applying to study abroad again next year; I think I want to go the wildlife biology route in the future,” she said. This won’t take her away from the UTSA community, however, as she is a part of the alumni network and enjoys going to alumni events and staying connected with her former professors—especially Gwen Young, professor of instruction, biology, health and the environment. Young was pivotal for Flores’ success at UTSA, encouraging her to apply for the Study Abroad program, as well as her career success thus far, guiding her through her current job’s application process. “I’m incredibly grateful for every professor I encountered as an undergrad,” Flores said. “I loved what I majored in because of my professors, and I’m really thankful to UTSA for giving me that opportunity.”
#ThisIs WhatA Scientist Looks Like
Reina Saldivar
By Kayo Rahmat
UTSA senior Reina Saldivar has made the most of her time at UTSA by connecting with professionals, participating in research and even educating the next generation of scientists on health-related topics at local schools, such as Garcia Middle School.
After receiving the UTSA Distinguished Presidential Scholarship as a high school senior, Saldivar found a strong alignment with microbiology. The field has always been a particular interest of Saldivar’s, one that began in her early adolescence. “I used to watch the show Monsters Inside Me, and over time, my interest in parasites, viruses and all things microbial grew,” she said. So, the microbiology and immunology major was a natural fit: The degree program equips students for career excellence by offering occupational and research opportunities centered on subjects such as fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Saldivar currently serves as the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) chair for the UTSA student chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), an on-campus organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of microbiology in both academic and healthcare settings. In her role as STEM outreach chair, she organizes monthly visits to local middle schools, where she delivers presentations on the significance of bacteria and fungi as well as how to protect one’s health from disease outbreaks and illnesses.
“Seeing children interested and excited to learn about science is a great way to motivate the next generation of future scientists,” Saldivar added.
Microbiology and immunology both focus on how the human body recognizes and responds to the threats posed by diseases and infections. When Saldivar began her academic career, she took a microbiology lecture course and realized she was interested in pursuing research as a full-time career where she could contribute to the scientific understanding of how the body responds to microbe invasions.
Through this class, Saldivar came across the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program. This Honors research training initiative is designed to prepare trainees for doctoral programs in the behavioral and biomedical sciences while also providing funding for both research and tuition for all participants.
“My future as a researcher truly blossomed once I found MARC, and not having to worry about my finances was a weight lifted off my shoulders,” Saldivar said.
This turning point in her academic journey paved the way for Saldivar to eventually conduct her own research at the University of Colorado. Last summer, she worked as an intern in the Cancer Research Experience for Undergraduates (CREU) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Her research involved the study of the protein syntaphilin and its role in metastatic prostate cancer.
“This was a transformative experience for me, as I gained confidence in my abilities as a scientist and felt more comfortable having independence in a research lab,” she said. “Now I feel like a mini graduate student.”
Shortly after her internship, Saldivar presented her research findings at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). This fall, she returned to the ABRCMS to receive an award for her presentation in the cancer biology division. She shared her research from her summer internship at the University of Colorado and received national recognition for her findings.
After she graduates from UTSA, Saldivar hopes to contribute to research that will benefit human health. “The study of microbes is simply a race to see who defeats who—the virus or the scientist,” she said. “I want to be a part of the generation of scientists that catches up to future viruses before they catch up to us.”
Cody Cly
By Anastasiia Gordeeva
Cody Cly, a physics and astronomy doctoral student, is bridging two worlds that share a profound connection: modern physics and traditional Navajo astronomy. As part of NASA’s Native Sky | Native Earth (NENS) initiative, Cly is working with the Navajo Astronomy Professional Development project, which aims to connect Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary scientific understanding.
“We’ve been doing physics and astronomy traditionally, but it hasn’t been called science; it was more engrained in cultural teachings and stories,” said Cly, who is Navajo. “We have been doing science for a long time. We just have to show others how we’ve been doing it.”
This perspective drives Cly’s work as he approaches graduation in the next year. While some doctoral candidates might focus exclusively on research publications or academic positions, Cly envisions his future will combine his scientific research and deepening connections with Indigenous communities.
“What I really want to do is continue my research as a scientist, but I also want to maintain that connection with my fellow Indigenous scientists and the community,” he said.
For Cly, science communication and education takes on a unique dimension. He sees himself as a translator between scientific concepts and cultural heritage, making knowledge accessible to Native American youth who might not see themselves represented in STEM fields.
“I plan on being myself in the future, blending my cultural heritage with what I do as a physicist,” he said.
His vision extends beyond UTSA, San Antonio and the Navajo Nation. Cly plans to engage in doing more education with Indigenous communities and reaching out to tribes that might need help with science education or would like to learn about his journey to becoming a physicist. He credits collaborators Nancy Maryboy, president and founder of the Indigenous Education Institute, and David Begay, cultural consultant and vice president of the Indigenous Education Institute, for their influence on his work.
We’ve been doing physics and astronomy traditionally, but it hasn’t been called science; it was more engrained in cultural teachings and stories.
The NASA-supported Navajo Astronomy Professional Development project is still in its planning phase, though Cly has already conducted workshops and outreach efforts.
Cly represents a new generation of scientists who recognize that multiple perspectives strengthen scientific inquiry rather than diminish it.
“I want to show future generations of Navajo students that we can do this,” Cly said, embodying the spirit of innovation and access that defines UTSA’s approach to science education.
Peek Inside: The Romo Lab
Peek inside the Romo lab, which focuses on characterizing the role and impact of fungal colonizers in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract during infection by bacterial pathogens. The lab is part of the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID) and the UTSA Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.
Megan Medrano, a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Romo lab, holds Caco-2 cells, used to model the gastrointestinal epithelium, the single cell layer that lines the small and large intestines. Medrano’s work focuses on transkingdom interactions in the mammalian gut between the bacterial pathogen Clostridioides difficile (commonly known as C. diff) and the fungus Nakaseomyces glabratus (N. glabratus)
Medrano grows Caco-2 cells in an incubator held at 37°C and 5% carbon dioxide. Pictured here are cell culture flasks containing Caco-2 cells. Cells are grown until they cover 60% to 80% of the cell culture container and then are split into more flasks to increase the number of cells to meet the required cell concentration for the experiments. These cells will be infected with either C. diff, N. glabratus or both.
Caco-2 cells seeded into transwells, which contain a membrane separating the apical (region above the cells) from the basolateral (area underneath the cells) region. These cells will continue to grow to fill the bottom of the transwell and, over 21 days, differentiate into an intestinal epithelium, capable of becoming polarized and creating an impermeable barrier. Researchers can then expose the cells to C. diff, N. glabratus or both to determine how these pathogens affect the intestinal barrier. 1 2 4 3 5
Medrano adds C. diff cells to media in an anaerobic chamber, a specialized oxygen-free environment used to grow oxygen-sensitive organisms. These cells will be grown overnight and used for experiments the following day.
In the biosafety cabinet, a sterile work area, Medrano inoculates flasks, passages cells, and feeds the cells to keep them healthy and growing. This meticulous process is important to prepare the cells for experiments with C. diff and N. glabratus