Catalyst Fall 2023 - COS

VOLUME 10 | FALL 2023

CATALYST

Advancing Infection and Disease Treatment in San Antonio and Beyond [ PAGE 10 ]

The Magazine of The College of Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio

CATALYST

Contents

Dean: David R. Silva, Ph.D. Editor: Ryan Schoensee Contributing Editor: Lauren Crawford Graphic Designer: Coral Díaz Copyeditor: Ashley Festa

Message from the Dean

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Congratulations

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Good to Know: Fred Martin

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The College at a Glance

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Running Around the World

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COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION

Supporting Student Success

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Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Nicolas Large, Ph.D./HDR

Advancing Infection and Disease Treatment in San Antonio and Beyond

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UTSA Researchers Discover New Method to Inhibit Cholera Infection

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Faculty Spotlight: Jesús Romo

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Awesome Alum: Lynée Massey

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Student Writers: Adine Bahambana, Alex Roush, Amanda Korsah, Ana Gordeeva, Kane Sandoval, Md Mohsin, Pelle Munoz, Sara Timmons Contributing Writers: Jordan Allen, Kane Sandoval Student Artists: Kayla Calderon, Ziqi Yu

Associate Dean for Research: Jose Lopez-Ribot, Pharm.D./Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Operations: Tracy Beasley, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Timothy Yuen, Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Fiscal Administration: Mike Findeisen

#ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike

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Giving

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Assistant Dean for Remote Instruction: Terri Matiella, Ph.D.

COVER ILLUSTRATION

Ziqi Yu

Peek Inside Three Computer 24 Science Spaces The College of Sciences One UTSA Circle San Antonio, Texas 78249 (210) 458-4450 www.utsa.edu/sciences

Catalyst is the biannual publication of the College of Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Catalyst is created for faculty, students, alumni and friends of the college, and it highlights achievements in research, scholarship and community outreach.

facebook.com/UTSASciences twitter.com/UTSASciences instagram.com/utsa.collegeofsciences

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

Student Writers Adine Bahambana Computer Science

Alex Roush Environmental Science

Amanda Korsah Microbiology and Immunology

Ana Gordeeva Chemistry

Md Mohsin Physics

Pelle Munoz Environmental Science

Sara Timmons Biology

Student Artists Kayla Calderon Art

Message from the Dean Greetings from the College of Sciences. This past semester, it has been invigorating to witness the recent growth of our college. We are enrolling and graduating more science students than ever before. During the 2022-23 academic year, 1,092 students graduated with science degrees, the highest number ever recorded in our college. Additionally, our college enrollment soared to 6,190 students this fall—another record. We are honored and delighted to prepare this new cohort to become world-class leaders and scientists who will shape the future.

As part of a Carnegie R1 public research university, we are committed to leveraging our faculty’s research expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to advance health science and improve public well-being. This issue of the Catalyst is an important realization of that vision, and I’m excited to share it with you.

We are making significant contributions to preventing global diseases, identifying new drugs for cancer treatment, and developing novel mRNA vaccines to prevent regional fungal diseases.

Additionally, we are partnering with UT Health San Antonio, Texas Biomed, the Southwest Research Institute and more to work towards a shared goal of improving public health in our communities.

Our health science enterprise is thriving and serves as a prominent example of the partnership between public funding and private philanthropy. I am grateful for the continued support we have received from our donors and alumni. Our accomplishments are made possible with your support, which is contributing to novel research discoveries and training the next generation of professionals and scientists. I am proud to serve and represent the College of Sciences and am eager to see what lies ahead.

Ziqi Yu Chemistry

DAVID R. SILVA, PH.D. Distinguished Professor, Physics and Astronomy Dean, College of Sciences

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Congratulations u C hris Packham (Physics and Astronomy)

was selected to assist with NASA’s next generation space telescope project, the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). As a member of NASA’s Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START), Packham, an expert in the study of black holes, will help establish fundamental science goals for HWO. u K elly Nash (Physics and Astronomy) was

appointed associate vice provost for Faculty Success. Nash previously served as the associate dean for Faculty Success in the College of Sciences. u M ostafa Fazly (Mathematics) and Elizabeth

Sooby (Physics and Astronomy) received endowed fellowships in recognition of their early career impact through research excellence and positive impact on student success. u A strid Cardona (Molecular Microbiology

and Immunology [MMI]) was inducted into the UTSA Academy of Distinguished Researchers in recognition of her work in the field of innate immunity and neuroimmunology. u Z achary Tonzetich (Chemistry) will serve

as principal investigator for a five-year federal grant to develop a more inclusive workforce seeking to join the professoriate in higher education’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The award intends to attract underrepresented faculty through focused

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mentoring and support, and it is part of a larger, $3.2 million grant given to an alliance of academic institutions in The University of Texas System.

with Kelly Nash (Physics and Astronomy) and Amelia King-Kostelac (Integrative Biology) on the creation of the program. u C hiung-Yu Hung (MMI) and Jose Lopez-Ribot

u R ichard Anantua (Physics and Astronomy)

will lead UTSA’s chapter of the Simons Collaboration on Extreme Electrodynamics of Compact Sources (SCEECS). The international organization investigates the electrical and magnetic characteristics of neutron stars and black holes. u E rika Tatiana Camacho (Mathematics and

Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology) was named the inaugural holder of the Manuel P. Berriozábal, Ph.D., and María Antonietta Berriozábal Endowed Chair as well as a professor in the mathematics and the neuroscience, developmental and regenerative biology departments.

In addition to funding Camacho’s new faculty position with the College of Sciences (COS), the endowment will support her research activities and educational programming designed to inspire students to consider future careers in STEM fields. u F erhat Ozturk (Integrative Biology) was

awarded a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to fund UTSA’s HONEY (Honeybee Oriented Nextgen Entrepreneurs and Youth) Pathway program, which aims to develop a new generation of urban beekeepers and to teach students about the medicinal properties of honey. Ozturk collaborated

(MMI) were elected senior members of the National Academy of Inventors. u X inting Yu (Physics and Astronomy) was

among five scientists selected by NASA to receive the Planetary Science Early Career Award. The award aims to advance the research of early-career scientists. Yu’s research focuses on various atmospheric and surface processes of Titan, a moon orbiting Saturn. She plans to use the funds to establish a Planetary Material Characterization Facility at the UTSA Main Campus. u K aitlyn Varela (Chemistry), a fourth-year

doctoral student, recently received the 2023 Merck Research Award for Underrepresented Chemists of Color. The award recognizes graduate students and post-doctoral fellows for their chemical science research across a range of areas, including computational, analytical, medicinal, biological and synthetic chemistry. The award is presented to individuals who are role models for underrepresented groups in STEM.

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

Good to Know: Fred Martin

By Kane Sandoval As the chair of the Department of Computer Science at UTSA, Fred Martin works closely with the dean to advocate for student and faculty interests.

For example, Martin is helping make the department’s qualifying exams more pertinent to potential doctoral students’ research concentrations.

Martin also seeks opportunities to connect with the local community— he and colleague Deborah Leal, a senior management analyst in the Department of Computer Science, regularly visit high schools to introduce students to computer science and UTSA’s programs.

Martin completed a B.S. in computer science and electrical engineering, an M.S. in mechanical engineering, and a Ph.D. in media arts and sciences, all at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His undergraduate studies revolved around robotics, but it was not until his graduate studies in the 1980s that Martin’s interest shifted toward aiding K-12 students.

“As a grad student, I found Logo, a research group that was known for creating the first programming language designed for kids,” Martin said.

During this time, he met the late Seymour Papert, one of the founders of Logo, which was in the process of partnering with LEGO, the well-known building brick company. “[Both companies] thought the same way about kids as creative agents,” Martin explained. He led a team which created the Programmable Brick, a computer the size of a deck of cards, to help students construct robots with LEGOs and learn about computing.

Martin counts the MIT cognitive scientist Edith Ackermann as another college mentor. Ackermann was a crucial contributor to the Logo and LEGO collaboration, and along with Papert, she created LEGO Mindstorms, a line of build-it-yourself robotics with an accompanying app for kids.

“She was very focused on thinking about what the kid is thinking when they are building something and debugging it,” Martin recalled.

Martin spent 12 years at MIT as a student and six more years as a researcher. After MIT, he joined the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Kennedy College of Sciences as a professor of computer science where he taught for 11 years before transitioning to the role of associate dean for Teaching, Learning, and Undergraduate Studies. However, after two decades, he decided it was time for a change. “I was recognizing that in

order to grow professionally and personally, I needed to take on a more direct leadership role,” Martin said. This search brought him to UTSA, where after two months he is already making significant contributions.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “There’s a constant stream of things to do, and I’m enjoying the job.”

Outside the office, Martin is building a house with his family and enjoys exploring San Antonio, especially the city’s live music venues. He plays electric bass—rock, blues and funk—with Juan Gutierrez, the chair of the Department of Mathematics, who plays guitar. The duo is looking for a singer and a drummer, so if any other faculty are interested in joining their band, reach out!

Fred’s Recommended Reading: “These books are from my childhood. All are about realizing there are whole worlds hidden in our world, if we only open our eyes to see them.” u T he Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster u A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle u T he Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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The College at a Glance

MARISOL FARIAS SCIENCE MENTOR, COS SSC, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

“If you’re new to UTSA or unsure of where to start in your field, the COS Student Success Center can help you find a variety of opportunities that you wouldn’t know about unless you met with a science mentor. The opportunities the center offers can help you find your science identity, contribute to your academic success and create connections with employers after you graduate.”

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Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

Graduation Facts The number of students graduating with a science degree grew from 993 in academic year 2021-22 to 1,092 in 2022-23.

Degrees awarded in academic year 2022-23

Bachelor ’s: 833 Master ’s: 148 Doctoral: 37

Spring 2023 Enrollment

Includes undergraduate and graduate students

5,345 science students were enrolled for Spring 2023 LIFE SCIENCES

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

2,473

315

Integrative Biology

195

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

224

Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology

Infographics: Kayla Calderon

Chemistry

96

Earth and Planetary Sciences

COMPUTER/ MATHEMATICAL SCIENCE 1,659

Computer Science

198

Mathematics

184

Physics and Astronomy

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

Running Around the World The college’s global collaborations provide students with unique learning opportunities abroad

By Alex Roush

Global collaborations are an integral part of the College of Sciences.

Establishing broad partnerships allows students and faculty to learn from and work with people around the world, while developing communication skills and cultural understanding. These global initiatives are offered through study abroad opportunities and research collaborations.

In 2022, Gwen Young, a professor of instruction in the College of Sciences’ Department of Integrative Biology, led the college’s first group of students to study abroad. The cohort consisted of 12 COS students—seven environmental science majors and five biology majors—who were joined in Italy by students from UTSA’s architecture and interior design programs. The students received credit for four courses while participating in day trips to Pesaro, Bologna, Ravenna, Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Verona and Rimini, and three four-day weekend trips to Florence, Rome and Venice.

“For three months, students were immersed in the Italian culture, language and way of life while integrating this Italian immersion into their coursework,” said Young. “UTSA’s study abroad programs are the pinnacle of experiential learning, or learning by doing. Diverse experiences and acquired skills such as critical thinking, leadership, management, resilience and cultural fluency are highly valued by employers.”

In Italy, Young witnessed how transformative and enriching the study abroad experience is. “At the end of the semester, students showed significant personal growth and independence. All students returned to the U.S. with a global perspective, lifelong memories, new language skills, new personal and academic interests, and, of course, the ‘travel bug.’ Many students have already returned to Europe, and several are pursuing academic and professional interests overseas.”

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Within the College of Sciences, the Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy (IWRSP) brings together students and faculty from across UTSA to conduct water research relating to water science, engineering, policy, ethics and health. The institute also collaborates with universities around the world, with current partners in Europe and South Asia. “Water research is very transdisciplinary, so anyone passionate about any aspect of water research can get involved,” said Saugata Datta, director of the IWRSP and chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. A current research project in the IWRSP focuses on water sustainability in the Edwards Aquifer. Researchers are predicting how San Antonio’s growing population may impact future water quality in the aquifer.

During the Spring 2023 semester, Aaron Merritt, a junior in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, studied abroad at Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) in Mexico. Before this trip, the only Spanish that Merritt knew was what he had learned from textbooks in class. He soon found this level of fluency wasn’t enough, as most of the Spanish spoken around the UDLAP campus was more casual, often slang and shorthand phrases. He used this learning barrier as motivation to develop his language skills even further.

“While I had previously needed to work hard in my classes, the additional difficulty of my classes being in Spanish led me to start studying with others in groups, utilizing my professors’ office hours and participating much more in class,” he said. “I also appreciated how UDLAP’s International Office often reached out to me and was available when I had questions. After some time, I finally felt like I was decent at communicating in Spanish and ended up enjoying the experience of learning how to interact with others around me. This helped me make a few friends from my classes and even volunteer at a local garden. Going places where most things were unfamiliar to

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

Olivia Baeke spent two semesters at the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies in Japan.

me really helped me appreciate the connections that I’ve made and embrace change a lot more.”

Olivia Baeke, a junior in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology who transferred to UTSA in 2021, always dreamed of studying abroad. A double major in microbiology/immunology and Japanese, Baeke decided she needed an extra push to propel her studies forward and applied for the Fall 2022 semester at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies in Japan. After seeing her Japanese language skills take off, Baeke decided to stay for the following semester. “That was the single best decision I have made in my academic career,” she said. “My 2022 to 2023 academic year was nothing but memorable. I learned many new life skills and made lifelong friends. I am finally at a place in my Japanese studies where I can communicate with natives without having to stress about vocabulary or structuring a sentence.”

Baeke says studying abroad can help students who need a change in their course load. “Taking a year away from intense science classes, such as organic chemistry and genetics, was a much-needed break. I felt myself getting tired and sluggish routinely while taking all the required science and biology courses. Now after coming back, I feel re-energized, and my love for the sciences has been renewed. I am now more than ever eager to learn. My experiences studying abroad will never be forgotten. I hope that, if the opportunity presents itself, [other students] will take the initiative to step out of their comfort zones and out of the United States.”

The College of Sciences will offer a study abroad program in Urbino, Italy, for the Fall 2024 semester. Undergraduate students participating in the COS Semester in Urbino will take up to 12 credit hours of courses that may be applied toward their degree.

Learn more at studyabroad.utsa.edu.

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

Supporting Student Success

UTSA’s academic support services prepare College of Sciences students for bold futures

By Sara Timmons

The road to graduating with a STEM degree is paved with challenges, but College of Sciences students have access to support resources and facilities designed to help students succeed. The College of Sciences’ Student Success Center (COS SSC), the Math Gym and UTSA Libraries offer spaces for learning and collaboration as well as support from faculty, staff and peer mentors.

Whether students need a study buddy, a quiet place to finish that essay or help with research, they will find support from these resources during their academic journey.

The COS Student Success Center The COS SSC helps students find their place in the scientific community through mentorship and events.

Science mentors keep students informed about the university’s current programming and support services.

“We offer events and connections to COS students to help them become more engaged within the college,” said Alyson Guevara, a science mentor. The COS SSC hosts numerous valuable opportunities, such as résumé reviews, research information sessions and a networking series called Taste of Success, in which students connect with UTSA alumni. These events and mentorship opportunities help students strengthen the extracurricular section of their résumés, an important addition for competitive postgraduate education and employment applications. “The COS SSC is designed to be a safe platform for students to explore who they are as scientists,” said Daniel Ramirez-Escobedo, the director of the COS SSC.

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LOOKING FOR AN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY? Check out the COS SSC’S WEBSITE, which lists available internships all year long. Then, connect with a science mentor for help crafting a winning application. sciences.utsa.edu/student

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

UTSA Libraries

The Math Gym The Math Gym is a collaborative space where knowledge and advice is shared between a diverse group of students, which enhances student success. “The Math Gym is not only a great resource to provide students with assistance in understanding their course material and completing their homework assignments, but it’s also a positive social environment where they can make connections and find support from their peers,” said Christopher Duffer, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and the Math Gym’s faculty supervisor.

At the Math Gym, also known as the Webwork lab, undergraduate students enrolled in the STEM core classes receive support from undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) who are majoring or minoring in math. Located in the Flawn Science Building (FLN 3.02.08) on UTSA’s Main Campus, students can come during the day to use the desktop computers, receive tutoring and attend the weekly targeted supplemental instruction (SI) sessions. Students do not have to struggle alone—they can work on their math assignments with a UTA and peers in a supportive space.

UTSA has three library facilities—the Downtown Library, the Applied Engineering and Technology (AET) Library, and the John Peace Library (JPL), which is the largest of the three.

“A library is much more than just the building,” said Emily Johnson, scholarly communications librarian at the Main and Downtown campuses. Open 24/7 Monday through Thursday, midnight to 9 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays, the JPL allows students to use the desktop computers in the common area or they can move to the quiet computing area for extra focus. Students can reserve one of the 14 individual study rooms or 17 group study rooms, which the university also uses to host supplemental instruction sessions. “The study rooms are a really good place to focus without any distractions,” said Alexandra Martin, a first-year biotechnology master’s student.

Each college department has an assigned librarian who meets with students who need a literature review, guidance on research for class assignments and essays, or help navigating the database. The JPL’s “Get it for me” service allows students to access materials that the JPL does not have in-house. If UTSA doesn’t stock a material that a student needs to complete their coursework, the JPL will borrow it from another library. “Your world of library resources is not limited to what we have here at UTSA,” said Johnson.

SI sessions are study sessions led by trained students who have previously succeeded in the core and gateway courses. Students collaborate with the SI leaders to improve their understanding of the course material and prepare for tests. Professors coordinate between different sections of the same course so that each section has the same assignments and material. This allows students from all sections of a course to work together on the same course material and assignments and build community in the process.

THE MATH GYM is designed for all UTSA students, from music majors taking their first college-level math course to upper-level STEM students satisfying their course requirements.

At the JPL’S FRONT DESK, students can check out laptops, headsets and textbooks for free.

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Advancing Infection and Disease Treatment in San Antonio and Beyond Infectious disease research, medical mycology research, drug development and vaccine development are thriving at UTSA

By Md Mohsin

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is typically recognized as the most aggressive brain cancer. Drug development researchers at UTSA are developing small-molecule drugs to treat GBM. Tularemia is caused by a bacterium that can be used as a bioweapon. There’s currently no vaccine against tularemia, but UTSA’s infectious disease researchers are developing one.

No vaccine against fungal infections has ever been invented.

Mycologists at UTSA are developing vaccines against the fungal infection valley fever.

UTSA is at the core of San Antonio’s thriving biomedical research ecosystem, in collaboration with the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed), Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and UT Health San Antonio. Researchers in these institutions are working on at least two novel vaccines and several smallmolecule drugs. UTSA and UT Health San Antonio jointly set up the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery (CIDD), which has been in operation now for 11 years, to tackle small-molecule drug discovery research.

“We work in the areas of cancer, infectious diseases, rare and neglected diseases, and non-opioid pain management,” said Stanton McHardy, the CIDD director and an associate professor

in the Department of Chemistry at UTSA. “Multidisciplinary collaborations are essential in drug discovery and development,” said McHardy, who has pharmaceutical experience working with Pfizer. “Bringing that experience to the CIDD and building successful teams has been amazing.”

McHardy and collaborators are developing a small-molecule drug against Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and lethal brain cancer. “We are developing molecules that are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, engaging our desired biological target and shrinking the GBM tumor in animal models.”

While drugs are created to treat diseases after the infection, vaccines are another important public health tool because they can prevent illness. Karl Klose, the director of the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID) and a professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, is developing a vaccine against tularemia. This disease, also known as “rabbit fever,” is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. This organism is dangerous because it can be used as a bioweapon. “If we can develop a vaccine to prevent people from getting sick and dying, then it will no longer be a scary bug,” said Klose.

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

Hung is developing an mRNA vaccine for coccidioidomycosis, which is also called valley fever and is caused by the fungus Coccidioides.

The way mNRA vaccines work is by taking by taking a small piece of genetic material which encodes a protein antigen found in the microbe to trigger an immune response that confers protection against the pathogen.

Hung established the National Institutes of Health-funded San Antonio–based Coccidioidomycosis Collaborative Research Center (SA-CCRC). “There’s no clinically approved antifungal vaccine,” said Hung, who has filed two patents. “And hopefully, we will understand the protective mechanisms better for those patented vaccines, and then our next step will be to conduct a clinical trial.”

“There are very few research institutions that have so much expertise in medical mycology on one campus or in one city. We have it here in San Antonio.”

Chiung-Yu Hung, associate professor, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Hung is also collaborating with Jose Lopez-Ribot, endowed chair in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and an expert in the discovery of antifungal drugs to develop better chemotherapy against valley fever. The UTSA team is also working with Tom Patterson–Director of the San Antonio Center for Medical Mycology and Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, at UT Health San Antonio–to understand why the fungal pathogen becomes resistant to current drug treatments. “We have lots of antibacterial drugs or antibiotics, but currently, only four classes of antifungal drugs are available,” said Hung. “For valley fever, the most common drug is fluconazole. More than 30% of clinical Coccidioides isolates display resistance to fluconazole.” Hung’s uses is called the “screening and repurposing” approach, which is to screen and identify existing drugs approved for other diseases to see how effective they are against fungi. “If we identify one, downstream development will be much easier,” noted Hung. “We already have several new antifungal candidates we are studying in the lab.”

The tularemia vaccine that Klose is developing uses crippled live bacteria closely related to F. tularensis that can replicate–and therefore train our immune system—but cannot cause disease.

“We cannot protect against tularemia through antibodies alone, like most vaccines do,” explained Klose. “You actually have to stimulate a different arm of your immune response, which is your T-cells, and the T-cells specifically are stimulated by the live organisms in our vaccine.”

UTSA mycologist Chiung-Yu Hung, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, is proud of the university’s role in medical mycology. “We are very competitive in the medical mycology field,” said Hung. “There are very few research institutions that have so much expertise in medical mycology on one campus or in one city. We have it here in San Antonio.”

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The Romo lab participated in #FaceOfScience, a social media campaign that celebrates inclusivity in the scientific community.

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McHardy explains a synthesis route to UTSA students at the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery.

Romo is a first-generation college graduate originally from Mexico.

“I’m the first one in my family to go to high school,” he said. “A lot of my journey is defined by my mentors and the support that they provided for me. And now it’s my job to give back and help other students that came from similar backgrounds. That’s why I love UTSA. A lot of students are who I was.”

Drawing on the university’s solid foundations in medicinal chemistry, infectious disease and mycology research, UTSA created the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) Ph.D. program in 2022. “We say molecular microbiology and immunology, but the students are learning a wide range of cutting-edge techniques: molecular biology, animal models, drug discovery, tissue culture and many more,” said Romo. Texas Biomed is a partnering institute in the MMI Ph.D. program.

“Our graduate students that come to UTSA to get master’s and Ph.D. degrees are in the best place to study infectious diseases,” said Klose.

POP QUIZ ANSWER OVER 80%

Fungi and bacteria research are not always performed independently of each other. Jesús A. Romo, an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI), studies how fungi and bacteria interact with each other and their host in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract and how these interactions impact human health. His laboratory also studies polymicrobial biofilms composed of fungi and bacteria. “When you step into a river and you feel slimy rock, that’s a biofilm,” said Romo. Biofilms are everywhere—both inside and outside of humans. It can be problematic when biofilms form on implanted devices such as catheters, pacemakers and prosthetics. “More than 80% of chronic and recurrent infections are caused by biofilms,” said Romo. Most of the time, there is no alternative but to remove the device.

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

UTSA researchers discover new method to inhibit cholera infection

By Ryan Schoensee

Karl Klose, director of the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID) and the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg College of Sciences Endowed Professor, coauthored a research article with Cameron Lloyd ’23, a UTSA alum who graduated in August with a Ph.D. in molecular microbiology and immunology under the guidance of Klose.

The research paper investigates a novel strategy for inhibiting the spread and infection of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera.

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Control and Prevention, cholera is an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, vomiting, circulatory collapse and shock. If left untreated, 25% to 50% of severe cholera cases can be fatal. Cholera is a leading cause of epidemic diarrhea in some parts of the world, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates up to 4 million people are infected each year.

The research article is titled “A peptide-binding domain shared with an Antarctic bacterium facilitates Vibrio cholerae human cell binding and intestinal colonization” and was recently published by The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). PNAS is a peer-reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences that broadly spans across the areas of biological, physical and social sciences.

Lloyd was the primary author and completed the article as his thesis project under the advisement of Klose, who has been studying the pathogenic mechanisms of V. cholerae for 30 years. In the five years Lloyd worked in Klose’s laboratory, he learned how to genetically manipulate the bacteria and measure its ability to spread disease, bind to red blood cells and form biofilms, which are layers of bacteria that form on a surface and are resistant to antibiotics. Lloyd is currently interviewing for several postdoctoral fellowship positions in laboratories across the nation.

V. cholerae is found naturally on various surfaces within marine environments. When humans consume water or food contaminated with V. cholerae it colonizes the gastrointestinal tract and causes cholera. According to the Centers for Disease

“By taking advantage of the structural similarities of functional domains in two large adhesins [cell-surface components or appendages of bacteria that facilitate adhesion to other cells, usually in the host they are infecting or living in]

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

It is possible that this could be part of intervention strategies to inhibit these bacteria from causing disease and persisting in the environment.

The Klose Lab in the College of Sciences.

produced by two different organisms, we were able to characterize an effective inhibitor to intestinal colonization and biofilm formation,” said Lloyd.

In collaboration with the laboratories of Peter Davies, Canada Research Chair in Protein Engineering and professor of biomedical and molecular sciences at Queens University in Canada, and Ilja Voets, professor of chemical engineering and chemistry at Eindhoven University in the Netherlands, Lloyd and Klose successfully identified a peptide, a short chain of amino acids that make up proteins, that can inhibit the virulence of V. cholerae. They discovered that the peptide inhibiters that bind to Marinomonas primoryensis, an Antarctic bacterium that sticks to microalgae in a similar manner to how V. cholerae sticks to human intestines, can also disrupt V. cholerae from adhering to human cells, forming biofilms and colonizing the gastrointestinal tract.

The Klose lab is a part of the STCEID and specializes in studying how bacteria cause disease. The lab has worked most extensively with V. cholerae and Francisella tularensis, the bacterium that causes tularemia, also known as rabbit fever.

STCEID researchers form one of the premier centers for this type of research in the nation. The center connects state-of-the-art facilities with the diverse expertise of its faculty to cultivate an environment that answers critical questions relating to emerging and bioweapon-related diseases. The facilities and faculty at the center also serve an important role in providing hands-on training to undergraduate and graduate students who intend to pursue careers in science and technology.

“This project and others like it have equipped me with an in-depth knowledge of molecular biology, coding, and high-throughput data analysis,” said Lloyd.

“We demonstrated that these peptide inhibitors could inhibit both biofilm formation as well as intestinal colonization by V. cholerae,” said Klose. “It is possible that this could be part of intervention strategies to inhibit these bacteria from causing disease and persisting in the environment.”

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

Faculty Spotlight: Jesús Romo

By Pelle Munoz UTSA alum Jesús A. Romo is a medical mycologist and assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI). Romo is a proud member of the American Society for Microbiology and of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), two professional organizations he is still affiliated with today. He is originally from Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico.

Romo’s journey as a student at UTSA began in 2006 with an interest in the sciences as he began pursuing a B.S. in biology. He initially opted for the pre-med track, but discovered his calling after embarking on a microbiology course and its accompanying lab under Karl Klose, professor of MMI. Romo’s uncovered passion for microbiology opened his eyes to the world of research and led him to join the master’s program in biology to teach that same microbiology lab.

Romo also conducted research in the laboratory of Janakiram Seshu, professor of MMI, characterizing the signals that the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi senses as it transitions from a tick to a mammalian host. He also continued to instruct microbiology labs until he completed his M.S. in biology in 2012. After he began the cell and molecular biology doctoral program at UTSA in 2014, he taught biosciences and cell biology labs.

“UTSA is the place that allowed me to fully step into who I am now,” said Romo. “I was very fortunate to find true mentors in UTSA’s faculty.”

As the first in his family to go to high school, he felt moments of uncertainty at times. Like 16

many first-generation college students, Romo lacked sufficient academic guidance. It was his unwavering academic dedication and the faculty leadership at UTSA that had the most impact in supporting his academic journey.

Romo attributes much of his success to Jose Lopez-Ribot, associate dean for Research and a mentor who realized Romo’s potential and fostered his interest in teaching.

Under Lopez-Ribot’s guidance, Romo conducted his doctoral research focused on developing new therapeutic interventions to treat fungal infections. Upon graduating with a Ph.D. in 2018, Romo relocated to Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) in Boston for his postdoctoral training. While at TUSM, he worked in the lab of Carol A. Kumamoto, whose research focused on how the fungus Candida albicans interacts with its host during both normal colonization and invasive disease in the gastrointestinal tract. Romo investigated the balance of fungi found in the gastrointestinal tract, which could either protect from or exacerbate bacterial infections within the host.

In 2022, Romo returned to UTSA to accept a faculty position where he could continue his research and teach. He was thrilled that his return to San Antonio would bring his wife, daughter and himself closer to the rest of his family living in the Alamo City. “It’s been a journey,” he said. “It feels like coming back home.”

Currently, his lab focuses on characterizing the role and impact of fungal colonizers in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals during infection by bacterial pathogens like

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Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Researchers in the lab use a variety of models to form questions and understand the contribution of fungi to bacterial infections.

During his time as a faculty member with UTSA’s College of Sciences, Romo has had the opportunity to celebrate some of his proudest moments with his students. Whether it was taking in his first doctoral student or seeing all the students from his laboratory present their research at the Department of MMI 2023 spring symposium, Romo feels fulfilled knowing that he is accomplishing what he set out to do. “It really feels like the stars aligned with UTSA.” Romo became a mentor, researcher and teacher with the help of UTSA and is excited to bring his passion for fungal-bacterial interactions to the institution. “For me, the most important thing was being in a place where I can make a difference,” he said. “I’m very happy to be back!”

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

Awesome Alum: Lynée Massey

By Ryan Schoensee Meet Lynée Massey, a data analyst for a lab under Jeffery Kelly, professor of chemistry at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. Massey is a proud UTSA alumna who earned her B.S. in chemistry with a minor in mathematics.

UTSA was Massey’s top choice for higher education, as she was awarded the university’s Distinguished Presidential Scholarship (DPS) in recognition of her exceptional scholastic achievement at O’Connor High School in Helotes, Texas. DPS is valued at up to $20,000 for four years and is one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships at UTSA. Massey joined UTSA in 2015, and as she continued her studies, she fell in love with the chemistry department and the research opportunities available through Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC), a program at UTSA that prepares students for future careers in research.

Massey’s MARC training prepared her to participate in summer research programs at the University of California, Berkeley and at Scripps Research Institute, where she was first introduced to chemical biology. During her summer research program at Scripps, Massey was introduced to several faculty members who remembered her later when she applied there to attend graduate school.

“Participating in research via the MARC program at UTSA absolutely set me on my career path,” said Massey. “The support and training I got in the MARC program, coupled with the amazing mentorship I received from Dr. (Michael) Doyle and postdocs in his laboratory, was instrumental in my decision to pursue research as a career.”

Michael Doyle, endowed university chair and professor in the Department of Chemistry, guided Massey in 2018 to attend a research conference in Tianjin, China, with several other UTSA chemistry students. As Massey traveled back from China, she debated whether to submit a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships Program, as the deadline was only three days from when she returned to Texas.

“I almost decided not to apply due to the time restraint, but Dr. Doyle implored me that I should give it a try,” said Massey. “I stayed up pretty much the entire three days to get it completed and was ecstatic when I was awarded the grant. It was a very fulfilling time in my life.”

WISE WORDS “I would highly encourage students to get involved in research. Learning handson and applying what you’ve learned in class toward real-world problems is an invaluable experience.”

In Massey’s current role at Scripps, she analyzes datasets that range from 3,000 to 20,000 genes or proteins following the treatment of cells or organoids with priority small molecules from the Kelly lab.

Massey works to interpret these datasets, ultimately looking to identify potential mechanism of action for the molecules. Several molecules prioritized by the Kelly lab show promise in models of pathobiological neurodegenerative disease, an area that’s lacking in efficacious therapeutics. Massey plans to expand her knowledge of coding with R, a programming language that specializes in statistical analysis, to optimize data analysis and generate more informative figures.

“Participating in research at UTSA helped me learn how to be a scientist,” said Massey. “The training I received from Dr. Doyle and his postdoctoral fellows was top-notch. Additionally, it was lovely to actually enjoy my classes because they were taught by such dedicated and passionate faculty members.”

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

#ThisIs WhatA Scientist Looks Like 18

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

Ashley Bolton

By Amanda Korsah First-generation college student Ashley “Ash” Bolton is a senior neuroscience major. Bolton always had an interest in how the brain works, but she did not begin her study of neuroscience until she became a Roadrunner. “I love that there is so much left for us to discover about it,” Bolton said. “It is kind of funny that so many brains are working to crack the code of what is going on inside that very brain.”

After graduating from Judson High School in Converse, Texas, Bolton initially enrolled at Northeast Lakeview College in Live Oak, Texas, where she earned an associate degree in computer science. In search of a college community nearer to her family, she joined UTSA in 2021.

When Bolton enrolled at UTSA, she originally considered continuing her studies in computer science. A TV show called The Secrets of the Human Brain about the mysteries of the brain on the History Channel changed her mind. “I took a look into the multidisciplinary neuroscience track and saw that it involved a little bit of everything and felt it was more meant for me,” she said. Bolton is now a student assistant in the Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology (NDRB), which gives her the opportunity to work with other neuroscience students, build connections with faculty and learn more about the department’s research.

“I encourage new neuroscience majors to appreciate the multifaceted aspects of learning about the brain and the mechanisms that encompass it,” she said. After graduation, Bolton plans to pursue a career field that combines her background in computer science and her neuroscience major.

“I would like to work in a lab doing behavioral research with

a focus on criminal or psychotic minds, or work with a tech company so that I can combine my interest in computers with my interest in the human brain.”

Bolton values the guidance she has received from UTSA faculty and staff. She advises students interested in studying neuroscience to speak to Jay Wilson, program manager for the NDRB department, for guidance on their academic journey.

“He wants our success probably as much as we do,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter if he has mentored you or spoken to you before. He will absolutely take the time to talk to you and point you in the right direction.” Bolton credits her counselor, Chris Crenshaw, for his understanding and determination through her major. “He always makes time for in-depth conversation not only about where I’m at right now, but also where I want to be so that I can take classes that will actually supplement me further down the road.”

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

Emiliano Beltran

By Adine Bahambana After applying to UTSA, Emiliano Beltran, a student from El Paso, Texas, was accepted into one of the first cohorts of UTSA’s Bold Promise program, which fully covers students’ tuition for all four years of their undergraduate degree. In addition to his full tuition, UTSA offered Beltran’s ideal combination of a close-knit community with access to many student clubs and organizations. He is now a part of over seven clubs at UTSA with leadership positions in several of them. He works as a science mentor for the UTSA’s College of Sciences Student Success Center (COS SSC) and as an undergraduate research assistant. Beltran is also an Honors College student, and he serves as the vice president of internal affairs for the COS Student Council and as treasurer for the American Statistical Association UTSA Student Chapter (Stats Club).

Beltran started as a math major, but after receiving advice from his professor about the pressing workforce needs in programming and technology, he joined the new mathematics of data and computing degree program which combines disciplines of both computer science and math. He appreciates the flexibility the major provides to find interests inside the computer science and mathematics fields. “I would advise anyone who is looking to be a mathematics of data and computing major to be open to taking courses that might align with any interests they may have, even when having little interest in the subject,” he said. Although he decided mathematics of data and computing was the program for him, Beltran could take classes from cybersecurity to differential equations and have them all count toward his degree plan.

Beltran’s work as an undergraduate research assistant started with CS4SA, a grant project funded by the National Science Foundation under the guidance of Timothy Yuen, professor in the Department of Computer Science and interim chair of the Department of Integrative Biology. The project has yielded many opportunities for Beltran.

The project aims to increase Latinx college enrollment in computer science by providing culturally responsive professional development workshops to San Antonio Independent School District middle school and high school teachers so that they are prepared to take the TExES 8-12 computer science certification exam and become certified to teach computer science. Since joining CS4SA in May, Beltran has facilitated workshops and taught professional development bootcamps centered on Java and object-oriented programming.

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Beltran also co-authored a paper about the CS4SA team’s experience in delivering the program across three cohorts of SAISD teachers, which will be included in the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) technical symposium 2024 program in March 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

Beltran said he owes most of his success as a student to his mentors and teachers who guided him during his academic journey. Much of his support came from his involvement in the COS SSC. Becoming a science mentor opened the door to networking and professional development events that allowed him to get involved with CS4SA and discover his passion for data science. UTSA’s Honors College also influenced Beltran to pursue more campus involvement opportunities.

He joined UTSA’s soccer and volleyball intramurals–which, to his surprise, count as an Honors Experience–where he made even more connections outside his academic and career groups.

Beltran hopes to take his data science interests abroad and study in either England or Chile for the Summer 2024 semester before he graduates in August 2024. He is set on pursuing a Ph.D. in data science and using his degree to continue giving back to his community.

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

Tiffany Jensen

By Ana Gordeeva “Dominic Fike, he’s a gem! I’ve never adored every single song of an artist before,” exclaimed Tiffany Jensen, a senior physics major, as she pointed at the two tattoos she got in Fike’s honor. The tattoos each have a story of their own. “I’ve got one inspired by his ‘Don’t Stare at the Sun’ tour,” she explained. “It’s similar to the one he has on his face.

I got it on a whim after one of his concerts in Austin.”

Spontaneous and curious, Jensen applies her interests in science, art and self-expression in her studies. “Physics, especially in computational or theoretical aspects, can be artful. There’s room for creativity and innovation. It’s not just about dry calculations; it’s about exploring the unknown in unique ways.”

Jensen’s journey into physics was sparked by a curiosity about the universe. Her current research, which she presented at the American Astronomical Society’s 242nd meeting, is titled, “Synthetic Stardust Signatures in Simulated Space Environments.” Jensen’s research involves grinding up minerals–such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicates–to mimic stardust and then identifying unique signatures in these synthetic stardust samples. Signatures refer to electromagnetic radiation and the specific wavelengths that are emitted, which are unique to each element and compound. The wavelength signatures observed are used to determine the material composition of stellar bodies.These signatures can offer crucial insights into how materials evolve in the extreme conditions of space.

Jensen is investigating the chemical compositions in stardust to better understand how these materials contribute to forming the stars and planets in our galaxy.

She found the experience of presenting at a conference to be transformative and eye-opening: “Meeting fellow physicists and astronomers from around the world, discussing cutting-edge research and attending engaging sessions—it was incredible.”

Her most pressing research question delves into the enigmatic realm of black holes. “I’m intrigued by the unaccounted-for mass in black holes,” she said. “What happens to the mass that doesn’t get excreted from black holes? It’s a mind-boggling mystery. I’d love to know what’s inside a black hole someday.” Eventually, Jensen would like to journey into outer space and research how plants might grow in space.

For now, Jensen wants to make science more accessible to the visually impaired. For example, through innovative devices like light-sound boxes and tactile forms available to the community through outreach events, she ensures that everyone can experience the wonder of eclipses.

I’m intrigued by the unaccountedfor mass in black holes. What happens to the mass that doesn’t get excreted from black holes? It’s a mind-boggling mystery. I’d love to know what’s inside a black hole someday.

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

GIVING

Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund inspires UTSA’s next generation of pharmaceutical researchers

By Jordan Allen

A new undergraduate research experience in pharmaceutical chemistry at UTSA will enable students across the state to gain hands-on training in drug discovery and development before graduation, thanks to a three-year, $450,000 grant from the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund.

Led by Doug E. Frantz, who holds the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry, the program will offer an immersive learning opportunity to a select group of students from universities across South Texas beginning in the summer of 2024.

Students will spend 10 weeks at the UTSA Main Campus working alongside renowned faculty members in state-ofthe-art research laboratories. Supported by the Voelcker Fund, participants will receive financial assistance, including stipends and support for living and travel expenses.

The funding ensures that students will have the opportunity to fully engage with the program and thrive without financial barriers.

“This immersive program embodies UTSA’s commitment to fostering a culture of research excellence, and it provides the most talented students with world-class experiential learning opportunities led by renowned experts in the

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field,” said Karl Miller-Lugo, UTSA vice president of advancement and alumni engagement. “I am deeply grateful for the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund’s visionary investment in our students. Their generosity will advance opportunities for success and empower the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists.”

During the 10-week program, students will delve into cutting-edge topics in drug discovery and development. They will study scientific subjects ranging from basic chemistry to structural biology, and they will actively contribute to groundbreaking research projects that have the potential to revolutionize medicine.

By immersing themselves in what Frantz describes as “the trials and triumphs of drug development,” students will gain a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of this critical field. Moreover, the students’ exposure to applied research will provide an eye-opening experience, fostering a genuine understanding of the challenges and benefits of UTSA graduate programs.

“This new opportunity for undergraduates will allow the Department of Chemistry to attract the brightest minds to UTSA early in their research career,” said Audrey Lamb,

Fall 2023 | Catalyst | UTSA

UTSA professor of chemistry and department chair. “As we push forward with our Tier One research university status, these young minds will be key to fostering a dynamic research environment that propels the university to the forefront of scientific exploration.”

Established in 2001, the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund is dedicated to supporting medical research and healthcare advancements in San Antonio. The fund focuses on providing grants to researchers and organizations that strive to improve patient care, enhance medical education and foster breakthroughs in biomedical research.

“The Voelcker Fund seeks to inspire students about the promise and fulfillment of medical research as a career.

We are excited to be a part of the UTSA Department of Chemistry’s new initiative,” said Banks Smith, trustee of the Voelcker Fund.

For more than a decade, the Voelcker Fund has been supporting UTSA’s focus on research that has the potential to significantly impact patient care, including the work taking place at the UTSA Center for Innovative Drug Discovery (CIDD). In 2020, Voelckers’ support led to the establishment of the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker

CIDD Preclinical Pharmacology Core for Accelerated Drug Discovery, which is developing innovative technologies to determine the cardiovascular safety of all new drugs under development.

“The Voelckers’ unwavering commitment to nurturing student excellence at UTSA is truly remarkable and evident through their longstanding support, ranging from the establishment of the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery to the generous contributions toward faculty endowments,” said Frantz. “Their profound impact on UTSA, San Antonio and the broader South Texas region are clearly evident in the success stories of countless students who have benefited directly or indirectly from the Voelcker Fund. These individuals have embarked on incredible career paths, securing prestigious positions and admission into top graduate programs across the nation, thanks to support from the Voelcker Fund.”

Inspired to learn how you can make a difference? Reach out! I am here to help.

Taylor Bird | Director of Development taylor.bird@utsa.edu

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UTSA | Catalyst | Fall 2023

Peek Inside Three Computer Science Spaces Discover three spaces in the Department of Computer Science used to advance scientific discovery and learning SAN ANTONIO VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS (SAVE) LAB Under the guidance of director and computer science professor John Quarles, SAVE lab participants conduct research in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality, mixed reality, simulation, 3D user interfaces and games with a focus on using technology to assist people in training, educational, and healthcare settings. In 2020, Quarles and Ph.D. student Samuel Ang developed GingerVR, the first open-source Unity software tool kit that allows developers to use proven techniques and innovative solutions against cybersickness in future extended-reality environments. The lab has collected several cybersickness-related multimodal datasets, which they have used to train deep learning models for cybersickness prediction and reduction. Also, researchers in the SAVE lab aim to create novel technology to make VR more accessible for people with disabilities.

REAL-TIME AND EMBEDDED SYSTEMS (RTES) LAB Helmed by Dakai Zhu, a professor in the Department of Computer Science, the RTES lab studies efficient usage of computing system resources to better serve the needs of timing-constrained applications through system modeling, design of scheduling algorithms, and performance analysis and evaluations. Currently, Zhu and three Ph.D. students are researching efficient compressing techniques to obtain smaller but accurate machine-learning models for mobile robots to achieve intelligent and autonomous capabilities with limited computing resources.

To improve the health and wellness of vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities, older people and people with autism, the research team is also developing learning-based software and hardware components to enable intelligent sensing of medical information with extremely low-power medical Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

MAIN COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENT LAB Located in the North Paseo Building (NPB), the department’s main lab is available for computer science students to use for research and tutoring throughout the day. The lab features state-ofthe-art computing clusters and research equipment, including 113-compute node cluster and artificial intelligence workstations with cutting-edge graphic processing units (GPUs).

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