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UTMB scientists track breakthrough single-dose vaccines for Andes hantavirus strain

June 11, 2026 • 4:17 p.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

As the Andes hantavirus draws international attention, a breakthrough from The University of Texas Medical Branch offers new hope. Single-dose mRNA vaccines are showing remarkable protection in preclinical studies.

Medical Branch's Brain Economy initiative is an exciting prospect

June 11, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

"The Brain Economy Summit showcases a future in which brain health innovation drives both human and economic vitality. Our region should embrace the medical branch’s Brain Economy initiative as a source of pride and a promise of remarkable breakthroughs ahead, benefiting not only those of us in Galveston County but millions around the world." - Michael A. Smith, editor, Galveston County Daily News

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More than 500 leaders gather for opening day of Texas Brain Economy Summit

June 10, 2026 • 1:52 p.m. by Stephen Hadley

More than 500 leaders converged at the Texas Medical Center to explore a powerful idea: that investing in brain health can transform not only lives, but economies. From workforce resilience to healthy aging, the Texas Brain Economy Summit is sparking conversations that could redefine Texas’ future.

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The most dangerous words in men’s health: ‘I’m fine’

June 10, 2026 • 1:24 p.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

From ED to depression to sleep apnea, the symptoms men avoid talking about with their primary care providers may be the ones that matter most.

We can all learn from the wisdom of children

June 10, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

"In their natural state, children can do and say the most amazing, straightforward, and honest things. This is because they live in the moment, not hanging onto and regretting the past or planning for and anxious about the future as we adults often do." - Dr. Victor Sierpina, professor emeritus of Family Medicine at the The University of Texas Medical Branch.

UTMB launches new flagship magazine highlighting innovation and impact

June 9, 2026 • 11:17 a.m. by Christopher Smith Gonzalez

The inaugural issue of UTMB Magazine, a new flagship publication that launched on June 9, looks beyond the headlines, offering readers an in-depth view of the work and lives that define UTMB.

A doctor in a white coat sits in an exam room speaking with a young man seated across from him beside a computer workstation. Both are smiling and engaged in conversation during a medical appointment.

Men who delay preventive care face risks they don't see coming

June 9, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams

Men’s Health Month highlights the importance of prevention, yet many men still delay routine care, allowing silent conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity-related diseases to go undetected until serious complications arise.

Where’s the Ebola virus hiding and the years-long hunt to find the animal spreading it

June 9, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

Like Marburg, Ebola also plays a hide-and-seek game in the darkest depths of nature, according to Professor Alexander Bukreyev, associate director of the Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Doctor in a white coat reviews a nutrition plan on a clipboard with a patient at a desk; laptop open beside them, and various foods—fresh vegetables, pomegranate, salmon, and a raw pork chop—are arranged on the table, illustrating a dietary consultation.

UTMB integrates 40 hours of nutrition education to strengthen prevention, chronic disease care

June 8, 2026 • 4:00 p.m. by Katherine Adams

UTMB will add 40 credit hours of nutrition education to its medical curriculum at the John Sealy School of Medicine beginning in fall 2026, aligning with federal recommendations to better prepare physicians for prevention and chronic disease care.

UTMB CIO wants to create AI ‘blueprint’ for academic medicine

June 8, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

"Researchers, students and clinical caregivers all view technology through different lenses. What’s top of mind for me is understanding those perspectives and then delivering technology that’s meaningful for each group." -- Jayson Laban, vice president and CIO at UTMB

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UTMB nurses bridge distance to deliver care from ocean to polar stations

June 5, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams

At The University of Texas Medical Branch, a 24/7 Access Center and specialized maritime team coordinates global care for cruise ships and Antarctic stations, supporting providers with expert consults.

What will it take to get a vaccine for the Ebola strain driving the current outbreak?

June 5, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

Thomas Geisbert, a vaccine researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch, helped develop this vaccine over 15 years ago, after the first Bundibugyo outbreak in 2007. In a 2014 study, he and his colleagues showed their Bundibugyo vaccine worked in monkeys. A subsequent study, published in 2023, showed vaccinating monkeys 20 to 30 minutes after exposure also offered high levels of protection.

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Texas Brain Economy Summit 2026: Catalyzing a new wave of innovation and economic growth

June 4, 2026 • 1:35 p.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner and Leslie Sanderson

The high-impact summit will convene more than 600 senior executives, innovators, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore one of the most significant opportunities of our time: building a thriving global brain economy.

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UTMB research advances Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine data

June 4, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Early studies show a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidate protected nonhuman primates, supporting preparedness as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries work to contain cases.

New research examines how mild brain injury sparks early immune response

June 3, 2026 • 12:38 p.m. by Leslie Sanderson

The link between early neuronal damage and the brain’s immune response is poorly understood, but the significance of concussive injury has become a topic of public interest over the last few years, especially in the context of sports injuries. In this study, UTMB researchers were interested in the type of concussion that occurs when impact does not penetrate the brain but causes it to move inside the skull, resulting in injury.

A physician wearing a white coat and stethoscope sits across from a patient during an appointment in a medical exam room. The doctor appears engaged and attentive while speaking with the patient beside a computer workstation.

Primary care helps you stay a step ahead of your health at every age

June 3, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams

Primary care physicians say regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings are essential at every stage of life, helping patients identify risks early and make informed decisions about their health. Alicia Monroe, MD, with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UTMB Health, said preventive care should evolve over time.

Scientists made older mice biologically younger using gut microbes

June 3, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

“We’re learning from this work that the aging microbiome actively contributes to liver dysfunction and cancer risk rather than simply reflecting the aging process,” said Qingjie Li, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at The University of Texas Medical Branch, and lead researcher on the study. “The microbiome has a broader influence on the body’s cancer defenses than previously understood.”

A woman wearing a brown dress and a UTMB lanyard stands at a clear podium addressing seated attendees at round tables, with a projected slide reading “HCID Frontline Response: HHS Region 6 Training” behind them.

UTMB strengthens frontline preparedness for special pathogens

June 2, 2026 • 4:32 p.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

From advanced biocontainment care to regional training, UTMB is strengthening readiness to protect patients, healthcare workers, and communities from emerging infectious threats.

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From routine checkups to urgent needs, primary care physicians help patients navigate care

June 2, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams

Choosing the right level of care — primary care, urgent care or the emergency room — can save time, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. Madhumita Banga, MD, stresses that having a primary care provider and staying current with preventive care can help catch issues early and guide patients to the appropriate care when problems arise.

UTMB pediatric surgeon's hobby helps him reach world's highest peaks

June 2, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

When he dons his mountain-climbing gear, Dr. Harold Pine becomes a willing ambassador for the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The pediatric ear, nose, and throat surgeon—and tenured professor in otolaryngology—recently returned from the foot of Mount Everest, where he and his surgeon girlfriend helped provide medical care to inhabitants of the base camp on Nepal's Khumbu Glacier.

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