From bold vision to Global Impact

Celebrating 85 years of Texas Biomed

Letter from the President

What a moment in Texas Biomed’s history. I am humbled to be at the helm of this pioneering organization founded 85 years ago by a young man with incredible vision. But not only did Tom Slick Jr. see a future for the ranchland west of San Antonio as a bustling “Science City” – he made it happen.

Larry Schlesinger, M.D.

President, Texas Biomed

View President’s Letter

Gratitude

Legacy of support continues

Philanthropy has been a driving force of success since the 1950s, when Tom Slick’s sister, Betty Slick Moorman, started a private fine dining club dedicated to supporting scientific research at the Institute.

Profile

A career of a lifetime: Meet Terry Hawkins

After 45 years of service, Terry Hawkins retired from his “home away from home.”

Briefs

Biomed Briefs

A new partnership to combat screwworm. A look at HIV and TB treatments. How THC reduces side effects of HIV treatment and the first potential measles treatment.

Connections

New fund boosts tuberculosis research capabilities

Texas Biomed has established a $2 million Tuberculosis Innovation and Technology Fund supported by an anonymous donor investment to accelerate future TB discoveries, therapies and cures.

Researchers will be able to grow miniature, 3D organs-on-a-chip using the Emulate Orb and Zoë Culture Module system.

Focus

Health Center Grand Opening Celebration

Texas Biomed and the Southwest National Primate research Center celebrated the new Health Center with staff, architects, construction teams, community members, board members, donors and public officials with two special events in the spring.

Focus

The future is now

As Texas Biomed celebrates its 85th anniversary, significant changes are happening all over campus to ensure the Institute is prepared to take on the challenges of the next 85 years.

Impact

Board of Trustees critical to success

For several decades the Texas Biomed board has provided crucial leadership to the Institute, forging incredible progress that continues to this day.

First board meeting with Tom Slick seated on the right of the group

Catalysts

Professor Kathleen Brasky receives lifetime achievement award

Professor Kathleen Brasky, V.M.D., was honored with the 2026 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Lifetime Excellence in Research Award, one of veterinary medicine’s most prestigious accolades.

Diako Ebrahimi, Ph.D., promoted to Associate Professor

Congratulations to faculty member Diako Ebrahimi, Ph.D., on his promotion to Associate Professor this year. Dr. Ebrahimi joined Texas Biomed in 2019, bringing with him a unique research program investigating how genetic variations across human populations and primate models affect the immune response to viruses, cancer and other diseases.

Virologist and bioinformatician Emily Speranza joins the faculty

Emily Speranza, Ph.D., first heard about Ebola virus when she was five years old. “I remember hearing about it on the news and little me thought, ‘This is terrifying. I need to know everything about it so I am not so scared,'” she said. “In that process, I realized, ‘Wow! These viruses are actually kind of cool.'”

Community

Growing the scientific pipeline

Tom Slick Jr. founded The Foundation for Applied Research, the organization that is now Texas Biomed, with the mission to provide “fundamental research and advanced education” in agricultural research, the natural sciences and medicine.