Summer 2022 - Texas Biomed Magazine

Cover Story

Regaining Momentum

Beyond Covid-19

Vision

Welcome to the new TxBiomed magazine

We are launching a new publication: TxBiomed. This new magazine will be published in print annually and online throughout the year.

Biomed Briefs

For decades, no one really knew how the drug praziquantel treated schistosomiasis, a parasitic worm infection afflicting more than 200 million people worldwide. Texas Biomed Professor Tim Anderson, PhD, and his team, and researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin, determined how the drug works on the molecular level to kill the tiny flatworms.

COVID-19 Briefs

TEXAS BIOMED AND PARTNERS DISCOVER NEW, POTENT COVID-19 ANTIBODY COCKTAIL Texas Biomed researchers, led by Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido, PhD, and collaborators at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, discovered a COVID-19 antibody cocktail that appears effective against all variants and other coronaviruses. The cocktail includes two antibodies that target different parts of the virus’s spike protein

Connections

Building Trust to Beat the Next Pandemic

Texas Biomed’s Global Health Symposium 2022 brought together hundreds of participants from around the world online and in person at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Catalysts

FUELING THE INNOVATION PIPELINE

Texas Biomed’s scientists are unlocking solutions for tough health challenges. The expanded Business Development and Strategic Alliances team helps launch innovations and establish ever-more strategic partnerships that support the Institute’s growth, mission and impact.

Faculty Updates

FROM TRAINEE TO FACULTY Olena Shtanko, PhD, started at Texas Biomed in 2011 as a post-doctoral fellow, and has been an independent Staff Scientist for the past five years. When Texas Biomed began recruiting for a new virology faculty member, Dr. Shtanko successfully competed with external applicants, becoming Texas Biomed’s newest Assistant Professor in April.

Gratitude

Network of Support – Global science benefits from incredible local support

Texas Biomed has some of the most unique and gracious groups of supporters contributing time, talent and treasure to advance the Institute’s mission. The Texas Biomedical Forum, Founder’s Council and The Argyle members are steadfast champions for local biomedical research.

Community

IT’S TIME TO STAND4SCIENCE

At the beginning of 2022, Texas Biomed launched a new community outreach campaign, #Stand4Science, aimed at raising awareness and support for biomedical research.

Inspiring the next generation

Texas Biomed’s commitment to young people and science education has kicked into high gear in 2021 and 2022. Even while in-person campus tours were suspended due to the pandemic, the Education & Outreach team developed virtual campus tours for schools and afterschool clubs.

Profile

Meet Veterinarian Shannan Hall-Ursone

From the time she was a child, Shannan Hall-Ursone, DVM, loved animals. “My mother was an elementary science teacher,” explains Dr. Hall-Ursone, who grew up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. “She would bring home a snake or a guinea pig for the holidays and I liked taking care of them….

Focus