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Learn more about how MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School equips the researchers of tomorrow with the education and training to turn discovery into life-saving solutions.  

As the new dean of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, I’m honored to work with our outstanding students, faculty, and staff to advance the school into the next frontier of biomedical research. I’m also thrilled to be joining the school during its 60th anniversary year. It is an opportune time for us to collectively propel MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School to new heights as a powerhouse of research education.

Our Graduate School has a rich history of providing an innovative and collaborative academic environment that provides students with access to basic and translational scientific programs to turn discovery into life-saving solutions. It offers an unprecedented breadth of opportunities for outstanding graduate students to train with leading researchers from our parent institutions, MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston. 

I look forward to working with them, and I—like the leaders before me—will continue to leverage their joint support to ensure our school remains at the forefront of biomedical graduate education excellence.

I’m also excited to collaborate with students and faculty in interprofessional teams to elevate our national standing and global presence. Looking forward, we’ll remain committed to tracking national and international trends in graduate education, aligning our programs to equip our students with the essential competencies required to support the use of medicine and health technologies over the next 10 to 20 years.

While I will be working closely with students, faculty, and staff to spotlight the school’s successes in science, I also aim to collaborate with alumni and supporters to help showcase our school’s unique attributes. It was amazing to see the unbelievable support for students from the Graduate School community during my visits to the school, and I’m happy to continue to cultivate this culture during my tenure. 

I want to emphasize to our students and faculty that I’m here for you. If you have any questions or if there's anything you need, please feel free to reach out.

Sincerely,

Alejandro Aballay, PhD
Dean, MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School

Photo of GSBS Dean, Alejandro Aballay, PhD

  • Vision Statement

    To create a collaborative and innovative academic environment that inspires and lays the foundation for new generations of biomedical scientists to realize their potential, commit to success and make discoveries that have major impact on treatment of diseases worldwide.

  • Mission Statement

    Our mission is to maintain an innovative and diverse environment that provides an unprecedented breadth of opportunities for outstanding graduate students to train with leading biomedical scientists at MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston. The combined strengths of these institutions provide students with access to basic and translational scientific programs that are at the cutting edge of the fight to treat all major diseases. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a rigorous exposure to critical thinking strategies, area specific scientific skills, and career development initiatives. The curriculum, together with an emphasis on research training and scientific productivity, is designed to position our students for an outstanding and successful career in the biomedical sciences.

  • Accreditation

    • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and professional degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
    • .The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.697.4500 for questions about the accreditation of MDACC.
    • Our Specialized M.S. Program in Genetic Counseling is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, located at 18000 W. 105th Street, Olathe, KS 66061.  Telephone: 913.895.4629; Fax: 913.895.4652; Website: www.gceducation.org
    • Our Specialized M.S. Program in Medical Physics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, inc., located at One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740.  Telephone: 301.209.3346; Fax: 301.209.0862; Website: www.campep.org
  • History

    In 1962 there was a movement, led by then MD Anderson Hospital President, R. Lee Clark, M.D., to establish The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston.  At that time there were 13 predoctoral students studying with scientists at MD Anderson who were enrolled through The University of Texas at Austin.  Six MD Anderson scientists were special members, and four students were special associates, in the Graduate School Faculty at Austin.

    The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston was established on June 11, 1963, and activated by the Board of Regents of the University of Texas on September 28, 1963.

    After a two-year national search to recruit an outstanding scientist as Dean of the new school, Paul A. Weiss, Ph.D. was chosen.  At the time of his GSBS appointment he was 66 and had just retired from the Rockefeller Institute.  The Rockefeller graduate program, where the curriculum was interdisciplinary, was the prototype for Dr. Weiss' plan for the curriculum.

    The University of Texas Medical School at Houston was established in 1970, and, like the GSBS, was under the administration of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.  The assimilation of the basic science faculty at the Medical School into the Graduate School Faculty went smoothly.  Before that time, most Graduate Faculty had their primary appointments at MD Anderson, with a few at the Dental Branch and the School of Public Health.  In 1972 The University of Texas System established The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to be the administrative entity for all UT schools in Houston.

    In 2017, the Graduate School adopted a new name—The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences— to celebrate the enduring and strong partnership of our parent institutions, MD Anderson and UTHealth, and their shared commitment to the school’s talented and passionate students and faculty.

    In 2022, the GSBS adopted a new name and logo to correspond with the updates made at our parent institution, UTHealth Houston. The school’s new full name is: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

    GSBS Deans

    • Alejandro Aballay, Ph.D. (2024 -  Present)
    • Sharon Dent, Ph.D. (Interim) (2022 - 2024)
    • Michelle Craig Barton, Ph.D. (2012 - 2020)
    • Michael R. Blackburn, Ph.D. (2012 - 2022)
    • George M. Stancel, Ph.D. (1999 - 2012)
    • Paul E. Darlington, Ph.D. (Interim) (1997-1999)
    • R. W. Butcher, Ph.D. (1979-1996)
    • Roger R. Hewitt, Ph.D. (Acting) (1977-1979)
    • Margery W. Shaw, M.D., J.D. (Acting) (1976-1977)
    • Alfred G. Knudson, M.D., Ph.D. (1970-1976)
    • Sumter S. Arnim, D.D.S., Ph.D. (1966-1970)
    • Paul A. Weiss, Ph.D. (1965-1966)