Skip to Content

nav = neuroscience

Neuroscience

The Neuroscience Graduate Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences promotes interdisciplinary training that crosses traditional departmental boundaries and offers a rigorous foundation in the core concepts of neuroscience. Our goal is to cultivate the development of leaders in neuroscience research. Ongoing research in the program employs a wide array of techniques and includes multiple levels of investigation, ranging from genes, molecules, and cells to neural networks, systems, and behavior. Our faculty's research interests range from molecular & cellular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, computational neuroscience, cancer neuroscience, and translational neuroscience, which focuses on neurological diseases such as brain tumors, neurodegeneration, aging and psychiatric disorders. Unique to the neuroscience program is the option of fast track, which allows those students with strong interest in Neuroscience to bypass the Graduate School's Foundation course. We welcome attendance and participation of all interested faculty, students and other trainees at our retreat, seminars and other program activities.

FACULTY RESEARCH AREAS

News

Chia Hsin (Alex) Lin pointing, presenting his poster to a judge.

Graduate Student Research Day 2026 showcases discovery and innovation

Weeks of preparation culminated in a day of scientific discovery, collaboration, and celebration at the Graduate School’s 10th annual Graduate Student Research Day. Attendees experienced the outstanding...
July 16, 2026
Read More
New Peer Review Challenge prepares students for competitive funding, celebrates first awardees

New Peer Review Challenge prepares students for competitive funding, celebrates first awardees

The Graduate School’s new Peer Review Challenge program, led by the Career Development team, is helping students build essential grant writing and review skills, as we celebrate ...
April 29, 2026
Read More
Zhongming Zhao, PhD, MS, professor and Chair for for Precision Health at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston.

UTHealth Houston researchers map gene disruptions in sporadic early onset Alzheimer’s disease across key brain regions

A new study led by researchers at UTHealth Houston investigated both gene expression and regulation at single-cell levels to reveal disruptions in gene function in three brain regions of patients with ...
January 6, 2026
Read More
November’s Paper of the Month finds that neuronal recycling pathways remain stable across sexes, simplifying future studies of aging and disease

November’s Paper of the Month finds that neuronal recycling pathways remain stable across sexes, simplifying future studies of aging and disease

Neuroscience PhD student Mya Rodriguez has uncovered that male and female neurons maintain equivalent recycling capacity as they age. The findings, published in Molecular Biology of the ...
November 21, 2025
Read More
Mya Rodriguez, pictured with her mentor, Andrea Stavoe, PhD

Recognizing excellence: Mya Rodriguez receives 2025 Terry J. Crow, PhD, Scholarship in Neuroscience

Congratulations to Neuroscience PhD student Mya Rodriguez, who has been awarded the 2025 Terry J. Crow, PhD, Scholarship in Neuroscience for her academic excellence and leadership. Her research explores...
November 1, 2025
Read More

Program Events

Student Workshops and Poster Sessions

Students have the opportunity to deliver full-length seminars on their research to fellow students and faculty and receive extensive feedback on their presentation. Numerous poster sessions held throughout the year offer the chance to present research findings.


Program Events

  • Student Workshops and Poster Sessions

    Student Workshops and Poster Sessions

    Students have the opportunity to deliver full-length seminars on their research to fellow students and faculty and receive extensive feedback on their presentation. Numerous poster sessions held throughout the year offer the chance to present research findings.


  • Annual Student Retreat

    Annual Student Retreat

    Student-organized annual retreat offers a mix of lectures by students, faculty, and alumni, poster presentations, and various social activities.

  • Journal Clubs & Invited Speakers

    Journal Clubs & Invited Speakers

    Journal Clubs offer the chance to present current papers to fellow students, postdocs and faculty. Students have many opportunities to invite speakers for in person and virtual seminars throughout the year.

  • Genetics & Epigenetics and Neuroscience Art Show­case

    Genetics & Epigenetics and Neuroscience Art Show­case

    Annual Arts Showcase involving students, faculty and postdocs. Exhibits include paintings, drawings, ceram­ics, crafts, photography, microscopy and culinary.

  • Master Calendar of Events

    Master Calendar of Events 

Student Spotlight!

  • External Fellowships

    Vicky Chuong, F31 Fabricio Do Monte
    Julia Langman, AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (Mentor Kevin Lin)
    Mekenzie Peshoff, NIH/NINDS F31 (Mentors Long-Jun Wu and Louise McCullough)
    Heather Tsong, F31 (Mentor Andrea Stavoe)
    Kiersten Scott     AHA Pre-doctoral Fellowship (Mentor Urayama)

  • Awards/Fellowships/Scholarships

    2025-2026 Awards/Fellowships/Scholarships 

    Paula Bender
    Sowell-Huggins Fellowship and Faculty Mentor Recognition Award
    Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellowship 
    Dr. John J. Kopchick Research Award
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NRC Poster Session)

    Yuhan Cao
    Investing in Student Futures Fellowship

    Vicky Chuong
    Neuroscience Scholars Program (NSP) Fellow 
    James E. Tempesta, M.D. Endowed Scholarship
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Kathy Guerra
    Schissler Foundation Fellowship

    Dounya Jalloul
    Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellowship Renewal

    Julia Langman
    Dean's Excellence Scholarship

    Beatriz Rios
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Mya Rodriguez
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences Research Excellence - Post Candidacy
    Charlene Kopchick Fellowship
    Terry Crow Scholarship in Neuroscience
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Cheng-En (Allen) Shen
    Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellowship 
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Heather Tsong
    John Alexander Deering Scholarship in Neurodegenerative Disease

    Muxin Wang
    Annette Marie Loguidice Scholarship

    Haoyi Yang
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences Research Excellence - Pre Candidacy
    2025-2026 GSBS Endowment Scholarship

    Julia Zickus
    Sam Taub and Beatrice Burton Endowed Fellowship in Vision Disease
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NRC Poster Session)

    2024-2025 Awards/Fellowships/Scholarships 

    Paula Bender
    American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences Pre-Candidacy Research Excellence Award

    Yuhan Cao
    Neuroscience Retreat Elevator Pitch

    Vicky Chuong
    Graduate School GSRD Poster Award


    Chrystine Gallegos
    John J. Kopchick Renewal
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Archit Gupta 
    SFN Trainee Professional Development Award
    Neuroscience Retreat Elevator Pitch

    Dounya Jalloul
    Neuroscience Retreat Elevator Pitch
    Terry Crow Scholarship in Neuroscience

    Anna Naglis
    City Federation of Women’s Clubs Endowed Scholarship in Biomedical Sciences

    Bridgitte Palacios
    Russell and Diana Hawkins Family Foundation Discovery Fellowship
    John J. Kopchick Renewal

    Mekenzie Peshoff
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences Post-Candidacy Research Excellence Award
    John J. Kopchick Renewal

    Beatriz Rios
    Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Family Legacy Award

    Mya Rodriguez
    McGovern Medical School Retreat Poster Award
    T.C. Hsu Memorial Scholarship
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Madison Shyer
    Graduate School GSRD Elevator Pitch and Peoples Choice Awards
    Neuroscience Retreat Elevator Pitch
    Sam Taub and Beatrice Burton Endowed Fellowship in Vision Disease
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Heather Tsong
    McGovern Medical School Retreat Poster Award
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    Julia Zickus
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (Fall Symposium)

    2022-2024 Awards/Fellowships/Scholarships 

    Alexandra McConnell
    Sam Taub and Beatrice Burton Endowed Fellowship in Vision Disease

    Paula Bender
    Oates Family GSBS Endowment Scholarship
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences 
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NRC Poster Session)

    Vicky Chuong
    GSRD Poster Award
    GSEC Poster Award
    Ralph B. Arlinghaus, PhD Scholarship
    Larry Deaven Ph.D. Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences 

    Chrystine Gallegos
    2024-2025 Marilyn and Frederick R. Lummis, Jr., M.D., Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences
    Work in Progress Presentation Award
    Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellowship
    T32
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences

    Dounya Jalloul
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NGP Symposium)
    MMS Research Retreat GSEC Poster Session Award
    Roberta M. and Jean M. Worsham Endowed Fellowship
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences

    Bridgitte Palacios
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NGP Symposium)
    Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellowship
    Russell and Diana Hawkins Family Foundation Discovery Fellowship (renewed 2024)
    1st Place Poster Presentation, ACTS Annual Conference 2023, Washington D.C.
    Burroughs Welcome Fund Trainee Travel Award
    Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS) TL1 Fellowship

    Mekenzie Peshoff
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NGP Symposium)
    Charlene Kopchick Fellow
    American Legion Auxiliary Fellow in Cancer Research
    Dean's Dean's Excellence Scholarship 
    American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research (reappointment 2024)
    1st Place GSBS Graduate Student Research Day Poster Presentation
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences

    Beatriz Rios
    Inaugural IMSD T32

    Madison Shyer
    GSRD Pre-Candidacy Elevator Pitch

    Kiersten Scott
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NGP Symposium)
    Deans Excellence Scholarship

    Heather Tsong
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences (NRC Poster Session)
    Investing in Student Futures Scholarship
    Terry J. Crow Scholarship in Neuroscience
    Dee S. and Patricia Osborne Endowed Scholarship in the Neurosciences

    Julia Zickus
    GSRD Poster Award

     

  • First Author Publications

    Paula A. Bender, Subhajit Chakraborty, Ryan J. Durham, Vladimir Berka, Elisa Carrillo, Vasanthi Jayaraman; Bi-directional allosteric pathway in NMDA receptor activation and modulation; Nature Communications (2024)

    Salvador Alejo#, Bridgitte E Palacios#, Prabhakar Pitta Venkata, Yi He, Wenjing Li, Jessica D. Johnson, Yihong Chen, Uday P. Pratap, Sridharana Jayamohan, Kyra Clarke, Yi Zou, Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli, Zhao Lai, Zhenqing Ye, Yidong Chen, Andrea R. Gilbert, Takayoshi Suzuki, Rajeshwar R. Tekmal, Weixing Zhao, Siyuan Zheng, Ratna K. Vadlamudi, Andrew J. Brenner, Gangadhara R. Sareddy; Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A/LSD1) inhibition attenuates DNA double strand break repair and augments efficacy of temozolomide in glioblastom; Neuro-oncology (2023)

    Mekenzie M. Peshoff, Pravesh Gupta, Rakesh Trivedi, Shivangi Oberai, Prashanth Chakrapani, Minghao Dang, Nancy Milam, Mark E. Maynard, Brian D. Vaillant, Jason T. Huse, Linghua Wang, Karen Clise-Dwyer, Krishna P. Bhat;Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) regulates phagocytosis in glioblastoma; bioRxiv (2023)

  • NGP Stuco Newsletters

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 33

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 32

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 31

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 30

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 29

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 28

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 27

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 26

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 25

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 24

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 23

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 22

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 21

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 20

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 19

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 18

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 17

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 16

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 15

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 14

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 13

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 12

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 11

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 10

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 09

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 08

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 07

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 06

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 05

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 04

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 03

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 02

    NGP NEWSLETTER VOL. 01

Alumni Spotlight

Deepna Devkar, PhD
Vice President, Machine Learning and Data Platform at CNN Media Company.

To view more Neuroscience Alumni, click here

deepna

Neuroscience Social Media

Neuron for the Contact Us column

contact us

For more information about the Neuroscience Program, please contact

Program Director 
Rodrigo Morales, PhD
(713) 500-7442
[email protected]

Program Co-Director 
Moran Amit, MD, PhD
(713) 745-8392
[email protected]

Program Manager
Amanda Williamson
MSB 7.262, (713) 500-5193
[email protected]