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Meet the Staff: Lauren Nguyen

Jul. 2, 2026

Meet the Staff: Lauren Nguyen

Communications Assistant Lauren Nguyen helps keep the Graduate School community informed and connected through her work to showcase the people who make the Graduate School a vibrant and welcoming community. Learn about her journey from student communications worker at the University of Houston to her role at the Graduate School.

Community Outreach Group connects science with the community

Community Outreach Group connects science with the community

The Graduate School's Community Outreach Group is helping spark curiosity about science throughout Houston. Through partnerships with local schools, museums, and community organizations, student volunteers lead hands-on activities that make biomedical science accessible and fun for learners of all ages. Meet the GSBS Community Outreach leadership team and learn what inspires their passion for science communication and community engagement.

(L-R): Jewel Elliott, MPA, T32 Program Manager; Jeffrey Frost, PhD, and presenters: Farinaz Barghi, PhD, Jack Adams, Ritu Bohat, PhD; Amir Hernandez, PhD, Natalie West, Brian Koehler, Emma Wheeler, PhD; and Amit Niyogi. (Photo by UTHealth Houston)

Doctoral research students compete in fourth annual research competition

The UTHealth Houston Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences hosted its fourth annual T1-T4 in 3 (Minutes) Translational Challenge on June 10. The eight in-person presenters and one online presenter, Natasha Garcia-Rodriguez, competed for monetary prizes to support their research.

June’s Paper of the Month: Unraveling the function of MutSgamma during meiotic chromosomal segregation

June’s Paper of the Month: Unraveling the function of MutSgamma during meiotic chromosomal segregation

Recent Genetics and Epigenetics graduate Melissa Frasca, PhD, uncovered that the complex MutSgamma acts earlier in the meiotic chromosomal segregation pathway than previously expected. Her findings in the lab of Francesca Cole, PhD, provide new insight into the mechanisms that ensure accurate chromosome segregation and may help advance future infertility research.

Kopchick Fellow Richa Nayak investigates the role of “jumping genes” in stem cells and human disease

Genetics and Epigenetics PhD candidate Richa Nayak is investigating how “jumping genes” — ancient viral sequences embedded in our DNA — are regulated in adult stem cells. These ...

From left: Dean Eric Boerwinkle, PhD; Theresa Tran, MD; Mayor John Whitmire; President Melina R. Kibbe, MD; and Scott Forbes. (Photo by UTHealth Houston)

UTHealth Houston partners with city of Houston to establish new academic health department

UTHealth Houston announced today a partnership with the city of Houston to establish a new academic health department that will strengthen the region’s public health workforce, expand hands-on training...

Elvis Parada pictured in head shot

Meet the Staff: Elvis Parada

As Director of Student Affairs and Admissions, Elvis Parada helps guide prospective students through the admissions process while supporting the programs, events, and experiences that enrich student life...

Eckel-Mahan delivering her speech standing on a podium at the 2026 Commencement ceremony.

Kristin Eckel-Mahan, PhD, recognized by students for teaching that inspires curiosity

Selected by Graduate School students, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, PhD, received the 2026 John P. McGovern Award for Outstanding Teaching, recognizing her ability to create a learning environment that encourages...

Kaylene Lu advances glioblastoma research while growing as a scientific leader

Kaylene Lu advances glioblastoma research while growing as a scientific leader

Fifth-year PhD student Kaylene Lu is advancing research in glioblastoma — one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer — while building leadership experience through fellowships, research...

Two people standing beside a UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences banner with MD Anderson Cancer Center branding

Rolando Vedia earns PhD, helps grow the Therapeutics and Pharmacology Program along the way

After first discovering UT MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences as a summer student, Rolando Vedia returns to the stage years later to earn his PhD. His journey through the...