Welcome back to the eight trainees from the T32 Clinical and Translational Sciences Training Program, who attended the 2025 Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Conference in Washington, D.C. last week. The conference brought together translational scientists and clinical researchers from across the country for four days of scientific sessions, professional development, and invaluable networking. See more photos from the event.

This year’s theme, Translational Science 2025: Integrating Data to Power Translation, spotlighted the critical role of data integration in advancing translational research. Our trainees had the opportunity to attend dynamic sessions, engage with leaders in the field, and contribute to national conversations shaping the future of medical science.

Representing The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the conference were: Jacob Mattia, Brandy Walker, Gemalene Sunga, Trey Waldrop, Maryam Elizondo, Morgan Riba, and Kiara Church.

Making their mark in thesis competition

Two trainees, Mattia (predoctoral) and Antonio Pagan, PhD (postdoctoral-Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth Houston), were nominated by T32 Program Directors Jeffrey Frost, PhD and Joya Chandra, PhD to participate in the prestigious Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition. This internationally recognized event challenges researchers to communicate their work clearly and concisely to a non-specialist audience in under three minutes.

Both trainees advanced to the final round of the competition, where Mattia emerged as the national winner in the predoctoral category — an incredible achievement within the field of 27 predoctoral competitors from institutions nationwide. Pagan also gave an impressive presentation among 21 postdoctoral competitors, showcasing the exceptional quality of our trainees' research and communication skills.

Poster presentations showcase scientific excellence

Mattia, Walker, Sunga, Waldrop, Pagan, and Elizondo presented their current research at the conference’s Poster Reception, sharing innovative work and connecting with fellow scientists. These presentations provided valuable exposure and feedback while highlighting the broad scope and impact of research taking place at the Graduate School. Congratulations to Sunga and Waldrop, who won blue ribbon awards for their posters!

Advocacy on Capitol Hill

In addition to academic programming, four trainees: Waldrop, Riba, Walker, and Sunga joined other young investigators from across Texas for a half-day advocacy session on Capitol Hill. Through team-based meetings with congressional representatives and staffers, they shared personal stories, discussed the importance of translational science, and emphasized the value of federal support for biomedical research.

Capitol Hill advocates’ efforts are critical in helping legislators understand how clinical and translational science directly benefits communities, strengthens public health, and drives scientific progress.

Winning in other competitions to translate research

On April 2, the UTHealth Houston Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences hosted its annual T1-T4 in 3 (Minutes) Translational Challenge at The Medical Center. Participants winning the competition from the T32 program were:

• 1^st: Waldrop, graduate research assistant in radiation physics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, for “Gone in a FLASH: Treating Pancreatic Cancer with Ultra-high Dose Rate Radiotherapy.”
  
  
• 2^nd: Sarah Ghalayini, graduate student at the Graduate School, for “Suiting Up T Cells: Strengthening Membrane ‘Armor’ to Improve Anti-Cancer Immunity.”
  
  
• 3^rd: Mattia, graduate student at the Graduate School, for “Listening to the Genetic Symphony of Neurodevelopment in Down Syndrome.”
  
  
• 4^th: Pagán, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth Houston, for “Bridging the Gap: Neural Mechanisms and Culturally Adapted Interventions for Latino Young Adults with Autism.”

More about T32

Learn more about the T32 Training Program, its leadership and current and former trainees.