Welcome
New Student Orientation will be held August 19-23 with additional information provided via online modules. Please check your email for a link to the New Student Orientation Canvas course.
Please review the Admitted Students page for information on pre-enrollment requirements. For questions, please email Oscar Sevilla or Lenay Johnson.
Last updated 06/10/2024
Schedule of Events
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Full Schedule
Monday, August 19
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor, unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast and Student ID Badge Pick Up
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
- Alejandro Aballay, PhD, Dean
- New Student and Staff Introductions
- Introduction to Orientation
10:00 a.m. Academic Overview
- Jeffery Frost, PhD
- Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
- Wassim Chehab, PhD
- Bunny Perez
12:00 p.m. Lunch/Finance Group A [Gallick Classroom - S3.8367 BSRB]
- Elisabet Lau, MBA
- Medhanit Zekarias
- Colden Snow
1:00 p.m. Finance Group B
- Elisabet Lau, MBA
- Medhanit Zekarias
- Colden Snow
1:30 p.m. Finance Group C
- Elisabet Lau, MBA
- Medhanit Zekarias
- Colden Snow
3:00 p.m. OIA [International Students]
- All international students are required to attend the OIA session
4:00 p.m. I-9 Forms [International Students in Group C] [Computer Lab – S3.8112 BSRB]
Tuesday, August 20
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Career Development Session – All Students
- Raquel Salinas, PhD
- Laura Rademacher, Med
8:15 a.m. Mentoring up
10:30 a.m. Presidents’ Research Scholars Symposium
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Career Development – MS Students
- Raquel Salinas, PhD
- Laura Rademacher, MEd
2:00 p.m. Program Sessions
- Cancer Biology [Location TBD]
Wednesday, August 21
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Mandatory Session TBD
9:30 a.m. Choosing a Mentor Panel Discussion
Moderator: Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
11:00 a.m. Career Development – PhD Students
- Raquel Salinas, PhD
- Laura Rademacher, MEd
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Benefits [Group C]
2:00 p.m. Program Sessions
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases [Location TBD]
- Molecular and Translational Biology [Location TBD]
- Neuroscience
Thursday, August 22
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Intruder Training
- Scott Barnwell, Sergeant, UT Police-Houston
9:00 a.m. Student Wellness
- Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
- Raquel Salinas, PhD
- EAP Representatives
- Student Panel
10:30 a.m. Title IX Session - UTHealth Houston Human Resources
11:00 a.m. MS Student Panel
Moderator: Wassim Chehab, PhD
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Assistance with Registration (Optional; for students who have questions/issues registering for courses)
- Bunny Perez
- Elisabet Lau
- Jeffery Frost, PhD
- Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
- Wassim Chehab, PhD
2:00 p.m. Program Sessions
- Immunology [Location TBD]
- Genetics and Epigenetics [Location TBD]
Friday, August 23
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Building Resilience and Community
- Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
10:00 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Graduate Student Association Welcome Event
11:30 a.m. Students Associations Overview
- Graduate Student Association (GSA)
- Student InterCouncil (SIC)
- Association of Minority Biomedical Researchers (AMBR)
- Association of Science Communication (ASC)
- Community Outreach Program (Outreach)
- International Student Association (ISA)
- First-Generation Student Group (First-Gen)
- LGBTQ+ Student Alliance (LGBTQ+SA)
12:30 p.m. Lunch with Peer Mentors [GSBS Large Classroom, S3.8371 BSRB]
2:00 p.m. Program Sessions
- Therapeutics and Pharmacology [Location TBD]
- Quantitative Sciences [Location TBD]
5:00 p.m. Orientation Social/Friday Afternoon Club [Onstead Forum]
Updated 06/12/2024
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Genetic Counseling
Genetic Counseling students are not required to attend all GSBS orientation sessions. A list of required sessions is below.
Monday, August 19
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
- Alejandro Aballay, PhD, Dean
- New Student and Staff Introductions
- Introduction to Orientation
10:00 a.m. Academic Overview
- Jeffery Morgan, PhD
- Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
- Wassim Chehab, PhD
- Bunny Perez
12:00 p.m. Lunch/Finance Group A [Gallick Classroom – BSRB S3.8367]
- Elisabet Lau
- Medhanit Zekarias
- Colden Snow
Tuesday, August 20
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:15 a.m. Mentoring Up
- Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
Thursday, August 22
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Intruder Training
- Scott Barnwell, Sergeant, UT Police at Houston
9:00 a.m. Student Wellness
Moderator: Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
- Raquel Salinas, PhD
- EAP Representatives
- Student Panel
Friday, August 23
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Building Resilience & Community
- Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
10:00 a.m. Graduate Student Association Welcome Event
11:30 a.m. Student Associations Overview
- Graduate Student Association (GSA)
- Association of Minority Biomedical Researchers (AMBR)
- Association of Science Communication (ASC)
- Community Outreach Program (Outreach)
- International Student Association (SA)
- First-Generation Student Group (First-Gen)
- LGBTQ+ Student Alliance (LGBTQ+SA)
12:30 p.m. Lunch with Peer Mentors [Large Classroom S3.8371 BSRB]
5:00 p.m. Orientation Social/Friday Afternoon Club [Onstead Forum]
Updated 7/12/2024
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Medical Physics
Not all GSBS orientation sessions are required for incoming Medical Physics students. The Medical Physics program will host additional sessions during the week.
2024 Schedule Coming Soon
Updated 5/30/2024
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MS Biomedical Sciences
Some sessions are not required for students enrolling in the MS program in Biomedical Sciences. MS students are welcome to attend any session and a list of required sessions is below.
Monday, August 19
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast and Student ID Badge Pick Up
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
- Alejandro Aballay, PhD, Dean
- New Student and Staff Introductions
- Introduction to Orientation
10:00 a.m. Academic Overview
- Jeffery Frost, PhD
- Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
- Wassim Chehab, PhD
- Bunny Perez
12:00 p.m. Lunch/Finance Group A* [Gallick Classroom – BSRB S3.8367]
- Elisabet Lau
- Medhanit Zekarias
- Colden Snow
1:00 p.m. Finance Group B*
- Elisabet Lau
- Medhanit Zekarias
- Colden Snow
3:00 p.m. Office of International Affairs
- All international students are required to attend the OIA session
*Please attend the finance session you have been assigned to.
Tuesday, August 20
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:15 a.m. Mentoring Up
- Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
10:30 a.m. Presidents’ Research Scholars Symposium
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Career Development – MS Students
- Raquel Salinas, PhD
- Laura Rademacher, Med
Wednesday, August 21
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Choosing a Mentor Panel Discussion
- Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
Thursday, August 22
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Intruder Training
- Scott Barnwell, Sergeant, UT Police at Houston
9:00 a.m. Student Wellness
- Moderator: Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
10:30 a.m. Title IX Session
- Deana Moylan
11:00 a.m. MS Student Panel
- Moderator: Dr. Wassim Chehab
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Assistance with Registration (Optional; for students who have questions/issues registering for courses.)
- Bunny Perez
- Elisabet Lau
- Jeffery Frost, PhD
- Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
- Wassim Chehab, PhD
Friday, August 25
All events to be held in Onstead Auditorium, BSRB 3rd floor unless otherwise noted7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Building Resilience & Community
- Cherilynn Shadding, PhD
10:00 a.m. Graduate Student Association Welcome Event
11:30 a.m. Student Associations Overview
- Graduate Student Association (GSA)
- Association of Minority Biomedical Researchers (AMBR)
- Association of Science Communication (ASC)
- Community Outreach Program (Outreach)
- International Student Association (SA)
- First-Generation Student Group (First-Gen)
- LGBTQ+ Student Alliance (LGBTQ+SA)
12:30 p.m. Lunch with Peer Mentors [Large Classroom]
5:00 p.m. Orientation Social/Friday Afternoon Club [Onstead]
Updated 7/12/2024
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MD/PhD
MD/PhD students transitioning to the lab are welcome to attend any session, however the sessions below are required.
2024 Schedule Coming Soon
Updated 5/30/2024
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Program Sessions
All entering PhD Biomedical Sciences students are required to attend at least two program sessions during Orientation. Program sessions are encouraged, but optional, for MS and MD/PhD students. Please click here to sign up by Tuesday, August 1.
- Tuesday, August 20
- Cancer Biology
- Location TBA
- Cancer Biology
- Wednesday, August 21
- Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
- Location TBD
- Molecular & Translational Biology
- Location TBD
- Neuroscience
- Location TBD
- Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
- Thursday, August 22
- Immunology
- Location TBD
- Genetics & Epigenetics
- Location TBD
- Immunology
- Friday, August 23
- Therapeutics & Pharmacology
- Location TBD
- Quantitative Sciences
- Location TBD
- Therapeutics & Pharmacology
Last updated 6/17/2024
- Tuesday, August 20
New Student Information
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Financial
Financial Information – New Students Only
At the end of June, you will receive a checklist from the GSBS Finance Office that details the following items to be completed:
- Instructions for the Health Insurance Certification hold in applyUTH/myUTH
- UT MD Anderson Appointment Process for access to MD Anderson resources and facilities
- Pre-Employment steps and required identification (for funded students only)
- Drug/Tobacco testing process (For MD Anderson Funded students only)
- Repatriation & Medical Evacuation coverage (for international students only)
Some items will need to be completed before Orientation begins and deadline dates will be included in the finance checklist.
In August, prior to and during Orientation week, additional details will be provided including information pertaining to tuition & required fees, health insurance coverage requirements and process, and (for funded students) payroll information.
Reminder: Please do not answer any questions regarding the Health Insurance Certification hold in applyUTH/myUTH, until after you have received instructions from the GSBS Finance Office.
GSBS Finance Office Contacts
For finance-related questions, please email [email protected]. You can also contact the following staff members for questions concerning the items listed below:
- Health Insurance Certification
- Health insurance coverage requirements and process
- Tuition & required fees information and process
- Pre-employment and payroll process for students who will receive funding under UTHealth Houston (UTHealth Houston Funded)
- UT MD Anderson Appointment process
- UT MD Anderson Slate System
- Pre-employment and payroll process for students who will receive funding under UT MD Anderson (MD Anderson Funded)
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PhD Milestones
Fall Semester
- Tutorial Research Experience (First Rotation)
- Foundations of Biomedical Research* (Core Course)
- The Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences
Spring Semester
- Tutorial Research Experience X2 (Second and Third Rotations)
- Graduate Program Coursework
End of Spring Semester
- Identify a Research Advisor (PhD Mentor)
- Join a Program
Summer Semester
- Form Advisory Committee
PhD Tutorial Dates
- October 3 - December 14
- January 9 - March 10
- March 13 - May 12
*Exceptions are made for PhD students in the following areas:
- Medical Physics (students do not take the Core Course but follow the Medical Physics curriculum)
- Neuroscience (Core Course is optional - discuss with Dr. Qingchun Tong)
- Quantitative/Computational Students (students have the option to take Foundations of Biomedical Research for Quantitative Students with permission from Office of Academic Affairs)
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International Students
International Students
We understand that international students may have questions and concerns about their visa application process. Questions about specific visa processes should be addressed to the Office of International Affairs.
We recommend international students arrive in Houston two weeks prior to Orientation to allow ample time for all required paperwork to be completed. For Fall 2024, the recommended arrival date is August 5.
- International students are required to check in with the Office of International Affairs (OIA) UTHealth Houston prior to the start of Orientation. While we recommend you arrive in Houston two weeks before orientation, you should plan to arrive in the US in plenty of time to check in with OIA by the end of business (5 p.m. Central Time) on August 16, 2024. You must schedule an appointment in advance in order to check in with OIA. Please contact Oscar once you have confirmed your OIA appointment date and time. Failure to check in with OIA prior to Orientation may cause a delay in payment of stipend (if applicable).
- International students who will be performing rotations at MD Anderson must also check in with the MD Anderson Visa and Immigration Service Administration (VISA) office. You will receive instructions from GSBS Finance when it is time for you to check in with the MD Anderson VISA office.
- Students who earn degrees from international universities are required to have their transcripts evaluated by an outside agency to ensure that the degree is, at least, equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. Please see the incoming student checklist for more details.
- International students entering GSBS who do not have a degree from a university in the United States are required to take an English assessment exam. Students with degrees from U.S. universities are encouraged to attend the assessment.
- International students are required to pay a per-semester evacuation/repatriation fee. This fee will be reflected in your account statement after you register, and will not be covered by GSBS or your mentor (for funded students). The fee for Fall 2024 semester is $32.
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E-Mail and Network Accounts
NOTE: Use of any Computing and Information Technology Resources on campus falls under the following policies.
Network Accounts comprised of a User ID, password and email address allow GSBS students to login to the following resources:
- Computers in the GSBS Computer Lab and other UTHealth campus locations
- Send and receive email
- Secure UTHealth Wi-Fi Access Points (UTHSC)
- myUTH: my.uth.tmc.edu
- Canvas: www.uth.edu/canvas
- myGSBS: https://go.uth.edu/myGSBS
- UTHealth Intranet: inside.uth.edu
How do I get my network account?
Your network account will be activated when the IDM (Identity Management) hold in your student record in ApplyUTH or myUTH is removed through identity verification. The IDM hold is a "soft" hold and will not prevent registration. This should be one of the last holds you should work to remove.
STEP 1. Remove your IDM (Identity Management) Hold. Identity verification is included as part of the criminal background check, therefore your IDM hold will be automatically removed once the CBC clears.
For international students who are exempt from the CBC requirement, Email Michael Valladolid, GSBS IT Director, to schedule an identity verification appointment either in person or online through WebEx to clear this hold. Present a current (not expired) state or federal issued photo ID - Drivers License, Passport.
STEP 2. You will be asked to provide a recovery email address, so make sure you have continued access to it. This email address can be used to reset your UTHealth password if you forget it. Your UTHealth User ID, email address and password recovery web link will be emailed to this address.
STEP 3. Enroll in Two-Factor Authentication
Recover your password here.
Two-Factor Authentication (you must enroll to access myUTH, Webmail and Employee Self Service outside the UTHealth network and VPN)
Two-factor authentication, also known as two-step authentication, adds an additional layer of assurance onto your normal login process. This is done by both verifying something you know, such as a password, and something you have, such as a phone.
You must first enroll your phone by following these instructions. Once enrolled, you will then be able to use your phone as a second factor for applications that require two-factor authentication. You may enroll any type of phone. However, we highly recommend enrolling your smartphone with the optional smartphone app.
On Campus Registration
- Connect to the UTHealth network using the secure Wifi Access Point UTHSCH or use a computer in the GSBS Computer Lab S3.8112
- Access our Two-Factor Login page.
- Log in with your existing UTHealth credentials.
- If you have never enrolled, you will be prompted to enroll with enrollment instructions for your device.
For further assistance on enrollment, please visit this guide.
Off Campus Registration
- Contact the UTHealth Help Desk at (713) 486-4848. The Help Desk operational hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends.
Visit GSBS Information Technology for more information.
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Helpful Links
General Information:
- GSBS Staff Directory
- Faculty Directory
- UTHealth Central Student Portal
- GSBS Student Support Information
- Office of the Registrar
- UTHealth Office of International Affairs
- Graduate Student Association (GSA)
- Graduate Student Association Moving to Houston guide
- International Student Association (ISA)
- International Student Association Guide to Houston
- Student Health & Counseling Services
- Student Disability Accommodations
- GSBS COVID-19 Alerts
- Housing Information
- 2023 Hurricane and Severe Weather Guide
- Auxiliary Enterprises
- Title IX Information - MD Anderson Cancer Center Title IX - UTHealth Title IX
- Student Financial Services - Financial Aid Application Guide
- Campus Safety: Crime Reporting, Crime Statistics - UT Police
Social Media:
- GSBS on Facebook
- GSA on Facebook
- GSBS on LinkedIn
- GSBS on Twitter
- GSBS on Instagram
- Entering 2023 Students Slack Channel
Parking:
- Parking and Transportation
- TMC Parking Lots
- TMC Parking Shuttles
- UTHealth Auxiliary Enterprises Parking
- Parking Options Information
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Directions and Maps
Directions and Maps
Primary Location: The George and Cynthia Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building (BSRB/Mitchell Building) located at 6767 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030. The nearest parking location is TMC Garage 15 (The Commons Garage) at 6550 Bertner Avenue.
- Onstead Auditorium - BSRB S3.8012; includes The Forum (foyer to Onstead)
- GSBS Administrative Offices
- GSBS Large Classroom - BSRB S3.8371
- GSBS Small Classroom - BSRB S3.8367
- GSBS Computer Lab - BSRB S3.8112
Other Notable Locations:
MSB: UT Medical School Building (6431 Fannin)
UTPB: UT Professional Building (6410 Fannin)
PAT: Pickens Academic Tower [Room numbers begin with FCT] (1400 Pressler)
UCT: University Center Tower (7000 Fannin)
SCRB: South Campus Research Building (7435 Fannin)