Celeste Cruz / Vaquero Radio
The UTRGV School of Medicine is conducting its first research medical series with the help of the Office of Faculty Affairs, aiming to expand its students and faculty’s knowledge.
Director of Research Administration for the School of Medicine Jennifer Cahn said the medical research series will help UTRGV grow and bring exposure to the Rio Grande Valley.
“The faculty make sure that they know what is the newest developments in their area of specialty,” Cahn said. “By actually doing research themselves, they’re contributing to the field and they’re working with our patients in the Valley … [and] are actually helping develop new medicines, new treatments and making the practice of medicine stronger and helping the reputation of the university grow and gain more respect and exposure for the Rio Grande Valley.”
Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development Beatrize Tapia expressed excitement toward the medical research making a difference in the Valley.
“What excites me the most about medical research is the opportunity to make a difference, specifically in the Rio Grande Valley where we have a lot of opportunity and need for those that have many health conditions that are acute and chronic,” Tapia said.
She said the research series provides the School of Medicine faculty, students and residents the opportunity to know they can serve the community.
Tapia added it can also help advance scholarly work in the field of chronic and acute conditions.
Cahn explained her initial thought process for creating the medical research series.
“When we started talking about this, I was a little bit daunted by the thought of doing a series,” she said. “But everyone I contacted, asking if they would share their expertise, jumped on board. What it confirmed for me [is] that we had the resources at the university; that everyone wants to share those resources and get the word out.”
Tapia said the research series sessions are recorded for those who missed them.
“If they are able to attend these sessions online, great, and if they are not, you know, because of different circumstances, work or other things that may limit them in attending, they can view these on our continued medical education portal, which is a professional portal that faculty and medical students and residents can attend to view. ”
Students who are interested in attending the medical research series can access the sessions through the education portal.
The next session is scheduled at noon Tuesday via Zoom.
This is Celeste Cruz for Vaquero Radio.
