November 6, 2023 Tomerlin Voelcker Fund inspires UTSA’s next generation of pharmaceutical researchers
A new undergraduate research experience in pharmaceutical chemistry at UTSA will enable students across the state to gain hands-on training in drug discovery and development before graduation,thanks to a three-year, $450,000 grant from the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund.
Led by Doug E. Frantz, who holds the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry, the program will offer an immersive learning opportunity to a select group of students from universities across south Texas, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Students will spend 10 weeks at the UTSA Main Campus, working alongside renowned faculty members in state-of-the-art research laboratories. Supported by the Voelcker Fund, participants will receive financial assistance, including stipends and support for living and travel expenses. The funding ensures that students will have the opportunity to fully engage with the program and thrive without financial barriers.
“This immersive program embodies UTSA’s commitment to fostering a culture of research excellence, and it provides the most talented students with world-class experiential learning opportunities led by renowned experts inthe field,” said Karl Miller-Lugo, UTSA vice president of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. “I am deeply grateful for the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund's visionary investment in our students. Their generosity will advance opportunities for success and empower the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists."
This new opportunity for undergraduates will allow the Department of Chemistry to attract the brightest minds to UTSA early in their research career.
