AUGUST 19, 2020 — Maria Gonzalez Porras, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at UTSA, has been awarded a fellowship from the National Institutes of Health to study nanoparticle delivery in adipose tissue.
The three-year, $208,182 award is funded through National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and will support Gonzalez Porras’ work in studying the role of the extracellular microenvironment on adipocyte fat.
Obesity is a public health crisis and generates an economic burden of more than $190 billion annually on the U.S. health care system. Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and infection from COVID-19.
The unique bioengineering approach utilized by Gonzalez Porras could leader to new therapeutic treatments for obesity that could have a transformative impact on the American population and health care spending.
Gonzalez Porras joined UTSA in 2018 after completing her graduate studies in biomedical engineering at the Mayo Clinic. In her previous work she developed nanotechnology delivery strategies for treatment of neuropathologies.
This new work will combine her expertise in nanotechnology with research on the study of cell-matrix interactions to identify new treatments for adipose tissue in conjunction with Eric Brey, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
“Dr. Gonzalez Porras proposes work that will have significant impact on the study of obesity and diabetes. She has incredible potential and this work will help establish her as a future leader in the field,” said Brey, the Peter Flawn Distinguished Professor in biomedical engineering.
The National Institutes of Health’s Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship supports the research and training of outstanding postdoctoral fellows with potential to become leaders in biomedical research. Fellows receiving this award are more likely to be successful in securing NIH funding.
Gonzalez Porras is the first recipient of this prestigious grant in UTSA’s College of Engineering.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Come learn about the field of engineering from Hispanic professionals!
(SEB 2.04.06,) Main CampusNational Night Out 2023 is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our campus community safer, more caring place to learn.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusPEACE Center will be requesting you to put your hand print on our banner to make a pledge that you will not be using your hand for hitting! PEACE will provide all of the supplies, just please come out and support this fun event.
Student Union PaseoJoin us for an electrifying night of music! Experience the vocal prowess and rhythmic power of the Patsy Torres Band as they join the UTSA Chamber Strings and Mariachi Los Paisanos! Get ready to dance, sing along, and be moved by the incredible talent on stage. Don't miss out on this unforgettable musical experience!
Recital Hall, Main CampusCome and practice your Spanish in a friendly and engaging environment! You will also learn about Hispanic cultures with us as we play games, watch videos, sing, and participate in many other language and cultural activities! All levels are welcome! ¡Nos vemos
Willow Room (SU 2.02.12,) Main CampusCome network with engineering employers!
HEB Student Union Ballrooms 1 & 2, Main CampusJoin us for a culinary celebration on the lawn at UTSA’s Westside Community Center. UTSA Libraries will be collecting recipes and food memories and food trucks will be on hand selling bites inspired by UTSA's Mexican Cookbook Collection.
UTSA Westside Community Center, 1310 Guadalupe St San Antonio, TX 78207The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
