DECEMBER 14, 2022 — The UTSA College of Sciences will introduce a new Ph.D. program in developmental and regenerative sciences (DRS) in fall 2023 to prepare graduates for careers in basic research in academia, clinical research in regenerative medicine, or applied research in the biotechnology industry.
The program will provide new insights into fundamental mechanisms of embryonic and fetal development, how different cell types form and function and how diseases develop when the biological mechanisms required to perform these normal bodily functions are disrupted. Enhanced knowledge of these mechanisms will allow researchers to facilitate more sensitive, accurate and early diagnoses of diseases that could lead to new treatments.
“The Ph.D. in Developmental and Regenerative Sciences offers novel, cutting-edge approaches to preventing, treating and reversing diseases,” said Jenny Hsieh, professor and chair of the UTSA Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology (NDRB) and Semmes Distinguished Endowed Chair. “Research from this discipline will facilitate breakthroughs that will help prevent the onset of disease or defective states that may range from neurodegenerative diseases to infertility to diabetes and more.”
The DRS program will offer doctoral students a research-intensive, interdisciplinary educational experience in rapidly developing disciplines and provide training to utilize cutting-edge instrumentation and cell and molecular approaches to pursue urgent challenges in the biomedical sciences. Program faculty have a wide span of research interests and will provide instruction and research-based training and mentoring in several areas, including stem cells, organoids, tissue-engineering, gene therapy, genomics and epigenomics, cell replacement therapies, transplantation biology and therapy and more.
“The UTSA Developmental and Regenerative Sciences Ph.D. program comprises over 30 different labs in academic, clinical, military and biotechnology settings,” said John McCarrey, endowed chair and graduate advisor of record for the program. “Our labs are well equipped and encompass a wide range of research cores with state-of-the-art instrumentation.”
DRS students will have the opportunity to conduct research at several centers of excellence, including the UTSA Institute of Regenerative Medicine, the UTSA Brain Health Consortium, the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery and the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases. The program will also collaborate with external institutions including Southwest Research Institute, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, BioBridge Global, UT Health San Antonio, the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research and the U.S. Air Force 59th Medical Wing.
“Students receive extensive individual training in their dissertation lab, access to instrumentation and resources in multiple research cores at UTSA, and access to expertise within multiple research centers and institutes both at UTSA and in the broader San Antonio biomedical research community,” McCarrey added.
Widely regarded as a military city, San Antonio has become a central hub and national leader for bioscience and military medicine. The city has 187,000 people employed in bioscience and health care, which is one of the city’s fastest growing industries with 50,000 new jobs created from 2009 to 2019.
To enroll for fall 2023, program applicants must apply before the January 6 deadline, meet the graduate admission requirements listed in the UTSA Graduate Catalog and hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology or a related discipline from an accredited institution. Accepted applicants must attend full-time and will be fully and competitively funded throughout the program via an annual stipend of at least $31,000, plus tuition and health insurance.
Visit the official DRS program website to learn more about its faculty, areas of research and how to apply.
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.
All UTSA students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families are invited to march with the UTSA delegation in San Antonio's 38th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March. Free transportation will be provided from the Main and Downtown Campuses.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King, Jr., San Antonio, TXJoin the UTSA Alumni Association for free coffee and breakfast to celebrate the start of the fall semester.
Sombrilla PlazaWarm up with a hot cup of coffee or a hot chocolate with Wellbeing Services to kick off the start of the Spring Semester! The Wellbeing team will be in the Window Lounge to welcome you to the first day of classes and highlight our events and programs for the semester.
Dreamers Resource Lounge, Main CampusJoin us in the HCAP Student Success Center for refreshments and get to know your HCAP Ambassadors, Peer Mentors, and staff!
HCAP Student Success Center (MS 2.02.36), Main CampusKlesse College is excited to welcome back our Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design students! Join us for a fun day full of community, food, and fun events. Food is free for all KCEID Students. Come get your T-shirts and connect with student organizations.
Atrium, Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building, Main CampusStop by the Alvarez Student Success Center to learn about our services, meet our staff, and grab some goodies! Students can earn Career Compass spirit points by taking a photo with our frame and uploading it to the app.
Alvarez Student Success Center (BB 2.01.08,) Business Building, Main CampusCome meet student organizations and learn about different volunteering opportunities at the Spring 2025 Get Involved Fair.
HSU Ballroom (HSU 1.104-1.106,) Main CampusThe 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 promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
