MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School

06/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Kristin Eckel-Mahan, PhD, recipient of the 2026 John P. McGovern Award for Outstanding Teaching!

Selected by students at the UT MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Eckel-Mahan was recognized for creating a classroom where curiosity drives discovery and students are challenged to think critically, ask questions, and grow as scientists.

Read more: https://loom.ly/jXCO1qQ

05/27/2026

🧬 Exploring the latest breakthroughs in cancer therapy — congratulations to Genetics and Epigenetics student Mackenzie Wienke, who recently received a Poster Presentation Award at the 20th International p53 Workshop in Toronto, Canada.

A member of the Ishak Lab, Wienke studies the role of p53 as a repressor of repetitive elements in ovarian cancer, helping uncover mechanisms involved in the early development of disease.

The experience gave her the opportunity to engage with researchers from around the world and learn more about the evolving p53 field.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to these three UTHealth Houston researchers for receiving Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) grants, including UT MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences faculty member Qingyun “Jim” Liu, PhD, who received renewed CPRIT support for advancing large-molecule cancer therapeutics. The nearly $2 million award will support a core facility focused on moving promising therapies closer to clinical testing and patient care.

05/25/2026

The Graduate School honors the service and sacrifice of those remembered on Memorial Day — our administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026. The offices will reopen Tuesday, May 26. For assistance during this time, please contact [email protected].

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

Cancer Biology PhD student Kaylene Lu is leading in the lab and beyond. She is advancing glioblastoma research — one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer — while reflecting on her growth as a leader at the Graduate School.

As a Kopchick Fellow and chair of the 2025 Kopchick Symposium, she developed skills in collaboration, delegation, and team leadership — experiences that continue to shape her approach to science.

🎥 Watch to learn more about Lu's research and PhD experience.

05/19/2026

A day years in the making. 🎓 We’re still smiling about last week’s UT MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Commencement Ceremony celebrating the Class of 2026. Behind every hooding, handshake, and celebration was years of research, resilience, mentorship, friendship, and support — and a future full of possibility.

Congratulations again, Class of 2026, and thank you to everyone who helped make the our celebration so meaningful!

📽️Hear from a few graduates about their next steps, and see some of our memories from the day: https://loom.ly/2qdFBkQ

05/15/2026

Congratulations to UT MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students Shannon Erhardt, MS, and Kaylene Lu on receiving this award! 👏

Named in honor of Thomas F. Burks — an outstanding researcher, inspirational teacher, academic leader, and mentor — this scholarship recognizes students at UTHealth Houston schools who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and dedication to their field.

🎉 Join us in celebrating Erhardt and Lu on this well-deserved honor!

05/13/2026

Commencement begins at 6 p.m. CST. Congratulations, graduates! 👍 Livestream the ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/live/uFuGI8c6hCc