Congratulations to Ishana Syed on her co-first author publication in Nature Communications!

September 10, 2026

The study identifies CELF2 as an important regulator of tau splicing and the production of 4R tau, providing new insight into molecular mechanisms that may contribute to tau-related neurodegeneration. These findings advance our understanding of how disruptions in RNA regulation may influence neurodegenerative disease. Ishana Syed is an Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD student in the […]



Congratulations to Xiaojing Wang, PhD, on her award from the NIH!

August 27, 2026

Dr. Xiaojing Wang is the recipient of an NIH award for her project titled “Integrating long-read and short-read RNA sequencing to uncover transcriptomic complexity in healthy and diseased hearts.” This project will build an atlas of alternative splicing and isoform diversity in heart failure by integrating long- and short-read RNA sequencing across dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), […]



The New York Times: 9 Things Experts Wish You’d Do in Midlife to Increase Longevity

July 31, 2026

Elena Volpi, MD, PhD, FGSA, director of the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, was quoted in this New York Times article.  Dr. Volpi shares her expertise, offering practical, science-backed advice on how healthy habits in midlife can support strength, independence, and healthy aging for years to come.



Congratulations to Lizhen Chen, PhD, and lab on their publication in Molecular Neurobiology!

July 29, 2026

This study shows that CELF2, an RNA-binding protein, is essential for healthy brain development. Researchers found that loss of CELF2 disrupted the organization and maturation of neurons, altered the activity of hundreds of genes, and reduced levels of CAMK2A, a key protein involved in synaptic function. The findings highlight how defects in RNA regulation can […]



Congratulations to Lizhen Chen, PhD, on her publication in Nature Cell Biology!

July 28, 2026

Dr. Chen is the holder of the Bartell Zachry Memorial Distinguished Professorship for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, an Associate Professor with the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, and an investigator with the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. Transcription factor condensates as storage Lizhen Chen, Zhijie Liu Nat Cell Biol. […]



Congratulations to Laurence Maeyens on his selection for the Jess Hay Chancellor’s Fellowship!

July 22, 2026

Laurence Maeyens, a second-year PhD student in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program Biology of Aging Discipline has been selected for the Jess Hay Chancellor’s Fellowship. Laurence is co-mentored by James F. Nelson, PhD, and Shangang Zhao, PhD. Established by former University of Texas System Regent Jess Hay, the fellowship recognizes exceptional graduate students whose high-quality […]



Congratulations to Christopher Litwin on his first, first-authored paper, published in Nature Communications!

July 1, 2026

In the paper, titled “Timed secreted proteomes reveal regulation of hepatokines by the liver circadian clock,” researchers found that the liver’s circadian clock controls the timing of protein release, identifying hundreds of proteins that are secreted differently throughout the day and help regulate metabolism.  A key discovery was that the liver releases more endostatin during […]



UT Health Newsroom: Study reveals hidden role of brain fats in Alzheimer’s disease

May 22, 2026

Original story: UT Health San Antonio Newsroom By Claire Kowalick SAN ANTONIO (May 21, 2026) For decades, Alzheimer’s disease research has focused almost exclusively on harmful proteins in the brain. But scientists at The University of Texas at San Antonio are taking a new approach to how the disease is understood and treated. A recent […]



Congratulations to Xianlin Han, PhD, on his Presidential Excellence Award!

April 28, 2026

Dr. Xianlin Han has been selected as a recipient of a 2026 Presidential Excellence Award in the category of Distinguished Senior Research Scholar.  Established in 1985, the Presidential Excellence Awards recognize exemplary performance by individuals who consistently excel in their positions and demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and core values of UT San […]