Onward in their biomedical careers

Published on: June 12, 2024 By: Staff Reports

Yin Gao, Ph.D., M.S., receives her degree from Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern. She was one of more than 80 students to complete her education at UT Southwestern's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences on May 17. — Yin Gao, Ph.D., M.S., receives her degree from Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern. She was one of more than 80 students to complete her education at UT Southwestern's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

On May 17, friends, family, and esteemed faculty united to celebrate the incredible achievements of over 80 graduates from the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The festivities unfolded in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium on South Campus to honor those who have earned doctoral or master’s degrees across diverse biomedical disciplines. Russell DeBose-Boyd, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Genetics, provided inspirational words of encouragement as commencement speaker. As these exceptional individuals embark on their professional journeys – whether as scientists, clinical psychologists, or in other biomedical capacities – they stand ready to make significant contributions in their respective fields.

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Dr. DeBose-Boyd offers inspiring words in his keynote speech to the graduates.

Cancer Biology graduates and their mentors celebrating commencement include (from left) mentor Esra Akbay, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology; Mingrui Zhu, Ph.D.; mentor Ping Mu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology; Carla Rodriguez Tirado, Ph.D.; mentor Srinivas Malladi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology; Mauricio Marquez Palencia, Ph.D.; Yan Fang, Ph.D., M.S.; mentor Ian Corbin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Radiology, and in the Advanced Imaging Research Center; Joseph Bower, Ph.D.; and Ester Alvarez Benedicto, Ph.D.

From left, Daniel Schmitz, Ph.D., Lauretta El Hayek, Ph.D., M.S., and Carlos Pinzón Arteaga, Ph.D., D.V.M., M.S., enjoy the memories of the day as new graduates.

Clinical Psychology graduate Jessica Orobio, Ph.D., adjusts her cap as the ceremonies are set to begin.

Joan Conaway, Ph.D., Vice Provost and Dean of Basic Research; Russell DeBose-Boyd, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Genetics and keynote speaker at commencement; and Andrew Zinn, M.D., Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate School, celebrate the momentous occasion.

Maralice Conacci-Sorrell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Cell Biology and in the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern, holds the Stembridge Mace she carried during the academic procession. The symbol represents the torch of learning and passing of knowledge from teacher to student over generations.

From left: Mentor Beth Kennard, Psy.D., Professor of Psychiatry, enjoys a photo op with Clinical Psychology graduate Ellen Marie Andrews, Ph.D., and Biological Chemistry graduate Natalie Ortiz Speer, Ph.D.

Paul Acosta, Ph.D., is hooded by his mentor, Satwik Rajaram, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology and in the Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics and the Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurogenerative Diseases.

Manolo Rios, Ph.D., M.S., is hooded by his mentor, Jeffrey Woodruff, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Cell Biology and Biophysics.

Mentor Laura Lacritz, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, adjusts the hood of Clinical Psychology graduate William Goette, Ph.D., M.S.

Da Hee Seo, Ph.D., stands ready to receive her hood at commencement.

Ambar Cajigas Hernandez, Ph.D., is all smiles after receiving her degree, standing beside her mentor, Weichun Lin, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience.

Karen Atilegna Dorsman, Ph.D., takes time for a celebratory photo with her family.

Surrounded by loved ones, Jessica Woodford, Ph.D., M.A., basks in the moment.

Clinical Psychology graduate Afsoon Gazor, Ph.D., M.Ed. (fourth from left), celebrates with Biomedical Engineering graduate Zachary Bennett, Ph.D. (fifth from left), friends, and family.

Amrita Gokhale, Ph.D., M.S., holding her degree, stands beside mentor, Elizabeth Chen, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, along with Donghoon Lee, Ph.D., (far right), Instructor in the Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, and Dr. Lee’s family.

Molecular Biophysics graduate Liwei Wang, Ph.D., celebrates the event with a supporter by his side.

Natalia Rodriguez-Sosa, Ph.D., celebrates graduation beside her partner.

Natalie Ortiz Speer, Ph.D., enjoys the once-in-a-lifetime milestone with her husband and daughter.