Student Groups

BMEGS-SA (Biomedical Engineering Graduate Society at San Antonio)

Purpose: To represent the interests of biomedical engineering graduate students in the joint graduate program at UTSA/UT Health San Antonio; Primary goals of the BMEGS-SA are to: Promote professional and personal relationships among graduate students and faculty; Provide an outlet for voicing concerns; Contribute to the professional growth and education regarding research and industry careers and opportunities.

Leadership – BMEGS-SA Executive Board

Chair – Jose (JT) Trevino
Assistant (Vice) Chair – Savannah Heath
UT Health SA Representative – Xue Wei Wang
Treasurer – Sean Tritley
Communications Chair – Maria Del Mar Prado Gutierrez
MS Student Rep – Christian Gonzalez
Social Chair – Christian Mendiondo
Affiliate Chair – Luis Trabucco
Recruitment/Alumni Relations Chair – David Zhang
Faculty Advisors – Dr. Eric Brey and Dr. Jean Jiang

All BME graduate students are members of BMEGS-SA.

GAPS (Graduate Association for Pre-health Students)

Purpose: GAPS is a non-profit organization established for the purpose of providing members with resources to help strengthen their applications for professional schools in the future and establish a sense of community within the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences through social and volunteering services.

Leadership

President – Sheryl Vu
Vice President for Academic Research – Maia Smith
Vice President for Clinical Research – Natalia Flores
Treasurer – vacant
Secretary – vacant
Network Chair – vacant
Mock Chair/Historian – vacant
Faculty Advisors – Dr. Chun-Liang Chen & Dr. P. Renee Yew

Graduate Student Association (GSA)

Purpose: Help with career development, organize social events for the graduate student body, and address key issues that have a direct effect on life as a graduate student.

Leadership

President – Kate Tuite
Vice President – Ben Stinson
Secretary – Jacob Essif
Student Ambassador (Outreach Coordinator) – Asra Noor
Treasurer – Virgil Bideu
Faculty Advisor – Marcus Webster

Graduate Student International Club (GSIC)

Purpose: To best guide and assist the current and incoming international students by providing resources that allow them to successfully transition to life in the USA with the overall goal of improving and making a productive study atmosphere on campus.

Leadership

President – Shiva Kazempour
Vice President – Francine Nihozeko
Treasurer – Bei Jia
Secretary – Ramya Barre
Faculty Advisor – Jessica Nute

IBMS Student Council

Purpose: The council meets monthly to discuss student or faculty concerns within the IBMS Graduate Program. The chair of the IBMS Student Council also attends IBMS COGS (committee on graduate studies) meetings as a student representative.

Leadership

Chair - Mackenna Wollet
Reps – Sam Harrison, Claudia McCowan, Pragya Singh Malia, Anner Harris, Kevin Kanda
Faculty Advisors – Dr. Mike Burton & Dr. Renee Yew

SACNAS (The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science)

Purpose: SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of underrepresented scientists, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.

Leadership

President – Claira Sohn
Vice President – Marisol Morales
Secretary – Paulino Ramirez
Treasurer – George Parra
Outreach Coordinator – Caitlyn Fastenau
Historian – N/A
Faculty Advisors – Dr. Kristin Cano

Science Policy Group of UT Health San Antonio (SPG)

Purpose: SPG is a student-led, non-profit, organization at UT Health San Antonio that has two major aims, to empower the scientific community at UTHSA to think outside the bench and facilitate the information exchange with policymakers, and the community in San Antonio.

Leadership

President - Jacob Essif
Vice President - Cynthia Lu Schulz
Secretary - Jessica Johnson
Treasurer - Vacant
Liaison Manager - George Parra
Grants Manager - Jacob Essif
Public Relations Manager - Cynthia Lu Schulz

Student Government Association (SGA)

Purpose: To represent and unite all UT Health SA students; To provide for and enhance communication and interaction between the students of the five schools, the students and faculty, the students and administration, and the students and institutions of higher education throughout Texas; To further communication and relationships between UT Health SA and the community; To advise and assist the administration in reaching decision on policy that concerns the students of UT Health SA; To assist in broadening the intellectual, cultural, and recreational opportunities and capabilities of the student body; To assist the administration in the expenditure of Student Service Activity Fees and all other compulsory fees.

Leadership

President 24-25 – Gregory Quiroz, SHP & SON (New ABSN Student - May 2024)
Vice President 24-25 – TyAnthony Jones, LSOM
Secretary 24-25 – Ediri Metitiri, GSBS
Treasurer 24-25 – Ryan Gallagher, LSOM
Director of Communication: Jasmine Bryson, SHP
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Representatives – Jacob Essif, Shahad Abdulsahib, Jacob Buatti
Faculty Advisor – Analisa Davila and Austin Cervantes

WISDOM (Women in Science: Development, Outreach & Mentorship)

Purpose: WISDOM is a non-profit organization for the purpose of providing professional development, mentorship opportunities, and support for women scientists at the University, as well as engaging future women scientists in the community through outreach.

Leadership

President – Maria Fernandez
Vice President – Virgil Bideau
Secretary – Marium Begum
Treasurer – Prerna Sathish
Outreach Chair – Ashley Auerbach
Historian – Urmi Thaker
Faculty Advisor – Dr. Nute (interim)

Unabridged

Purpose: Unabridged will serve as a space for students at UT Health SA to learn how to engage in healthy inquiries on controversial topics in science, medicine, and policies.

Leadership

President/Co-Coordinator – Kristen Duke
Treasurer/Co-Coordinator – Anne Wells
Secretary – Aaron Singh
Outgoing Coordinator/Member – Linh Pham