Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Urmi Hofland

M.D./Ph.D. Student

Urmi Hofland is a medical student in the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD Program). She will enter into graduate school portion of the training program in 2025.

About Me

My name is Urmi and I’m from Palo Alto, California. I completed a B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Washington, with an Anthropology minor. During college, I developed a passion for translational research through my internships studying neurodegeneration, chronic inflammatory diseases, and aging. During my gap year, I studied systemic interventions to collectively reduce the incidence of multiple age-associated diseases, through the lens of oral health. While living in the PNW during these years, I was surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains that sparked my love for adventure, hiking, and backpacking. My goal is to visit every national park in the U.S. (I only have 45 left!). When I’m back home in California I like going to the beach and hiking with my mini German Shepherd, Zoey. 

Hobbies/Interests

Hiking, cooking, watching movies, camping

Research Topic

Cancer Biology and Aging

Why I chose MD/PhD

I am pursuing an MD/PhD to simultaneously serve my research aspirations and translate my findings to the clinic. Medicine is a complex and constantly changing field, and physician-scientists have the unique ability to perform impactful research with a patient-centered, translational mindset.

Why I chose MD/PhD at UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio’s supportive community and outstanding cancer and aging research centers will provide me with the opportunity to achieve my goal of developing and implementing novel therapies for age-associated invasive cancers. 

Education

B.S., Biochemistry/Anthropology, University of Washington, 2022