Zachary Uttke
M.D./Ph.D. Student
Zachary Uttke is a medical student in the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD Program). He will enter into graduate school portion of the training program in 2024.
About Me
I grew up in Wisconsin where I attended Milwaukee German Immersion School and became proficient in German - most of which I have since forgotten. I then lived in rural parts of Alabama and Texas for a few years before moving back to Wisconsin. There, I went to UW-Milwaukee for undergrad where I started out as a kinesiology major before switching to biochemistry. During undergrad, I learned to love science and decided I wanted to do a postbac at the NIH to explore my interests before committing to a particular career path. I moved to Baltimore Maryland and stayed with the National Institute on Aging (NIA) for a year and a half. At the NIA, I had a great breadth of research and clinical experiences, which led me to pursue MD/PhD programs where I could continue studying the biology of aging. Since moving to San Antonio, I am looking forward to trying to keep up with hobbies, getting back into school, and studying with the help of my cats!
Hobbies/Interests
Lifting weights, running, piano, guitar, YouTube, and several podcasts
Research Topic
Biology of aging, neurodegeneration, epigenetics
Why I chose MD/PhD
I chose the MD/PhD pathway because I want to maximally contribute to improving healthspan and lifespan. As a future physician-scientist, I would like to sculpt medicine through the prevention and reversal of aging and age-related diseases. I intend to use my education and training to improve the quality of life for something that affects nearly all of us.
Why I chose MD/PhD at UT Health San Antonio
The MD/PhD program at UTHSCSA was the best fit for me based on location, lifestyle, and research opportunities. I am committed to studying the biology of aging and look forward to the many clinical opportunities I will have with elderly populations. In addition to the research, academic, and clinical advantages that UTHSCSA has to offer, San Antonio is a great city.
Post-bac work or other affiliations
Postbac (IRTA) at the National Institute on Aging
Education
B.S., Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2020
Publications
Cusatis, R., Balza, J., Uttke, Z., Kode, V., Suelzer, E., Shaw, B.E., & Flynn, K.E. (2022). Patient-reported cognitive function among hematopoietic stem cell transplant and cellular therapy patients: a scoping review. Qual Life Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-022-03258-0