Congratulations to former Physiology & Pharmacology (P&P) graduate student Valentina Garbarino, Ph.D., on receiving the 2018 Armand J. Guarino Award for Academic Excellence in Doctoral Studies.

The award, named after the founding Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), will be presented at the GSBS convocation, held August 17th, 2018.

The Guarino Award is the highest student recognition given by the Graduate School. As such, it is a tribute to the outstanding accomplishments in biomedical research, the noteworthy leadership and the extensive involvement in service during their tenure as a graduate student. Recipients receive a monetary award and their name is added to the Armand J. Guarino Award plaque that is displayed in the GSBS Dean’s Office.

Valentina was mentored as a graduate student, by Cellular & Integrative Physiology Professor Lynette Daws, Ph.D. and Associate Professor Georgianna Gould, Ph.D. Valentina has made important contributions to the exploration of the putative link between serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure during pregnancy and autism. Her mouse model helps to shed light on this controversial link and on the possible role of dietary interventions to prevent effects of SSRI exposure. Valentina involved many students in her studies, presented the results at various local and national meetings, and communicated the results in several peer-reviewed publications.

This article was written by Charlotte Anthony, marketing specialist at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio.