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Have you seen the Lab RATS at UT Health? No, not the mice in research laboratories. These Lab RATS are something entirely different.

Lab Researchers with Ambition to Serve (Lab RATS) is a UT Health student organization that focuses on volunteer service around San Antonio and educating the public about science. Lab RATS brings together a diverse group of GSBS students who are passionate about giving back.

Sara Gaiser, Founder and President of Lab RATS

The student organization was founded by Sara Gaiser, a third-year DDS/PhD Student in the Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics Department under the mentorship of Dr. Kadosh. Sara’s passion for volunteering began while she was an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh. There, she was involved in service organizations like Alpha Phi Omega and her sorority Sigma Alpha Omega. Sara wanted to continue her passion for community service in San Antonio and was specifically interested in science-related outreach. Sara shares, “I looked online to see if there was a service club within the Graduate School and did not see anything. Thus, voilà, Lab RATS was born!”

Through Lab RATS, Sara has created a platform where students can connect their scientific and research training to meaningful outreach whether it’s mentoring students, fostering animals in need, or leading hands-on STEM events for local children. Sara’s leadership, vision, and enthusiasm have helped graduate students broaden their perspective, challenge themselves, and stretch outside the UT Health bubble.

Lab RATS Making an Impact

Over the past three months, Sara and the Lab RATS have been very active within the UT Health and the greater San Antonio community, including volunteering at STEM events at two local elementary schools, educating children about science at Viva Science, fostering a dog for a day from San Antonio Animal Care Services, packing food and non-perishable items at the San Antonio Food Bank, creating handmade, personalized birthday cards for children with rare medical conditions which benefitted Cheyanne’s Champions 4 Children (CC4C), and helping out families who are staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

In May, the Lab RATS fostered a dog for a day, Daisy, who was found as a stray. They took Daisy on a hike, ventured to eat some Texas barbecue, let her pick out toys, and finished the day with a delicious pup-cup. Since Daisy was at the San Antonio Animal Care Services, she was placed on the euthanasia list due to the kennel capacity. Sara made it her personal goal to ensure Daisy would find a rescue. Sara explains, “I posted all over my social media and wrote to rescues to ensure Daisy would find a forever family. Thankfully, Daisy was pulled from the shelter and has now been taken to a rescue in Colorado.”

Sara finds service and volunteer work very fulfilling. “It gives me something to look forward to during the week. It is super important to keep a good work-life balance when in the lab. It can be discouraging when experiments fail or you have to optimize a protocol for the hundredth time, but having something else to do can lift your spirits.” Volunteering can help graduate students return refreshed and engaged to their studies. For Sara, adding an activity outside of research and coursework has brought balance and helped calm the chaos of being a graduate student. Being surrounded by others who also value volunteering and giving back is rewarding and has helped shaped her skills as a leader and as a mentor.

Lab RATS packing and preparing food items for distribution at the San Antonio Food Bank.

Empowering Others Through Mentorship

In addition to being the President of Lab RATS, Sara is committed to supporting other students’ success at both at UT Health and across the country. At UT Health, she is involved as a Transition Peer Mentor for the GSBS. “I wish I had a PhD student mentor when I first started at UT Health, as I was suffering from impostor syndrome, wondering if my lab skills were up to par with my peers. Now, as a third year, I tell my mentee how amazing the GSBS and the Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics Department are at training their students and the resources they can reach out to if they need help with anything!” Sara also mentors pre-dental students as a DDS/PhD mentor for UT Health, offering insight on everything from DAT prep and the dental school application process to adjusting as an out-of-state student in Texas.

Beyond UT Health, she also helps plan virtual dental events for Students of Dentistry and is actively involved in developing “Pre-Dent Mentor Map,” a website dedicated to helping pre-dental students with application guidance, admission stats, and direct mentorship opportunities. Sara helped recruit students from every dental school in America and some schools in Canada to serve as mentors.

Creating Connections in Academia and Beyond

Through her wide array of volunteer and service work, Sara has developed skills that have enriched both her academic and personal life. “Volunteering has made me more outgoing and helped me build meaningful connections. I have interacted with so many people and made many connections with other volunteers and the community. It is refreshing to hear others’ stories about their lives and how volunteer work impacts their lives.”

In addition to connecting with others in the community, Sara has been able to pursue her passions while working with other graduate students in different programs. The Lab RATS student organization has nearly twenty members who are advised by Dr. Dan Salamango. Dr. Salamango, an Assistant Professor in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics Department, guides them toward their goals while encouraging them to continue their service efforts about causes that align with their interests.

Keep an eye out for those Lab RATS on and off campus. If you are looking to connect with others and give back to the community, consider joining Sara and the Lab RATS is in their mission to serve. Interested students can reach out via Instagram at @uthealthlabrats or by emailing lab.rats.uthealth@gmail.com.