Juan Pablo Palavicini, PhD, from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) Health Science Center, received a $150,000 University of Texas System Rising STARs (Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention) award to fuel research into the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and brain aging.

Palavicini, an assistant professor in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology at UT San Antonio Health Science Center’s Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, is also an investigator at the institution’s Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies.

“The funds from the UT System STARs award will support the creation of a multidisciplinary research pipeline focused on Alzheimer’s disease and brain aging,” Palavicini said. “The award will fund the purchase of an IntelliCage system for advanced behavioral studies, upgrades to equipment for enhanced tissue imaging and updates to an assay platform for live-cell analysis. These resources will enable comprehensive research that benefits both the lab and the wider UT San Antonio and health science center communities. This award reinforces my commitment to the Health Science Center and inspires me continue contributing to this vibrant scientific community.”

“It is a great honor for Dr. Palavicini to receive the UT System Rising STARs award as this will certainly advance his independent research career and significantly contribute to the institution’s research mission,” said Blake Rasmussen, PhD, chair and professor in Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology at the Health Science Center and investigator with the Barshop Institute.
In August 2004, The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved an allocation of funds to be awarded to UT system institutions to help attract and retain the best qualified faculty across its 13 academic and health institutions across Texas.

Written by Jane Alvarez-Hernandez