Since 1988, the Presidential Ambassador Scholars program recognizes outstanding students from each of the UT Health schools who embody the University’s mission through their leadership, service, and academic excellence.  Selected by their deans from nominated candidates, the ambassadors each receive a $5,000 scholarship and represent the student body and the university at distinguished events throughout the year.

Dean David Weiss and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences leadership selected Erik Marchant as this year’s GSBS Presidential Ambassador.

Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs & Health System Francisco Cigarroa, MD, presented Erik with his award.

Erik is a fourth-year, Integrated Biomedical Sciences Student in the Biology of Aging Discipline. His research focuses on investigating the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and developing therapeutic strategies to improve muscle health.

Erik began his research career at Brigham Young University, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nutritional Science. His work there centered on skeletal muscle metabolism, leading to multiple publications. Erik shared that originally, he “started doing research to check a box to apply for medical school,” however, he soon realized he “loved discovering things that other people haven’t known before.”

His passion for discovery has led to an impressive publication record. He has twelve peer-reviewed publications, four of which he is a first author or co-first author.  Additionally, he has three manuscripts currently under review. According to his UT San Antonio mentor, Dr. Blake Rasmussen, “Erik is a talented and driven researcher, contributing significantly to the study of skeletal muscle metabolism.”

Erik prioritizes mentorship, collaboration, and peer support. He actively supports fellow researchers and fosters relationships across institutions due to his expertise in mitochondrial metabolism. Erik credits his accomplishments to his hard work and being surrounded by great mentors who have shaped his journey.  During his Presidential Ambassador interview, Erik expressed gratitude for the guidance he has received, saying, “I feel so lucky to be in a place where I feel supported, where people help me open doors to different avenues I hadn’t thought of and I just want to be able to do the same.”

Erik aspires to one day run his own research lab, studying metabolism in health and disease, and training the next generation of scientists. “Eventually, I’d like to mentor students and also try to open as many doors as possible for those future researchers and scientists.”

As the GSBS Presidential Ambassador, Erik recently gave an empowering speech at the 2025 GSBS Candidacy Ceremony in September. In his speech, Erik praised the candidates for their readiness to pursue deeper scientific exploration. Erik’s main message was encouraging the candidates to celebrate each milestone along the way and take time to reflect on how far they’ve come. “If we never pause to acknowledge the progress we’ve already made, we lose out on the joy that sustains us throughout this very demanding journey,” he said. He reminded the candidates that “each step forward is not just toward a diploma or job, but toward becoming a better leader, thinker, and contributor to society.”

Erik is deeply grateful for the generosity of the Presidential Ambassador Scholarship donors whose support has empowered his personal and professional growth. Erik shares, that being the Presidential Ambassador has “provided me opportunities to feel like I’m a greater part of this organization. It has given me opportunities to lead in ways that I hadn’t expected.” The opportunities made possible by this scholarship have set the foundation for Erik to become a thoughtful and impactful leader in both academia and biomedical research.