UTRGV brings global cancer researchers to South Padre Island

The Rio Grande Valley will become a meeting ground for international cancer researchers this weekend as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley continues to expand its research footprint.

UTRGV’s School of Medicine will draw scientists, clinicians, medical students, and postdoctoral researchers from across the U.S. and abroad for its fourth International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities and Research Symposium at South Padre Island on Saturday and Sunday.

“Cancer research is a global effort,” Dr. Subhash Chauhan, director of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, said in a news release Monday. “When we learn from each other’s successes and challenges, we accelerate progress and bring better solutions to our communities.”

The conference reflects the Valley’s growing role in medical research, particularly in areas tied to underserved populations and chronic disease.

“Our goal is to learn what is happening across the globe and share what we are discovering here in the Valley so we can move science forward together,” Chauhan said. 

The symposium is open to researchers, healthcare professionals, students, and community members interested in cancer and emerging medical research.

It will include oral and poster presentations from faculty, students, residents, and international researchers, with sessions focused on cancer health disparities, prevention strategies, early detection, and emerging therapies. 

Organizers said the program will also address other major health concerns affecting the Rio Grande Valley, including diabetes, behavioral health, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

UTRGV launched the annual symposium to expand research partnerships and its academic footprint in South Texas. 

As the university marks its 10th anniversary during the 2025–2026 academic year, it continues to pursue R1 research status — the Carnegie Classification that designates the highest level of research activity.