SAN ANTONIO IRACDA

2021 Scholars

Rogers Brown, III, Ph.D.

Current position:  Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology, Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX.

Dr. Brown received his B.S. from Texas Lutheran University and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences in 2020 from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He joined the laboratory of Dr. Jeffery Boychuk in department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology to continue training as a postdoctoral research fellow in late 2020 and the SABER•IRACDA Program in 2021. His research co-mentor was Dr. James Stockand, also in the Cellular & Integrative Physiology department. Dr. Brown’s research was focused on studying the effects of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease on the motor functions of mammals. His teaching mentors were Dr. Thomas (Ted) Mancrini at St. Mary’s University and Dr. Jim Hall at Our Lady of the Lake University. While in the program, Dr. Brown published a paper in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience as co-first author. He is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology in the department of Mathematics & Science at Our lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Meghan Rueda, Ph.D. 

After obtaining her Ph.D. degree in 2020 from UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Rueda first worked as a medical science liaison (MSL) for a biotechnology company in Boston, MA. In this position, she not only gave scientific and educational presentations to physicians and clinicians, but also served as the point of contact for 16 clinical trial sites across the southern United States.  Dr. Rueda returned to San Antonio and joined the laboratory of Dr. Ann Griffith in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics as a SABER•IRACDA Scholar in 2021 studying the thymic stromal microenvironment and the effect of aging on key T cell tolerance mechanisms. Dr. Rueda’s research co-mentor is Dr. Mike Berton who is also in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics.  Dr. Rueda left the program early for personal reasons.

2020 Scholars

Benjamin T. Enslow, M.D.

Current position:  Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences (tenure track), St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX. 

Dr. Enslow received his M.D. degree from the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio in 2019.  While in medical school, Dr. Enslow had conducted research in protein biophysics, calcium signaling, and cancer biology/pharmacology.  After medical school, Dr. Enslow spent his first year as postdoctoral research fellow studying mitochondrial biology, mitochondrial calcium dynamics, and cellular metabolism, which resulted in a co-first author article in Cell and another co-authored paper in Science Signaling. He joined the SABER•IRACDA Program in 2020. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar in Dr. Elizabeth Leadbetter’s lab in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG), his research focused on immunometabolism in the context of obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). His research co-mentor was Dr. Luke Norton in the Department of Medicine (Division of Diabetes).  His teaching mentors were Drs. Ahmad Galaleldeen and Thomas (Ted) Mancrini at St. Mary’s University. While in the program, Dr. Enslow placed 1st in the oral presentation competition at the 10th Annual San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum held at UT Health San Antonio in September 2022. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences (tenure track) in the School of Science, Engineering & Technology (SET) at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

Carlos Rivera, Ph.D.

Current position:  Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, UT Health San Antonio. 

Dr. Rivera received his B.S in Biology and M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He subsequently moved to San Antonio where he obtained his Ph.D. in immunology from UT Health San Antonio in 2020.  He joined the SABER•IRACDA Program and the lab of Dr. Paolo Casali shortly afterwards to continue postdoctoral training in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG). His research co-mentor was Dr. Mike Berton who is in the same department. Dr. Rivera investigated the role of genetic and epigenetic factors that help direct and shape maturation of human T cell-dependent and T cell-independent antibody responses to bacteria and viruses in a novel humanized mouse model. Dr. Rivera is first author on a paper that was published in Science Advances in 2023 and another that is being prepared for submission to Nature Immunology, both from work done during his tenure in the program. Dr. Rivera’s teaching mentors were Dr. Jesus Segovia (SABER•IRACDA alumnus) and Dr. Terry Shackleford at St. Mary’s University. He is currently continuing postdoctoral training in the Casali lab in the MIMG department at UT Health San Antonio.

Miguel A. de la Flor, Ph.D.

Current position:  Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Pharmacology, UT Health San Antonio. 

Dr. de la Flor, who is a trained medical illustrator, earned his B.S. in Psychology and Ph.D. in Biology with a concentration in neurobiology in 2012 and 2019 respectively, both from the University of Houston. He then served on the faculty in the Biology and Biochemistry departments at the University of Houston, where he taught genetics and general biology for a year prior to joining the SABER•IRACDA Program and the lab of Dr. Erzsebet Kokovay in the department of Cell Systems & Anatomy in 2020. His research co-mentor was Dr. Jason O’Connor in the department of Pharmacology. Dr. de la Flor investigated the putative neuroprotective effects of deletion of the kynurenine 3-monooxygenase gene in genetically-engineered mouse models. His teaching mentors were Dr. Lori Boies and Dr. Ahmad Galaleldeen at St. Mary’s University. He is currently continuing research in the O’Connor lab in the department of Pharmacology at UT Health San Antonio supported by a Veterans Affairs (VA) award (3I01 BX003195-05A1S1). This award (a diversity supplement to Dr. O’Connor’s VA Merit Award) will fund an additional two years of postdoctoral training.

2019 Scholars

Sevan Alwan, Ph.D.  

Current position: Assistant Professor/Research

Dr. Alwan was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq. She received her B.Sc. in Biology and M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology from Baghdad University. She obtained her PhD in Medical Microbiology from Al-Nahrain University, also in Baghdad. In 2017, Dr. Alwan relocated to the U.S. and joined the laboratory of Dr. Philip LoVerde in the Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology at the University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at San Antonio that focused on Schistosomiasis.  Dr. Alwan’s research as a SABER•IRACDA Scholar involved re-engineering of an existing anti-schistosomal drug to make it more effective against all species of Schistosomes. She also investigated the genetic basis of resistance to praziquantel, the most commonly used anti-schistosomal drug. Her co-research mentor was Dr. Alexander Taylor, faculty in the Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology. While in the program, Dr. Alwan published 5 papers including one as first author in Molecular Biochemistry and Parasitology. Her teaching mentors were Dr. Ahmad Galaleldeen at St. Mary’s University and Dr. James Hall at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Charles S. Fermaintt, Ph.D.

Current position: Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, at the University of the Incarnate Word . Educator conducting research in the field of cancer pharmacology (San Antonio, TX) https://www.linkedin.com/in/csfermaintt 

Dr. Fermaintt was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico and he received his B.S. in Chemistry from University of Puerto Rico (UPR)-Humacao. He completed his Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX where he studied the role of oligosaccharides as modulators of innate immunity. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, he trained under the mentorship of Dr. April Risinger, in the Department of Pharmacology. His co-research mentor was Dr. Susan Mooberry, faculty in the same department. Dr. Fermaintt’s research as a SABER•IRACDA Scholar focused on identification and characterization of molecules derived from natural sources including plants and fungi that could be used as adjunct to existing immunotherapies against breast cancer and in particular triple negative breast cancer. While in the program, he published 3 manuscripts including two as first author in Molecular Pharmacology and Cancers (Basel).  His teaching mentors were Dr. Teresita Munguía and Dr. James Hall, both at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Amanda Muñoz, Ph.D.

Current position:  Assistant Professor of Biology and Chemistry (tenure-track), Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), Laredo, TX.  

Dr. Muñoz completed her B.S, in Microbiology at New Mexico State University, La Cruces, NM and her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar training in the laboratory of Dr. Alexei Tumanov, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG), Dr. Muñoz investigated the role of lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) in colorectal tumorigenesis. Her co-research mentor was Dr. Peter Dube, who is also a faculty in MIMG. While in the SABER•IRACDA program, Dr. Munoz published two papers including one as a co-senior author in Frontiers in Immunology. Her teaching mentors were Dr. Terry Shackleford at St. Mary’s University and Dr. James Hall at Our Lady of the Lake University.

2018 Scholars

Keith A. Ashcraft, Ph.D.

Current position:  Assistant Professor of Biology (tenure-track), Shriner University, Kerrville, TX.  

Dr. Ashcraft received his B.S. in Biology at Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX and he completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, Dr. Ashcraft completed postdoctoral training as a SABER•IRACDA Scholar in the Department of Urology department under the co-mentorship of Dr. Denise O’Keefe and Dr. Dean Bacich. He investigated the role of folate, an essential vitamin (B9) in the development and progression of prostate and kidney cancers and published three papers during his time in the program including one as first author in Urology and Oncology. An abstract that Dr. Ashcraft proffered was selected for oral presentation at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) in 2021. Dr. Ashcraft’s co research mentor was Dr. Renee Yew (Department of Molecular Medicine) and his teaching mentors were Dr. John Gomez and Dr. Susan Murphy, both at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Lindsey Barron, Ph.D.

Current position:  Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX.  

Dr. Barron obtained her B.S. in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), Corpus Christi, TX. After completing her B.S. degree, she spent a year mentoring undergraduate students in the Environmental Microbiology laboratory at TAMUCC. This experience ignited her passion for mentoring and motivated her to pursue a career as a teaching professor at a primarily undergraduate institution. In pursuit of this goal, she completed her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, then completed postdoctoral training as a SABER•IRACDA Scholar in Dr. Thomas Boyer’s laboratory in the Department of Molecular Medicine. She studied the tumorigenesis of uterine fibroids. Her co-research mentor was Dr. Pratap Kumar (Departments of Urology and Molecular Medicine). Dr. Barron published one first author paper in Fertility & Sterility (F&S) Science while in the program.  Her teaching mentors were Dr. Ahmad Galaleldeen and Dr. Susan Oxley, both at St. Mary’s University.

Jeremy Stubblefield, Ph.D.  

Current position:  Assistant Professor of Biology (tenure-track), Benedictine College, Atchison, KS.  

Dr. Stubblefield received his B.S. in Biology from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN and his Ph.D. n Neuroscience from UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, Dr. Stubblefield trained in Dr. James Lechleiter’s laboratory in the Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, investigating the circadian component of fatty acid metabolism in astrocytes and the neuroprotective role of thyroid hormone during stroke. His research co-mentor was Dr. Naomi Sayre (Department of Neurosurgery). He published one first author paper while in the program. His teaching mentors were Dr. Christine Gray and Dr. Lori Boies at St. Mary’s University. 

2017 Scholars

Brian Q. Bui, Ph.D.

Current position:  Math Teacher, June Shelton High School, Dallas, TX.  

A native Texan of Vietnamese descent, Dr. Bui received his B.S. in Physics with Biophysics option and B.A. in Mathematics from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX and his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from UT Arlington, Arlington, TX.  As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, Dr. Bui completed postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Neil Kirby (Department of Radiation Oncology) in the Mays Cancer Center. His co-research mentor was Dr. Nikos Papanikalaou in the same department. Dr. Bui developed and characterized a novel non-invasive radiation measurement device, specifically a “biological” dosimeter, which directly quantify biological damage from radiotherapy and that could help improve treatments for cancer patients. Dr. Bui published four papers while in the program including one as first author in Applied Radiation and Isotopes.  His teaching mentors were Dr. Richard Cardenas and Dr. Richard Lombardini at St. Mary’s University.

Courtney (Carroll) Alexander, Ph.D.

Current position:  Assistant Professor of Biology (tenure-track), University North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC.  

Dr. Alexander received her B.A. in Biochemistry from Hamilton College, New York, NY and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY.  As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, she trained in the laboratory of Dr. Karl Rodriguez (Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy) at the Barshop Institute for Longevity & Aging Studies. Her research co-mentor was Dr. Bess Frost (Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy). Dr. Alexander’s research focused on the role of the small heat shock protein beta 1 (HspB1, also known as Hsp27 in humans) in longevity and in neuro-degenerative disorders. She published a first author paper in Journal of Gerontology. Her teaching mentors were Dr. Lori Boies and Dr. Ahmad Galaleldeen at St. Mary’s University.

Alison Doyungan Clark, Ph.D.

Current position:  Instructor of Biology, Palo Alto College, San Antonio, TX.  

Dr. Doyungan Clark received her B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), Corpus Christi, TX and her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, she trained in the laboratory of Dr. Pratap Kumar in the Department of Urology. Her research co-mentor was Dr. Sang Eun Lee (Department of Molecular Medicine). Her research focused on a novel strategy to improve conventional therapy for prostate cancer. Her teaching mentors were Dr. James Hall and Dr. Susan Murphy at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Pamella (Tijerina) Gann, Ph.D. 

Current position:  Toxicologist, Product Integrity and Safety, JLI, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX.

Dr. Tijerina obtained her B.S. in Biology from the UT San Antonio and her Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences (Toxicology) from New York University (NYU Langone Health), New York, NY. She was a SABER•IRACDA Scholar under the mentorship of Dr. Edward Brooks (Department of Pediatrics/Division of Allergy and Immunology) and her research co-mentor was Dr. Peter Dube (Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics). While in the program, Dr. Tijerina investigated the impact of diesel exhaust particles on neurogenic mechanisms of allergic airway inflammation with the aim of discovering novel therapeutic interventions for asthma. Dr. Tijerina left the program early, for personal reasons, after 1 year of training.

2016 Scholars

Jonathan M. Berman, Ph.D.

Current position:  Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences (tenure-track), New York Institute of Technology, Jonesboro, AR.

Dr. Berman completed his B.S. in Biological Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY and he obtained his Ph.D. in Physiology from the University at Buffalo (State University of New York), Buffalo, NY. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, he trained in the laboratory of Dr. James Stockand in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology. His research co-mentor was Dr. Glenn Toney, also in the same department. Dr. Berman’s research focused on the molecular pathogenesis of hypertension with emphasis on regulation of epithelial Na⁺ channel in the kidney. Dr. Berman published six papers while in the program including two as first author in American Journal of Physiology, Renal Physiology and Journal Physiology. Dr. Berman’s teaching mentor was Dr. Timothy Raabe at St. Mary’s University.

Valerie Cortez, Ph.D.

Dr. Cortez received her B.S. in Biology from the UT San Antonio and her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from UT Health Science Center San Antonio. While in the SABER•IRACDA program, Dr. Cortez conducted research as a postdoctoral research fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Edward Medina in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Her research co-mentor was Dr. Kay Oyajobi. Her research elucidated the role of obesity in promoting the development and progression of multiple myeloma. Although she left the program early for personal reasons, Dr. Cortez published one paper as first author in International Journal of Cancer. 

Rebekah Mahoney, Ph.D.

Most recent position:  Visiting Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX.  

Dr. Mahoney completed her B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ulster, Ulster, Northern Ireland and her PhD in Physiology at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, she trained in the laboratory of Dr. Bess Frost (Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy) in the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. She investigated changes in nuclear calcium signaling in Alzheimer’s disease and related tauopathies and published one first author manuscript in Cell Reports. Her research co-mentor was Dr. Veronica Galvan (Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology) and her teaching mentors were Dr. Susan Murphy at Our Lady of the Lake University and Dr. Lori Boies at St Mary’s University. 

Christopher G. Peña, Ph.D.

Current position: Managing Director (Professional Content), American Cancer Society 

Current position:  Managing Director (Professional Content), American Cancer Society
Dr. Peña received his BS in Biology from UT San Antonio and his PhD in Cancer Biology from UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.  As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, he trained in the laboratory of Dr. Robin Leach, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy. His research involved identification of novel biomarkers predictive of aggressive prostate cancer as well as other diseases of the prostate. His co-research mentor was Dr. Denise O’Keefe (Department of Urology). His teaching mentors were Dr. Veronica Contreras-Shannon and Dr. Christine Gray at St. Mary’s University.

Briana Hauff Salas, Ph.D. 

Current position: Associate Professor of Biology (tenured), Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX.  

Dr. Salas received her B.S. in Environmental Studies from Binghamton University (State University of New York), Binghamton, NY and her M.S. in Environmental Science from Pace University, New York, NY. She completed her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior at Michigan State University, Lansing, MI. Dr. Salas completed postdoctoral training under Dr. Elizabeth Leadbetter in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. Her research co-mentor was Dr. Peter Dube. She transitioned from researching coral immunology to using a murine model of immunology. While a postdoc in the program, Dr. Salas published one paper as a co-author manuscript in Nature Immunology. Her teaching mentors were Dr. James Hall and Dr. John Gomez at Our Lady of the Lake University.

2015 Scholars

Megan B. Borror, Ph.D.

Most recent position:  Assistant Professor of Biology (tenured-track), Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX.  

Dr. Borror received her B.S. in Biology and PhD in Microbiology from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.  As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, Dr. Borror studied the role of mitochondrial dysfunction (specifically electron transport chain insufficiency) in longevity in the laboratory of Dr. Shane Rea (Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology) at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. Her research co-mentor was Dr. Alfred Fisher. Dr. Borror published four papers while in the program including one as first author in Cells. Her teaching mentors were Dr. James Hall and Dr. Susan Murphy at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Rheaclare Fraser-Spears, Ph.D.

Current position:  Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (tenured), University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX.  

Dr. Fraser-Spears received her B.S. in Biochemistry at Spelman College, Atlanta, GA and a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar, she investigated novel analogs of anti-depressants that target specific proteins (low-affinity, high-capacity monoamine transporters, organic cation transporters 2 and 3, and plasma membrane monoamine transporter) to regulate important brain chemicals, offering a new approach in the treatment of depression. Her research activities were conducted in the laboratory of Lynnette Daws, PhD, in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology. Her research co-mentor was Dr. Wouter Koek, faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology. Dr. Fraser-Spears published two papers while in the program, both as first author in European Journal of  Pharmacology and European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Her teaching mentors were Dr. James Hall and Dr. John Gomez at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Jesus A. Segovia, Jr., Ph.D.

Current position:  Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences (tenure-track), St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX.  

Dr. Segovia earned his B.S. in Biology from Baylor University, Waco, TX. M.S. in Biology from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and a PhD in Microbiology at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. As a SABER•IRACDA Scholar under the co-mentorship of Dr. Joel Baseman and Dr. Thirumalai Kannan in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, he conducted research to elucidate the role of NLRP3 (NLR-family, leucine-rich repeat protein 3) in regulating inflammation and innate immune cell response during Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. While in the program, Dr. Segovia published a first author paper in Infections and Immunity. His teaching mentors were Dr. Ahmad Galaleldeen and Dr. Timothy Raabe at St. Mary’s University.