Mission

To grow a multi-professional research infrastructure that leverages intellectual capital and enhances the success of our scientists in translating discoveries to promote health and reduce health disparities.

Vision

Be an international leader in making high-impact, innovative discoveries that improve human health, equity and the health care delivery system.

Research Goals

The university’s research goals according to the 2023-2027 strategic plan are:

  • Attract, incentivize, and retain high-potential and high-performing research faculty and teams
  • Expand discovery in targeted and emerging research areas across the research continuum to create new knowledge, treatments, and patents
  • Grow translational and clinical research, including leveraging the expanded clinical and community footprints
  • Increase inclusive, collaborative, multidisciplinary research and community partnerships

Top Stories

Dementia in wood blocks

UT Health San Antonio finds genetic risk-factor overlap between Alzheimer’s disease, and all-cause and vascular dementias

In landmark research, scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) have reported the largest-ever genome-wide association study of dementia from all causes, revealing an overlap of genetic risks including neurodegeneration, vascular factors and cerebral small-vessel disease.

Image showing a teens hands

Healing young minds: UT Health San Antonio’s initiatives to address the adolescent mental health crisis

For the past decade, adolescent mental health disorders have skyrocketed, an issue propelled even further by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental health has declined surreptitiously for millions of people in recent years, affecting even the youngest among us. According to the American Academy of Child Psychiatry (AACAP), each year about one in six children aged 6-17 experiences a mental health disorder. Suicide is now ranked as the second leading cause of death in children aged 10-14. And only about half of children with a diagnosable mental health issue receive treatment.

image of a plastic heart toy on a table

UT Health San Antonio-led initiative receives multimillion-dollar support to improve heart health in South Texas

A team of researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) are among four teams from across the United States that have been selected to launch community engagement centers thanks to a generous contribution from the American Heart Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

image of the ALT-C Building

Fastest-rising U.S. institutions for research output – UT Health Science Center San Antonio ranks 6th in top 10 nationally

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has been rated No. 6 on the top 10 list of fastest-rising United States institutions for research output ranked by Nature Index in May 2024. The UT Health Science Center San Antonio outpaced in biological sciences research output with a 52.6% increase in adjusted research output share from 2017 to 2022.

Milestones

Helped develop the world's first stent (Palmaz Stent), used to treat blood vessel blockages

Discovered how to increase the types of pancreatic cells that secrete insulin with potential to cure Type 1 diabetesDiscovered how to increase the types of pancreatic cells that secrete insulin with potential to cure Type 1 diabetes

Invented the EZ-IO to rapidly infuse fluids into the bone marrow cavities of patients in shock

Discovered a link between finasteride and prevention of prostate cancer in men

One of two universities nationwide with a Geriatric Research Education & Clinical Center, Claude D. Pepper, and a Nathan Shock Center