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Alumni Awards
Since 1999, the TTUHSC Office of Alumni Relations has celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of our graduates. Here at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, we are proud to highlight GSBS alumni whose achievements, service, and leadership inspire our community and future scientists.
These awards honor GSBS alumni who have excelled in their careers, made a positive difference in their communities, or brought distinction to themselves and to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
2025 Distinguished Alumni: Vivek Gupta, Ph.D.
Dr. Vivek Gupta is Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at St. John’s University and the Scientific Founder of PulmoSIM Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on the development of inhaled therapies for rare respiratory diseases. His research centers on non-invasive drug delivery systems—including inhalable nanomedicine, oral delivery of biologics, and localized delivery approaches for brain and lung diseases, aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes. Dr. Gupta brings deep translational expertise developed through a prolific academic career and through industry-facing innovation. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor on over 20 U.S. and international patents, several of which have been licensed for clinical development. He has led pioneering work in scalable nanomedicine manufacturing and in the formulation of repurposed drugs for oncology, fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. As Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research (2021–2025) at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Dr. Gupta led strategic initiatives to expand interdisciplinary research, secure external funding, and support trainee development. Dr. Gupta is an invited speaker at international scientific forums, serves on multiple editorial boards, and is on multiple NIH review panels. His current work continues to bridge pharmaceutical innovation and real-world application, advancing the next generation of therapeutics for hard-to-treat diseases.
Past Honorees
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- 2024: Brinda A. Dass, MPH, Ph.D. — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2023: Kaci Bohn, Ph.D. — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2022: Ebtesam Attaya Islam, M.D., Ph.D., FCCP — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2021: Jane A. Colmer-Hamood, Ph.D. ('97) — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2020: Kenneth D. Cole, Ph.D. ('81) — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2019: Yi-Ping Li, Ph.D. ('90) — Doctorate of Philosophy Award
- 2018: T. Celeste Napier, Ph.D. ('82) — Doctorate of Philosophy Award
- 2017: Kendra Rumbaugh, Ph.D. ('01) — Doctorate of Philosophy Award
- 2015: Herb Janssen, Ph.D. ('80) — Doctorate of Philosophy Award
- 2014: Li-Na Wei, Ph.D. ('86) — Doctorate of Philosophy Award
- 2013: Ralph Lydic, Jr., Ph.D. ('79) — Physiology
- 2013: Sasanka Ramanadham, Ph.D. ('85) — Pharmacology
- 2012: Dennis J. Paulson, Ph.D. ('80) — Doctor of Philosophy Award
- 2009: Susan Paulson, Ph.D. ('82) — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2006: Michael Kilgore, Ph.D. ('90) — Doctorate of Philosophy Award
- 2004: Raymond Runyan, Ph.D. ('83) — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2003: Robert Lust Jr., Ph.D. ('81) — Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2002: Matthew Grisham, Ph.D. ('82) — Distinguished Alumni Award
M.D./Ph.D. Alumni
Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology | Immunology & Infectious Diseases | Molecular Biophysics | Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Our M.D./Ph.D. graduates exemplify the impact of physician-scientists in advancing medical research and patient care. Equipped with rigorous training in both clinical medicine and biomedical research, they have gone on to make meaningful contributions in academia, industry, and healthcare. Below, you’ll find profiles highlighting their achievements, career paths, and the ways they continue to bridge the gap between science and medicine. Their journeys serve as an inspiration for future physician-scientists dedicated to innovation and discovery.
Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
If you are an alumnus and would like to update your profile, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Physician
Texas Oncology - Cedar Park, Marble Falls
- M.D. (2014) - Mentor: Arentz
- Ph.D. (2012) - Mentor: Maurer
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Internal Medicine Chief Resident
University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Tucson
Department of Medicine- M.D. (2021) - Mentor: Dremaine
- Ph.D. (2019) - Mentor: Dufour
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Diagnostic Radiology Resident
- M.D. (2022) - Mentor: Ganapathy
- Ph.D. (2020) - Mentor: Ganapathy
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Clinical Assistant Professor
Division of Hematology and Oncology and Department of Medicine
University of WashingtonAssistant Medical Director
Inpatient Oncology at the University of Washington Medical Center
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center- M.D. (2011) - Mentor: Cobos
- Ph.D. (2009) - Mentor: Kang, Williams
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Assistant Professor
Medicine - Nephrology at Baylor College of Medicine
- M.D. (2014) - Mentor: D'Cunha
- Ph.D. (2012) - Mentor: Maurer
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Pulmonologist
Baylor Scott & White Specialty Clinic - Marble Falls
- M.D. (2011) - Mentor: Kimbrough
- Ph.D. (2009) - Mentor: Williams
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Neurology Resident
Georgetown MedStar Neurology - NIH Program
- M.D. (2023) - Mentor: Ganapathy
- Ph.D. (2021) - Mentor: Ganapathy
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Resident
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Oregon Health & Science University- M.D. (2025) - Mentor: Dr. Awasthi
- Ph.D. (2024) - Mentor: Dr. Ganapathy
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Allergist-Immunologist
University of Texas Medical Branch
- M.D. (2021) - Mentor: Dufour
- Ph.D. (2019) - Mentor: Dufour
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Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Alumni
Physician
Texas Oncology - San Antonio Babcock Next Oncology
- M.D. (2016) - Mentor: Kang
- Ph.D. (2014) - Mentor: Reynolds
Immunology & Infectious Diseases Alumni
If you are an alumnus and would like to update your profile, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
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Immunology & Infectious Diseases Alumni
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center- M.D. (2016) - Mentor: Cordero
- Ph.D. (2014) - Mentor: Hamood
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Immunology & Infectious Diseases Alumni
Resident Physician
Neurology, Mayo Clinic - Rochester
- M.D. (2018) - Mentor: Dissanaike
- Ph.D. (2016) - Mentor: Rumbaugh
Molecular Biophysics Alumni
If you are an alumnus and would like to update your profile, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
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Molecular Biophysics Alumni
Internist
- M.D. (2011) - Mentor: Berk
- Ph.D. (2008) - Mentor: Strahlendorf
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Molecular Biophysics Alumni
Neurology Resident
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- M.D. (2017) - Mentor: Cuello
- Ph.D. (2015) - Mentor: Cuello
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Molecular Biophysics Alumni
Fellow
Internal Medicine, TTUHSC
Cardiology & Interventional Fellows, TTUHSC- M.D. (2017) - Mentor: Jenkins
- Ph.D. (2015) - Mentor: Cuello
Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology Alumni
If you are an alumnus and would like to update your profile, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
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Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology Alumni
Clinical and Research Fellow
Pediatric Oncology and Hematology
Johns Hopkins Hospital/National Institutes of Health- M.D. (2014) - Mentor: Al-Khalil
- Ph.D. (2012) - Mentor: Kang
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Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology Alumni
Resident
Houston Methodist
- M.D. (2023) - Mentor: Kang
- Ph.D. (2021) - Mentor: Kang
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Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology Alumni
Clinical Fellow
Division of Immunology
Boston Children's Hospital- M.D. (2018) - Mentor: Pruitt
- Ph.D. (2016) - Mentor: Reynolds, Kang
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Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology Alumni
Clinical Instructor
Neurology, School of Medicine
University of California - Irvine- M.D. (2016) - Mentor: Kim
- Ph.D. (2014) - Mentor: Freeman, O'Boyle
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Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology Alumni
Pain Medicine Physician
- M.D. (2017) - Mentor: Neugebauer
- Ph.D. (2015) - Mentor: Neugebauer
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Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology Alumni
Resident
University of Texas
Austin Dell Medical School - Austin, TX- M.D. (2025)
- Ph.D. (2023) - Mentor: Dr. Bergeson