By Maria Gonzalez

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 3, 2024 – UTRGV has received an $18.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparity Research Center (RGV-CHDRC).

The center, announced today during a press conference, aims to reduce cancer health disparities in underserved Hispanic communities. The funding – awarded through the NIH’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), under the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program – supports the effort.

The Valley, home to more than 1.3 million residents, has some of the highest rates of liver, gall bladder, stomach and cervical cancers in the nation. The predominantly Hispanic population also bears a disproportionate burden of chronic liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

UTRGV President Guy Bailey highlighted the significance of the NIH award for the region.

“We are honored to receive our first RCMI grant from the NIH, which will significantly enhance our capacity to address the pressing health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey said. “Creation of the RGV-CHDRC will position UTRGV as a leader in the fight against cancer disparities, advancing research that will benefit not only our community but also the broader field of cancer research.”

Dr. Michael Hocker, dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and senior vice president of UT Health RGV, highlighted the importance of the award.

“Having received a grant of this caliber is vital to our efforts to transform healthcare in the Valley and beyond. The efforts of our researchers, physicians and clinicians will help continue our commitment to the region and serve the people who need it most,” Hocker said.

“This award is more than just a grant. It’s a mission-driven effort to improve health outcomes in a South Texas burdened by historical medical disparities.”

TRIPLE FOCUS

The center will conduct three major research projects focused on cancer health disparities in the Valley:

Cervical Cancer Research: Led by co-principal investigator Dr. Everardo Cobos, chair of Medicine and Oncology at UTRGV, the project will study HPV genotypes and immune responses in women in the Valley, to develop strategies for preventing and treating cervical cancer disparities.

Liver Cancer Research: Led by principal investigator Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan, director of the university’s South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, the study examines how factors like alcohol, smoking and stress affect liver cancer among Valley Hispanics, and aims to reduce disparities.

Social-Behavioral Interventions: Led by Dr. Deepu George, associate professor of Primary and Preventive Care, the project will focus on education, lifestyle changes and community support to reduce cancer disparities.

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

Chauhan emphasized an urgent need for targeted biomedical research to address the Valley’s severe cancer health disparities.

“The Valley has some of the highest rates of chronic diseases like liver, gall bladder and cervical cancers, compounded by factors such as prolonged stress, obesity and diabetes – with more than 24.7% of families living below the poverty line. That is triple the U.S. average.”

Despite the challenges, he said, there is no major biomedical research infrastructure within a 250-mile radius to address disparities.

“This grant will allow us to establish the first biomedical research facility of its kind in the region, offering a unique opportunity to address these health inequities and improve outcomes for the 1.3 million residents of the Valley,” he said.

“We are deeply grateful to NIMHD for recognizing the cancer health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley, and this funding will be vital in helping to reduce inequities and improve outcomes here,” Chauhan said.

THE CORE INFRASTRUCTURE

The center’s work is supported by four core units.

Administrative Core: Directed by Chauhan and Cobos, coordinating operations, leadership and training for minority researchers.

Investigator Development Core: Led by Dr. Ihsan Salloum, director of the Institute for Neuroscience, and Dr. Kelsey Baker, assistant dean of Educational Affairs and associate professor of Medicine, this core supports early-stage investigators and fosters collaboration.

Research Capacity Core: Directed by Dr. Murali Yallapu, associate professor of Cancer Immunology Research; Dr. Khalid Benamar, professor of Neuroscience; and Dr. Upal Roy, associate professor of Health and Biomedical Sciences, this core enhances research infrastructure and supports cancer research.

Community Engagement Core: Led by Dr. John Ronnau, senior associate dean for Community Health Partnerships, the core leads community outreach, focusing on research participation, education and public engagement.

Dr. Can (John) Saygin, senior vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate College at UTRGV, highlighted the impact of the award on the university’s research efforts.

“This award will facilitate accelerated transdisciplinary research, which requires bringing together diverse disciplines – such as biomedical, clinical and social sciences – to deliver timely solutions to real-life problems, so that we can make a visible impact in our region and community,” he said.

“It will enhance UTRGV’s research productivity, from doctoral students and research labs to hiring research-intensive faculty. This will not only have a significant impact on our region, but also will elevate UTRGV’s presence on the national stage.”

He said this will be one of just 24 RCMI centers in the nation, and one of only four in Texas.

“This is more than just a milestone,” he said. “It confirms that UTRGV is on the right path to becoming a Tier 1 research university.”

U.S. Rep. Vicente González (TX-34), who attended the press conference, said the center is an important milestone for the Valley community.

“Many of us have had a loved one diagnosed with this horrible disease,” he said. “When you review the research, you find Latinos are underrepresented in cancer registries and clinical trials, and we suffer a higher rate of cancer than the rest of the population. It is even more acute here in South Texas.”

“That’s what makes the difference – when you have UTRGV doing this crucial work. I’m proud to see this institution leading the charge in research and innovation. It will be transformative for generations to come,” González said.