Centers and Institutes
UTRGV is home to a diverse array of centers and institutes dedicated to advancing research and innovation across multiple disciplines. Explore our centers and institute below.
The Center for Community Resilience Research, Innovation, and Advocacy (CCRRIA) works to establish a local Community Resilience Hub and develop a research agenda on community resilience with both local and global impact. Following the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) convergence research model, CCRRIA brings together various disciplines within UTRGV to address issues such as public health, climate events, social conflict, and infrastructure security. The center also strengthens research proposals through national collaboration and engages with underserved communities to enhance community resilience.
The Center for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Cyber Systems (CAMICS) contributes to strengthening the American manufacturing base by integrating engineering disciplines that support excellence in advanced manufacturing in the South Texas region, the U.S., and beyond. Through focused research, education, and outreach in defense materials and energy manufacturing, CAMICS aims to be a key center for manufacturing innovation, driving advancements that meet societal and technological needs.
The Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) focuses on advanced energy research in manufacturing and water plants, emphasizing energy use and efficiency. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the IAC plays a key role in educating energy professionals and offering federally recognized certifications, supported by significant funding for energy efficiency implementation grants.
The Nanotechnology Center of Excellence (NCE) aims to raise awareness of nanotechnology efforts, support junior faculty in establishing research careers, and promote collaboration within UTRGV to enhance research productivity. The center also focuses on increasing diversity in Materials Science and Engineering by linking nanotechnology research with the recruitment, retention, and degree completion of underrepresented minority students.
The University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) focuses on developing knowledge, diverse human resources, and technology to improve safety in the U.S. rail transportation industry. Through partnerships and resources, the center supports rail safety research, education, technology transfer, implementation, and workforce development. The center's goals include reducing accidents, fatalities, and economic losses, as well as fostering new safety technologies.
Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) is dedicated to enhancing the growth and competitiveness of companies by improving profits, products, processes, technologies, and people. TMAC offers affordable technical, management, consulting, and training services to boost company performance across Texas. The center leverages its affiliation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and partner institutions to deliver cost-effective services that help businesses grow, increase profits, improve management systems, adopt new technologies, develop skilled workforces, and be environmentally responsible.
The Center for Broadening Participation in Engineering (CBPE-E3), funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), is part of the College of Engineering's efforts to increase the enrollment, retention, and advancement of Hispanic students, particularly Latinas, in engineering. The center aims to address inequities in the engineering career continuum and transform the education and preparation of the next generation of engineers.
The Center for Latin American Arts (CLAA) is dedicated to advancing scholarship, performances, and exhibitions of arts, with a focus on Latin American cultural traditions. As a hub for collaboration, the Center promotes the arts through teaching, scholarship, performance, and creative works. Its mission is to connect traditions significant to communities in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, fostering a shared sense of Latin American and Iberian cultural heritage that transcends borders.
The Center for Vector-Borne Disease (CVBD) is dedicated to advancing research on vectors and vector-borne diseases. It focuses on providing educational and research opportunities for students while serving as a key resource for community education and expertise on vector-borne diseases.
The UTRGV Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement (SARA) enhances agricultural sustainability and fosters the development of rural communities in South Texas through collaborative efforts involving UTRGV students, faculty, and community partners. Through multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach initiatives, SARA strives to address the complex challenges facing agricultural systems while promoting the well-being of rural populations and the environment.
South Texas Space Science Institute (STSSI) integrates the interdisciplinary strengths of various departments to focus on space science education and research. It was formed from the merger of two former UTRGV centers—the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy (CGWA) and the Center for Advanced Radio Astronomy (CARA). Both centers made significant contributions to the field, including the Nobel Prize-winning detection of gravitational waves in 2015.
The Center of Excellence in STEM Education (C-STEM) supports students across K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The center promotes exploration of STEM careers and enhances understanding of STEM disciplines through activities such as presentations, hands-on activities, and educational films on topics including the International Space Station, paleontology, and the Arctic.
The Institute of Neuroscience (ION) aims to transform brain health in the Rio Grande Valley by driving excellence in research, education, clinical care, and community partnerships. The ION seeks to be a catalyst for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary advancements that enhance brain health and well-being.
The South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research (ST-CECR), established in 2019 by the UTRGV School of Medicine, focuses on addressing cancer-related health issues affecting Rio Grande Valley (RGV) residents and developing a premier facility for cancer research. Located within the 80,000 square-foot Biomedical Research Building, the center is equipped with advanced core facilities and infrastructure to support a broad range of cancer research initiatives.
The South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute (STDOI) was established on October 13, 2014, to focus on world-class biomedical research at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. With diverse research efforts in diabetes, obesity, and related disorders, STDOI aims to address critical public health issues in the South Texas region. Building on a long history of work with minority populations and international research, STDOI scientists are dedicated to reducing health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley and improving global health.
Human Mobility Institute Center (HMI)
The Human Mobility Institute (HMI) is a leading resource center dedicated to assisting organizations focused on helping individuals in mobility. Founded on four core pillars—service, education, development, and research—HMI strives to empower organizations throughout the southern United States to deliver exceptional service and address the unique challenges faced by individuals in mobility.