UT Health San Antonio’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) is hosting its annual Viva Science SA℠ on Saturday, April 1 at the Mays Family Center at The Witte Museum.
A free and family-friendly event, Viva Science SA℠ is set to enlighten, engage and excite people of all ages in the San Antonio community. The event will feature interactive and hands-on science booths with fun activities for all ages, including a display of science-themed artwork.
Viva Science SA℠ is designed to foster engagement and showcase the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. The event is part of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences’ initiative to make science accessible for everyone.
“Every spring, we host Viva Science SA℠ and it’s been a great opportunity for us to share our love for science with the community,” said David Weiss, PhD, dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio. “We invite the public to join us for a day of exploration. We hope to encourage the next generation of scientists and researchers that science is not only important, but fun.”
During Viva Science SA℠, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students will present posters of their academic research on the topics of cancer, cardiovascular health, diabetes and kidney health, infectious disease, longevity and aging, military health, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine. Presentations are geared towards community audiences to raise awareness and support discussions of current science-related efforts and research, along with its respective impact in the community and on people’s everyday lives.
This year’s keynote speaker is Bess Frost, PhD, associate professor from the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Frost is a faculty member of the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies and the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurogenerative Diseases. Dr. Frost’s research focuses on the basic neurobiology underlying brain aging and neurodegeneration. Titled, “Our Beautiful Brain,” Dr. Frost’s presentation will address the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and the ongoing local efforts to treat the disorder.
There are more than 4,000 graduates at UT Health San Antonio’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, with a little over 700 remaining in and serving the San Antonio area. Many graduates are employed in various areas including academia, military research, consulting, and healthcare. Their contributions to science have a significant cultural and economic impact in the area, fueling San Antonio’s $42 billion biomedical industry.
Attendees will enjoy live entertainment and music, including delicious food from popular food trucks. Viva Science SA℠ opens to the public on April 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, visit vivasciencesa.com.