UTRGV Division of Research

UTRGV President Guy Bailey has appointed Dr. Can Saygin, as Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective May 18, 2026.

Dr. Saygin will continue serving as Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College, roles in which he has helped lead significant growth in research, graduate education, and faculty support since joining The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2022.

Under his leadership, UTRGV has surpassed $100 million in annual research expenditures and continues advancing toward Carnegie R1 classification.

“I remain deeply committed to the mission of this university and to the students, faculty, and staff who make UTRGV a place of opportunity and impact,” Saygin said.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Saygin on this appointment.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley continues celebrating a decade of impact with another major milestone, surpassing $100 million in total research expenditures for the first time in its history.

In Fiscal Year 2025, UTRGV reported $103.7 million, a 71 percent increase since FY22, confirming the university’s progress toward achieving Carnegie R1 (Very High Research Activity) status.

Dr. Can Saygin, Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College, said the achievement reflects a decade of transformation and focus. “Through strategic investments in infrastructure, metrics, programs, alignment, collaboration, and targets, UTRGV has positioned itself as an emerging research powerhouse.”

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4n6DIdo

The University of Texas System | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Tomorrow, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Institute of Neuroscience (ION) will host its inaugural World Head and Neck Cancer Day on Wednesday, July 23, at 2902 Haine Drive in Harlingen. The free public event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the entire community.

As part of UTRGV’s commitment to health in South Texas, the event aims to raise cancer awareness and connect residents to health screenings and community resources. Services include screenings for blood pressure, vision, depression and glucose, as well as information from nonprofit organizations supporting wellness in the Rio Grande Valley.

Dr. Noe Garza and Maria E. Martinez, RN, of ION shared more about the event during a KRGV studio interview (in Spanish). Watch the interview below and read the full event advisory for details.

Watch Interview (Spanish): https://bit.ly/4kSCNfK.
Read Event Advisory: https://bit.ly/40u0Fz0.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | The University of Texas System

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has joined the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), reinforcing its commitment to research and commercialization.

“UTRGV’s membership in NAI is a testament to the innovative work of our faculty and students,” said Dr. Can Saygin, senior vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate College. “As we continue expanding our research enterprise, NAI’s resources will accelerate commercialization efforts and drive impact in key areas such as technology, innovation, data sciences and societal transformations – pillars of our institutional research strategy.”

UTRGV joins more than 200 member institutions nationwide, including several R1 universities in the UT System, giving faculty and students access to networks and mentorship programs that strengthen innovation and commercialization efforts.

Read more: http://bit.ly/3IBpkvc.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to launch the Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine Core (DDNC) — the first facility of its kind within a 250-mile radius.

Located at the South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research in McAllen, the core will support cutting-edge research in nanotechnology and targeted therapies, addressing urgent cancer-related health disparities in our region.

Led by Dr. Murali Yallapu, principal investigator and associate professor in the Division of Cancer & Immunology; Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan, director of the South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research; and Dr. Everardo Cobos, interim dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine, the DDNC will serve more than 50 researchers across disciplines and collaborate with institutions statewide.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3HTKoN1

The University of Texas System | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

As part of its ongoing outreach to engage local families in STEM education, the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety - UTCRS at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is hosting one of the nation’s largest transportation-focused STEM summer camps.

Program Coordinator Manuela Cantu recently visited KRGV-TV studios to share details about the weeklong camps, which will run June 2–26 at the UTRGV Edinburg Campus. Open to students in grades 3 through 12, the camps offer hands-on learning experiences that introduce participants to real-world engineering challenges and STEM career pathways.

The final parent orientation is scheduled for this Friday, May 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

To learn more, view the full news coverage:
English: https://bit.ly/3ZDNs63
Spanish: https://bit.ly/4mGRPY7

Meet Brenda and Luis Bocanegra, a married couple and proud parents who will cross the stage this Friday to receive their Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the UTRGV College of Education & P-16 Integration

From balancing work and family to completing their doctoral journey side by side—this is their story.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4dhalSB

🎓✨A Journey of Love and Learning 📚🧡
🙌 Brenda and Luis Bocanegra have done nearly everything together: building a life, raising their three children and now earning their doctoral degrees from UTRGV. ✌️

On Friday, the married couple from Sullivan City and Palmview will cross the stage together to receive their Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the UTRGV College of Education & P-16 Integration, marking the end of a five-year journey they began side by side. 📖 🎉

🌟 Read more about their journey: https://utrgv.news/luis-and-brenda-bocanegra

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley opened its new 14,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The AMRF is a strategic asset for our university and our region,” said Dr. Can Saygin, UTRGV senior vice president for Research and Dean of the Graduate College. “It will support applied research aligned with national priorities in areas like energy and defense, while also giving students direct access to hands-on learning and emerging technologies.”

The facility is equipped with advanced systems—including robotic welding tools, laser-based additive manufacturing, and nano-scale 3D printers—giving students and faculty access to the same technologies used in national laboratories and high-tech industries.

Read the story: https://bit.ly/4jNmPUu

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to Host One of the Nation’s Largest Transportation-Focused STEM Summer Camps

This June, UTRGV will welcome students in grades 3 through 12 from across the Rio Grande Valley for the UTCRS STEM Summer Camps—recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation as one of the largest programs of its kind.

Students will explore robotics, magnetic levitation, and real-world engineering challenges, while learning about careers in transportation engineering.

📅 Camp sessions: June 2–26 | UTRGV Edinburg Campus
🎟️ Cost: $100 per student (may be covered by some school districts)
ℹ️ Parent orientations: May 16, 23, and 30
✅ Register today and learn more: https://utrgv.news/UTCRSSummerCamps

For questions, contact: [email protected].

The University of Texas System | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Launches New Patent & Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs)

The UTRGV Division of Research, in collaboration with the UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center and the UTRGV Library, will host two grand opening events celebrating the launch of USPTO-designated PTRCs at the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses.

📅 May 1 – Mission Center for Education & Economic Development (CEED)
📅 May 2 – eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🔗 RSVP + Details: utrgv.edu/ptrc

These centers will offer patent and trademark resources to support inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students across the RGV. Both events will feature USPTO officials, a panel discussion on real-world IP experience, and licensing guidance.

Today, UTRGV Research leadership—Dr. Can Saygin, Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College, and Dr. Thomas Spencer, Associate Vice President for Research Operations—joined the UTRGV School of Medicine Research Seminar Speaker Series.

Dr. Saygin presented “From Strategic Planning to Ex*****on: An Integrated Model for Institutional Success,” highlighting The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's research mission, National Research Support Fund (NRSF) status, and the university’s pathway to Carnegie R1 status by 2028. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

The University of Texas System | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley