Exercise science junior Christian Gomez (right) discusses the different muscles of the body with integrated health science junior Marlene Gonzalez in their anatomy and physiology class Aug. 10 in the Life & Health Sciences Biology Wing on the Brownsville campus. Azenett Valdez/THE RIDER PHOTOS
UTRGV No. 2 for Latinos in biological and biomedical sciences degrees
Hispanic Outlook magazine has ranked UTRGV second in the nation in awarding biological and biomedical sciences degrees to Latinos for the 2020-2021 academic year.
In its July issue, the national monthly magazine, recognized the top 50 institutions that conferred 10,329 degrees to Hispanic/Latino students in all biological and biomedical sciences, with 1,342 degrees at the graduate level.
Among those degrees, UTRGV awarded 608 in biological and biomedical sciences. Of these, 91% were conferred to Hispanic/Latino students, placing UTRGV second in the nation.
“The whole field of health professions and STEM … are underrepresented for the Hispanic population,” said Saraswathy Nair, a professor and chair of the Health and Biomedical Sciences department. “So every time that UTRGV achieves an accomplishment like that, it’s a step in the right direction.”
Kaitlyn Dianne Ybáñez, a biomedical sciences senior, said she is happy that UTRGV is being recognized for its efforts.
“In earning a degree in the biomedical sciences, we are entering a field where representation, our unique backgrounds, and intellect matters more than ever,” Ybáñez said. “From research to clinic, it is important that diversity sparks collaboration, for that cultivates new ideas and advances made in medicine.”
UTRGV also ranked 10th in graduate degrees in biological and biomedical science, awarding 72% of 50 to Hispanic/Latinos.
“This ranking highlights that Hispanic students not only strive to delve into their premedical interests but also are successful in accomplishing them,” Ybáñez said. “As future health professionals and researchers, we should be even more inspired that the path in earning a biomedical degree is achievable.”
Hispanic Outlook also recognized the top 50 institutions that conferred a total of 25,923 degrees to Hispanic/Latino students in health professions and related programs, with 9,485 degrees at a graduate level in all health professions.
Among those degrees, UTRGV awarded 770 in health professions and related programs. Of these, 78% were conferred to Hispanic/Latino students, placing UTRGV 11th in the nation.
UTRGV also ranked seventh in graduate degrees to health professions and related programs, awarding 68% of 460 to Hispanic/Latinos.
“So, we insist on a strong GPA,” Nair said. “The average GPA of a Bmed student is 3.4. We have a progression requirement: If they fall below 3, we stop them out of the program and say, ‘You can take non-biomedical science courses until your GPA is 3.’ Then, you can reenter the program, or you can consider changing your major.”
Nair said the department is “very strict” on the GPA requirement because no health professional graduate school or graduate program admissions committee will even look at a student application if the GPA is below 3.5.
Ybáñez encourages students to stay in the biomedical sciences program.
“Don’t ever doubt yourself,” she said. “You are more than enough in obtaining all the knowledge coming your way. Find your support system and have fun in every step towards your goals because you deserve it.”
For more information on the UTRGV Department of Health and Biomedical Science degrees, visit its website or email saraswathy.nair@utrgv.eduor healthandbiomedicalsciences@utrgv.edu
