Castro Announces $460+K Award to St. Mary’s University for Biomedical Research Training

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, announced $460,845 of federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support training undergraduate students in biomedical research:

“I welcome today’s $460,845 HHS grant to St. Mary’s University that will provide structured training programs to prepare high-achieving, underrepresented students by increasing access for undergraduates to authentic research experiences, skills development, and mentoring in biomedical research. This funding will help sustain St. Mary’s University’s work in creating opportunities for minority and women students earning baccalaureate and Ph.D. degrees in biomedical research fields. St. Mary’s University continues to lead in this important work, and today’s grant will undoubtedly contribute to the diversification of the nation's scientific workforce in Texas and the nation.”

This grant is a competitive continuation award. St. Mary’s first received HHS funding for this purpose in 1983, for a five-year grant, and has successfully applied for and received renewal of these funds each five-year project period since. This renewal funding is projected to run from June 1, 2018 until May 31, 2023.

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