World-renowned Alzheimer’s researcher receives $300,000 UT System Faculty STARs award

Agustin Ruiz, MD, PhD, professor and director of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases ' Biological Core laboratory and the Keith M. and Pat V. Orme Endowed Chair in Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) received a $300,000 UT System Faculty STARs (Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention) award to advance his Alzheimer's disease research.

"The funds from the UT System Faculty STARs award will be instrumental in advancing our research by enabling the purchase of state-of-the-art NULISA™ technology, which will enhance our capabilities to investigate and identify molecular biomarkers and their connection to genomics related to Alzheimer's disease," Ruiz said. "This strategic investment will elevate our laboratory's competencies and open many new and exciting possibilities and collaborations for advancing research in Alzheimer's and other related neurodegenerative diseases."

The Glenn Biggs Institute, in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, is a National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC). Known as the South Texas ADRC, this national center of excellence is one of 33 across the nation and the only one in the state of Texas.

"We are thrilled to have recruited one of the best international researchers in the genetics and biology of Alzheimer's disease to the Glenn Biggs Institute and the South Texas ADRC," says Sudha Seshadri, MD, professor of neurology and founding director of the Glenn Biggs Institute. "Dr. Ruiz will boost the basic and translational research profile of our university, which is already the leading center for Alzheimer's care and research in Texas.

"One of the most important questions in Alzheimer's disease prevention and care today is to find plasma markers that can diagnose the earliest stages of disease accurately, and also the subtype of the disease, by precisely identifying which genes, biomarkers and inflammatory proteins are abnormal in any given person," Seshadri said. "The UT System Faculty STARs award allows us to purchase and utilize the latest technology that can measure over 200 proteins related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia in a minuscule amount of plasma. We look forward to making major advances in the next few years."

Twenty years ago, The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the allocation of funds for multiple types of STARs awards to help attract and retain the best-qualified faculty to perform their research at one of the 14 UT System academic and health institutions across Texas.