Best in Class
The 44th Annual Chancellor's Council Meeting & Symposium
Each year in April, Chancellor's Council members across Texas gather in Austin to learn about the outstanding people and programs that make The University of Texas System so unique and so vital to our state and nation. At this year's symposium, our members had an opportunity to meet student stars across the 15 UT institutions – our Best in Class. With an array of talent that ranged from artists to scientists to entrepreneurs, these students enabled our CC members to see the profound impact their support has in the classroom, in the lab and in the world.
Rafael Moras, a tenor from UT San Antonio, delivered a stunning vocal performance that set a tone of excellence for the entire symposium. Named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts while still in high school, Rafael's exceptional voice has earned him national acclaim and many accolades, including the opportunity to study with Plácido Domingo on the HBO series "Masterclass." Watch his performance at The 44th Annual Chancellor's Council Meeting & Symposium.
We heard from former professional baseball player, Will Rosellini, who is currently a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at UT Dallas. An exceptional academic and seasoned entrepreneur, Will is CEO of MicroTransponder, Inc., a medical device company that may one day change the way we treat neurological disorders, such as chronic pain and tinnitus.
Our guests had the opportunity to learn about the breakthrough teaching success of the University of Texas Elementary School where Executive Director Melissa Chavez works with student teachers such as Charlie Bennett and Brooke Robertson to transform and elevate teaching methods in urban schools.
To share their latest research in the area of robotic assistive technologies, we invited undergraduate An Nguyen and renowned researcher Dr. Fillia Makedon from UT Arlington's Heracliea Human-Centered Computing Laboratory. Founded by Dr. Makedon with funding from the UT System's Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention, or STARs, program, the lab uses advanced technologies to help those who need it most. Learn more about their innovative research.
Jennifer Abrams is a doctoral candidate from the UT Health Science Center at Houston whose innovative research could lead the way to cures for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Jennifer recently received a fellowship from the American Society for Microbiology to support her investigations into the mystery of protein mis-folding, which could be the root of many of these diseases. "University research is essential," she said, "because the sooner we can understand a disease, the sooner we can cure it."
From UT El Paso, student Robert Viña-Marrufo and President Diana Natalicio told us about Early College High School, an innovative partnership that enables students to earn college credit while still in high school. An El Paso native, Robert is the first in his family to attend college and a member of the program's first graduating class. Now 19, he is preparing to graduate from UT El Paso with an exceptional record of academic success and a wealth of opportunities ahead of him.
Discovery Sessions
Prior to the afternoon symposium, our Chancellor's Council members attended discovery sessions led by with university leaders and distinguished faculty. This year, we offered two sessions — one with UT Austin's David Oshinsky, whose novel titled Polio: An American Story won a Pulitzer Prize in History in 2006. The second session titled "The Future of Energy" brought together Raymond L. Orbach, director of the Energy Institute at UT Austin and Les Shephard, director of UT San Antonio's Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute for a panel discussion outlining the energy challenges and opportunities on the horizon.
For more details about the event, view The 44th Annual Chancellor's Council Meeting & Symposium program (PDF) and be sure to check the Chancellor's Council website for the latest news and updates about future events.
