Message from the VP for Research

Location matters, not only in real estate, but in biomedical research. At the U.S.-Mexico border, Texas Tech Health El Paso offers a view of the nation’s future. More than 81% of the El Paso community is Mexican-American, and along with others of Latino groups, represents the fastest-growing population in the United States. Yet this population remains understudied and disproportionately at risk for diseases such as diabetes, breast and colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Understanding the genetic, environmental, and social factors that shape Latino health is critical.

At the Foster School of Medicine (FSOM), scientists study the diseases that affect Latinos and the broader community with a focus on translating discoveries into prevention strategies and effective treatments. Faculty also train the next generation of researchers through the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Research at the FSOM is organized into fourCenters of Emphasis: cancer, infectious diseases, neurosciences and diabetes and metabolic disorders. These programs are supported by robust core facilities and a biostatistics and epidemiology unit with expertise in cutting-edge bioinformatics and data analysis.

We invite you to explore our work and see how our research grounded in a unique population can improve health outcomes locally and nationwide.