By UTMB COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Last week, William H. McRaven, chancellor of the University of Texas System, visited UTMB. McRaven visited with UTMB leaders and students and toured clinical facilities, Old Red and the Galveston National Laboratory. McRaven, who became chancellor in January, has been visiting all of the UT System institutions.

Neelakantan wins award at national meeting

Harshini Neelakantan, a postdoctoral fellow with UTMB’s Center for Addiction Research, received an award for “Best Abstract” in the division of behavioral pharmacology at the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics annual meeting in Boston, Mass. Neelakantan is currently investigating the role of specific serotonin receptors within brain circuits that are involved with cocaine-use disorder and relapse under the direction of Dr. Kathryn A. Cunningham.

Murphy elected to board of national blind prevention group

Kathleen Murphy, an associate professor in UTMB’s School of Nursing, was elected to the board of directors for Prevent Blindness, a national volunteer eye health and safety organization. The vote last month was at the 2015 summer board meeting held in Washington, D.C. Murphy has been a volunteer for Prevent Blindness for more than 10 years. At UTMB, Murphy directs the executive nurse leader program, focused on facilitating the professional development of emerging nurse leaders.

Becker recognized by UHCL alumni group

Katherine Becker, administrator in the School of Nursing, was selected as a recipient of the 2015 University of Houston-Clear Lake Early Achievement Award, presented by the UHCL Alumni Association. The event is a celebration of UHCL alumni and the difference they are making in the community and world. Becker is actively engaged in the community outside of UTMB. She’s an adjunct professor at Galveston College with the health care administration program, volunteers with the Galveston Historical Foundation and serves as a volunteer chairwoman for Dickens on The Strand and the Historical Homes Tour. Becker will be a guest of honor at an alumni celebration later this year at Space Center Houston.

Inside UTMB is compiled by the communications department at the University of Texas Medical Branch.