Catalyzing Discovery and a Vision for Tomorrow
Mobile Research Symposium
Over five days, the RCMI at UH hosted seven events at eight locations across Houston creating a dynamic week of learning, dialogue, and community connection. Beginning Monday, March 23, 2026, the Mobile Research Symposium brought RCMI researchers to Houston community organizations to share their work, listen and respond to questions, and engage directly with the people who stand to benefit from their discoveries.
The week began with Samaneh Karami, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, who presented on Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection.
The event was held at Acres Homes Community Organizations / Dwight D. Eisenhower High School and included three additional speakers from Milk Maternity and Harris County Public Health Material & Child Health.
The evening concluded with a Q&A session, which provided attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with the presenters. Giveaways were also provided to expectant mothers who attended the event.
Tuesday: Addressing Overdose Deaths and Homelessness
On Tuesday, the Mobile Research Symposium continued at Star of Hope with Ben King, PhD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine presented Identifying Opportunities for Intervention and Prevention of Overdose Deaths Associated with Homelessness. Dr. King shared his research finding and opportunities to better understand and prevent overdose deaths among individuals experiencing homelessness.
The event concluded with an informal discussion between Dr. King and Star of Hope staff.
Wednesday: Advancing Melanoma Screening
On Wednesday, the RCMI team visited El Centro de Corazón Magnolia Health Center, where Bettina Beech, DrPH, MPH introduced Jingyi Luan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the Cullen College of Engineering. Dr. Luan presented her research, Microneedle Biopsy: An Objective Tool for Minimally Invasive Melanoma Screening.
During the lunch-and-learn, Dr. Luan shared how her microneedle biopsy technology differs from more invasive traditional biopsy methods and highlighted its potential as a less invasive approach to melanoma screening.
Thursday: Three Events Across Houston
Thursday marked the symposium’s busiest day, with three presentations engaging distinct communities across Houston.
The day began at San José Clinic where Dipali V. Rinker, PhD, LPC, Research Assistant Professor with the PREMIER Center in the College of Pharmacy presented Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: The Expanding Role of Pharmacists. Dr. Rinker explored how pharmacists can contribute to the treatment of opioid use disorder and expand access to evidence-based care.
From there, the symposium moved to the Sankofa Research Institute at Trinity East United Methodist Church, where Chakema Carmack, PhD, Associate Professor in the College of Education, presented Proof of Concept and Feasibility in a Cervical Cancer Prevention Webisode for African American Women.
Drawing on the format of the webisode developed through her project, Dr. Carmack transformed the presentation into an engaging and accessible experience. The relaxed and welcoming setting encouraged candid conversation and created a comfortable space for participants to ask questions about cervical cancer that may otherwise be difficult raise.
The day concluded at KIPP East End High School, where Aliye Cepni, PhD, Research Assistant Professor in Health and Human Performance, presented Summer Youth Employment for Health Promotion.
Students who participated in the study came together for an engaging and uplifting program centered on their experiences. Their voices brought the project’s impact to life and demonstrated the value of engaging young people as active contributors to health promotion in their communities.
Friday: Bringing the Symposium Back to UH
On Friday, the Mobile Research Symposium returned to the University of Houston for a day highlighting the RCMI at UH, its four cores, its research projects, investigators, and the people advancing its mission. Bettina M. Beech, DrPH, MPH, Principal Investigator of the RCMI at UH, served as emcee for the program, guiding attendees through the day’s presentations, panel discussion, and fireside chat while connecting each session to the center’s broader mission.
Leaders from each of core introduced the resources and expertise available through the RCMI including research infrastructure, investigator development, and mentorship, community partnerships, and coordinated operational support.
The program also featured Lorra Garey, PhD, Research Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and recipient of multiple grants, who shared insights from her research. Michael Zvolensky, PhD, MPI, at the University of Houston presented the RCMI’s Behavioral Science Research Project and its contributions to the center’s broader research agenda.
Following a short break, attendees participated in a panel facilitated by Ann Chen, PhD , Associate Professor in the College of Education which featured:
Dinler Antunes, PhD, Assistant Professor, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Kumaraswamy Chitrala, PhD, Assistant Professor, Cullen College of Engineering
Meghana Trivedi, PharmD, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy
The panelists shared perspectives from across disciplines, illustrating how diverse expertise can strengthen chronic disease research and generate new opportunities for collaboration.
The afternoon continued with a fireside chat featuring Roland J. Thorpe, Jr., PhD, Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Keith C. Norris, MD, PhD, Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. Their conversation offered reflections on the origins of the RCMI program, the field of health disparities science, leadership lessons learned, and considerations for the next generation of biomedical investigators.
The program concluded with speakers, guests, and staff reflecting on the accomplishments and lessons of the RCMI’s first five years, and looking ahead to the RCMI at the University’s next chapter.
Taking Research Beyond the University
The Mobile Research Symposium demonstrated what is possible when research moves beyond traditional academic settings and into the places where people live, work, learn, and serve. Across five days, researchers and community members exchanged knowledge, raised important questions, and explored how research can better respond to the priorities and experiences of Houston communities.
The week marked more than a series of presentations. It strengthened relationships, made research more accessible, and created new opportunities for dialogue between investigators and the people their work is intended to benefit.
The RCMI at UH looks forward to building on this momentum deepening community partnerships, continuing these conversations, and creating more opportunities for Houston communities to help shape, engage with, and benefit from the center’s work.
