Professor
University of Texas Medical Branch
I am a Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Over the past 17 years, my clinical, teaching, and research experiences have focused on developing new strategies to alleviate pain, improve function and quality of life, and treat opioid use disorder. I am board-certified in Pain Medicine and anesthesiology and have been accepted into the practice pathway certification for Addiction Medicine.
My research, scholarly activities, and community engagement have significantly contributed to addiction medicine. As a multiple Principal Investigator (mPI) on a HEAL (Helping End Addiction Long-Term) grant, I am leading groundbreaking research to understand the mechanisms and therapeutic effects of interventions for opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Additionally, I hold leadership roles in organizations such as the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council, formed to ensure the money recovered through the statewide opioid settlement litigation agreements is allocated fairly to end the opioid crisis in Texas. I initiated the development of standing-order prescriptions for naloxone in all schools within the Galveston County School District. As a result of these efforts, UTMB was recognized as a Community Champion in 2024 by The Alliance, a non-profit organization.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
10:33 AM - 10:47 AM EST