Texas A&M University Health Science Center

01/28/2026

Whoop!

Texas A&M University is ranked No. 11 nationally and No. 1 in Texas for overall online bachelor’s degrees in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. The College of Nursing’s RN-to-BSN program is the only online bachelor's degree program at the university.

Designed for working nurses, the fully online RN-to-BSN can be completed in as little as 12–15 months with practicum experiences in students’ own communities.

🔗 For more information about the ranking: https://vitalrecord.tamu.edu/college-of-nursing-online-programs-among-best-in-nation-and-texas/

01/28/2026

A cup of coffee won't cure cancer, but researchers from Texas A&M Health are exploring whether caffeine could help control some of medicine’s most powerful treatments. ☕️🔬

A team at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology is pairing caffeine with the gene-editing technology, CRISPR, to control gene expression, which could be used to fight diseases like cancer and diabetes. Their chemogenetic method allows for safe, reversible and targeted therapy—using a common, easily accessible ingredient.

See how caffeine becomes a genetic switch:

By combining caffeine with the use of CRISPR, scientists are unlocking new treatments for long term diseases using chemogenetics.

01/23/2026

Yesterday was a big day for McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley!

With the opening of the Nursing Education and Research Building at the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen, local students now have a new place to learn, train and prepare for careers in health care—right here at home.

Built through collaboration with community and university partners, the facility supports nursing education, veterinary medicine and research focused on the health of people and animals across South Texas. Learn more: tx.ag/NERB

Texas A&M College of Nursing Texas A&M University-Higher Education Center at McAllen The Texas A&M University System Texas A&M University Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa

The Texas A&M Nursing Education and Research Building (NERB) opened in the Rio Grande Valley on Jan. 22, 2026 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

01/12/2026

Pharmacists do far more than dispense medications—they help prevent drug interactions, support chronic disease management and guide patients through complex care decisions every day.

We’re grateful for the pharmacists whose work strengthens the health of our communities. Happy National Pharmacists Day! 💙

💭 Did you know? Pharmacists have invented some of today’s most popular sodas, created the heat scale used for chili peppers, influenced rock music and founded global health care companies. Watch to learn more interesting facts about pharmacists!

Texas A&M College of Pharmacy

12/23/2025

We're wishing all of you a warm and joyful holiday season! ✨ May your days be merry, restful and spent doing what you love most. We'll see you in the new year!

12/19/2025

The agricultural industry carries immense pressure—often without easy access to mental health care. Distance, workforce shortages and stigma can make getting help even harder for rural Texans.

Through FarmHope, our Telehealth Institute and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are helping bridge that gap by offering free, confidential telehealth counseling and stress management support for agricultural producers and their families.

Learn more:

Initiative by Texas A&M Health and AgriLife Extension helps farmers and ranchers confront stigma, barriers to care and stress

12/17/2025

When disaster strikes, Aggie health professionals are prepared to save lives.

At Texas A&M Health, one way our purpose comes to life is through Disaster Day, the nation’s largest student-led emergency response simulation.

Each year, hundreds of students, faculty, first responders and volunteers train side by side to prepare for mass-casualty events—strengthening coordination, leadership and real-world readiness when it matters most.

It’s one way we serve our communities, support our first responders and help build a safer future for Texas and beyond. Read more:

From helping communities recover from disasters to saving the lives of those in need, Texas A&M is stepping up and showing what selfless service really means.

12/15/2025

The streets shimmer with lights, pies are baking and homes smell like joy. But could some of those cozy scents be impacting your health?

Dr. Genny Carrillo, a professor at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, has spent years studying asthma and indoor air pollutants. She says candles and other seasonal fragrances can contribute to indoor pollution—something worth paying attention to since we spend about 90% of our time indoors.

At the link, Dr. Carrillo explains what’s behind the issue and offers alternative ways to enjoy festive scents this holiday season:

Scented candles can contribute to indoor pollution, but an asthma specialist gives some advice for equally festive alternatives.

12/09/2025

Clinicians have long observed that people with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to develop alcohol use disorders—but the “why” has remained unclear.

Now, Texas A&M Health researchers have uncovered a key piece of the puzzle: TBI triggers neuroinflammation that disrupts the brain’s cholinergic system, which supports cognition, motivation and impulse control. This inflammation-driven shift increases alcohol use and impairs cognitive function.

Learn more about this breakthrough from TAMU Medicine that could shape future treatments:

Texas A&M Health researchers identify how neuroinflammation drives alcohol craving and cognitive decline during traumatic brain injury.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from our Aggie family to yours! 🦃

For many, this season brings gratitude and joy. For others, it can feel heavy—and that’s okay. Experts from Texas A&M University Health Services and the Texas A&M Health Telehealth Institute remind us that small, simple acts of gratitude can still spark moments of joy, even on difficult days. 🍂✨

Looking for ways to lift your spirits? Watch below for their top five tips to navigate holiday sadness, and read the full article for more practical ways to nurture your well-being this season. tx.ag/thnx

11/24/2025

Chronic pain is a daily reality for millions of Americans. Nearly one in four adults experienced chronic pain in 2023—and existing treatments are not always effective.

Scientists at Texas A&M Health are investigating a new angle: the brain’s own housekeeping system, known as autophagy. Researchers in the lab of Shashank M. Dravid, PhD, at TAMU Medicine are studying how this cellular cleanup process may be tied to chronic pain. Their long-term goal is to develop a targeted, non-opioid therapy that could change the future of pain management.

Texas A&M Health scientists uncover a new target for chronic pain relief by focusing on the body’s cellular ‘recycling’ system.

11/20/2025

Happy National Rural Health Day! 🎉

While only 17% of Texans live in rural areas, nearly 4 million people and over half of Texas counties depend on rural medicine for basic and lifesaving care. Yet, rural communities face a critical shortage of nearly all forms of health care.

Our colleges, schools, centers and institutes across Texas A&M Health are committed to addressing this gap. Today, we're highlighting our ongoing efforts to strengthen rural health across Texas. Our goal is simple: fair health care access for all Texans, because it’s what everyone deserves.

Read below each photo for more details on how we serve rural health across disciplines throughout the state!