The University of Texas at San Antonio

A gift of $500,000 from the Ewing Halsell Foundation has been important to The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for many reasons, but perhaps most significant is that it allowed the university to recruit Joe L. Martinez to head the UTSA life sciences program. Currently, he serves at UTSA as Ewing Halsell Chair in Biology, associate vice provost for research and director of the Cajal Neuroscience Research

Joe L. Martinez, Ewing Halsell Chair in Biology

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In his influential position as holder of the Halsell Chair, Martinez is a mentor and role model for young scientists and students, and a highly respected leader throughout the university and his profession. He is a prime example of how the presence and involvement of a renowned scholar can have a multiplying effect regarding research funding - an important component of an institution working toward top-tier research status.

"As holder of the Ewing Halsell Chair since 1995, Dr. Martinez has brought great distinction to UTSA," said Deborah Armstrong, interim dean of the UTSA College of Sciences. "He has helped us become a leader in neuroscience research and the development of much in-demand minority scientists for teaching and research. As a prolific researcher, he has brought in millions of dollars in research and special program funding."

Martinez is primarily responsible for UTSA ranking 22nd in the nation in National Institutes of Health research funding. An example of the impact of such funding is the Cajal Neuroscience Research Center, established in 1999 through a $6.3 million five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Research Resources. The goal of the center is to become the focal point for neuroscience research in South Texas, collaborating with other institutions in the region and having an impact on the number and role of minority students in the technological advances of the 21st century and beyond.

A recent issue of Hispanic Outlook magazine lists UTSA first in the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics in biological sciences, a position UTSA has held for several years and one that exemplifies a commitment to hiring minority faculty and recruiting minority students in the sciences.

As UTSA becomes a major player in the important arenas of scientific research and teaching, students and faculty certainly benefit from the work of Martinez and the support of the Ewing Halsell Foundation, and the quality of life for the region, state and nation is greatly enhanced.

Martinez's current research is funded by grants from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the American Psychological Association. The Ewing Halsell Foundation and the Robert J. Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation have supported his important work on memory genes.

The funds of The Ewing Halsell Chair in Biology are invested in the Long Term Fund. At August 31, 2003, the original gift has grown to a value of over $810,000 and distributed over $40,500 for the year.