A momentous achievement: Graduate School commencement 2026

Published on: June 26, 2026 By: Staff Reports

grad-school-graduation-gallery-2026-banner-1200x675.jpg — Graduates of the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences await their turns to cross the stage and receive their diplomas. More than 70 students attended the ceremony, earning master’s and doctoral degrees in 11 fields.

The UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences celebrated its 2026 commencement ceremony on May 21 in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium, honoring graduates prepared to shape the future of science, medicine, and innovation. Surrounded by proud family, friends, faculty, and mentors, students crossed the stage ready to pursue careers in biomedical research, clinical psychology, education, industry, and other science-related fields. The ceremony, led by Graduate School Dean Andrew Zinn, M.D., Ph.D., recognized the achievements and dedication of the graduates. Renowned scientist and researcher Eric Olson, Ph.D., Chair of Molecular Biology, delivered the keynote address and surprised attendees with a special performance of a song he wrote for the occasion, adding a memorable and lighthearted moment to the celebration.

Endowed Titles:

Dr. Olson holds the Pogue Distinguished Chair in Research on Cardiac Birth Defects, The Robert A. Welch Distinguished Chair in Science, and the Annie and Willie Nelson Professorship in Stem Cell Research.

Dr. Zinn holds the Henry Ross Perot Distinguished Professorship in Biomedical Science and the Rolf Haberecht and Ute Schwarz Haberecht Deanship of the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Select an image to begin the slideshow.

Let the 2026 commencement ceremony begin!

Faculty members stand proud in their regalia before the ceremony. From left: Benjamin Sabari, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and of Molecular Biology and Obstetrics and Gynecology; Ning Liu, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology; Denise Marciano, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Cell Biology; and Kathryn O’Donnell, Ph.D., and Jun Wu, Ph.D., Associate Professors of Molecular Biology.

Jane Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, carries the Stembridge Mace as she enters the auditorium. The symbol represents the torch of learning and passing of knowledge from teacher to student over generations.

Support from family and friends makes graduation even more special.

Commencement speaker Eric Olson, Ph.D., Chair of Molecular Biology, provides words of wisdom and a performance that brings down the house.

Andrew Zinn, M.D., Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate School, applauds the graduates and provides welcome remarks.

Biological Chemistry graduate Joshua Robinson, Ph.D., is hooded by Daniel Siegwart, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, and in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Biomedical Engineering graduate Kara Acevedo, Ph.D., is hooded by W. Matthew Petroll, Ph.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering.

Biomedical Engineering graduate Lixiang Guo, Ph.D., receives his diploma from UT Southwestern President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D.

Biomedical Engineering graduate Hui-Ju Wang, Ph.D., shakes Dr. Podolsky’s hand as she receives her diploma.

Ian Corbin, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Advanced Imaging Research Center and of Internal Medicine and Radiology, left, and Steve Jiang, Ph.D., Vice Chair of Digital Health & AI, Chief of the Division of Medical Physics and Engineering, and Professor of Radiation Oncology, look on with pride as graduates cross the stage.

Cancer Biology graduate Nicole McCuen, Ph.D., takes in the moment as she receives her hood.

Clinical Psychology graduate Adriana Cabrales, Ph.D., is all smiles as she receives her diploma from Dr. Podolsky.

Clinical Psychology graduate Hudaisa Fatima, Ph.D., is hooded by Laura Lacritz, Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Psychology and Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Genetics, Development, and Disease graduate Jordan Wall, Ph.D., receives her hood from Peter Douglas, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Molecular Biology.

Dr. Wu poses for a photo with Genetics, Development, and Disease graduate Menaka Sanghvi, Ph.D., after she receives her diploma.

Immunology graduate Cong Xing, Ph.D., is congratulated by Dr. Podolsky.

Don Gammon, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Microbiology, left, and Neal Alto, Ph.D., Professor of Microbiology, right, pose with Molecular Microbiology graduate Aaron Embry, Ph.D., after he is hooded.

Neuroscience graduate Daniela Barbosa, Ph.D., receives her hood from Lu Sun, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology.

Proud family members give their graduate a standing ovation.

Doctor of Clinical Psychology graduates taking time for a celebratory photo include: (top row, from left) Emma Reutimann, Ph.D., Briana Horrocks, Ph.D., Julia Livingstone, Ph.D., Adriana Cabrales, Ph.D., and (bottom row, from left) Deborah Shear, Ph.D., Alyssa Kaser, Ph.D., Molly Michaels, Ph.D., and Hudaisa Fatima, Ph.D.

Neuroscience graduates Xinke Wen, Ph.D., left, and Gulhumay Gardashova, Ph.D., right, celebrate with Daisuke Hattori, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neuroscience.

A bouquet of flowers is the perfect complement to a new diploma for Neuroscience graduate Andrea Boitnott, Ph.D.

Biomedical Engineering graduate Esther “Dami” Alao, Ph.D., celebrates the moment with Dr. Corbin.

Immunology graduates Zhen Tang, Ph.D., left, and Cong Xing, Ph.D., right, proudly pose for a photo with Nan Yan, Ph.D., Professor of Immunology and Microbiology.

Neuroscience graduate Andrea Boitnott, Ph.D., left, and Cancer Biology graduate Julisa Gonzalez, Ph.D., celebrate their achievements with a photo on the Plaza.

From left: Biomedical Engineering graduates Maggie Wang, Ph.D., Hui-Ju Wang, Ph.D., Amogh Vaidya, Ph.D., and Yehui Sun, Ph.D., mark their achievement with a group photo.