As he grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Vincent Dartigue developed a love of science that deepened as he entered adulthood. His educational journey led him to UT Southwestern, where he is a third-year candidate in the Biological Chemistry Ph.D. Program. Now Mr. Dartigue’s research has reached an impressive milestone – he and his adviser, Daniel Kober, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, have been named to the 2025 cohort of the esteemed Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellows Program.

Mr. Dartigue (right) and his adviser, Daniel Kober, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, analyze immunoblot results of a protein degradation assay. The two are among 30 teams recognized by the Gilliam Fellows Program for outstanding research and mentorship by the HHMI.

According to the HHMI, the duo is one of 30 teams of graduate students in science and their dissertation advisers recognized for their cutting-edge research and mentorship “while fostering inclusive training environments.” This year’s cohort of pairs named to the program represents 23 institutions across the U.S., with each team to receive $65,000 per year in support for up to three years.

“This program offers a great avenue to foster connections with other Gilliam Fellows, who represent the future of research,” Mr. Dartigue said. “I am honored to receive this fellowship, which will mark a significant step toward my goal of becoming a Principal Investigator.”

Mr. Dartigue’s achievement is even more remarkable given his unwavering commitment to pursuing a scientific career – a path rarely considered viable in Haiti due to chronic underfunding of universities and limited opportunities for advanced study. The scarcity of financial resources has been compounded by a severe shortage of qualified researchers, some of whom emigrate in search of better training and career prospects.

Many Haitian families encourage their children to pursue more traditionally lucrative careers in medicine, law, or business. But Mr. Dartigue chose a different path. Even without mentors in his home country to guide him toward a future in research, he remained steadfast in his passion for science. Today, he is not only advancing in his own academic journey, he’s also inspiring others by showing what’s possible.

The turning point

Mr. Dartigue works at the lab bench pipetting samples for protein analysis. His research aims to discover potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

A college biochemistry lecture proved pivotal in Mr. Dartigue’s journey. When a professor discussed research on lipids and metabolism, it wasn’t just interesting – it was illuminating. He saw how research could turn curiosity into discovery.

“This was a turning point for me,” he said. “To further strengthen my research skills, I pursued a master’s degree in animal and nutritional science. In that time, I developed my scientific independence and became more confident working within a lab environment.”

Mr. Dartigue earned both a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s degree in animal and nutritional sciences from West Virginia University. After graduating, he taught an introductory class in nutrition at Santa Fe College in Florida to improve his science communication skills and gain teaching experience. Following a year of teaching, he joined a lab at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and moved with the team to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he honed his technical and analytical skills, studied the effects of lipids in liver disease, and helped with projects that resulted in two published articles.

Determined to earn a place in a top-tier Ph.D. program, he gained admission to UT Southwestern. He is on track to complete his doctorate in 2028, then hopes to secure a postdoctoral research position focused on liver metabolism.

Targeting metabolic disorders

As a member of the Kober Lab, Mr. Dartigue investigates the mechanisms of protein homeostasis within regulated metabolism, with an emphasis on how activities of enzymes are controlled by the enzyme’s activation and degradation. More specifically, he aims to understand the mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders – conditions that disrupt the biochemical processes essential for growth, reproduction, cellular repair, and environmental responses. His work focuses on enzymes that regulate lipid metabolism, investigating how these enzymes detect and respond to changes in membrane composition. Since lipids play a role in determining membrane properties and cellular health, this research may help uncover potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

“It has been a joy to work with Vincent and watch him develop as an independent researcher,” Dr. Kober said. “He has been fearless in taking on new techniques, many of which are new to the lab.”

Outside of work and learning, community service is a passion. Mr. Dartigue has volunteered with two Dallas organizations in outreach programs promoting K-12 science education in underprivileged schools. As part of his fellowship, he will develop a “Science Night” at UT Southwestern, an event inviting children and their parents into labs to conduct simple but interesting experiments. “The goal is to show what happens behind the scenes in the lab and effectively nurture the idea of research as a career,” Mr. Dartigue said.

He also wants to serve as a role model for underrepresented and marginalized groups, he said, “promoting and advocating for outreach programs wherever I go.”