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Research Excellence

The Disease-Oriented Scholars (DOCS) Program fosters research excellence by supporting early-career faculty in developing impactful, independent research programs. The program provides structured mentorship, dedicated research time, and financial support to advance translational and clinical research. Scholars engage in rigorous training, collaborate with leading experts, and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries that improve patient care. By cultivating the next generation of research leaders, the DOCS Program strengthens UT Southwestern’s commitment to scientific innovation and excellence in disease-oriented research.

young blond woman medical researcher wears white coat and holds plastic bottle
 
medical researchers look over findings in the Zigman lab
 
Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, M.D., Associate Professor, Ophthalmology
 
4 smiling lab associates including PI Todd Aguilera (second from left) of the Aguilera Lab at UTSW
 
 
 

By the Numbers

$1M

Funding

4 Years

Duration

80%

Projected Research Time

Latest News

Annual DOCS dinner with special guest Sir Stephen O'Rahilly

Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine at Cambridge University, visited the campus on October 22nd and 23rd as an invited speaker for the UT Southwestern Lecture Series on Obesity, Metabolism and Diabetes. He attended the annual DOCS dinner later that evening.

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Tatara wins the 2026 TAMEST Protégé Poster Challenge

Alexander Tatara, M.D., Ph.D. was selected as the Grand Prize winner of the TAMEST Protégé Poster Challenge out of 63 early career researchers.

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SoRelle Finds Genes for Multi-food Allergies

Jeffrey SoRelle M.D. reports the identification of genetic mutations associated with multi-food allergies.

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