UHV student, faculty present research, panel at the Capitol
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | By
Duy Vu
Aleck Servin, a University of Houston-Victoria biology freshman stands alongside Humberto Hernandez, UHV assistant professor of biology in front of their research on Thursday, April 10 during this year's Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Austin. Representing UHV, Servin presented his work on a poster format and Hernandez was part of the Faculty Research Panel: The Inside Scoop on Academic Research. Servin's research titled "Conservation of Rhomboid Proteases in Pathogenic Protozoa," highlighted rhomboid proteases, which are special proteins found in cell membranes that act to cut other proteins and serve as a mechanism to invade host cells. These proteins are found in many different organisms, haven't changed much over time and are crucial for survival. The research looked into these special proteins in five different microorganisms that cause diseases in humans: plasmodium, acanthamoeba, trichomonas, toxoplasma and leishmania. Overall, the project’s goal is to find much needed, and innovative therapeutics to target these pathogens.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers
courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education,
Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional
site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State
Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and
the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population,
as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
