SAN ANTONIO, Texas — July 9, 2026 — Texas Biomed has welcomed 61 high school students from across the San Antonio region to spend their summer exploring careers in science as part of the Valero Young Scientist Program. Now in its third year, the four-week summer program provides students with an immersive introduction to biomedical research and potential career opportunities in science and medicine.
The Valero Young Scientist Program is designed to inspire the next generation of scientific leaders as they develop laboratory and research skills in a research institute setting. During their time at Texas Biomed, students complete labs that mirror those conducted by Texas Biomed scientists and undertake inquiry-based projects exploring how biomedical research impacts the health of our local and global communities. Students also participate in workshops to develop their communication, networking and presentation skills.
“Programs like the Valero Young Scientist Program help cultivate the future scientific workforce by giving students meaningful exposure to research at a critical stage in their education,” said Rosemary Riggs, Ph.D., Director of Outreach Education at Texas Biomed. “It is so rewarding to welcome these talented young people to campus and watch them grow over the course of four weeks. We provide them with opportunities to learn, ask questions and explore the many paths that can lead to careers in biomedical science and research.”
In addition to the 61 students, the program includes four assistant lab managers who are Valero Young Scientist alumni. These recent high school graduates expand their Valero Young Scientist journey as they assist in preparing and facilitating labs while serving as near-peer mentors to the incoming students.
The Valero Young Scientist Program is made possible through the generous support of Valero. It is open to rising juniors and seniors from high schools across the greater San Antonio area.
Texas Biomed has a long history of investing in STEM education and workforce development by engaging students at every stage of their educational journey. The Institute’s education and outreach team reaches more than 16,000 students and teachers each year through classroom programs, teacher professional development, science fairs, internships and community outreach efforts.
About Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and innovative partnerships, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and vaccines for the world’s deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Our scientists collaborate with industry and researchers globally and have helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola treatment and the first hepatitis C therapy. For more information, please visit txbiomed.org or follow Texas Biomed on LinkedIn.