Research Focus
Dr. Álvaro Padrón developed an interest in the biological sciences during high school, which set him on the path to pursue a career in the field. He began his research journey at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he worked on projects investigating the pathophysiology of hypertension and vascular disease. Dr. Padrón’s academic journey continued at the Institute of Biophysics “Carlos Chagas Filho” at UFRJ, where he focused on thyroid hormone regulation and metabolism. His research during this time extended into his graduate studies, where he examined thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, and their effects on cardiac function, culminating in a published paper in The Journal of Endocrinology.
Dr. Padrón’s post-doctoral training began at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he investigated the role of NADPH oxidases in insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and fertility in diabetic models. This work was published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry. He later joined Dr. Tyler Curiel’s laboratory at UTHSCSA in the Department of Medicine, focusing on immune co-signaling therapies and pre-clinical cancer models, while also collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to test new drugs through NIH-funded research. His dedication and hard work have resulted in several publications on cancer immunotherapy.
With over 16 years of experience in biological research, project management, and team leadership, Dr. Padrón is eager to take on new challenges that will allow him to utilize and expand his skills. He is confident that his diverse background in research and management will enable him to contribute meaningfully to the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, where he looks forward to collaborating on groundbreaking scientific advancements and achieving significant milestones in biomedical research.