Kayunta Johnson-Winters, an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington, has been named a 2025 fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The honor recognition recognizes her contributions to biochemistry and molecular biology and her efforts to support junior faculty, women in science and student mentorship.

The University of Texas at Arlington hosted 530 of the brightest minds from North Texas’ middle and high schools last month for the 74th Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The fair attracted more students than ever, with the number of participants increasing by more than 25% over 2024. Engineering remains a high-demand field, especially in Texas, where the economy and the population continue to grow.

New Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist Ahmed Mahmoud, PhD, planned to complete his doctoral degree and enter the pharmaceutical industry to help teams develop new therapies. Once he got into the laboratory during his PhD studies, however, he became fascinated by regenerative biology.

Mahmoud was especially interested in the heart as damage to tissue and cells from heart attacks and chronic heart disease leaves permanent scars. Broken bones mend and split skin knits itself together, but damage to hearts only compounds and weakens cardiac muscle.