Cross-Border University Collaboration Will Expand Research, Advance Precision Medicine
- Apr 17, 2025
The University of Texas at Austin and Tecnológico de Monterrey are launching OriGen Health Research Center (OHRC), the first research center to leverage Latin America’s largest biobank, alongside leading machine-learning tools and a broad base of experts from the two universities.
The research center and partnership will advance the health of millions of people living in the Americas, including an estimated 65 million Latinos in the United States.
“It is an exciting time to bring both of our universities together to save and improve lives and foster the exchange of knowledge,” said Andreas Matouschek, interim dean of the College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin. “By joining efforts and perspectives, the two institutions will promote scientific innovation and help solve major health and economic problems affecting people across the Americas.”
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer occur more often in Latino populations, but little is understood today about potential genetic factors that contribute to the trends.
The OriGen Health Research Center will involve experts from UT’s College of Natural Sciences, Dell Medical School and College of Pharmacy, as well as from Tec de Monterrey’s Institute for Obesity Research and Center for Early Childhood, in a series of projects involving Tec’s massive oriGen biobank of genetic, clinical and epidemiological information.
Research teams made up of experts at both universities will apply cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies to large-scale data analyses required for developing predictive models that can improve treatments customized to each patient — or what is known as precision medicine.
An event announcing the new center took place in March and was attended by Matouschek; Guillermo Torre-Amione, rector of TecSalud at Tec de Monterrey; David Garza, president of Tec de Monterrey; Ignacio de la Vega, Tec’s vice president of global affairs; David Vanden Bout, UT’s interim provost; and Sonia Feigenbaum, UT’s senior vice provost for global engagement and chief international officer.
Texas Global hosted Garza and Torre-Amione in 2023 and actively manages the partnership between UT Austin and Tec de Monterrey. Texas Global has been involved in the evolution of the center and signing event, which coincided with a UT International Board of Advisors meeting and alumni event in Monterrey, also supported by Texas Global.
“This partnership exemplifies the power of international collaboration in addressing global health challenges,” Feigenbaum said. “By leveraging the strengths and expertise of both institutions, we are creating opportunities for groundbreaking research that will ultimately lead to better health outcomes for communities across the Americas.”
Faculty members working in fields such as genetics, obesity, computer science, human development and AI will collaborate to improve understanding of a wide range of diseases in Latino populations. This knowledge will inform the development of prevention and intervention efforts that use personalized approaches to solve health challenges and ultimately improve the lives of Latino populations and people living throughout the Americas.
“With a strong focus on research, education and active engagement with the Latino community, OriGen Health Research Center will ensure that the proposed solutions are practical and accessible,” said Torre-Amione. “They will take into account the cultural and social reality of individuals to offer solutions that impact people’s lives.”