San Antonio Business Journal

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has been ranked the top Hispanic-serving institution for attracting federal research dollars, according to a report released by the National Science Foundation.

The Health Science Center received $88.8 million in federal science or engineering funds in fiscal 2005, the most recent year the National Science Foundation's report is available.

That is $29 million more than New Mexico State University, the second-ranked Hispanic-serving research institution.

"These rankings demonstrate the commitment and success of The University of Texas Health Science Center in contributing to the professional education of South Texas' Hispanic population," says Brian Herman, the university's vice president for research.

"The Health Science Center's focus on educating the next generation of minority researchers is especially important, as most institutions with high minority enrollments are focused on teaching. The need to prepare Hispanics to become future leaders in research is just as great," he says.

During fiscal 2005, the Health Science Center attracted $176.4 million in federal and private sponsored grants, contracts and awards.

The National Science Foundation released its list on Aug. 2.

The Health Science Center operates six campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. Collectively, the university operates a dental school, graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of medicine, a school of allied health sciences and a school of nursing.