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Jose E. Cavazos, MD, PhD

Contact

210-450-8832

cavazosj@uthscsa.edu

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Jose E. Cavazos, MD, PhD

Associate Dean and Professor

South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program

South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center - Biggs' Institute

Currently not seeking mentees

Dr. José Cavazos's lab studies activity-dependent plasticity in the hippocampal formation in the developing, adult, and aged brain using a variety of experimental models of epilepsy, seizures, epileptogenesis, Alzheimer's disease and hippocampal sclerosis. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that repeated seizures induce progressive neuronal death and axon sprouting that permanently alter the hippocampal circuitry lending it more susceptible to additional seizures and memory and cognitive dysfunction. In aged models, some hippocampal neurons appeared more vulnerable to disease leading to similar cognitive dysfunction.

We currently are investigating the molecular mechanisms that link the synchronous neuronal hyperexcitability with these morphological events. We investigate the features of this form of neural plasticity in other limbic circuitries using anatomical tracing techniques, and their electrophysiological consequences in the neuronal excitability of the abnormally connected circuitry using brain slices and in-vivo using electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques. We also have several ongoing clinical projects about people with epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease who develop this form of neural plasticity.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 2016 - Certificate - Business of Health (Summa Cum Laude) - University of Texas at San Antonio
    • 1993 - PhD - Neuroscience (Cum Laude) - University of Wisconsin at Madison
    • 1987 - MD - Medicine (Mencion Honorifica - Cum Laude) - Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

    Training

    • 1997 - Clinical Fellowship - Clinical Neurophysiology / Epilepsy - Duke University
    • 1996 - Residency - Neurology (Chief Resident) - Duke University
    • 1993 - Internship - Internal Medicine - University of Wisconsin - Madison

    Highlights

    Elected member of the UT Kenneth Shine Academy of Health Science Education (2020)
    Best Doctors in America (2009-2022)
    Castle Connolly Best Doctors (2011-2022)
    AAMC GREAT MD/PhD section - Chair (2020-2021)
    Visiting Professor of Neurology - Cleveland Clinic (01/2019)
    AES Distinguished Service Award (2017)

    Appointments

    • 6/2014 - Director for the CTSA KL-2 Program - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
    • 9/2012 - Assistant Dean for MD/PhD Program - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
    • 9/2011 - Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience and Physiology (with Tenure) - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
    • 9/2005 - Program Director of Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship (PGY-5) - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
    • 04/2022 - Associate Dean for Research, GME programs - Long School of Medicine, Uni

  • Instruction & Training

    • 8/2014 - Present, MD/PhD Program - Journal Club, UT Health Science Center San Antonio
    • 6/2011 - Present, MD/PhD Program - Bench to Bedside Seminar Series, UT Health Science Center San Antonio
    • 6/2011 - Present, Clinical Foundations Course, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 6/2011 - Present, Clinical Integration Course, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 8/2010 - Present, CSBL 6058: Neurobiology of Aging
    • 10/2005 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
    • 10/2004 - Present, Neurology Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 1/2004 - Present, Fundamentals of Neuroscience II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 7/2001 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
    • 7/2001 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
    • 10/2000 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
    • 10/2000 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA

  • Research & Grants

    Clinical Neurophysiology - Clinical Neurophysiology is a tool to understand patients with Epilepsy. I am the director of the ACGME accredited Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship at our institution.

    Epilepsy - I am a Clinician Scientist in Epilepsy. I have participated in many clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and I am an expert in their pharmacology. I also study mechanisms of epileptogenesis in the research laboratory using experimental animal models. I teach Mechanisms of Epilepsy and AEDs to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. I also teach clinical epilepsy to Medical and Pharmacy students, Neurology and Pharmacy residents, and to Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Fellows.

    Research profile

    Grants

    01/2020 - 11/2023 (NIH) Developing an Evidence-Based Toolkit to Improve Diversity in the Physician-Scientist Workforce. Co-Investigator
    04/2018 - 06/2023 (National) South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP). Principal Investigator
    04/2015 - 03/2018 (Department of Defense/CDMRP) Novel Strategies Targeting Signaling Molecules of Neurons and Astrocytes to Prevent Acquired Epilepsies after Traumatic Brain Injury. Co-Investigator
    05/2013-04/2018 (NIH/NCATS) Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS): A Partnership to Improve Health (KL2 Mentored Career Development component of the Clinical and Translational Science Award). Co-Investigator

  • Service

    Department

    07/2014-Present Clinical Competency Committee, Neurology Residency Training Program (Member)
    10/2005-Present Graduate Medical Education Committee, UTHSCSA, Medicine, Medicine (Member)

    School

    06/2011-Present MD/PhD Advisory Committee (Chair)

    Institutional

    02/2020-02/2022 Ken Shine Academy of Health Science Education - Awards Committee
    05/2015-06/2018 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) - executive committee member
    06/2011-Present Program Director - South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP)

    National

    07/2016 - 07/2022 AAMC Graduate Research, Education and Training Group
    01/2020 - 12/2022 American Epilepsy Society (AES) - Lennox & Lombroso Trustee
    01/2019 - 12/2022 American Brain Foundation - Research Advisory Committee
    06/2016-07/2022 Association of MD/PhD Programs
    01/2015-12/2018 American Epilepsy Society (AES) Finance Committee
    02/2012-02/2021 American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) - Membership committee

    Community

    04/2018-04/2018 Federal Government FDA - Advisory Committee Panel on Cannabidiol
    10/2000-Present Community Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas - Professional Advisory Committee

    Global

    12/2018 - 12/2022 International American Epilepsy Society (AES) Spanish Symposium committee
    06/2015-05/2019 International American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Science Committee member
    07/2013-06/2017 International International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) for the North American Region
    01/2010-Present International Editorial Board Member - Epilepsy and Behavior
    01/2009-Present International Editorial Board Member - Epilepsy Research

  • Publications

  • Clinical

    Provider profile

    Board Certifications

    • American Board of P&N/Neurology
    • American Board of P&N/Clinical Neurophysiology