Jaylen Mans charts path to research at UNTHSC

ScreenshotJaylen Mans is set to graduate in May with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Xiaowei Dong, a professor at the College of Pharmacy at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. However, if he was asked about his plans four and a half years ago, his answer might have been quite different.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Jaylen Mans attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he double majored in biology and Spanish with a minor in chemistry. His initial goal was to attend medical school. To strengthen his application, he got involved in research – only to discover his passion for it that ultimately reshaped his career plans.

Soon after, Mans received the opportunity of a lifetime: he was selected for an international research internship at the Universidad de Cádiz in Cádiz, Spain. The internship sparked his interest in drug development research. Mans conducted pharmacology research on Ozempic, which had recently been approved for diabetes treatment, before its weight-loss benefits gained widespread popularity. 

After a successful internship abroad, Mans faced an important decision: continue with his medical school plans or pursue a research path. The choice wasn’t as difficult as he expected. By that time, he had fallen in love with research, and the only question was which school he would attend. After researching several schools in Texas, one stood out – the UNTHSC College of Pharmacy. For Mans, it was the obvious choice for him, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

During his time at UNTHSC, Mans has made a significant impact. He has helped fellow students flourish while securing prestigious internships and opportunities that position him as a future leader in the field. A Ph.D. candidate from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Texas MiHERO Scholar, Mans provides further insight into his remarkable journey. 

What made you decide on attending UNTHSC? 

“UNTHSC College of Pharmacy caught my eye because of the Pharmaceutical Sciences department and the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacotherapy program offered by the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy.” 

How has UNTHSC provided opportunities for you to engage in student life while furthering your professional development and growth in your field? 

“Around my third year I started getting more involved. I started attending Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) meetings and assisting younger students in our department with their oral qualifying exams, as well as a teacher assistant in the College of Pharmacy. My involvement with SACNAS, began as a member. Then I ran for the national liaison position and was later appointed as the vice president for the chapter.”

How did you get into the SMDP (Scientists Mentoring and Diversity Program) Internship Program?

“I first heard about the SMDP during a trip I took for SACNAS. Through SACNAS, I received a scholarship to attend their NDiSTEM Conference, which is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity conference in the country. It was at this conference that I met William Heath, who was, at the time, one of the VPs at the multinational pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. I didn’t know who he was initially, but as I was sharing my journey into research, I started talking about semaglutide and GLP-1 receptor agonists. Mr. Heath then joined our conversation and asked which specific compound I was working on. When I told him I was working on Ozempic, he revealed that he had been part of the team that developed one of the first GLP-1 agonists. It was a bit of a serendipitous meeting, and as we continued talking, he could see how passionate I was about the field and my interest in transitioning into the industry. That’s when he told me about the SMDP program, which I kept in mind. A few months later, I looked into it, and it seemed like a great fit, especially considering where I was in my graduate career—just finishing up my fourth year and about to enter my fifth year.”

What has been the most outstanding part of the SMPD internship and how is it making an impact for your future? 

“After I graduate in May, my plan is to go into the pharmaceutical industry. This program provides a one-year mentorship with an industry leader, usually someone at the director level or higher. 

“I’m only three or four months in, and it’s been amazing. The first thing they do is offer all types of workshops led by industry leaders that help you and provide a different perspective on how to break into the industry. There are also panel sessions with multiple mentors where we get to ask them direct questions. The great thing is that we really get to expand our network.” 

Is there another memorable experience that has prepared you for your future in the industry that was made possible by your preparation at UNTHSC? 

“This past summer, thanks to the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Student Association of Biomedical Sciences, or SABS, I had the opportunity to present my research in Italy, which is something not many people get to do. Over the summer, I traveled to Bologna where I shared my findings.” 

Any final thoughts you’d like to share with UNTHSC research students or those interested in your program? 

“It’s not only the access to world-class research, mentors, and funding that stands out at UNTHSC. At many universities funding is not guaranteed for Ph.D. students, but here, we receive guaranteed funding for the first several years, along with a reasonable stipend and health insurance, providing students with a sense of stability. It’s a supportive environment, both academically and personally.”

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