{"id":416126,"date":"2026-08-25T10:04:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/416126\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T10:04:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:04:19","slug":"ut-health-san-antonio-names-nih-expert-inaugural-director-of-stem-cell-transplant-and-cellular-therapy-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/416126\/","title":{"rendered":"UT Health San Antonio names NIH expert inaugural director of stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program"},"content":{"rendered":"

Contact: Eileen Teves, 210-450-7239, tevese@uthscsa.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 24, 2026 \u2014 UT Health San Antonio<\/a>, the academic health center and health system of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), has named nationally recognized blood cancer and cellular therapy expert Georg Aue, MD, PhD, MBA<\/a>, the director of the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at the Mays Cancer Center<\/a>, the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center in South Texas. He will also serve as the inaugural director of the Mary and Bill Henrich Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Unit at UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital<\/a>, chief of the Section of Cellular Therapies and co-director of the Cellular Therapy Research Center.<\/p>\n

\"\"Georg Aue, MD, PhD, MBA<\/p>\n

\u201cI am honored to help lead this important new chapter in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy at UT Health San Antonio,\u201d said Aue. \u201cThe program represents an exciting opportunity to increase access to new therapeutic approaches for patients across South Texas. I look forward to working alongside an exceptional team to enhance care and bring new hope to patients and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aue comes to UT Health San Antonio from the National Institutes of Health. He will lead efforts to expand clinical and research programs in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies, bringing advanced lifesaving treatments closer to home for patients across South Texas. Aue\u2019s priorities include building a strong program focused on clinical excellence, increasing opportunities for research and innovation, and training future physicians in this highly specialized field.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lei Zheng, MD, PhD<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Aue brings exceptional expertise to Mays Cancer Center that will strengthen our ability to provide highly specialized care,\u201d said Lei Zheng, MD, PhD<\/a>, executive director of the Mays Cancer Center. \u201cHis leadership will help us expand treatment options, access and more innovative therapies to patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

A career in blood cancer and cellular therapy<\/p>\n

Aue joins UT San Antonio as a tenured professor of medicine and holds the Daisy M. Skinner Endowed Chair in Cancer Immunology at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine<\/a>. A physician-scientist, he earned his medical and doctoral degrees from Georg-August University of G\u00f6ttingen in Germany and completed residency training in Germany and the United States. He completed a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Cancer Institute, and later earned an MBA in finance, leadership and strategy from New York University\u2019s Stern School of Business.<\/p>\n

Aue spent more than two decades at the NHLBI, part of the National Institutes of Health, serving in clinical and research leadership roles which include acting clinical director, deputy clinical director and senior research physician.<\/p>\n

During his time at NHLBI, Aue oversaw approximately 150 active clinical trials, including first-in-human and investigator-initiated studies. His research helped move forward treatments for blood cancers and serious blood disorders, including work that contributed to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of a stem cell-based therapy for patients with blood cancers.<\/p>\n

Advancing cancer care in South Texas<\/p>\n

The Mary and Bill Henrich Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Unit honors the enduring legacy of William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, former president of UT Health San Antonio, and his wife, Mary. Made possible through the generosity of Zachry Corporation, the named unit reflects the Henrichs\u2019 shared vision to expand access to leading-edge therapies for patients across San Antonio and South Texas.<\/p>\n

Following Henrich\u2019s passing in 2024, the unit continues his commitment to ensuring patients in South Texas can receive novel therapies close to home. The Henrichs\u2019 legacy of service is further enhanced by philanthropic support from Zachry Corporation, whose partnership helps drive innovation and excellence in patient care.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jeffery Flowers, MBA<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Aue\u2019s appointment marks an important step forward for the UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital as we continue to broaden the services available to patients with complex diseases,\u201d said Jeffery L. Flowers, MBA, FACHE<\/a>, the hospital\u2019s chief executive officer. \u201cThe Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program strengthens our ability to bring lifesaving therapies to patients while connecting clinical expertise with innovative research.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aue joins a multidisciplinary team that has helped establish the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program<\/a> at UT Health San Antonio. Zohra Nooruddin, MD, served as the interim director, and Lynne Deberry, DNP, as senior director during the program\u2019s development. Aue\u2019s recruitment expands the expertise at the Mays Cancer Center and UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, bringing together research, education and next-generation therapies for patients in San Antonio and throughout South Texas.<\/p>\n

UT Health San Antonio<\/a> is the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), offering a comprehensive network of inpatient and outpatient care facilities staffed by medical, dental, nursing and allied health professionals who conduct more than 2.5 million patient visits each year. It is the region\u2019s only academic health center and\u00a0one of the nation\u2019s leading health sciences institutions, supported by the schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health that\u00a0are leading change and advancing fields throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways \u201cWe make lives better\u00ae,\u201d visit UTHealthSA.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stay connected with UT Health San Antonio on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>, Instagram\u00a0<\/a>and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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