New Biomedical Era
Texas Tech Health El Paso Breaks New Ground with Region’s First Biomedical Ph.D. Program
Graduate program, launching in 2026, seeks to train scientists and attract researchers focused on Borderplex health needs
What began as a vision from Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy, Ph.D., dean of the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and philanthropists Rick and Ginger Francis — to bring innovative research and compassionate care to the people of the Borderplex — is now becoming a reality.
Texas Tech Health El Paso recently announced that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved the university’s first-ever Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences. The program, set to start in 2026, will be the first of its kind in Far West Texas and along the Southwestern border region.
“When we envisioned the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, we dreamed of a Ph.D. program that would anchor world-class discovery right here in our Borderplex,” said Rick Francis, who, along with his wife, Ginger, are namesake donors and longtime champions of Texas Tech Health El Paso. “The THECB’s approval turns that dream into reality and sets the stage for groundbreaking research that directly benefits the families who live and work in our community.”
This milestone was achieved in large part thanks to the Francis family’s remarkable $10 million gift in 2022. Their generosity not only elevated the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences but also endowed the presidency and deanships of each of the university's four schools, making Texas Tech Health El Paso the only academic health center in the country with leadership endowments for all schools and the university.
“Rick and Ginger Francis have demonstrated time and again that philanthropy can change the trajectory of an entire region’s future and economic growth,” said Richard Lange, M.D., MBA. “Their remarkable generosity has created a foundation for scientific discovery through this Ph.D. program that will benefit our Borderplex community for generations to come.”
Building a Program with Purpose
The program is the result of years of vision and work led by Dr. Lakshmanaswamy — “Dr. Raj” to students and colleagues — whose passion for advancing science in our Borderplex is widely known. This new doctoral path will train researchers to tackle the diseases and disparities that hit our region hardest: diabetes, cancer, infectious diseases and neurological conditions.
Dr. Lakshmanaswamy plans to start with five or six students in 2026, and increase to 30 to 35 students within five years.
“This Ph.D. program represents a transformative moment for innovating biomedical research and creating industry growth in Far West Texas and along the U.S.-Mexico border,” said Dr. Lakshmanaswamy. “We can finally train new generations of doctoral researchers to tackle the health disparities that most deeply affect our communities.”
Focused on the Region, Grounded in Community
The program’s curriculum is built with our Borderplex in mind. Graduates will work on solutions to health challenges specific to our communities—from rural access to care, to aging-related diseases, and shortages of providers. These new scientists will help ensure that more discoveries — and more hope — originate here at home.
By offering a doctoral degree, local students have the opportunity to pursue research careers without leaving their families or the region. It’s an investment in existing talent — students who want to stay, grow, and give back.
The Ph.D. program also boosts the university’s role as a catalyst for growth. It will generate new research funding, attract top-tier faculty and students, and create new opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and public health. The university’s already significant economic impact — approaching $900 million annually — is expected to grow further.
It’s also a signal to the scientific world that El Paso is a place where meaningful research happens.
A Legacy in Motion
The new program will support the university’s research centers by fostering mentoring between faculty and students and encouraging collaboration between its medical, nursing, and dental schools. It will also significantly promote interdisciplinary research, emphasizing the integration of diverse fields to advance innovative solutions.
“None of this would have happened without Dr. Raj’s vision and tireless leadership,” said Ginger Francis. “He guided the program through every step of the rigorous approval process set out by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, ensuring that our investment will blossom into a legacy of meaningful research and opportunity. We’re excited to see our gift support a program that elevates Texas Tech Health El Paso and our Borderplex region.”
Each student who earns a Ph.D. will carry forward the Francis family’s vision: that through education, health care and research, Texas Tech Health El Paso can build a healthier, more hopeful future. Their generosity is already changing lives — and the ripple effects are just beginning.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
Focusing on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals since 2013, including its first cohort of dental graduates in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.