Dr. Roy's Lab

Upal Roy

Dr. Upal Roy, an Associate Professor of Health &
Biomedical Sciences stands at the forefront of
advancements in healthcare innovation. His academic
journey reflects a steadfast commitment to enhancing
the accessibility, efficacy, and individualization of
healthcare, with a specific emphasis on precision
medicine.

The transformative impact of Dr. Upal Roy’s work
reaches beyond HIV treatment, offering implications for
a diverse array of medical conditions. Through the
application of his technology to existing medications, his
research envisions a future characterized by enhanced
healthcare outcomes featuring reduced side effects and
improved efficacy. “Most drugs lack specificity for the
targeted disease and often result in significant side
effects,” Roy said. His research aims to tackle this
challenge by developing more precise medications that
substantially minimize adverse effects. The overarching
objective is to transition this technology from the
laboratory to the patient’s bedside, leading to a new era
of healthcare.

Collaboration plays a central role in Roy’s research
methodology. He emphasizes, “Considering the
multidisciplinary approach of our research, we
collaborate with different expertise to enrich and
validate our research outcomes.” Roy’s multidisciplinary
approach includes partnerships with experts from the
UTRGV Department of Mathematics and Statistical
Science and the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. Through these collaborations, Roy’s precision
medicine research gains valuable insights validated by
computational modeling and artificial intelligence.
Reflecting on his professional journey at UTRGV, Roy
expresses gratitude for the support received from the
Department of Health and Biomedical Science,
department chair, Dr. Nair, College of Health Professions
Dean Dr. Lehker, Dr. Shawn Saladin, Professor of Rehab
Services and Counseling, and other colleagues and
mentors.
This support has been instrumental in securing National
Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, including the
prestigious NIH R01 grant in 2020, elevating the scope
and impact of Roy’s research. “Our research found that
HIV infection is more complex than any other viral
infection, as it is a lifelong infection that is associated
with many other diseases, social stigma, and health
disparity, being just a few of them. Therefore, we have a
long way to go to find a cure, which motivates me to
keep going toward it,” he said.
Beyond the laboratory, Roy embraces the opportunity
to mentor first-generation college students, imparting
cutting-edge research experiences that contribute to the
development of future healthcare professionals. This
mentorship commitment underscores Roy’s vision of
leaving a lasting imprint on the next generation of
healthcare leaders. “I feel very fortunate to mentor
many first-generation college students and expose them
to cutting-edge research,” he said. “I am training
healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds,
which will have an everlasting impact on our nation’s
future generation.”

As Dr. Upal Roy continues to shape the future of
precision medicine, his dedication to revolutionizing
healthcare serves as an inspiration within the academic
community and beyond. In the complex medical
research landscape, Roy stands at the forefront, leading
the transformative change towards a more targeted,
effective, and patient-centric approach for our future
healthcare system.