BETR : Translational Health Research Center : Texas State University

Building Pathways from Learning to Workforce.
BETR Programs advances healthy and resilient people and places across Texas by strengthening the educational pathways and workforce infrastructure that communities depend on. Through collaborative research with faculty, students, industry and community partners, BETR develops evidence-based models that align curriculum innovation, experiential learning, and professional development with the health and economic needs of Texans.

A man wearing glasses and a white lab coat over a plaid shirt smiles at the camera while standing in a laboratory, with scientific instruments and equipment visible in the background."

If you'd like a shorter version for tighter character limits: "A smiling researcher in a lab coat standing in a laboratory with equipment behind him.

Programs

01. WORKFORCE

Texas State Students Clinical Lab — Clinical Research Professional — Texas

Industry-aligned training and credentials for in-demand clinical research careers across Texas.

02. UNDERGRADUATE

TEST — ASPIRE

Academic Success, Professional Integration, and Research Experiences for undergraduates at Texas State and beyond.

03. STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

Student on Campus — THRC Student Fellows

Campus-to-community partnerships engaging students in health and resiliency research.

04. COMMUNITY

PBL Institute

Connecting classrooms to communities and careers through project-based learning.

Attendees mingle among research poster boards at an academic conference, with a projector screen overhead displaying the text "Engage with today's sessions, ask questions, make meaningful connections." alongside a photo of people networking at a similar poster session.

Annual Flagship Convening

Presented by THRC BETR Programs

TXST STEM

TXST STEM Conference

The largest student research conference at Texas State University, the TXST STEM Conference brings together students, faculty, and academic partners from high schools and two- and four-year institutions alongside community and industry leaders. Each year the conference explores a workforce-forward theme through keynote speakers, student presentations, and cross-sector dialogue — connecting learners and employers across Texas.

300–500

Attendees Annually

175+

Student Presentations

Annual

Workforce-forward Theme

Statewide

Academic & Industry Partners

THRC Flight Tracker

BETR maintains an implementation of Vanderbilt’s Flight Tracker for THRC-affiliated and partner programs — automating trainee tracking and analysis of career outcomes, publications, funding, and training milestones in alignment with grant reporting requirements.

Texas Bioscience Career Map ▶ Coming Soon

An interactive statewide tool mapping bioscience career pathways across six sub-sectors — from entry to senior level — with local salary data, role profiles, and links to aligned training programs including Texas State. Built for learners, training providers, and statewide workforce partners. Featured on the Texas state resource website.