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Dear Colleagues,

As ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø continues building our world-class university, I am excited to share an update regarding significant investments made by The University of Texas System Board of Regents to support our future. Our efforts in this space have involved close collaboration with my colleagues Francisco Cigarroa, Andrea Marks, Jennifer Potter, and Heather Shipley to align with our long-term vision for our new university.

Over the past year, the Board of Regents has authorized approximately $470 million in capital investments supporting ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s continued growth as one of the nation’s fastest-rising public research universities and academic health institutions. These series of investments span the university’s academic and health campuses and support major priorities in research, innovation, infrastructure, technology and patient care.

At the May 2026 meeting of the Board of Regents, which concluded earlier today, ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø received nearly $175 million in additional Permanent University Fund (PUF) support for strategic projects that will further expand the university’s research capabilities, technology infrastructure and long-term institutional capacity. Collectively, these investments reflect the strong confidence that UT System leadership and the Board of Regents place in ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s trajectory and growing national impact as Texas’ third-largest public research university.

Across education, research, innovation and patient care, many of the university’s programs and areas of excellence are already recognized among the nation’s best. The breadth of the investments also reflects the university’s continued scaling across infrastructure, operations, research and student success initiatives needed to support sustained growth and rising national prominence.

A significant portion of the investment comes through the PUF, a constitutionally established endowment that supports capital projects and infrastructure across The University of Texas System.

The $471 million in key investments approved over the past year include:

• $186 million in PUF support over three years for deferred maintenance and infrastructure modernization projects across the academic and health campuses
• $135 million in PUF support for Science One, the university’s next-generation biomedical research facility
• $25 million in PUF support to complete the build-out of San Pedro II for the College of AI, Cyber and Computing
• $14.3 million in PUF support for enterprise technology infrastructure modernization
• $22 million in Revenue Financing System support for academic and research renovations
• $24 million in Revenue Financing System support for clinical renovations and patient care environments 
• Authorization to proceed with the definition phase of the Nexus Initiative, a future-focused research infrastructure effort designed to advance integrated computing, artificial intelligence and biomedical research capabilities across the university, a project estimated at approximately $65 million

Science One Expands Advanced Biomedical Research
A centerpiece of the investment portfolio is Science One, a five-story biomedical research facility on the health campus designed to significantly expand ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s advanced scientific research capabilities.

Originally approved in 2024, the Board of Regents approved an increase in total project funding to $135 million at this week's meeting, allowing the university to fully build out approximately 40,000 square feet of previously shelled research space and complete supporting infrastructure improvements.

Once completed, the approximately 95,500-square-foot facility will house wet laboratories, advanced core research technologies and collaborative research environments supporting discoveries in cancer biology, neuroscience, aging biology and age-associated diseases.

Construction resumed earlier this year, with substantial completion anticipated in 2028.

San Pedro II Advances AI, Cyber and Computing Leadership
The Board of Regents also approved $25 million to complete the sixth- and seventh-floor build-out of San Pedro II, further advancing ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s leadership in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced computing.

The additional approximately 47,748 square feet will create advanced computing laboratories, research environments and academic support space for the College of AI, Cyber and Computing.

The investment builds upon the opening of San Pedro II in April 2026 and supports the university’s long-term vision to create one of the nation’s premier destinations for AI, cyber and computing education and research.

Modernizing Infrastructure Across Both Campuses
In August 2025, the Board of Regents approved $186 million in deferred maintenance funding across both campuses, representing one of the largest infrastructure revitalization investments in university history.

The investment supports modernization of critical systems including electrical, HVAC, roofing, utilities and fire protection infrastructure, while improving reliability, safety and long-term stewardship of academic, research and administrative facilities.

Additionally, the Board approved $14.3 million in technology infrastructure investments to modernize servers, storage, networking and enterprise systems that support cybersecurity, resiliency and institutional operations.

Investments Support Research, Clinical Care and Innovation
Additional Revenue Financing System investments approved in February 2026 support modernization of research laboratories, imaging sciences, educational environments and clinical care spaces.

The projects enhance collaborative research capacity, improve patient care environments and support continued growth in academic programs and clinical operations across the health enterprise.

The Nexus Initiative: Powering Discovery
Looking ahead, ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø is evaluating future investments in integrated research infrastructure designed to accelerate discovery, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. As part of that effort, UT System has authorized the university to proceed with the definition phase of the Nexus Initiative, a proposed $65 million effort that would integrate advanced biomedical research infrastructure with AI-optimized high-performance computing capabilities.

The development phase of this project will launch soon, including engagement with research faculty and institutional leaders from across the university. The initiative will focus on continuing to build advanced capabilities to strengthen collaboration, accelerate discovery and expand our long-term research competitiveness. Dr. Jennifer Potter, Senior Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation, will lead these efforts.

Together, these capabilities will create a shared research ecosystem that enables end-to-end discovery, from biological samples and experimental data generation to large-scale analytics and insights driven by artificial intelligence. The initiative will strengthen research in areas including cancer, neurodegeneration and brain health, aging, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and military health, while further enhancing the university’s competitiveness for federal research funding, faculty recruitment and industry partnerships.

Looking Ahead
Taken together, the investments approved over the last year represent a coordinated strategy to strengthen ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s foundation while accelerating its growth as a nationally competitive institution in education, research, innovation and health.

My leadership team and I extend our sincere appreciation to the UT System Board of Regents for their continued partnership, leadership and commitment to the future of our university.

With appreciation,