The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Podiatric Medicine (SOPM) has quickly established itself as a leader in podiatric education, clinical care, and research. As the first and only podiatric medical school in Texas, SOPM is breaking new ground with innovative labs, global partnerships, and outstanding student success.
In 2025, the school celebrated major milestones: the launch of a high-tech biomechanics lab, national recognition for its research, international faculty lectures, and the arrival of its fourth class.
Capturing Motion to Improve Mobility
A highlight this year is the creation of the Applied Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity (ABLE) Laboratory, led by Dr. Hafizur Rahman, assistant professor of medicine. The facility employs motioncapture technology similar to that used in video games and film—but here it’s applied to medicine.
Rahman and his students analyze gait—the way people walk—to understand how patients with foot and ankle deformities respond to treatment. “Patients with foot and ankle deformities have affected gait,” Rahman said. “There is not much quantitative data on how walking patterns improve after treatment.”
The lab focuses on non-invasive treatments like physical therapy, braces, and custom shoe inserts, gathering precise data to determine whether they reduce pain and improve mobility.
Dean Dr. Javier La Fontaine emphasized its importance: “Most foot and ankle problems manifest from how we walk. With the lab’s tools, we can verify from a quantitative perspective how much treatments are lowering pressure and pain.”
Building on this research, Rahman’s team is also designing footwear to improve walking performance—an innovation with worldwide potential.
Current Research Projects
The ABLE Lab is already studying critical podiatric challenges, including:
- Plantar pressure in patients with painful equinus
- Effectiveness of orthotic shoes and inserts for diabetic foot pain
- Energy cost of walking in diabetic partial-foot amputees
- Pre- and post-operative gait analyses for hammertoe deformities
These studies address conditions especially prevalent in South Texas, where diabetes-related complications remain high.
Faculty Excellence
SOPM’s impact extends internationally. In December 2024, Dr. Hooman Mir delivered three invited lectures at King’s College London School of Medicine. “Being invited to lecture at King’s College London—a 190-year-old bastion of medical excellence
—is a profound honor,” Mir said.
His talks highlighted surgical considerations for diabetic feet, technological innovations, and global collaboration. “The role of international medicine has never been more critical,” he added. “Managing diabetic foot complications is a pressing global health concern.” Mir hopes the partnership fosters future exchanges and joint projects.
Success on the National Stage
At the American Podiatric Medical Association’s 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstract Competition, scholars won first place in the Outstanding Poster Abstract category. Their case study on Mazabraud Syndrome showcased SOPM’s growing research reputation.
A Vision for the Future
From the launch of the ABLE Lab to global recognition and student achievements, SOPM is driving podiatric innovation. “Our goal is to prepare the next generation of podiatric physicians who serve with compassion and lead through research, innovation, and collaboration,” La Fontaine said. As SOPM grows, UTRGV is solidifying its role as a leader in podiatric medicine and a force for medical advancement worldwide.
Interested in learning more about admissions? Connect with us via email at SOPMrecruitment@utrgv.edu or by phone at (956) 665-4058.