Posted on February 13, 2026 by College of Sciences
#AwesomeAlum
Taquoia Green
By Lauren Garza
Taquoia Green earned her B.S. in Biochemistry in fall 2025. She came to The University of Texas at San Antonio in fall 2022 through the UT San Antonio Bold Promise program, a tuition promise initiative that covers 100% of tuition and any mandatory fees for four academic years. Taquoia credits the program with making higher education more accessible to high-achieving, lower-income students.
She was drawn to the university's welcoming atmosphere and the variety of student organizations designed to help incoming students find their place on campus. Since her freshman year, Taquoia embraced opportunities to gain career-related experience, combining academic learning with hands-on involvement.
One of her most impactful undergraduate experiences was conducting research in the Hermann Lab, under the mentorship of Brian Hermann, a professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology.
"Taquoia advanced our understanding of stem cell development through her work on Tspan8-CreERT2 transgenic mice, offering vital insights into the origins of spermatogonial stem cells," said Philipp Schmidpeter, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry.
Taquoia studied genetically modified mice to understand how sperm-producing cells first develop. Her research worked to expand our knowledge of the earliest stages of stem cell formation and male reproductive biology.
Her curiosity about how research connects to real-world health outcomes motivated her to seek out this opportunity. Taquoia joined the Hermann Lab in the summer of 2023 as a volunteer and later continued her work through independent study courses. She was particularly interested in the lab's focus on male germline development, developing male contraception, sperm cryopreservation, and rehabilitating spermatogonial stem cells for infertile men or prepubescent males that are sterile due to treatments such as chemotherapy.
"The experience gave me a deeper appreciation for how fundamental research can have real-world implications in reproductive health and fertility preservation," Taquoia said.
At the same time, she wanted to connect her scientific interests with the people most affected by these discoveries. That goal led her to volunteer at Corazón Clinic, a free, student-run clinic in downtown San Antonio that serves individuals experiencing homelessness.
"Volunteering at Corazón Clinic showed me the human side of medicine—hearing patients' stories and seeing the challenges they face firsthand has been eye-opening," Taquoia said.
Together, these experiences have shaped the kind of physician Taquoia hopes to become: one who bridges research and clinical care, who listens before prescribing, and who strives to make innovation accessible to all patients. She is particularly drawn to reproductive medicine and maternal-fetal health, but her goal is to improve how care is delivered, especially for vulnerable populations.
In addition to research, Taquoia worked on an undergraduate thesis through the College of Sciences Honors Program, which allowed students to connect classroom learning with experiential research opportunities.
She was also an active leader and volunteer on campus and in the San Antonio community. She served as secretary of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and director of community engagement for the National Society of Black Women in Medicine. Her previous leadership roles include president and community service chair of Women of Honor. Through these organizations, Taquoia led community service initiatives and career development opportunities for women in science and medicine.
"Her achievements and steadfast commitment made her a shining example of leadership and excellence among undergraduates, both in the department and college," said Schmidpeter.
Balancing a rigorous academic schedule with research and leadership responsibilities was challenging, but Taquoia credits her success to effective time management, setting priorities, and staying motivated by her long-term goals.
One piece of advice that has guided her is to "find your why and own it," encouraging her to explore new things, assess their alignment with her purpose, and build networks by engaging with those around her.
Looking ahead, Taquoia plans to apply to an MD program, with the goal of starting in 2027.
— College of Sciences
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