A Texas State University biology major and honors student has been named a recipient of the 2025 D.O.O.R.S. Scholarship, a national award recognizing academic excellence and commitment to scientific research.
Dillon Gee was selected as one of 10 scholars across the country by the BTC Institute and Promega Corp. The scholarship includes a $5,000 award and mentorship opportunities in biotechnology, with an emphasis on research design and professional development.
Gee’s research advisor, Tania Betancourt, Ph.D., nominated him for the award. She has worked with him since Fall 2023 and said what makes Gee stand out are both his scientific curiosity and his ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity.
“When I first met Dillon, he was able to communicate that passion very clearly,” said Betancourt, director of TXST’s NSF PREM Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly. “He was very formal compared to other students. He was confident. That was what made him shine right off the bat.”
Gee has conducted biomedical research focused largely on cancer therapy and novel drug delivery systems. His work centers on developing immunogenic therapies and innovative delivery vectors to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Gee said his interest in this field is deeply personal.
“Chronic conditions like cancer and Type 2 diabetes run in my family, so being able to contribute to efforts that improve quality of life for patients dealing with these conditions is especially important to me,” Gee said. “It truly is a privilege.”
In addition to the D.O.O.R.S. Scholarship, Gee has received several other prestigious honors, including the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. He also completed a Biomedical Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center and earned second place in the undergraduate poster presentation category at the 2025 TXST STEM Conference.
Betancourt said Gee’s motivation and long-term vision set him apart.
“He has the drive to make a real impact on cancer patients,” she said. “I know he’s going to get very far.”
Gee expects to graduate in Spring 2026. He plans to continue his education in cancer immunology before pursuing either medical school or a doctoral program.