Editor’s Note
As 2026 approaches, the local startup ecosystem and job opportunities in the healthcare sector are witnessing remarkable expansion. In anticipation of the coming year, here are five notable stories from InnovationMap, chronicled at the year’s conclusion:
1. Houston Expected to Add 30,900 New Jobs in 2026, According to Forecast
The health care sector is set to spearhead job growth in the Houston metropolitan region in 2026. A recent forecast from the Greater Houston Partnership indicates that the city’s employment landscape will swell by 30,900 positions, with the health care sector alone contributing approximately 14,000 jobs, positioning it as the foremost industry for local employment proliferation.
2. University of Houston Receives $2.6 Million Donation for Opioid Addiction Research
The University of Houston has been endowed with a generous $2.6 million gift from the estate of Dr. William A. Gibson to bolster its Michael C. Gibson Addiction Research Program, currently focused on developing an innovative fentanyl vaccine aimed at obstructing the drug’s passage into the brain.
3. Over 50 Houston Researchers Recognized Among the World’s Most Cited
Fifty-one eminent scientists and professors from Houston-based academic institutions have achieved recognition as some of the most cited researchers globally.
This distinction, granted by Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list, acknowledges those who have authored multiple “Highly Cited Papers” recognized for their significant impact across various scientific disciplines.
The selection criteria incorporate both quantitative and qualitative assessments, honoring individuals whose contributions are shaping advancements in science and technology worldwide.
4. Six Houstonians Inducted into National Academy of Inventors
A group of six distinguished Houstonians has been conferred membership in the National Academy of Inventors’ 2025 class of fellows.
This esteemed accolade serves as the pinnacle of recognition for academic inventors, with the 2025 class comprising 169 fellows who collectively hold over 5,300 U.S. patents.
These innovative leaders span various fields, including artificial intelligence, chemistry, and oncology, showcasing Houston’s robust intellectual landscape.
Source link: Houston.innovationmap.com.
