Student Achievement

By: Nathan Anderson

More than 30 years after first stepping onto the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s campus, Tiffoni Turner has returned with a renewed purpose, a deeper passion for public health, and a determination to finish what she started.

By: Nathan Anderson

Neuroscience is about far more than research for fourth-year student, Teel Walters. It is about mentorship, community, education, and making science accessible to the next generation. As a graduate student in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Behavioral Neuroscience PhD program, Walters has built a graduate career defined not only by scientific achievement but also by leadership in outreach, teaching, and science communication.

By: Nathan Anderson

For Chloe Jones, pursuing a career in clinical psychology has always been about combining research with meaningful patient care. Throughout her time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she has done exactly that — building expertise in neuropsychology while helping patients and families navigate complex neurological and psychological conditions.

By: Nathan Anderson

For Rashad Hayes, a PhD student in the Community Health Promotion program, the journey to higher education has never followed a straight line. But through every unexpected turn, from the loss of a lifelong dream in sports to a cancer diagnosis and the emotional demands of social work, Hayes has discovered purpose in perseverance.

By: Nathan Anderson

As a recent graduate from the Behavioral Neuroscience PhD program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oge Ngwu-Hyacinth has built her academic journey around curiosity, adaptability and a passion for understanding human health. Originally from southeastern Nigeria and later living in London before moving to the United States, Ngwu-Hyacinth says her interest in science began early through frequent hospital visits and an endless habit of asking “why?” — a mindset that continues to shape her approach to neuroscience research today.

By: Nathan Anderson

On a weeknight in Birmingham, the sound of laughter, conversation, and the quiet determination of children solving math problems fills a school gym. Tables are set up with hands-on STEM activities, families move from station to station together, and what might once have felt like a stressful subject becomes something joyful and shared. For Jacqueline Clark Nicholas, a PhD candidate in Educational Studies in Diverse Populations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, moments like these are not just events; they are the heart of her academic work and her community mission.

By: Nathan Anderson

As a Spring 2026 graduate of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) master’s program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Kelsey Greathouse set out to strengthen her skills beyond the lab bench and found a program that allowed her to do exactly that while continuing her full-time work in Alzheimer’s disease research.

By: Nathan Anderson

When Dr. Catarina Mendes Felgueira, PhD, began her graduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020, artificial intelligence was just starting to emerge as a powerful force in her field. What began as uncertainty and skepticism has since evolved into a defining part of her research journey. Now a postdoctoral scholar in Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics, Catarina has learned to thoughtfully integrate AI into her work, using it not as a replacement for human insight, but as a tool to enhance discovery, problem-solving, and innovation.

By: Nathan Anderson

The UAB Graduate School proudly recognizes Hannah Kumarasamy and Kelli Thomas-Drake as the recipients of the 2026 Samuel B. Barker Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies.

By: Nathan Anderson

For Marlie Craig, a master's student in the Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track Dietetic Internship, curiosity about the world began early. Growing up in Canton, GA, and moving frequently with her family sparked a love for travel and exploring new places. Whether hiking scenic trails, camping outdoors, discovering new coffee shops, or relaxing at the beach, Craig enjoys experiences that connect her with new environments and communities.

By: Nathan Anderson

When Brittney Knott, a doctoral student in the Graduate Biomedical Sciences’ (GBS)  Immunology theme, stepped onto the stage for UAB’s 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, she wasn’t just sharing her research—she was embracing a challenge she had long wanted to take on: communicating science beyond the lab.

UAB Graduate School hosted its 2021 Three Minute Thesis competition November 4 at the Hill Student Center Alumni Theater. There were nine finalists in the competition. After much deliberation, the judges selected the top two competitors. The third place, or People's Choice, was chosen by the audience.