Microbiology News

Deep Impact: A Compound for Concussions

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Created on May 06, 2013

NFL Charities has awarded UAB a $100,000 grant to study a compound that could minimize the effects of concussions. Known as catalytic oxidoreductant, the compound may interrupt a cascade of biochemical injuries, including oxidative stress and an aggressive immune response to brain inflammation, that cause a large amount of additional cell death after a concussion’s initial damage to brain cells. Candace Floyd, Ph.D., research director in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Hubert Tse, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology who helped to develop the compound, will lead the research team. Additional studies will examine the compound’s effects on multiple concussions; evidence suggests three or more lead to significant brain damage. The results could point to a drug that could be administered immediately after a concussion, anywhere from sidelines to battlefields.

Two Micro Students Awarded Ireland Research Travel Scholarships

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Created on May 03, 2013

Jennifer Rowland and Kathryn Doornbos, both graduate students in Dr. Michael Niederweis’s lab, received 2013 Ireland Research Travel Scholarships.

Rowland’s award will help cover some of the travel expenses for her trip this summer to Durban, South Africa, where she will participate in a summer internship program at K-RITH (KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV).

Doornbos will be doing an 8-week collaboration with Wilbert Bitter at VU (Vrije Universiteit) this summer. Her award will help fund her travel expenses to the University in Amsterdam.

Chaplin Elected to Faculty Senate

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Created on April 29, 2013

In spring 2013, David Chaplin, Ph.D., was elected to a position on the UAB Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate provides a voice for UAB’s faculty in addressing a variety of matters that affect the University. Faculty representatives from all academic units make up the Senate.

Beckman Scholar to Join Saad’s Lab

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Created on April 15, 2013

Bliss Chang, an undergraduate majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Biology, has been awarded the 2013 Beckman Scholarship to work in Jamil Saad’s lab for one year starting this summer. He was selected as the only Beckman scholar at UAB this year.

“I am excited to have two Beckman Scholars in my lab at the same time [in addition to Timothy Fernandez who received the 2012 Beckman Scholarship]. Having two Beckman Scholars in the same lab at the same time is a very rare case in the US since it is considered an extremely competitive award,” explains Dr. Saad.