Briles Elected to National Academy of Inventors
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Published Date: Dec 13
Congratulations to Dr. David Briles, who was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors during the academy’s annual Conference March 6-7, 2014, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Briles’ work on proteins that are candidate antigens for pneumococcal vaccines has led to several patents on pneumonia vaccines.
The National Academy of Inventors, founded in 2010, recognizes and encourages inventors with patents issued from the US Patent and Trademark Office. The organization is comprised of more than 3,000 members and fellows from more than 200 US and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutions.
Briles’ work on proteins that are candidate antigens for pneumococcal vaccines has led to several patents on pneumonia vaccines.
The National Academy of Inventors, founded in 2010, recognizes and encourages inventors with patents issued from the US Patent and Trademark Office. The organization is comprised of more than 3,000 members and fellows from more than 200 US and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutions.
SOM Nominates Yother for 2014 Diversity Award
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Published Date: Nov 22
Congratulations to Dr. Janet Yother, the School of Medicine faculty nominee for the 2014 President’s Diversity Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Her nomination will be reviewed by the President’s Diversity Award Selection Committee, along with nominees from across the entire university. Award recipients will be announced at a public ceremony on January 30, 2014, at the UAB Alumni House.
2013 UAB Microbiology Research Retreat
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Published Date: Oct 25
The 22nd Microbiology Research Retreat was held on October 18-20, 2013, at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama. “This was the first time for the retreat at this recently remodeled venue. Everyone was very impressed with the facilities, the staff and the surrounding countryside. The 4-H Center is convenient to UAB, less than an hour away,” says Dr. Pete Burrows, Microbiology Graduate Program Director. The 85 attendees, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty, shared diverse experiences and knowledge. “On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, there were 20 talks by students and postdoctoral fellows, including a record number of New Investigators, students in their first through third year of graduate school. A poster session with light refreshments was held on Friday evening with 21 presenters,” says Burrows. Kimberly Benton, Ph.D. was key note speaker for this year’s retreat. A former graduate student in Dr. David Briles lab, Benton currently is the Deputy Director for the Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies at the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Benton gave an informative talk, explaining this career option. “Sunday morning featured three very interesting faculty talks,” says Burrows. “Dmitry Shayakhmetov, University of Washington, who is a potential Microbiology recruit, Mengxi Jiang, University of Michigan, who will be joining the Microbiology Department in January, and Chuck Elson, who is here at UAB in the Department of Medicine.” Free time activities were geared for the enjoyment of all attendees. “On both Friday and Saturday nights there was a campfire by Lay Lake, which forms one boundary of the 4H property,” says Burrows. Several trainees commented that the s’mores and roasted marshmallows were a fun treat at these social gatherings. The extended Saturday afternoon break allowed time for trainees and their mentors to team up for games of basketball and putt-putt, with only the bravest confronting the climbing wall and giant swing. The retreat was a success because of the hard work of many individuals in the Micro office, in particular Kristina Sinclair and Justin Daigneault who attended the entire event and kept things running smoothly," says Burrows. |
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The three-day retreat concluded with the presentation of awards. Students receiving awards at the retreat include:
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Bedwell Elected to SOM Faculty Council
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Published Date: Oct 07
Congratulations to Dr. David Bedwell who has been elected to a three-year term on the School of Medicine Faculty Council, effective January 1, 2014. This school-wide committee reviews all promotions and tenure appointments within the School of Medicine at UAB. The Council reviews both clinical appointments and appointments in the basic science departments. In addition to having served on this committee a number of years ago, Bedwell has served as a member and Chair of the microbiology department Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Congratulations to Dr. David Bedwell who has been elected to a three-year term on the School of Medicine Faculty Council, effective January 1, 2014. This school-wide committee reviews all promotions and tenure appointments within the School of Medicine at UAB. The Council reviews both clinical appointments and appointments in the basic science departments. In addition to having served on this committee a number of years ago, Bedwell has served as a member and Chair of the microbiology department Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Bedwell Elected to SOM Faculty Council
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Published Date: Oct 07
Congratulations to Dr. David Bedwell who has been elected to a three-year term on the School of Medicine Faculty Council, effective January 1, 2014. This school-wide committee reviews all promotions and tenure appointments within the School of Medicine at UAB. The Council reviews both clinical appointments and appointments in the basic science departments. In addition to having served on this committee a number of years ago, Bedwell has served as a member and Chair of the microbiology department Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Congratulations to Dr. David Bedwell who has been elected to a three-year term on the School of Medicine Faculty Council, effective January 1, 2014. This school-wide committee reviews all promotions and tenure appointments within the School of Medicine at UAB. The Council reviews both clinical appointments and appointments in the basic science departments. In addition to having served on this committee a number of years ago, Bedwell has served as a member and Chair of the microbiology department Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Kearney Is UAB 2013 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer
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Published Date: Sep 13
Congratulations to microbiology department faculty member Dr. John Kearney who was named UAB 2013 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, one of the highest honors a UAB faculty member can receive.
After earning his Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Melbourne, Australia, Kearney came to UAB as a postdoc with Drs. Cooper and Lawton. His postdoctoral work focused on in vitro models of immunoglobulin isotope switching. He joined the microbiology staff in 1977 and has continued his studies on B cell differentiation. His work has brought worldwide recognition to UAB.
Kearney will be the keynote speaker at the 2013 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer reception in the fall.
Read more about Dr. Kearney's accomplishments.
Listen to an interview with Dr. Kearney.
Congratulations to microbiology department faculty member Dr. John Kearney who was named UAB 2013 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, one of the highest honors a UAB faculty member can receive.
After earning his Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Melbourne, Australia, Kearney came to UAB as a postdoc with Drs. Cooper and Lawton. His postdoctoral work focused on in vitro models of immunoglobulin isotope switching. He joined the microbiology staff in 1977 and has continued his studies on B cell differentiation. His work has brought worldwide recognition to UAB.
Kearney will be the keynote speaker at the 2013 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer reception in the fall.
Read more about Dr. Kearney's accomplishments.
Listen to an interview with Dr. Kearney.
Kym Proctor Is Employee of the Month
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Published Date: Aug 27
As program administrator for the Immunology and Microbiology Themes of UAB's Graduate Biomedical Sciences program, Kym is the person in the know. She routinely answers questions about enrolling in graduate school at UAB, registering for classes, and even the best places to go for lunch. “She is the rock we lean on for support, the glue that holds our program together, the one who keeps us on track, the Mom away from home, the therapist, the shoulder we cry on and the sun on a cloudy day,” says Melissa Oliver, Ph.D. candidate in the GBS program.
Read more about Kym at Proctor named Employee of the Month for August.
Read more about Kym at Proctor named Employee of the Month for August.
Opportunity of a Lifetime UAB President Ray Watts Has Big Vision for the Future of UAB
UAB Beckman Scholars Attend 2013 Symposium
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Published Date: Aug 02
UAB’s five (3 finishing, 2 starting) Beckman Scholars attended the Beckman Foundation's Scholars Symposium, July 25-27, at the Beckman Center of the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering in Irvine, California.
Read moreSpring Immunology Symposium Brings People Together
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Published Date: Jul 24
UAB was host for the Spring Immunology Symposium held June 22-23, 2013. This was the second year for the regional meeting that was created by faculty from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Emory University School of Medicine. The symposium showcases immunology research being done in the Southeast as researchers share new work, exchange ideas and build collaborations.
The Microbiology department played an important role in hosting this event. Hubert Tse, Ph.D., was one of the organizers of the meeting, which was sponsored by the Immunology Autoimmunity and Transplantation Steering Committee. Frances Lund, Ph.D., microbiology department chair, and Casey Weaver, M.D., microbiology department secondary faculty member, were co-directors of the steering committee.
Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel of the University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland; Dr. Emil Unanue of Washington University School of Medicine; and Dr.John Cambier of the Denver School of Medicine, were distinguished keynote speakers. Faculty members at Emory, HudsonAlpha, Vanderbilt, University of Tennessee at Memphis, Georgia Regents University, University of Florida and UAB presented their work.
The Microbiology department played an important role in hosting this event. Hubert Tse, Ph.D., was one of the organizers of the meeting, which was sponsored by the Immunology Autoimmunity and Transplantation Steering Committee. Frances Lund, Ph.D., microbiology department chair, and Casey Weaver, M.D., microbiology department secondary faculty member, were co-directors of the steering committee.
Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel of the University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland; Dr. Emil Unanue of Washington University School of Medicine; and Dr.John Cambier of the Denver School of Medicine, were distinguished keynote speakers. Faculty members at Emory, HudsonAlpha, Vanderbilt, University of Tennessee at Memphis, Georgia Regents University, University of Florida and UAB presented their work.
Read more at UAB Medicine News.
Chaplin Named Associate Dean for Faculty Development
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Published Date: Jul 24
Congratulations to David Chaplin, M.D., Ph.D., who has been named Associate Dean for Faculty Development in the UAB School of Medicine. In this new position, Chaplin will focus on increasing development opportunities for faculty. “My vision is to develop programs that will be useful for people at each stage of their careers,” said Chaplin.
Read more at UAB School of Medicine News.
Mestecky Awarded Honorary Doctorate of Medicine
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Published Date: Jun 25
Jiri Mestcky, M.D., Ph.D., was awarded an honorary doctorate of medicine by Palacky’s University, School of Medicine, Olomouc, Czech Republic during a ceremony at the Archbishop’s Palace on May 14, 2013. (In photo left: Mestecky, Dean of the Medical School, Rector [President] of the University, Promotor [vice-president]. Front: Carriers of university insignia and symbols.)
Jiri Mestcky, M.D., Ph.D., was awarded an honorary doctorate of medicine by Palacky’s University, School of Medicine, Olomouc, Czech Republic during a ceremony at the Archbishop’s Palace on May 14, 2013. (In photo left: Mestecky, Dean of the Medical School, Rector [President] of the University, Promotor [vice-president]. Front: Carriers of university insignia and symbols.)
Hiramoto Travel Award Deadline July 1, 2013
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Published Date: Jun 25
Travel assistance for Microbiology graduate students to attend meetings, workshops, and advanced courses offered by scientific societies and organizations is available through the Raymond N. Hiramoto Endowment. All Microbiology departmental graduate students in good standing are eligible to apply.
Submit all application materials:
Applications are evaluated by the Microbiology graduate committee, and awards are based on the student’s research accomplishments or potential for research. Preference is given to students who will be presenting their research findings at the meeting. Award recipients will be announced within three weeks of the deadline dates. Students not funded may reapply for the next award cycle. Awardees are eligible to reapply after two years of receipt of an award.
The endowment fund was established in 2002 in honor of Dr. Ray Hiramoto, a noted immunologist who served more than 35 years on the faculty of the UAB Department of Microbiology.
Applications are due no later than midnight, July 1, 2013.
Submit all application materials:
- a completed application form
- curriculum vitae
- recommendation/approval from the student’s mentor
- a meeting abstract or a brief justification for attending the meeting/course (if attending a course, include a description of the course and how attending would benefit you)
Applications are evaluated by the Microbiology graduate committee, and awards are based on the student’s research accomplishments or potential for research. Preference is given to students who will be presenting their research findings at the meeting. Award recipients will be announced within three weeks of the deadline dates. Students not funded may reapply for the next award cycle. Awardees are eligible to reapply after two years of receipt of an award.
The endowment fund was established in 2002 in honor of Dr. Ray Hiramoto, a noted immunologist who served more than 35 years on the faculty of the UAB Department of Microbiology.
Fernandez to Speak at Beckman Symposium
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Published Date: Jun 07
Timothy Fernandez, a Beckman Scholar in Dr. Jamil Saad’s lab, will give a 30-minute presentation on his research at the Beckman Foundation's Scholars Symposium to be held July 25-27 at the Beckman Center of the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering in Irvine, California.
A senior in the University Honors Program, Fernandez is one of UAB's three inaugural Beckman scholars. He is one of six students chosen from the nationwide pool of Beckman Scholars to present his research at the Beckman Symposium. Saad, who is representing the 15 Beckman UAB mentors at this year's symposium, will introduce Fernandez.
Fernandez has published three papers in professional journals. He is an author on two papers in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (2010 and 2011) and one paper in Frontiers of Virology (2012). Additionally, Timothy is first author on a paper under review at the Journal of Biological Chemistry. He has given presentations at more than 15 conferences, both on his research and other scholarly activities, at local (UAB EXPOs), state (Alabama Academy of Sciences; University of Alabama System Honors Research Conference), regional (Southern Regional Honors Council, the American Chemical Society Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference), and national (National Conference on Undergraduate Research; American Chemical Society; and National Collegiate Honors Council) throughout his undergraduate career.
A senior in the University Honors Program, Fernandez is one of UAB's three inaugural Beckman scholars. He is one of six students chosen from the nationwide pool of Beckman Scholars to present his research at the Beckman Symposium. Saad, who is representing the 15 Beckman UAB mentors at this year's symposium, will introduce Fernandez.
Fernandez has published three papers in professional journals. He is an author on two papers in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (2010 and 2011) and one paper in Frontiers of Virology (2012). Additionally, Timothy is first author on a paper under review at the Journal of Biological Chemistry. He has given presentations at more than 15 conferences, both on his research and other scholarly activities, at local (UAB EXPOs), state (Alabama Academy of Sciences; University of Alabama System Honors Research Conference), regional (Southern Regional Honors Council, the American Chemical Society Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference), and national (National Conference on Undergraduate Research; American Chemical Society; and National Collegiate Honors Council) throughout his undergraduate career.
Jocelyn Hauser Receives ASM Richard and Mary Finkelstein Grant
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Published Date: May 31
Graduate student Jocelyn Hauser (a member of Dr. Janet Yother’s lab) is one of only six students nationally to receive the prestigious 2013 Richard and Mary Finkelstein Student Travel Grant. In addition to funding Hauser’s travel to the 113th General Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, the grant also qualifies her to present a poster and give a short presentation of her abstract, “Modulation of Capsule Production in Streptococcus pneumoniae by SpxB and Hydrogen Peroxide,” during the Division B and D Business Meeting.
The 113th General Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology will be in Denver, Colorado, on May 18-21, 2013.
The 113th General Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology will be in Denver, Colorado, on May 18-21, 2013.
Following in Big Footsteps
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Published Date: May 31
UAB’s first K-RITH student, James Hove Mazorodze, is following in some big footsteps along the path to research on TB and HIV. He is working on his Ph.D. thesis at the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH) in Durban, South Africa, under the supervision of Dr. Andries Steyn, who maintains labs at K-RITH and at UAB. He will work one year in Dr. Steyn’s lab here at UAB before returning to South Africa.
Read more
Tse Speaks Out in Diabetes Forecast
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Published Date: May 24
Microbiology Professor Hubert Tse, Ph.D., believes that grant programs sponsored by nongovernmental organizations such as the American Diabetes Association play an important role in funding science research. In the May 2013 issue of Diabetes Forecast, Tse points out that receiving a Junior Faculty Award from the ADA allowed him to continue diabetes research after he completed his postdoc.
Deep Impact: A Compound for Concussions
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Published Date: May 06
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.
Winter 2013 UAB Medicine
Two Micro Students Awarded Ireland Research Travel Scholarships
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Published Date: May 03
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.
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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Published Date: Apr 29
In spring 2013, David Chaplin, M.D., 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.
In spring 2013, David Chaplin, M.D., 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.