MERIT Scholar Biographies

First Year MERIT Scholars

Ms. Tiffany Mealman received her BS in Chemistry from Seattle Pacific University in 2007 and will receive her PhD in Chemistry/Biochemistry from the University of Arizona in 2012. She will perform her postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Niederweis, Professor of Microbiology. Her research will focus on understanding the mechanism of iron acquisition in M. tuberculosis.

Mr. Michael Nelson received his BS in Biology from Cedarville University in 2005 and will receive his PhD in Microbiology from UAB in 2012. He will perform his postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. John Shacka, Assistant Professor of Pathology. His research will focus on delineating the role of the lysosomal enzyme alpha galactosidase in regulating the clearance of alpha synuclein; this work has therapeutic implications for Parkinson’s Disease.

Second Year MERIT Scholars

Dr. Marla Hertz received her BS in Microbiology from University of Maryland (College Park) in 2006 and her PhD in Microbiology from UAB 2011. As a graduate student, Dr. Hertz mentored undergraduates and graduate students. She is performing her postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. Mary-Ann Bjornsti, Professor and Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Her research focuses on protein-protein interactions in DNA damage and replication. Dr. Hertz has selected Dr. Marlon Rhem, Professor of Chemistry at Oakwood University, as her MERIT Teaching Mentor.

Dr. Robert Mans received his BS in Neurobiological Sciences from the University of Florida in 2005 and his PhD in Neurobiology from UAB in 2011. Dr. Mans has extensive teaching and mentoring experiences at the high-school, undergraduate, and graduate levels.  He is performing his postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. Lori McMahon, Professor of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology. His research focuses on mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Mans has selected Dr. Glenn Phillips, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Oakwood University, as his MERIT Teaching Mentor.

Dr. Latoya Paul received her BS in Biological Sciences from Southern University and A&M College in 2003 and her PhD in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University in 2010. Dr. Paul has extensive and varied teaching experiences at the middle-school, high-school, undergraduate, and graduate levels. She is performing her postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. Steve Watts, Professor of Biology. Her research focuses on the impact of environmental stressors on embryonic development. Dr. Paul has selected Dr. Marlon Rhem, Professor of Chemistry at Oakwood University, as her MERIT Teaching Mentor.

Third Year MERIT Scholars

Dr. Hope Amm received her BS in Biological Sciences from St. Mary’s College in 2002 and her PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from UAB in 2010. She is performing her postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. Mary MacDougall, Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of tooth development. Dr. Amm’s MERIT Teaching Mentor is Dr. Mary Jane Krotzer, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Stillman College.

Dr. Tabitha Hardy received her BS in Biology Education from Alcorn State University in 2000, her MS in Biology from Jackson State University in 2004, and her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Indiana University School of Medicine in 2010. Dr. Hardy has extensive teaching experiences at the middle-school, high-school, undergraduate, and graduate levels. She is performing her postdoctoral research training with Dr. Trygve Tollefsbol, Professor of Biology. Her research focuses on dietary factors and epigenetic regulation of cancer. Dr. Hardy’s MERIT Teaching Mentor is Dr. O’Neal Wright, Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences at Stillman College.

Dr. Keri Barksdale Mans received her BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Mississippi State University in 2004 and her PhD in Neurobiology at UAB in 2010. As a graduate student, Dr. Mans mentored undergraduates and graduate students; she also participated in a neuroscience outreach program at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham, AL. As a MERIT scholar, Dr. Mans has created an taught a course in molecular biology, served as a guest lecturer, and has mentored laboratory summer interns, undergraduate thesis candidates, and graduate students. Dr. Mans is performing her postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. Rosalinda Roberts, Professor of Psychiatry. Dr. Mans utilizes both rodent and human models to research structural and metabolic deficits that occur in the schizophrenic brain.

Dr. Jessica Perez received her BS in Biology from Universidad de Puerto Rico- Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez in 2001 and her PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from UAB in 2010. She is performing her postdoctoral research training in the laboratory of Dr. Rosa Serra, Professor of Cell Biology. Her research focuses focus on TGFb signaling and chondrocyte phenotype. Dr. Perez is a recent recipient of an individual NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA, F32). Dr. Perez is performing her teaching experience in the Department of Natural Sciences at Stillman College.

Alumna MERIT Scholar

Dr. Christine Sestero received her B.S. in Biology from The College of Idaho in 2000 and her Ph.D. in Microbiology at Idaho State University in 2006. Following the receipt of her degree, Dr. Sestero began her postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Chander Raman, Professor of Medicine at UAB, examining the role of T cell activation in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. In 2009, Dr. Sestero joined the MERIT Program with Dr. Rosianna Gray, Professor and Chair of Natural Sciences at Stillman College, serving as her MERIT Teaching Mentor. As a MERIT Scholar, Dr. Sestero’s research has culminated in four original manuscripts either in press or submitted for publication. At Stillman College, she provided guest lectures and tutored undergraduates in several biology courses; she also developed and conducted a new, advanced immunology course. Dr. Sestero will transition to an Assistant Professor of Biology faculty appointment at the University of Montevallo in Fall, 2012.