Endowed professorship in neuroscience established – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Patsy W. and Charles A. Collat Endowed Professorship in Neuroscience in the UAB Department of Neurology and named David S. Geldmacher, M.D., its inaugural holder during its meeting April 4. The position will promote research and education in neuroscience with a focus in memory disorders. The Collats have given numerous gifts to UAB, and to UAB’s neuroscience program in particular, including making possible the Charles A. and Patsy W. Collat Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery. Geldmacher joined the UAB faculty in 2011 and directs the Division of Memory Disorders and Behavioral Neurology.
Endowed chair in glaucoma research established – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Dennis-McKee Endowed Chair in Glaucoma Research in the UAB Department of Ophthalmology during its meeting April 4. The position will support a physician-scientist studying glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in the developed world.
Endowed lectureship in physical therapy established – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Marilyn R. Gossman Endowed Lectureship in Physical Therapy in the UAB Department of Physical Therapy during its meeting April 4. Gossman served UAB for more than 30 years, including acting as chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.
Hwang appointed professor emeritus in sociology – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Sean-Shong Hwang, Ph.D., as professor emeritus in the UAB Department of Sociology during its meeting April 4. Hwang joined the UAB faculty in 1980 and won the 2008 UAB Alumni Association Ingalls Teaching Award. His research, including important work on involuntary migration caused by China’s Three Gorges Dam, has earned major grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Kohler named professor emerita in health behavior – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Connie L. Kohler, Dr.P.H., as professor emerita of health behavior in the UAB Department of Health Behavior during its meeting April 4. Kohler earned her doctoral degree from UAB in 1991 and joined the faculty in 1994, serving twice as director of Graduate Studies. Her research has spanned several health fields, including asthma, tobacco-use cessation and diabetes.
Lee appointed professor emeritus in business – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Seung-Dong Lee, Ph.D., as professor emeritus in the UAB Collat School of Business during its meeting April 4. Lee joined the UAB faculty in 1979 and has published numerous academic papers in top-tier journals and economic research reports for UAB and local business organizations. He won the Collat School of Business Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research and was nominated for the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.