Associate Dean Jeffrey Engler, Ph.D., has been appointed interim dean of The Graduate School at UAB. Provost Linda Lucas is meeting with stakeholders across campus to discuss the future of graduate education and better determine the expectations and necessary qualifications for the next dean.

Donna Dunn, Ph.D., CNM, FNP-BC, instructor in the UAB School of Nursing, has been named president-elect of the Alabama Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Dunn, who was elected president in October, previously served the affiliate as vice president

Tomader Ali, Ph.D., has joined the UAB Office of Undergraduate Research as its program coordinator.

Three faculty were appointed to endowed professorships in psychiatry, dentistry and ophthalmology during the Sept. 19 meeting of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees: Adrienne C. Lahti, Perng-Ru Liu and Russell W. Read.

The center collaborates with law-enforcement and industry partners to translate its research and development into real-world protection.

Debra Eddins Laken, associate professor in the UAB School of Health Professions Respiratory Therapy Program, has been appointed to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley.

Lisa Tamiris Becker, who previously directed the art museums at the University of New Mexico and the University of Colorado, Boulder, begins work at UAB Sept. 1.

New anthropology chair Douglas Fry, Ph.D., hopes to widen our view beyond our own culture and current day events.

Professors S. Louis Bridges Jr., Mohammad Athar and David M. Pollock selected for endowed positions.

Distinguished Professor Uday Vaidya, Ph.D., is the new chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.