News from UAB

In 2022, 22 faculty members published or edited 20 books across the Arts and Humanities, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics. With scholarship ranging from aging to communication in political campaigns to poetry, faculty authors contributed valuable research, insights, and creative activities to their respective disciplines.

On April 10, 2023, the College hosted an event at the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts to celebrate the faculty authors and also acknowledge the winners of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2023 Michel de Montaigne Endowed Prize in the History of Ideas.

Congratulations to the following faculty members for publishing or editing a book in 2022.

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Karolina Mukhtar, Ph.D.After a competitive national search, Karolina Mukhtar, Ph.D., has been named the chair of the Department of Biology in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s College of Arts and Sciences.

The Department of Biology is home to the second-largest undergraduate major on UAB’s campus and boasts the top-ranked biological sciences graduate program in the state of Alabama. Within the department, 26 full-time faculty and eight adjunct faculty are dedicated to research and teaching with broad scientific interests ranging from the molecular to the ecological level.

Mukhtar’s research explores the molecular underpinnings of plant immune systems and cellular responses to climate change-triggered environmental stresses. After earning her Ph.D. at the Max-Planck Institute in Cologne, Germany, she completed post-doctoral training at Duke University and began her faculty position in UAB’s Department of Biology in 2010.

“Dr. Karolina Mukhtar is a highly accomplished scientist, teacher, and academic leader. She has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles and received national and international recognition for her outstanding work,” said Kecia M. Thomas, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Mukhtar received a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2014 and the 2019 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers. She was the first UAB faculty member to receive the PECASE distinction.

She and her students have presented their research at meetings worldwide, including the 2007 XIII International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions in Sorrento, Italy; the 2019 International Society of Plant-Microbe Interactions international conference in Glasgow, U.K.; and the 2022 32nd International Conference on Arabidopsis Research ICAR2022 in Belfast, Ireland.

Mukhtar is a member of the Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee (MASC), serving on the “Plant Immunity” subcommittee. In addition, she pursues a very active educational outreach program for K-12 science teachers, and she directs PEER-BUDS, a summer bridge program funded by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

“Dr. Mukhtar has served in many leadership roles across UAB. She has served as past chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Senate Caucus, and she has been a member of the UAB Faculty Senate’s Executive Committee, the UAB Commission on the Status of Women, and the Blazer Core Committee,” said Thomas. “Her excellence has been recognized through the 2022 UAB Graduate Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentorship, the 2019 UAB President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the 2019 CAS Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching.”

While at UAB, Mukhtar has also served in many roles for the Department of Biology, including Associate Director of Graduate Programs (2017-2018), Associate Department Chair and Undergraduate Program Director (2018-2022), and Interim Department Chair (2022-present).

“I have been privileged to work alongside the biology faculty, staff, and students at UAB for nearly 13 years. The opportunity to steer my home department into the next chapter of growth is a tremendous honor and responsibility,” said Mukhtar. “Working closely with the leadership of the College of Arts and Sciences, we will build on our academic, research, and outreach excellence to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for developing the next generation of STEM leaders. Additionally, I look forward to growing the department and building on the culture of diversity, equity, respect, and belonging that we have established.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of her professional stature and leadership experience leading the Department of Biology into its next era,” said Thomas. “We are also grateful to the search committee and its chair, Dr. Richard Dluhy, for their due diligence.”

Over the past 12 years, the UAB College of Arts and Sciences and the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine established five interdisciplinary undergraduate programs to promote STEM and biomedical majors and increase the future pipeline of highly skilled workers. The shared programs include: neuroscience, bioinformatics, genetics and genomic sciences, immunology, and cancer biology.

“The founding goal of these programs was to bring innovative majors to Alabama’s brightest students to build the next generation of the biomedical workforce,” said Cristin Gavin, Ph.D., assistant dean for the Undergraduate Biomedical Programs in the Heersink School of Medicine and co-director of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program. “UAB’s intensive research environment spans both schools and provides the perfect ecosystem for high-impact practices such as undergraduate research and collaborative learning.”

Immunology

History

The Undergraduate Immunology Program was approved in 2016 and offered its first round of classes in 2017. It is an interdisciplinary program between the Department of Microbiology in the Heersink School of Medicine and the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to launching the undergraduate program, UAB only offered graduate-level degrees in immunology.

“It made sense to extend our reach to undergraduates and build grassroots-level knowledge of immunology,” said Undergraduate Immunology Program Director Louis Justement, Ph.D.

Significance

Immunology is the study of the immune system, which protects the human body against pathogens and toxins. However, “the immune system can kill you any day if it is dysregulated,” said Justement. Therefore, understanding how the immune system works and its potential impact on the human body is crucial.

After two years of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance and life-saving potential of studying the immune system has been significantly amplified. “Vaccines are a great example of immunologic success,” said Justement. “If that isn’t impactful, it’s hard to say what truly is.” Along with vaccines, immunology can also support early detection and treatment of cancer.

Curriculum

Immunology is interdisciplinary by nature and has direct ties with the fields of biochemistry, cell biology, cancer biology, infectious diseases, neurobiology, endocrinology, and cardiology. “All of these topics are woven into the immunology curriculum,” said Rueben Burch, an alumnus of the immunology program who currently works at a biotechnology company in Seattle. The program’s curriculum is a sequenced path consisting of seven courses and research opportunities. Some of the required courses include "Introduction to Immune System," "Immunologically-Mediated Diseases," and "Microbial Pathogen-Immune System Interaction." Students are also required to participate in undergraduate research to help them acquire knowledge and skills in experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, and oral presentation.

Heather Bruns, Ph.D., co-director of the program, worked alongside Justement to build a four-year comprehensive undergraduate curriculum. “As we identified the knowledge and competencies that we wanted our students to possess, it was also important to us to include appropriate assessments in the curriculum to ensure that the program was providing an effective learning environment,” said Bruns.

Since it is a relatively small program, students receive quality, hands-on mentorship from faculty. Kristine Farag, an alumnus of the program who is now enrolled at the Indiana University School of Medicine, sought and found valuable mentorship from Bruns.

“Immunology program directors truly want to see their students succeed in every capacity, and they put in the time and effort to make that happen,” said Farag.

Careers

Studying the immune system can be a valuable option for those who have an interest in health professions and biomedical research. Graduates of the program may go on to pursue a variety of careers, including research, medicine, science policy, science communication, and medical technology.

Hollis Graffeo, a current immunology major, chose immunology because she is interested in becoming a physician, and the same is true for many of her fellow classmates. Additionally, the sheer uniqueness of the program was attractive to her.

“UAB is the only school in the country that offers the immunology [undergraduate] major, and [I think] this will make me stand out greatly as an applicant when I apply to medical school,” said Graffeo.

Learn more about the immunology major at UAB.

Cancer Biology

History

The Bachelor of Science in Cancer Biology at UAB officially launched in Fall 2020. The program is an interdisciplinary partnership between the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology in the Heersink School of Medicine. These two departments initiated the cancer biology program because, “chemistry and cancer pair nicely together given the importance of chemical structure and drug discovery,” said Sadanandan Velu, Ph.D., co-director of the Undergraduate Cancer Biology Program.

“Starting a program during the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly not ideal and unanticipated,” said Braden McFarland, Ph.D., co-director of the program. “However, everyone was on their computers and social media during that time, and the word spread about our program through cyberspace very quickly.”

The program started with 13 students in Fall 2020 and has grown significantly. Currently, the directors anticipate 90 students in Fall 2022.

Significance

Cancer biology focuses on the mechanisms underlying fundamental processes such as cell growth, the transformation of normal cells to cancer cells, and their spread.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, so its reach and impact is profound. “No matter the health profession, one will encounter cancer in their profession and their personal life,” said McFarland.

Therefore, understanding the risks, early detection, and development of new therapies to combat cancer deaths is vital. Through the cancer biology program, students gain foundational knowledge of what cancer biology is and its application to cure and advance cancer research.

Curriculum

The program provides a strong educational and research background. Velu explains that the academic training in this program is reinforced with a required research component, which provides students with early exposure to cancer research.

Cancer biology majors participate in investigator-led programs in high-profile cancer research labs, the majority of which are in the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center—the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Alabama.

Students can participate in research in any lab on campus with a focus on cancer. This includes basic or clinical research, as well as cancer nutrition or epidemiology. “Our current students have a palpable energy to learn everything about cancer, which is usually due to personal or family experiences with cancer,” said McFarland.

Careers

The UAB Undergraduate Cancer Biology program prepares students for academic and industrial career opportunities in cancer biology and life sciences, and it is a launch pad for students who want to research, treat, and fight cancer.

Specifically, the program prepares students to excel in a variety of medical fields such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician training, and physician assistance. After completing the program, students might also pursue careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, veterinary sciences, medical technology, and public health policy.

“Excellent faculty mentoring and career counseling are provided to students to identify graduate and professional programs or job opportunities most suited to their interests,” said Velu.

Some students choose cancer biology for reasons beyond professional success. For example, Neeral Patel, one of the first cancer biology students at UAB, chose cancer biology because he watched his mother battle both ovarian and breast cancer growing up.

“Birmingham became a second home to me, as our family would frequent UAB for my mom’s appointments and treatments. My mom’s battle is what initially sparked my interest in the medical field,” said Patel. “Although it is extremely early to know, this program has prepared me well in all things cancer. I look forward to exploring different specialties, while carrying all of the academic and non-academic skills this program and its faculty have taught me.”

Learn more about the cancer biology major at UAB.

Photo Courtesy of Taylor Williams. Taylor Williams, a doctoral student in the Department of Biology, was recently named a 2022 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

According to NOAA, the competitive Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for independent graduate-level studies in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology, particularly to women and students from underrepresented communities.

This year, the organization selected seven graduate students from across the country for the scholarship. Each scholarship recipient will receive an annual stipend of $30,000 and up to $12,000 annually as an education allowance. Additionally, recipients may receive up to $10,000 to support a 4–6-week research collaboration at a NOAA facility.

Williams, who is from Orcutt, California, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology under faculty advisor Stacy A. Krueger-Hadfield, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biology. Her research will focus on a cryptogenic alga that is acting invasively within the boundaries of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), a U.S. National Monument and one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world. According to Williams, Chondria tumulosa is a red macroalga that was found growing in dense mats and smothering the coral reefs at Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll) and Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawai’i. She will be using a combination of population genetic analyses and laboratory experiments to assess the reproductive system of this alga.

"The Nancy Foster Scholarship provides me the opportunity to work directly with our NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Program to use our science to best meet the needs of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument while also bridging the gap between science and place-based community outreach," said Williams.

Williams completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa where she first became involved with the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument as a scientific diver. She then earned her Master of Science in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston under Dr. Heather Spalding before coming to UAB.

“The Nancy Foster Scholarship will afford Taylor the exceptional opportunity to continue work on Chondria and collaborations with researchers in Hawai'i and at the College of Charleston,” said Krueger-Hadfield. “We will be gaining valuable data with direct benefits to understanding the natural history of organisms in the PMNM as well as population genetics in organisms that undergo both sexual and asexual reproduction. Surprisingly, we don't have good tools for this and the Chondria data Taylor generates during her dissertation research will be invaluable to testing theoretical predictions in different biomes and ecosystems.”