Sajina Gc, fourth year PhD candidate in the Cancer Biology theme, has been selected at this year's 2021-2022 Carmichael Scholar.

Sajina is mentored by Dr. Anita Hjelmeland. "At the Hjelmeland laboratory, I study the role of glycosylation in the maintenance, growth, and tumorigenicity of Glioblastoma, which remains one of the deadliest malignancies. In the future, I aspire to continue my research as an independent investigator to better understand the underlying mechanisms of cancer and develop targeted novel therapeutics to combat cancer. In my free time, I indulge in my love for reading fiction, cooking, and traveling."

The Carmichael fund provides stipend support for graduate students in biomedical sciences at UAB in accordance with the Carmichael will. Carmichael Scholars are selected based on academic achievement.

Riley Hightower, BSN, RN, PhD in Graduate Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics – Spring 2021

Plans after graduation: “Directly following graduation, I will be taking a short leave of absence from academia to work as a nurse at the UAB COVID vaccine clinics to help accelerate vaccine distribution in our communities. In the fall, I will join the UAB Precision Medicine Institute as a postdoctoral fellow under the leadership of Dr. Matt Might investigating neurological signs and symptoms in patients with undiagnosed diseases.”

Biggest accomplishment as a graduate student: “Being awarded the NINDS F99/K00 predoc to postdoc career development grant has been one of the accomplishments that I have been most proud of as a graduate student. To see years of work culminated into a single grant proposal that will become the foundation for the rest of my academic career is something that I worked exceptionally hard for. I am proud and grateful to be a part of this amazing community that will help foster my academic growth.”

“The Barker Award,” named for UAB’s first graduate dean, Dr. Samuel Booth Barker, is given each spring to graduate students who represent the highest level of student achievement in a UAB graduate program. All recipients are expected to receive their degrees within the calendar year.

Congratulations to the following award winners, who were announced at the GBS Symposium on Friday, August 16th:

GBS Service Award
Recognizes a student or faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional service/commitment to GBS and its mission.
• Melissa Bentley
• Jennifer Pollock

GBS Student Mentorship/Teaching Award
Recognizes a GBS student who has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in mentorship and/or teaching.
• Kavitha Abiraman
• Ashley Connelly

GBS Teaching Award
Recognizes a course director or lecturer who has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching.
• Jamil Saad

GBS Travel Award
Provides up to $400 to GBS students for conference travel expenses.
• Laurence Black
• Maxwell Ducharme
• Sarah Dulson
• Justin Gibson
• Rylie Hightower
• Kellie Regal McDonald
• Eliana Toren
• Jennifer Valcin

Symposium First-Year Rotation Poster Presentation
• 1st Place: Dominik Herrmann
• 2nd Place: Nicholas Boyle
• 3rd Place (tie): Katherine Ankenbauer & Jason Floyd

Symposium Poster Presentation
• 1st Place: Rachel Underwood
• 2nd Place: James Kizziah
• 3rd Place: Ashleigh Riegler

Symposium Oral Presentation
• 1st Place: Grace Salzer
• 2nd Place: Melissa Bentley
• 3rd Place: Shelly Nason

GBS Associate Dean David Schneider has selected for the 2019 UAB President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors faculty who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. His commitment to student learning is a driving force behind his leadership for our program. Read more.