About Dr. Samuel Booth Barker
Dr. Samuel B. Barker, the inaugural Dean of the UAB Graduate School, was UAB's quintessential Renaissance man. A distinguished scholar and accomplished scientist, he made groundbreaking contributions to thyroid hormone testing that became the foundation for worldwide thyroid testing. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Barker was an inspirational teacher, mentor, and passionate patron of the arts in Birmingham.
Together with his wife Justine, Dr. Barker deeply enriched Birmingham's cultural landscape through their involvement with numerous arts organizations, including the Alys Stephens Center, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Southern DanceWorks, and the Birmingham Chamber Music Society. As the first president of the Birmingham Festival Theater's board, he demonstrated his commitment to nurturing both scientific and artistic excellence in the community.
Dr. Barker's legacy at UAB and in Birmingham reflects his belief in encouraging young talent across all disciplines, making the institution both scientifically and culturally richer until his passing in 2002 at the age of 90.
About the Award
Established in 1995, the Samuel B. Barker Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies recognizes outstanding graduate students who exemplify Dr. Barker's commitment to academic excellence and community enrichment. Each year, applications are accepted on his birthday, March 3, and awards are presented at both the master's and doctoral levels to students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in their academic programs.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Barker Award, candidates must:
- Be currently enrolled (full-time or part-time) as a graduate student at UAB
- Demonstrate excellence in their academic programs
Selection Criteria
Applicants are evaluated on multiple factors that reflect Dr. Barker's multifaceted legacy such as:
- Academic innovation and creativity: Integration of interdisciplinary, multifaceted, creative, and innovative approaches to their body of work (i.e. intersection of arts and sciences)
- Benchmarks of productivity such as research accomplishments (publications and presentations), portfolios, gallery showings, etc.
- Leadership, mentorship, and service to UAB, the broader Birmingham, and/or global community.
Application Process
A complete nomination packet must include:
- Application
- Two recommendation forms, supplied by the Graduate School (in lieu of recommendation letters)
- The applicant's curriculum vitae or resume
Graduate program directors may nominate outstanding students from their departments. Winners are selected by the Dean of the Graduate School, and their names are permanently displayed on plaques in the Graduate School Office in Lister Hill Library.
Deadline and Submission
All application materials should be submitted electronically by March 3 of each year. For specific questions about the application process or eligibility requirements, please contact the Graduate School.
Recognition
Recipients of the Barker Award join a distinguished group of alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their graduate studies. This prestigious recognition honors not only their academic accomplishments but also their potential to make significant contributions to their fields and communities, continuing Dr. Barker's legacy of excellence in both scholarship and service.
Past Recipients
-
2024 - 2020
2024
Doctoral RecipientMarlon Goering, Developmental Psychology Program
Master's Recipient
Faiza Mawani, Public Administration
2023
Doctoral RecipientCasey Mahoney-Crane, Neuroscience, Graduate Biomedical Sciences
Master's Recipient
Banks Stamp, Public Administration
2022
Doctoral RecipientsLacy Goode, Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience
Boyi Guo, Biostatistics
Bharat Mishra, Biology
Doris Pu, Medical/Clinical Psychology
Shameka Phillips, NursingMaster's Recipients
Machelle Campbell, Public Administration
Mary Margaret Gunn, Nutrition Sciences
Jacob Paiste, Physics
Dalton Patterson, Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science
Benjamin Rich, Community Health and Human Services2021
Doctoral RecipientsSabrina Heiser, Biology
Valene Garr Barry, Nutrition Sciences
Macy Stockdill, Nursing
Riley Hightower, Graduate Biomedical Science, Neuroscience
Leland Fleming, Graduate Biomedical Science, NeuroscienceMaster's Recipients
Audra Gottier Weber, Business Administration
Aldric Gardiner, Management Information Systems
Blake Beaton, Criminal Justice
Angela Richardson, Nutrition Sciences
Sam Phillips, English2020
Doctoral RecipientsRose Creed, Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience
Catherine Scull, Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Wesley LaBarge, Biomedical Engineering
Katie Cederberg, Rehabilitation Science
Sumner Harris, PhysicsMaster's Recipients
Jessica Robbins, English
Bethany Langer, Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science
Robert Ezekiel, Art History
Trey Gordon, Public Administration
Kory Dees, Biomedical and Health Sciences -
2019 - 2010
2019
Mark Pepin, Doctoral Level, Medical Scientist Training Program and Biomedical Engineering
Antonio Foles, Master's Level, Health Behavior2018
John Donnelly, Doctoral Level, Epidemiology
Firooz Jahani, Master's Level, Public Administration2017
Jennifer Bail, Doctoral Level, Nursing
Ibawolatei Iyegha, Master's Level, Accounting2016
Jay Bhatt, Doctoral Level, Neuroscience
Marie Sutton, Master's Level, English2015
Julie Schram, Doctoral Level, Biology
Jessica Deitzer, Master's Level, Criminal Justice2014
Stephanie N. Brosius, Doctoral Level, Neuroscience
Joanna C. Wilson, Master's Level, Art History2013
Roberta Challener, Doctoral Level, Biology
Stephanie Cardwell, Master's Level, Criminal Justice2012
Juan Calix, Doctoral Level, Microbiology
Jacob Nelson, Master's Level, Mechanical Engineering2011
Katie Gibbs, Doctoral Level, Biology
James Gothard, Master's Level, English2010
Craig Aumack, Doctoral Level, Biology
Bonnie Kathleen Culpepper, Master's Level, Biomedical Engineering -
2009-2000
2009
Ozioma C. Okonkwo, Doctoral Level, Medical/Clinical Psychology
Sally E. Culpepper, Master's Level, English2008
Scott W. Keith, Doctoral Level, Biostatistics
Christopher Null, Master's Level, History2007
T. Scott Isbell, Doctoral Level, Pathology
John C. Mahan, Master's Level, English2006
Francisco Hernandez, Doctoral Level, Computer and Information Sciences
Lauren Rast, Master's Level, Physics2005
Paula Chandler-Laney, Doctoral Level, Psychology-Behavioral Neuroscience
Rosie O'Bierne, Master's Level, Anthropology2004
Chenxi Wang, Doctoral Level, Nutrition Science
Dina Hagler, Master's Level, English2003
William J. Tyler, Jr., Doctoral Level, Psychology-Behavioral Neuroscience
Barbara J. Adams, Master's Level, Health Informatics2002
Jeremy R. Patterson, Doctoral Level, Physics
Catherine M. Stevens, Master's Level, Art History2001
Bryan A. Moore, Doctoral Level, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Aysha D. Bey, Master's Level, English2000
Shelley E. Haydel, Doctoral Level, Microbiology
Donna L. Cox, Master's Level, History -
1999 - 1995
1999
Scott Jenkins, Doctoral Level, Psychology-Behavioral Neuroscience
Helene Dubois, Master's Level, Electrical and Computer Engineering1998
Hunter Moseley, Doctoral Level, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Traci Parnell, Master's Level, Art History1997
Sara J. Sudmeier, Doctoral Level, Chemistry
Staci S. Simon, Master's Level, History1996
Philip Chen, Doctoral Level, Pathology
Daniel P. Swenson, Master's Level, Biology1995
Peter P. Sayeski, Doctoral Level, Physiology and Biophysics
Julia A. Hagle, Master's Level, Health Information Management