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About Dr. Samuel Booth BarkerUABArchives BarkerSB2 for Website

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:

  1. Application
  2. Two recommendation forms, supplied by the Graduate School (in lieu of recommendation letters)
  3. 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.

Submit Application

Past Recipients

  • 2024 - 2020

    2024


    Doctoral Recipient

    Marlon Goering, Developmental Psychology Program

    Master's Recipient

    Faiza Mawani, Public Administration

    2023


    Doctoral Recipient

    Casey Mahoney-Crane, Neuroscience, Graduate Biomedical Sciences

    Master's Recipient

    Banks Stamp, Public Administration

    2022


    Doctoral Recipients

    Lacy Goode, Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience
    Boyi Guo, Biostatistics
    Bharat Mishra, Biology
    Doris Pu, Medical/Clinical Psychology
    Shameka Phillips, Nursing

    Master'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 Services

    2021


    Doctoral Recipients

    Sabrina Heiser, Biology
    Valene Garr Barry, Nutrition Sciences
    Macy Stockdill, Nursing
    Riley Hightower, Graduate Biomedical Science, Neuroscience
    Leland Fleming, Graduate Biomedical Science, Neuroscience

    Master's Recipients

    Audra Gottier Weber, Business Administration
    Aldric Gardiner, Management Information Systems
    Blake Beaton, Criminal Justice
    Angela Richardson, Nutrition Sciences
    Sam Phillips, English

    2020


    Doctoral Recipients

    Rose Creed, Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience
    Catherine Scull, Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
    Wesley LaBarge, Biomedical Engineering
    Katie Cederberg, Rehabilitation Science
    Sumner Harris, Physics

    Master'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 Behavior

    2018

    John Donnelly, Doctoral Level, Epidemiology
    Firooz Jahani, Master's Level, Public Administration

    2017

    Jennifer Bail, Doctoral Level, Nursing
    Ibawolatei Iyegha, Master's Level, Accounting

    2016

    Jay Bhatt, Doctoral Level, Neuroscience
    Marie Sutton, Master's Level, English

    2015

    Julie Schram, Doctoral Level, Biology
    Jessica Deitzer, Master's Level, Criminal Justice

    2014

    Stephanie N. Brosius, Doctoral Level, Neuroscience
    Joanna C. Wilson, Master's Level, Art History

    2013

    Roberta Challener, Doctoral Level, Biology
    Stephanie Cardwell, Master's Level, Criminal Justice

    2012

    Juan Calix, Doctoral Level, Microbiology
    Jacob Nelson, Master's Level, Mechanical Engineering

    2011

    Katie Gibbs, Doctoral Level, Biology
    James Gothard, Master's Level, English

    2010

    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, English

    2008

    Scott W. Keith, Doctoral Level, Biostatistics
    Christopher Null, Master's Level, History

    2007

    T. Scott Isbell, Doctoral Level, Pathology
    John C. Mahan, Master's Level, English

    2006

    Francisco Hernandez, Doctoral Level, Computer and Information Sciences
    Lauren Rast, Master's Level, Physics

    2005

    Paula Chandler-Laney, Doctoral Level, Psychology-Behavioral Neuroscience
    Rosie O'Bierne, Master's Level, Anthropology

    2004

    Chenxi Wang, Doctoral Level, Nutrition Science
    Dina Hagler, Master's Level, English

    2003

    William J. Tyler, Jr., Doctoral Level, Psychology-Behavioral Neuroscience
    Barbara J. Adams, Master's Level, Health Informatics

    2002

    Jeremy R. Patterson, Doctoral Level, Physics
    Catherine M. Stevens, Master's Level, Art History

    2001

    Bryan A. Moore, Doctoral Level, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
    Aysha D. Bey, Master's Level, English

    2000

    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 Engineering

    1998

    Hunter Moseley, Doctoral Level, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
    Traci Parnell, Master's Level, Art History

    1997

    Sara J. Sudmeier, Doctoral Level, Chemistry
    Staci S. Simon, Master's Level, History

    1996

    Philip Chen, Doctoral Level, Pathology
    Daniel P. Swenson, Master's Level, Biology

    1995

    Peter P. Sayeski, Doctoral Level, Physiology and Biophysics
    Julia A. Hagle, Master's Level, Health Information Management

 

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