Saad Honored for Work with Undergraduates
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Published Date: Apr 07
Congratulations to Dr. Jamil Saad for receiving the 2014 Provost's Award for Faculty Excellence in Academic Engagement and Global Citizenship. He is one of only four faculty members campus-wide to receive this honor. The award recognizes UAB faculty members for engaging undergraduate students in research, creative activities, service learning, and study abroad activities. Awards will be presented at the UAB Expo Award ceremony Friday, April 11, 2014.
Congratulations to Dr. Jamil Saad for receiving the 2014 Provost's Award for Faculty Excellence in Academic Engagement and Global Citizenship. He is one of only four faculty members campus-wide to receive this honor. The award recognizes UAB faculty members for engaging undergraduate students in research, creative activities, service learning, and study abroad activities. Awards will be presented at the UAB Expo Award ceremony Friday, April 11, 2014.Speaking Out for Research
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Published Date: Apr 01
On March 5, 2014, Drs. Lou Justement (Microbiology), Beth Brown (Epidemiology and Microbiology) and John Chatham (Pathology) travelled to Washington D.C., in between snow storms, to participate in the 2014 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Capitol Hill Day visit. They were accompanied by Joel M. Widder from the Oldaker Group who served as the group liaison.
The FASEB Capitol Hill Day is an annual event during which members of the FASEB Board and Science Policy Committee go to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators to request increased support for the NIH and NSF. Drs. Justement, Brown and Chatham met with staff from Senators Shelby and Sessions offices as well as Representative Sewell’s office. They also had an opportunity to meet directly with Representative Bachus to discuss the important role that UAB plays in the economic growth of Alabama and how its activities foster improved health for the state. Representative Bachus was very supportive as were all of the legislators that they spoke with.
A summary of the FASEB Capitol Hill Day visit for 2014 prepared by Jennifer Zeitzer of FASEB can be viewed here.
Activities such as these are important to raise awareness of the effects that decreased support for NIH and NSF have on the future of biomedical research in the US. If anyone has an interest in speaking out on behalf of biomedical research, they should contact Drs. Justement, Brown or Chatham for advice. Additionally, most professional societies have active public affairs offices that are willing to arrange visits to Capitol Hill. Remember, you can take the initiative to contact your legislators at any time by email or phone, and be sure to respond to requests to contact your legislator sent out by FASEB or other societies. The more often Congressional legislators hear from the scientific community, the more likely they will be to appreciate the importance of the NIH and NSF.
On March 5, 2014, Drs. Lou Justement (Microbiology), Beth Brown (Epidemiology and Microbiology) and John Chatham (Pathology) travelled to Washington D.C., in between snow storms, to participate in the 2014 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Capitol Hill Day visit. They were accompanied by Joel M. Widder from the Oldaker Group who served as the group liaison. The FASEB Capitol Hill Day is an annual event during which members of the FASEB Board and Science Policy Committee go to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators to request increased support for the NIH and NSF. Drs. Justement, Brown and Chatham met with staff from Senators Shelby and Sessions offices as well as Representative Sewell’s office. They also had an opportunity to meet directly with Representative Bachus to discuss the important role that UAB plays in the economic growth of Alabama and how its activities foster improved health for the state. Representative Bachus was very supportive as were all of the legislators that they spoke with.
A summary of the FASEB Capitol Hill Day visit for 2014 prepared by Jennifer Zeitzer of FASEB can be viewed here.
Activities such as these are important to raise awareness of the effects that decreased support for NIH and NSF have on the future of biomedical research in the US. If anyone has an interest in speaking out on behalf of biomedical research, they should contact Drs. Justement, Brown or Chatham for advice. Additionally, most professional societies have active public affairs offices that are willing to arrange visits to Capitol Hill. Remember, you can take the initiative to contact your legislators at any time by email or phone, and be sure to respond to requests to contact your legislator sent out by FASEB or other societies. The more often Congressional legislators hear from the scientific community, the more likely they will be to appreciate the importance of the NIH and NSF.
Chaplin Has Paper in Pillars of Immunology
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Published Date: Mar 25
Congratulations to Dr. David Chaplin whose paper “Abnormal Development of Peripheral Lymphoid Organs in Mice Deficient in Lymphotoxin” has been selected for inclusion in the Pillars of Immunology, a feature of The Journal of Immunology.
The paper, originally published in Science, April 1994, is regarded as a classic in the field. It has been republished with additional commentary included. Papers selected as Pillars of Immunology features give younger immunologists the opportunity to see what research has come before and how it has led to research today. Pillars articles are published in the first issue each month of The Journal of Immunology.
As part of its centennial celebrations, The American Association of Immunologists has made available the collected Pillars of Immunology commentaries in a downloadable format.
The paper, originally published in Science, April 1994, is regarded as a classic in the field. It has been republished with additional commentary included. Papers selected as Pillars of Immunology features give younger immunologists the opportunity to see what research has come before and how it has led to research today. Pillars articles are published in the first issue each month of The Journal of Immunology.
As part of its centennial celebrations, The American Association of Immunologists has made available the collected Pillars of Immunology commentaries in a downloadable format.
Chaplin Has Paper in Pillars of Immunology
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Published Date: Mar 25
Congratulations to Dr. David Chaplin whose paper “Abnormal Development of Peripheral Lymphoid Organs in Mice Deficient in Lymphotoxin” has been selected for inclusion in the Pillars of Immunology, a feature of The Journal of Immunology.
The paper, originally published in Science, April 1994, is regarded as a classic in the field. It has been republished with additional commentary included. Papers selected as Pillars of Immunology features give younger immunologists the opportunity to see what research has come before and how it has led to research today. Pillars articles are published in the first issue each month of The Journal of Immunology.
As part of its centennial celebrations, The American Association of Immunologists has made available the collected Pillars of Immunology commentaries in a downloadable format.
The paper, originally published in Science, April 1994, is regarded as a classic in the field. It has been republished with additional commentary included. Papers selected as Pillars of Immunology features give younger immunologists the opportunity to see what research has come before and how it has led to research today. Pillars articles are published in the first issue each month of The Journal of Immunology.
As part of its centennial celebrations, The American Association of Immunologists has made available the collected Pillars of Immunology commentaries in a downloadable format.
Bliss Chang Named 2014 Goldwater Scholar
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Published Date: Mar 21
Congratulations to Bliss Chang, an undergraduate student in Dr. Jamil Saad’s lab, who was named a 2014 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship in Excellence in Education Foundation.
Chang, a Biochemistry and Biology major, plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. that will allow him to enter academic medicine and teach at a leading medical research university. His work in the Saad lab involves further elucidating the structural basis for Fas-mediated apoptosis and investigating the role of a point mutation in the Fas protein that may reveal the mechanism of inhibition for the Fas pathway.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields.
Congratulations to Bliss Chang, an undergraduate student in Dr. Jamil Saad’s lab, who was named a 2014 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship in Excellence in Education Foundation.Chang, a Biochemistry and Biology major, plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. that will allow him to enter academic medicine and teach at a leading medical research university. His work in the Saad lab involves further elucidating the structural basis for Fas-mediated apoptosis and investigating the role of a point mutation in the Fas protein that may reveal the mechanism of inhibition for the Fas pathway.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields.
Micro Student Enters SOM Art Show
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Published Date: Mar 14
Shane Kelly, a graduate student in Dr. David Bedwell’s lab, shows the art in his cells with three fluorescent confocal micrographs of cheek cells that he entered in the UAB School of Medicine Art Show. Kelly’s works of art are currently on display in the UAB Edge of Chaos.
Read more at “A self-portrait in cells: Grad student gets cheeky with art show entries.” (UAB The Mix, Thursday, March 13, 2014)
Shane Kelly, a graduate student in Dr. David Bedwell’s lab, shows the art in his cells with three fluorescent confocal micrographs of cheek cells that he entered in the UAB School of Medicine Art Show. Kelly’s works of art are currently on display in the UAB Edge of Chaos.
Read more at “A self-portrait in cells: Grad student gets cheeky with art show entries.” (UAB The Mix, Thursday, March 13, 2014)
Welcome Dr. Amy Weinmann
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Published Date: Mar 12
Dr. Amy Weinmann joined the microbiology department in February 2014.Growing up in Minnesota, Amy Weinmann attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, where she received a B.A. in biology in 1995. An undergraduate summer project at the Mayo Clinic gave her an appetite for research and set her on a path to crisscross the United States. She moved from Minnesota to California where she received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. She moved from California to Wisconsin where she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and then she moved from Wisconsin to Seattle, Washington, and joined the faculty at the University of Washington Department of Immunology. Now, ten years later, she has made her way to Alabama.
Currently, she is working on the mechanisms by which lineage-specifying transcription factors regulate cell fate decisions in development. “A major focus of the research in my lab is on the T-box and BTB-ZF transcription factor families, which are required to promote cellular transitions in numerous developmental systems, ranging from early embryogenesis to immune cell fate. We are also interested in defining the mechanisms by which epigenetic patterns are established in a cell-type and activation-state specific manner. Collectively, our mechanistic studies will provide new insight into many human diseases that are associated with dysregulation of these pathways, including a major emphasis on blood cancers, autoimmunity, and birth defects.”
During this time of economic challenges, Weinmann takes her job as mentor seriously. She says that it is easy to get discouraged when funding is so limited, but a person must not accept the word can’t. “Science is do-able,” she says. “Passion comes from within. Nobody can take your passion away from you.” She enjoys watching students learn how to drive their own science. “Early on, it’s much more hands-on, but eventually it starts to flip and by the end, the student knows way more than I do. It’s a proud moment when they’re on their own.”
In her spare time, Weinmann follows professional sports (especially the Minnesota Vikings), and she herself can spike a mean volleyball, having played volleyball in high school and college. She says, “the mental discipline of sports fits well with science. It’s always a work in progress; you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished, but at the same time strive to do better and learn more.”
Dr. Amy Weinmann joined the microbiology department in February 2014.Growing up in Minnesota, Amy Weinmann attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, where she received a B.A. in biology in 1995. An undergraduate summer project at the Mayo Clinic gave her an appetite for research and set her on a path to crisscross the United States. She moved from Minnesota to California where she received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. She moved from California to Wisconsin where she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and then she moved from Wisconsin to Seattle, Washington, and joined the faculty at the University of Washington Department of Immunology. Now, ten years later, she has made her way to Alabama.Currently, she is working on the mechanisms by which lineage-specifying transcription factors regulate cell fate decisions in development. “A major focus of the research in my lab is on the T-box and BTB-ZF transcription factor families, which are required to promote cellular transitions in numerous developmental systems, ranging from early embryogenesis to immune cell fate. We are also interested in defining the mechanisms by which epigenetic patterns are established in a cell-type and activation-state specific manner. Collectively, our mechanistic studies will provide new insight into many human diseases that are associated with dysregulation of these pathways, including a major emphasis on blood cancers, autoimmunity, and birth defects.”
During this time of economic challenges, Weinmann takes her job as mentor seriously. She says that it is easy to get discouraged when funding is so limited, but a person must not accept the word can’t. “Science is do-able,” she says. “Passion comes from within. Nobody can take your passion away from you.” She enjoys watching students learn how to drive their own science. “Early on, it’s much more hands-on, but eventually it starts to flip and by the end, the student knows way more than I do. It’s a proud moment when they’re on their own.”
In her spare time, Weinmann follows professional sports (especially the Minnesota Vikings), and she herself can spike a mean volleyball, having played volleyball in high school and college. She says, “the mental discipline of sports fits well with science. It’s always a work in progress; you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished, but at the same time strive to do better and learn more.”
Welcome Dr. Mengxi Jiang
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Published Date: Mar 12
Dr. Mengxi Jiang joined the microbiology department in January 2014.Growing up in Shanghai, China, Mengxi Jiang attended Fudan University where she received her undergraduate degree in 2001. Later that year, she moved to the United States and began research in bacteriology at the University of Michigan. When she received her Ph.D., she took a different direction and accepted a postdoctoral position at University of Michigan in the area of virology. “While working toward my Ph.D., I became more interested in the interplay of the host and pathogen. This led me into the field of virology,” says Jiang.
In 2012, Jiang became a research investigator at the University of Michigan, where she worked two years on the host-pathogen interactions of a human DNA tumor virus, BK polyomavirus (BKPyV). Now, as assistant professor in the microbiology department at UAB, she continues to search for a better understanding of the BKPyV life cycle to aid in the design of novel, more efficient anti-viral strategies.
“BKPyV infection is ubiquitous in the human population and occurs during early childhood,” says Jiang. “Primary infection with BKPyV is followed by dissemination to the kidney and urinary tract, in particular to kidney tubule epithelial cells and urinary tract epithelial cells, where the virus establishes a lifelong persistent infection. This infection remains asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, but under conditions of immunosuppression, BKPyV can undergo reactivation resulting in viral shedding in the urine and may eventually lead to severe diseases such as polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) in renal transplant patients and hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant recipients.”
Jiang says that no specific antiviral drugs for BKPyV infection are currently available, although the incidence of BKPyVrelated disease has greatly increased in the last few years. The immune components that are involved in controlling BKV persistence and reactivation are not well defined. As a new assistant professor, Jiang is looking to fill several positions in her lab. She enjoys sharing her excitement for research with students just entering the field. “It is important for students to learn how to do science, to think critically, and to establish their independence,” says Jiang.
Dr. Mengxi Jiang joined the microbiology department in January 2014.Growing up in Shanghai, China, Mengxi Jiang attended Fudan University where she received her undergraduate degree in 2001. Later that year, she moved to the United States and began research in bacteriology at the University of Michigan. When she received her Ph.D., she took a different direction and accepted a postdoctoral position at University of Michigan in the area of virology. “While working toward my Ph.D., I became more interested in the interplay of the host and pathogen. This led me into the field of virology,” says Jiang.In 2012, Jiang became a research investigator at the University of Michigan, where she worked two years on the host-pathogen interactions of a human DNA tumor virus, BK polyomavirus (BKPyV). Now, as assistant professor in the microbiology department at UAB, she continues to search for a better understanding of the BKPyV life cycle to aid in the design of novel, more efficient anti-viral strategies.
“BKPyV infection is ubiquitous in the human population and occurs during early childhood,” says Jiang. “Primary infection with BKPyV is followed by dissemination to the kidney and urinary tract, in particular to kidney tubule epithelial cells and urinary tract epithelial cells, where the virus establishes a lifelong persistent infection. This infection remains asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, but under conditions of immunosuppression, BKPyV can undergo reactivation resulting in viral shedding in the urine and may eventually lead to severe diseases such as polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) in renal transplant patients and hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant recipients.”
Jiang says that no specific antiviral drugs for BKPyV infection are currently available, although the incidence of BKPyVrelated disease has greatly increased in the last few years. The immune components that are involved in controlling BKV persistence and reactivation are not well defined. As a new assistant professor, Jiang is looking to fill several positions in her lab. She enjoys sharing her excitement for research with students just entering the field. “It is important for students to learn how to do science, to think critically, and to establish their independence,” says Jiang.
Kearney named distinguished professor in microbiology
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Published Date: Feb 28
On February 7, 2014, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees appointed John F. Kearney, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the UAB School of Medicine Department of Microbiology. This is one of the University’s highest honors bestowed on faculty by the Board.
Kearney’s work has brought worldwide recognition to UAB. He is an internationally recognized expert in monoclonal antibodies and their source: immune cells known as B cells that produce the antibodies necessary to fight off infections and other immune threats.
Kearney came to UAB as a postdoctoral fellow in 1974 and joined the microbiology faculty in 1977. In addition to his primary faculty appointment in the microbiology department, Kearney holds several other appointments at UAB including senior scientist in the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Center for Disease Preparedness, as well as a professor in the Division of Developmental and Clinical Immunology.
On February 7, 2014, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees appointed John F. Kearney, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the UAB School of Medicine Department of Microbiology. This is one of the University’s highest honors bestowed on faculty by the Board.Kearney’s work has brought worldwide recognition to UAB. He is an internationally recognized expert in monoclonal antibodies and their source: immune cells known as B cells that produce the antibodies necessary to fight off infections and other immune threats.
Kearney came to UAB as a postdoctoral fellow in 1974 and joined the microbiology faculty in 1977. In addition to his primary faculty appointment in the microbiology department, Kearney holds several other appointments at UAB including senior scientist in the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Center for Disease Preparedness, as well as a professor in the Division of Developmental and Clinical Immunology.
PostDocs Score Big at Research Day
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Published Date: Feb 19
Six microbiology department postdoctoral scholars received awards on February 17, 2014, at the annual Postdoctoral Research Day. “I don’t believe that we have had this many winners from one department previously,” says Sharon Johnston, program manager in the UAB Office of Postdoctoral Education.
Postdoctoral Research Day, hosted by the UAB Postdoctoral Association (PDA) and the Office of Postdoctoral Education (OPE), allows trainees an opportunity to practice their presentation skills, compete for monetary awards, and network with faculty and other postdocs. Trainees present their work in a situation similar to a conference, and receive constructive feedback to help them improve their presentation technique.
The 2014 microbiology winners are:
These outstanding trainees were among 53 entrants from UAB and SRI (Southern Research Institute). Each submitted a 300-word abstract and presented a 12-minute talk about their research project. Research Day was divided into six sessions with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for each session. Presentations were judged by UAB faculty and SRI scientists.
Postdoctoral Research Day, hosted by the UAB Postdoctoral Association (PDA) and the Office of Postdoctoral Education (OPE), allows trainees an opportunity to practice their presentation skills, compete for monetary awards, and network with faculty and other postdocs. Trainees present their work in a situation similar to a conference, and receive constructive feedback to help them improve their presentation technique.
The 2014 microbiology winners are:
| Davide Botta (Lund lab), 2nd Place, Session One | |
| Valeria Lulla (Frolov lab), 3rd Place, Session Five | |
| Colin Reily (Novak lab), 1st Place, Session Five | |
| Alexander Speer (Niederweis lab), 2nd Place, Session Two | |
| Jim Sun (Niederweis lab), 1st Place, Session Two | |
| Venkata Yeramilli (Kearney lab), 2nd Place, Session Five |
These outstanding trainees were among 53 entrants from UAB and SRI (Southern Research Institute). Each submitted a 300-word abstract and presented a 12-minute talk about their research project. Research Day was divided into six sessions with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for each session. Presentations were judged by UAB faculty and SRI scientists.
Yother Receives Diversity Award
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Published Date: Feb 17
David Briles, Ph.D.; Janet Yother, Ph.D.; Jocelyn Hauser; Kanupriya Gupta, Ph.D.Janet Yother, Ph.D., has a special knack for encouraging minorities who have chosen to pursue a career in science and mentoring them to become successful scientists. Her work to promote diversity in science education and training was recognized on February 13, 2014, when she received the UAB President’s Diversity Award for Mentoring.
"The mentoring award is a new category of diversity award,” explains UAB Microbiology Department professor David Briles, Ph.D. “It is for faculty who through their mentoring have had a significant impact on the diversity of UAB students and graduates. Janet mentored the first under-represented minority student to receive a Ph.D. while training in the UAB Microbiology Department. This success made it clear that our department could provide a nurturing environment for students of all stripes and has led to the training of many minority graduate students in the labs of microbiology faculty members.”
UAB President’s Diversity Awards are presented annually to recognize the significant achievements of faculty, staff and students who have worked to develop a more culturally diverse, competent and inclusive university community. Awards are given in five categories for projects or activities that best reflect the implementation of unit and/or campus diversity goals.
Potential New Drug Pathway Target for Battling Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
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Published Date: Feb 07
A study by the UAB School of Medicine reveals a potential new drug pathway target for battling Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or Mtb, the pathogen that causes tuberculosis. Read more about this research at “Disrupting iron transport leads to cell death in tuberculosis bacterium.”
5th Southeastern Mycobacteria Meeting
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Published Date: Feb 07
Nearly 100 researchers attended the 5th Southeastern Mycobacteria Meeting, held at UAB January 24-26, 2014. This regional meeting provided a platform to catalyze communication and collaboration between mycobacteria researchers and clinicians in the Southeast. Attendees included primary investigators, postdoctoral scholars, medical professionals, graduate and undergraduate students interested in basic biology, epidemiology or clinical aspects of mycobacteria and mycobacterial diseases. Speakers included: Lalita Ramakrishnan, University of Washington; Hardy Kornfeld, University of Massachusetts; Adrie Steyn, K-RITH; Alastair Leslie, K-RITH; Karen LaCourciere, NIH; Ed Khan, UAB; Gail Cassell, IDRI.
The 5th Southeastern Mycobacteria Meeting was supported by UAB Center for AIDS Research, UAB Microbiology Department, and Infectious Disease, Global Health and Vaccines Strategic Planning Initiative.
To read more about this meeting, go to “Mycobacteria meeting focuses on TB.”
For more about Mycobacterium tuberculosis, go to “UAB Reaches to Africa to Study TB;” “Drug-resistant TB underestimated, Cassell says;” and “Disrupting iron transport leads to cell death in tuberculosis bacterium.”
The 5th Southeastern Mycobacteria Meeting was supported by UAB Center for AIDS Research, UAB Microbiology Department, and Infectious Disease, Global Health and Vaccines Strategic Planning Initiative.
To read more about this meeting, go to “Mycobacteria meeting focuses on TB.”
For more about Mycobacterium tuberculosis, go to “UAB Reaches to Africa to Study TB;” “Drug-resistant TB underestimated, Cassell says;” and “Disrupting iron transport leads to cell death in tuberculosis bacterium.”
Bliss Chang Invited to Present His Work at Posters on the Hill
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Published Date: Feb 05
Undergraduate student Bliss Chang, a Beckman Scholar working in Dr. Jamil Saad’s lab, will participate in the 18th Annual Posters on the Hill event on April 28-29, 2014.
Chang’s poster is one of only 60 chosen from 600 entries. He will be the first from Alabama to present.
Posters on the Hill, sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, D.C., is a part of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. It provides an opportunity for members of Congress to understand the importance of undergraduate research by talking directly with the students and their mentors.
Chang and Saad hope to meet with many Congressional Representatives to tell them how important federal funding is to basic research and the development of future scientists.
Undergraduate student Bliss Chang, a Beckman Scholar working in Dr. Jamil Saad’s lab, will participate in the 18th Annual Posters on the Hill event on April 28-29, 2014. Chang’s poster is one of only 60 chosen from 600 entries. He will be the first from Alabama to present.
Posters on the Hill, sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, D.C., is a part of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. It provides an opportunity for members of Congress to understand the importance of undergraduate research by talking directly with the students and their mentors.
Chang and Saad hope to meet with many Congressional Representatives to tell them how important federal funding is to basic research and the development of future scientists.
Kabarowski Among UAB Researchers to Establish New Imaging Method
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Published Date: Feb 04
Microbiology professor Janusz Kabarowski, Ph.D., and Miranda Collier, an undergraduate student who works in Kabarowski’s lab, are major contributors to the development of a research method that will aid in critical initiatives addressing a variety of diseases including cancer, chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases and age-related degenerative diseases.
Read more about the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry—MALDI-IMS in the Tuesday, January 28, 2014, edition of the UAB Reporter.
Read more about the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry—MALDI-IMS in the Tuesday, January 28, 2014, edition of the UAB Reporter.
Congratulations to Our Recent Graduates
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Published Date: Dec 17
December 14, 2013
Pulin Che
Robert Marsden Cox, Jr.
Christina Michelle Croney
Kristopher Ruben Genschmer
Kanupriya Gupta
David Samuel Jordan, Jr.
Kate Kosmac
Lauren M. Lilly
Michael R. Ludwig
Eva Szymanska Mroczek
Melissa Oliver
Amber Lynne Rowse
Kimberly A. Thomas
Melissa Marie Walker
December 14, 2013
Pulin Che
Robert Marsden Cox, Jr.
Christina Michelle Croney
Kristopher Ruben Genschmer
Kanupriya Gupta
David Samuel Jordan, Jr.
Kate Kosmac
Lauren M. Lilly
Michael R. Ludwig
Eva Szymanska Mroczek
Melissa Oliver
Amber Lynne Rowse
Kimberly A. Thomas
Melissa Marie Walker
Briles Elected to National Academy of Inventors
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Published Date: Dec 13
Congratulations to Dr. David Briles, who was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors during the academy’s annual Conference March 6-7, 2014, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Briles’ work on proteins that are candidate antigens for pneumococcal vaccines has led to several patents on pneumonia vaccines.
The National Academy of Inventors, founded in 2010, recognizes and encourages inventors with patents issued from the US Patent and Trademark Office. The organization is comprised of more than 3,000 members and fellows from more than 200 US and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutions.
Congratulations to Dr. David Briles, who was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors during the academy’s annual Conference March 6-7, 2014, in Alexandria, Virginia. Briles’ work on proteins that are candidate antigens for pneumococcal vaccines has led to several patents on pneumonia vaccines.
The National Academy of Inventors, founded in 2010, recognizes and encourages inventors with patents issued from the US Patent and Trademark Office. The organization is comprised of more than 3,000 members and fellows from more than 200 US and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutions.
SOM Nominates Yother for 2014 Diversity Award
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Published Date: Nov 22
Congratulations to Dr. Janet Yother, the School of Medicine faculty nominee for the 2014 President’s Diversity Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Her nomination will be reviewed by the President’s Diversity Award Selection Committee, along with nominees from across the entire university. Award recipients will be announced at a public ceremony on January 30, 2014, at the UAB Alumni House.
Congratulations to Dr. Janet Yother, the School of Medicine faculty nominee for the 2014 President’s Diversity Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Her nomination will be reviewed by the President’s Diversity Award Selection Committee, along with nominees from across the entire university. Award recipients will be announced at a public ceremony on January 30, 2014, at the UAB Alumni House. 2013 UAB Microbiology Research Retreat
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Published Date: Oct 25
 The 22nd Microbiology Research Retreat was held on October 18-20, 2013, at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama. “This was the first time for the retreat at this recently remodeled venue. Everyone was very impressed with the facilities, the staff and the surrounding countryside. The 4-H Center is convenient to UAB, less than an hour away,” says Dr. Pete Burrows, Microbiology Graduate Program Director.The 85 attendees, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty, shared diverse experiences and knowledge. “On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, there were 20 talks by students and postdoctoral fellows, including a record number of New Investigators, students in their first through third year of graduate school. A poster session with light refreshments was held on Friday evening with 21 presenters,” says Burrows.  Kimberly Benton, Ph.D. was key note speaker for this year’s retreat. A former graduate student in Dr. David Briles lab, Benton currently is the Deputy Director for the Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies at the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Benton gave an informative talk, explaining this career option. “Sunday morning featured three very interesting faculty talks,” says Burrows. “Dmitry Shayakhmetov, University of Washington, who is a potential Microbiology recruit, Mengxi Jiang, University of Michigan, who will be joining the Microbiology Department in January, and Chuck Elson, who is here at UAB in the Department of Medicine.”  Free time activities were geared for the enjoyment of all attendees. “On both Friday and Saturday nights there was a campfire by Lay Lake, which forms one boundary of the 4H property,” says Burrows. Several trainees commented that the s’mores and roasted marshmallows were a fun treat at these social gatherings. The extended Saturday afternoon break allowed time for trainees and their mentors to team up for games of basketball and putt-putt, with only the bravest confronting the climbing wall and giant swing. The retreat was a success because of the hard work of many individuals in the Micro office, in particular Kristina Sinclair and Justin Daigneault who attended the entire event and kept things running smoothly," says Burrows. |
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| The three-day retreat concluded with the presentation of awards. Students receiving awards at the retreat include:
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Bedwell Elected to SOM Faculty Council
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Published Date: Oct 07
Congratulations to Dr. David Bedwell who has been elected to a three-year term on the School of Medicine Faculty Council, effective January 1, 2014. This school-wide committee reviews all promotions and tenure appointments within the School of Medicine at UAB. The Council reviews both clinical appointments and appointments in the basic science departments. In addition to having served on this committee a number of years ago, Bedwell has served as a member and Chair of the microbiology department Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Congratulations to Dr. David Bedwell who has been elected to a three-year term on the School of Medicine Faculty Council, effective January 1, 2014. This school-wide committee reviews all promotions and tenure appointments within the School of Medicine at UAB. The Council reviews both clinical appointments and appointments in the basic science departments. In addition to having served on this committee a number of years ago, Bedwell has served as a member and Chair of the microbiology department Promotion and Tenure Committee.