The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the 2026 Pittman Scholars. This prestigious honor recognizes assistant professors for their exceptional research achievements and their potential to make future contributions to their fields. To be considered, the honoree must have held the rank of assistant professor for fewer than five years. Named after former School of Medicine Dean James A. Pittman Jr., M.D., this award highlights the school's commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in medical research.
The 2026 Pittman Scholars are:
Demario Overstreet, Ph.D., Department of Surgery, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Lily Gutnik, M.D., Department of Surgery, Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery
William Marsiglia, Ph.D., Department of Genetics
Abigail Hernandez, Ph.D., Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care
Zhangli Su, Ph.D., Department of Genetics
Nominated by their department chair, each scholar will receive $12,500 annually for three years to support their research and scholarly pursuits. The goal of this funding is to enhance research capabilities and foster innovation and discovery within the medical and scientific communities.
The Pittman Scholars program exemplifies Heersink’s commitment to advancing medical research and innovation by recruiting and retaining top-tier scientists and physician-scientists.
Congratulations to the 2026 Pittman Scholars for their outstanding achievements and contributions to medicine.