In September 2026, UAB announced the twelve faculty recipients of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors UAB faculty who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. Of this year’s selections, two faculty members are associate professors who educate our medical students in Heersink School of Medicine.
Please join us in congratulating Braden McFarland, Ph.D., and Jeremy Walker, M.D., on this honor. It reflects the tremendous work they provide while training the next generation of medical researchers and physicians.
Read more about the rest of the 2026 recipients in the announcement article.
Braden McFarland
Joint Health Sciences
Braden McFarland, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology. She also is co-director of the UAB Undergraduate Cancer Biology Program, the only program of its kind in the United States. Since its launch in 2020, the program has expanded to more than 200 students, “with continued increases in demand and enrollment, reflecting both the strength of the curriculum and [McFarland’s] reputation as an outstanding educator,” a nominator wrote.
“She is dedicated to forming the next generation of cancer researchers and medical professionals,” a colleague wrote. “The number of electives that she has developed and continues to develop ensures that individual interests can also be fostered. She has also developed online courses to increase the number and flexibility of offerings available to students; she is now exploring the potential of future expansion into a full online cancer biology degree.”
“Coming into college, I hoped to prepare for a career of treating cancer,” a student wrote. “After four years, I am prepared for a career of helping people. Cancer is an inherently difficult subject, and questions are inevitable. Dr. McFarland consistently took time to engage with student questions in ways that connected those dots rather than simply answering them.”
“Beyond Dr. McFarland’s knowledge of the field, she is also one of the most approachable and kind educators I have had,” the student added. “Before a class even starts, Dr. McFarland is talking to students and asking them genuine questions about themselves, details that she remembers. Once the class begins, Dr. McFarland does not become distant but remains a warm and engaged presence throughout.”
Jeremey Walker
Heersink School of Medicine
Jeremey Walker, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases. “His teaching efforts span the breadth of undergraduate to graduate, to postgraduate medical education,” and he has received numerous school and department teaching awards from students and colleagues, a nominator wrote.
“Dr. Walker also has a regional and national presence as an educator,” the nominator added. He organizes the Southeastern Transplant ID conference quarterly meeting, and he has been honored by the Infectious Diseases Society of America for his role in creating and organizing the ID Fellows Cup, an online tournament that engages more than 800 participants annually from close to 100 institutions.
“Dr. Walker has established a strong teaching presence in the School of Medicine, teaching as module director for microbiology, lead mentor for the Learning Community, Internal Medicine Clerkship Director, and service on multiple committees, including admissions, intern selection and student academic standing,” a colleague wrote. “Within each of these areas, Dr. Walker is able not only to teach difficult concepts but also to guide students in their professional development throughout their journey to becoming a doctor.”
Colleagues emphasized “the effort he puts into being present and showing up for students.” This includes “biking across town to quickly transition from an awards ceremony with one class of students to precepting another class of students at the EAB student-run free clinic, engaging in meaningful conversations with a willingness to share his own vulnerabilities, and finding all the small ways to make sure his students know he cares about them.”