UAB Pathology funds travel award to Reddy

The UAB Department of Pathology recently funded a travel award to Mahima Reddy who will present her research at a national meeting this year.

Reddy, an M.D./Ph.D. graduate student in the laboratory of Adam Wende, Ph.D., a professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, will present at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026 conference in Chicago, Illinois in November. Her moderated digital poster, titled “Sustained Protein O-GlcNAcylation in Cardiomyocytes Promotes Metabolic Crosstalk with Macrophages During Diabetic Cardiac Remodeling,” will discuss the lab’s latest findings on how elevation of O-GlcNAc, a glucose-derived post-translational modification, on cardiomyocyte proteins reshapes the cellular environment of the diabetic-like heart. This altered landscape is marked by increased interactions with macrophages and a shift towards a more oxygen-dependent aerobic metabolism in a manner consistent with diabetes-related heart failure. Reddy and Wende propose O-GlcNAc-mediated lactate transport as a potential mechanism underlying these changes.

 “I am grateful to have the Department of Pathology’s support in attending the AHA Scientific Sessions meeting,” Reddy said. “I will gain valuable scientific feedback on our lab’s latest work, as well as clinical insights relevant to my future career from leading cardiovascular scientists and physicians from around the world.”

Learn more

Required application materials:

1. A copy of the submitted abstracted, oral or poster presentation, and copy of email confirmation of submission and acceptance.
2. A short paragraph outlining what scientific meeting will be attended and how attending this meeting contributes to training.
3. Brief biosketch/CV of applicant, including years in program, research lab and qualifying exam status (student) or years in lab (postdoc).
4. A letter of support from PI/mentor.

Application submission:

Email all required materials as a single pdf file identified by the applicant’s name (i.e., LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME) using: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information on eligibility, requirements, review criteria, and subsequent deadlines contact Fatima Igdoura at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Shannon Bailey, Ph.D., Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs, at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..