-
Change your commute route Dec. 8 for commencementTo minimize disruption during UAB’s upcoming commencement activities Dec. 8, UAB Transportation recommends using alternative routes due to construction-related traffic changes around campus.4 cutting-edge machines powering UAB discoveriesWith research awards breaking all-time records, we toured labs where high-tech tools are driving science forward.Get crafty with a cute Blaze cross stitchLooking for a fun holiday project that could be the perfect gift for the UAB fan in your life (including yourself!)? This adorable, simple project is a creative and calming way to fill downtime this season.This professor’s new startup aims to erase immune memories to stop Crohn’s diseaseCharles Elson, M.D., has developed an “antivaccine” that could remove the faulty memory cells that drive this autoimmune disorder. He launched ImmPrev Bio, Inc., in order to reach a first-in-human clinical trial.Diabetes diagnoses might get much more specific in the future, UAB expert saysUAB endocrinologist Fernando Ovalle, M.D., explains why new subtypes of diabetes could lead to more precise treatments, fewer doctor visits and potentially reduced health care expenditures.Dead battery? Flat tire? UAB can fix that — for free
UAB Transportation’s Motorist Assistance Roadside Service program, known as MARS, provides great service to help you resolve for car trouble such as a dead battery, a flat tire or locked-in car keys fast and for free when you are on campus.
Thinking of bringing a food truck to campus? Follow these guidelines.UAB Campus Safety's food truck inspection program is designed to ensure safe operation on university property.Mukhtar channels passion for community service into ‘transferring knowledge to the next generation’Shahid Mukhtar, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biology, received the 2023 Odessa Woolfolk Community Service Award for his commitment to education, diversity and STEM outreach.Faculty member’s Blazer Bridge Fund project aims to support classroom teachersLori Edmonds, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Education, has an idea to combat teacher burnout as it becomes a major issue in classrooms nationwide.EACC offers employees new, free resource for eldercare needsThe UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center’s partnership with Senior Care Authority means employees can get personalized help finding local care for an aging parent or loved one and finding appropriate and available services.
Minnix’s leadership for Blazer Core Curriculum bridges the gap between UAB students and the globeThe dedication to collaborative efforts shown by Chris Minnix, Ph.D., director of the Blazer Core Curriculum, has earned him the 2023 Sam Brown Bridge Builder Award.UAB faculty receive national recognition for policy leadershipThe Alabama Scholars Strategy Network, co-led by associate professors Peggy Biga, Ph.D., and Peter Jones, Ph.D., received the inaugural Outstanding Chapter Award from the national Scholars Strategy Network.Stop by AWARE Program’s Pop-Up Poppy Stop Nov. 7 to honor veteransThe AWARE Disability Management Program is celebrating Veterans Day 2023 with Pop-Up Poppy Stops across campus Nov. 7 and a toiletry drive benefiting the Birmingham VA Medical Center Phoenix Clinic, November 6-17.Nanorobots, genetic testing, better lasers — a kidney stone pioneer looks to the futureDean Assimos, M.D., professor and emeritus chair of the Department of Urology, just received a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the study of kidney stones. Here is what he sees coming next.Witches, skeletons, mythical beasts and more: Discover spooky illustrations and stories virtually or in-person with UAB LibrariesVisit permanent virtual exhibits “Monsters, Marvels and Mythical Beasts” and “Witchcraft, Women and the Healing Arts in the Early Modern Period," take a virtual-reality tour of Reynolds-Finley Historical Library, and see photos from rare books, manuscripts, journals and pamphlets that can be seen in-person in RFHL.
Diabetes technology: the future is today, UAB expert saysContinuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps can help patients “live a quality life without burning out on managing diabetes,” said Ananda Basu, M.D., director of the Diabetes Technology Program at UAB.7 spooky stories from medieval literature to get you in the Halloween spiritThink the walking dead are just a pop culture phenomenon? Read through tales from medieval Europe to see some centuries-old takes on the ghostly undead.
Hedberg to join UAB as associate vice president for Research and executive director of Sponsored ProgramsAfter an extensive national search, UAB has named Virginia M. Hedberg as the associate vice president for Research and executive director of Sponsored Programs, effective Jan. 15, 2024.A media literacy expert shares 3 tips to dodge disinformationIn observance of Media Literacy Week Oct. 23-27, Brooke Becker, media literacy librarian in UAB Libraries, shares expert tips on how to be a shrewd media consumer in the 21st century.Construction to begin on new Pappas Historical Collections Gallery inside Lister Hill LibraryUAB Libraries will begin construction in late October on the new Pappas Historical Collections Gallery, a 3,000-square-foot space on the second floor of Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences that will house rotating thematic medical exhibits.Samant honored for ‘brave leadership’ in support of UAB, shared governanceRitika Samant, a first-year student in the Heersink School of Medicine who served as president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association at UAB in 2022-2023, received the 2023 President’s Award for Excellence in Support of UAB and Shared Governance.Open enrollment for benefits is underwayUAB’s annual open enrollment for benefits will be held Oct. 20-Nov. 6. Eligible employees can choose among dental, vision and health insurance plans plus voluntary plan options and tax-deferred spending accounts for health and dependent care for 2024.Smoke ’em if you got ’em: An oral history of barbecue, bones and the baddest trophy in college footballSocial media loves The Bones, aka “the ribs trophy,” the 100-pound behemoth celebrating the football rivalry between UAB and the University of Memphis and the barbecue feud between their host cities. The rivalry resumes 11 a.m. Saturday at Protective Stadium.12 honored for excellence in teachingTwelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2023 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College, and the Graduate School.
Want to publish Open Access? These 4 resources from UAB Libraries can helpResearchers can secure funding to cover article processing charges in open access publications and publish at no cost in Wiley and Cambridge journals, furthering UAB Libraries’ mission to advance research and scholarship equitability through prioritizing open access publishing.Unlap’s passion for teaching is contagious. His colleagues and students explain why.The creative methods that Professor Tino Unlap, Ph.D., uses to keep students learning have earned him selection for the 2023 Ellen Gregg Ingalls/UAB National Alumni Society Award for Lifetime Achievement in Teaching.Voluntary benefits to be offered during open enrollmentUAB employees also will have the option to select insurance to cover accidents and identity theft and/or participate in a pet-care discount program during the annual open enrollment for benefits Oct. 20-Nov. 6.UAB is one of the first U.S. medical schools to give ultrasound units to all students. Here’s why.Using a handheld ultrasound device, a trained clinician can rapidly and accurately diagnose anything from kidney stones to heart function, saving time and money for patients in rural and urban underserved areas.9 ways to reduce your health care costs in 2024Nationwide, the cost of everything is rising, and UAB is working to balance the impact of these costs on its employees and the organization. Here are some things you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
DEAL program shows staff how to navigate their careers at UABEmployees in the first cohort of the Developing Emerging Administrative Leaders program share what they learned, and the program’s creators explain their goals as DEAL recruits for its second cohort. Ready to apply? Deadline is Nov. 1.Early life trauma and traumatic grief trap millions. This expert helps people learn to live differently.Rebecca Rampe, Psy.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, explains her approach to treating developmental trauma and traumatic grief in adults.Prevent Discrimination and Harassment TrainingOur goal to enhance the climate of civility and respect at UAB is critical to an engaged and thriving workplace. University faculty (Workgroup F) and staff (Workgroup A) have access to training to refresh our commitment.
Premium rates for health, dental and vision available for 2024There have been no significant plan design changes to copays and deductibles for UAB’s medical plans since 2015. For UAB to remain competitive in the market, stay in line with national benchmarks and keep costs down as much as possible for all employees, there will be medical plan design changes for 2024.Vision coverage from VSP available during open enrollmentUAB offers vision benefits, and eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline that coverage during the open enrollment for benefits Oct. 20-Nov. 6.
Dental coverage from BCBS is available during open enrollmentUAB will offer dental insurance during the annual open enrollment for benefits, and eligible employees must choose or decline that coverage between 7 a.m. Oct. 20 and 5 p.m. Nov. 6.
This month, celebrate what employees with disabilities bring to UABIn honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the 50th anniversary of the first federal legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities, UAB’s HR AWARE Disability Management Program is hosting several events starting 5:30 p.m. Oct. 4 on the Campus Green.
3 traditional health plan options available for 2024Health plans from Viva Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield are available during the annual open enrollment Oct. 20-Nov. 6.UAB to share draft of new strategic plan soonThe new draft strategic plan will be shared Oct. 25 to solicit feedback from the campus community before it is finalized and presented to the UA System Board of Trustees.
Why a consumer-driven health plan can make good financial senseA benefit option that enables employees to pay lower monthly health care premiums in exchange for higher out-of-pocket expenses for covered services continues to grow in favor among eligible employees.3 chosen as UAB VIPs for third-quarter 2023Emily Bruer, Amanda Dove and Dina Jones are the third-quarter 2023 honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future’s shared values. Nominations for fourth-quarter 2023 honorees are open through Nov. 8.
-
12 honored for excellence in teaching
Twelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2023 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College, and the Graduate School.
9 faculty elevated to Distinguished, University professorshipsThe UA System Board of Trustees awarded the rank of Distinguished Professor to Ravi Bhatia, Heith Copes, Craig Elmets, Denise A. Gainey, Jeffrey D. Kerby, Farah D. Lubin, Jean-François Pittet and Martin E. Young and the rank of University Professor to Peter S. Hendricks during its meetings in April and June 2023.3 chosen as UAB VIPs for second-quarter 2023Kayla Evans, Damian Schwartz and Brigitte Vola are the second-quarter 2023 honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future’s shared values. Nominations for third-quarter 2023 honorees are open through Aug. 23.4 honored with Provost's Awards for Faculty ExcellenceJie Gao, Camerron Crowder, Ken Marion and James B. McClintock demonstrated extraordinary commitment to engaging undergraduate students in service learning, undergraduate research and education-abroad experiences.
9 years running: UAB again honored as Tree Campus USAFor the eighth year, UAB is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation for its work to nurture more than 4,400 healthy trees and engage students and employees in conservation. UAB also was honored for the fourth time with a Tree Campus Healthcare designation, which recognizes health institutions that make a mission-aligned impact on community wellness through tree education, investment and community engagement.
3 chosen as UAB VIPs for first-quarter 2023Toby W. Tripp, Andrew B. Crouse and Carin Mayo are the first-quarter 2023 honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future’s shared values. Nominations for second-quarter 2023 honorees are open through May 24.
UAB authors can publish open access in Wiley, Cambridge journals at no costTwo agreements between UAB Libraries and Wiley and Cambridge University Press will enable university-affiliated authors to publish open access at no cost in more than 2,000 journals.
UAB recognizes 2023 diversity championsFive individuals and one student organization were honored with the 2022 President’s Diversity Champion Award during a ceremony at the Alumni House March 2.
3 chosen as UAB VIPs for fourth-quarter 2022Tatyana Gavrikova, Sherry Polhill and Aparna Tamhane are the fourth-quarter 2022 honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future's shared values. Nominations for first-quarter 2023 honorees are open through Feb. 28.
15-minute online training shares tips on how to best support students with disabilitiesEmployees can learn about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation acts, explore best practices for engaging with students with disabilities, and access key resources during a new online training from UAB Disability Support Services.
2022 in review: A banner Blazer yearPrograms across the university, from athletics to academics to patient care and more, were recognized on the national and international level in 2022, highlighting UAB’s continued commitment to excellence and achievement as outlined in Forging the Future, UAB’s strategic plan.
2022 in review: UAB’s gold-medal performanceDay after day during the World Games, contributions from Blazers made it possible to make athletes’ dreams come true and entertain fans while giving them a peek at the wealth of talent and creativity nurtured on UAB’s campus.
4 honored with Provost’s Awards for Faculty ExcellenceAna Oliveira, Sami Raut, Lisa McCormick and Meena Nabavi demonstrated extraordinary commitment to engaging undergraduate students in service learning, undergraduate research and education-abroad experiences.
What you need to know about the new NIH data management and sharing policyBeginning Jan. 25, 2023, the National Institutes of Health will implement a new data management and sharing policy, which will increase the rigor, reproducibility and transparency of research and create open access to data.
12 honored for excellence in teachingTwelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2022 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College and the Graduate School.
4 ways to honor service members this Veterans DayAttend the annual wreath-laying, donate to a blanket and clothing drive, read stories from UAB veterans and leave a message of thanks.
Volunteers needed to build UAB’s Habitat House — build extended through Nov. 19Help complete the 2022 Habitat House, built for Eddie Mae Hopkins in Ensley, just in time for Thanksgiving celebrations. Sign up for a volunteer slot on BlazerPulse.
5 chosen as UAB VIPs for third-quarter 2022Amber Anderson, Kristen Campbell, Jamye Hester, Kevin Speed and Donna Williamson are the third-quarter honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future's shared values.
13 campus resources to help students beat the mid-semester slumpDuring the first few months of a semester, students can accumulate more questions about life as a Blazer than they had when they started. Discover resources for students spanning financial aid assistance, mental health, career prep and more.
3 walking trails show off UAB’s outdoor public art collectionUAB’s campus is home to more than 35 statues or sculptures, and each trail takes about 30 minutes or fewer to walk. The trails can be viewed on a specialized Google Map, created by the UAB Reporter to provide additional details about the art and artists.
-
12 honored for excellence in teaching
Twelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2023 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College, and the Graduate School.
Did you know? Improperly parking scooters can make campus inaccessible for some BlazersMicromobility vehicles like rentable electric scooters and bikes make getting across campus quickly a breeze. But parking them improperly can prevent Blazers from accessing sidewalks, ramps, accessible doorways and more, according to Disability Support Services.
5 things to know before you order UAB swag for fallIf your school or unit wants new branded promotional items and apparel for fall semester, these guidelines can help you avoid delays.
9 faculty elevated to Distinguished, University professorshipsThe UA System Board of Trustees awarded the rank of Distinguished Professor to Ravi Bhatia, Heith Copes, Craig Elmets, Denise A. Gainey, Jeffrey D. Kerby, Farah D. Lubin, Jean-François Pittet and Martin E. Young and the rank of University Professor to Peter S. Hendricks during its meetings in April and June 2023.3 chosen as UAB VIPs for second-quarter 2023Kayla Evans, Damian Schwartz and Brigitte Vola are the second-quarter 2023 honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future’s shared values. Nominations for third-quarter 2023 honorees are open through Aug. 23.Annual performance evaluation cycle open now: Here’s what you need to knowEligible employees in workgroup A will complete self-evaluations in the Performance App. Managers must have conversations with employees and complete evaluations by Sept. 30. Check your workgroup here and visit the Performance Management site for tools, FAQs and training.
4 honored with Provost's Awards for Faculty ExcellenceJie Gao, Camerron Crowder, Ken Marion and James B. McClintock demonstrated extraordinary commitment to engaging undergraduate students in service learning, undergraduate research and education-abroad experiences.
9 years running: UAB again honored as Tree Campus USAFor the eighth year, UAB is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation for its work to nurture more than 4,400 healthy trees and engage students and employees in conservation. UAB also was honored for the fourth time with a Tree Campus Healthcare designation, which recognizes health institutions that make a mission-aligned impact on community wellness through tree education, investment and community engagement.
3 chosen as UAB VIPs for first-quarter 2023Toby W. Tripp, Andrew B. Crouse and Carin Mayo are the first-quarter 2023 honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future’s shared values. Nominations for second-quarter 2023 honorees are open through May 24.
UAB recognizes 2023 diversity championsFive individuals and one student organization were honored with the 2022 President’s Diversity Champion Award during a ceremony at the Alumni House March 2.
3 chosen as UAB VIPs for fourth-quarter 2022Tatyana Gavrikova, Sherry Polhill and Aparna Tamhane are the fourth-quarter 2022 honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program, which honors those whose work exemplifies and embodies Forging the Future's shared values. Nominations for first-quarter 2023 honorees are open through Feb. 28.
15-minute online training shares tips on how to best support students with disabilitiesEmployees can learn about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation acts, explore best practices for engaging with students with disabilities, and access key resources during a new online training from UAB Disability Support Services.
2022 in review: A banner Blazer yearPrograms across the university, from athletics to academics to patient care and more, were recognized on the national and international level in 2022, highlighting UAB’s continued commitment to excellence and achievement as outlined in Forging the Future, UAB’s strategic plan.
2022 in review: UAB’s gold-medal performanceDay after day during the World Games, contributions from Blazers made it possible to make athletes’ dreams come true and entertain fans while giving them a peek at the wealth of talent and creativity nurtured on UAB’s campus.
4 honored with Provost’s Awards for Faculty ExcellenceAna Oliveira, Sami Raut, Lisa McCormick and Meena Nabavi demonstrated extraordinary commitment to engaging undergraduate students in service learning, undergraduate research and education-abroad experiences.
5 ways to protect your personal propertyFollow these tips to reduce the risk of stolen personal items, and alert UAB Police or UAB’s Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management team if someone in a public area is behaving suspiciously.
An artistic focus in astronomy courses creates community and creativity for science studentsStudents in Michelle Wooten’s AST 101, 102 and 103 courses discovered unique connections to course material by creating artwork as part of class assignments.
12 honored for excellence in teachingTwelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2022 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College and the Graduate School.
4 ways to honor service members this Veterans DayAttend the annual wreath-laying, donate to a blanket and clothing drive, read stories from UAB veterans and leave a message of thanks.
Volunteers needed to build UAB’s Habitat House — build extended through Nov. 19Help complete the 2022 Habitat House, built for Eddie Mae Hopkins in Ensley, just in time for Thanksgiving celebrations. Sign up for a volunteer slot on BlazerPulse.
-
How many more COVID variants will we see?
Two UAB researchers — a SARS-CoV-2 expert and a vaccine researcher — discuss the prospects for future mutations.
How an epidemiologist uses social media to build trust and communicateBertha Hidalgo, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology, explains how she is using WhatsApp and Facebook in two current studies and shares advice on using social media for research.How does COVID-19 affect patients with cancer? Largest U.S. study shares first results.Assistant Professor Noha Sharafeldin, MBBCh, Ph.D., presented cancer-related findings from the massive N3C database of records from COVID-positive patients at 55 institutions nationwide, including UAB. Results — including a significant increase in risk of death among patients who recently had chemotherapy — were published simultaneously in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
When COVID-19 came calling, UAB researchers were preparedResponding to a challenge like none other, investigators made crucial discoveries, developed new treatments and went above and beyond to serve the campus community and beyond.
Studies highlight 'unprecedented and unique dangers' for children during COVID-19Research led by Professor Christina Rodriguez, Ph.D., documents increase in abuse risk and psychological aggression following the economic devastation, isolation and school closures brought on by the pandemic.Interdisciplinary data science workshop moves from San Diego to spare bedrooms, but science continuesLearn how UAB bioinformaticist Jake Chen, Ph.D., and computer scientist Da Yan, Ph.D., shifted their venerable gathering online and aided the fight against COVID-19.
Study testing drug to protect lung cells from ARDS in COVID-19With funding from UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research grants, researchers are testing penehyclidine to halt the acute respiratory distress syndrome seen in seriously ill patients by defending crucial cell barriers.
Your ZIP code is a risk factor for COVID-19: Study will identify where testing, therapies are needed mostUsing extensive testing, diagnosis and clinical data from across the Deep South, this project will be the first to analyze multiple dimensions of inequality to clarify contributions to COVID-19 disparities.
Better tests, cheaper vaccines: Antibody expert turns to COVID-19Moon Nahm, M.D., has identified the crucial antibodies for pneumococcal vaccines and helped lower prices from $100 per dose to $2. With pilot funding from UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research initiative, Nahm is adapting his proven techniques to SARS-CoV-2.
Studying an alternative steroid treatment to calm cytokine storms in COVID-19In a new trial funded through UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research program, investigators are comparing the widely available steroid methylprednisolone with dexamethasone, which lowered risk of dying by one-third in a U.K. trial this summer.
Data wizards join fight against COVID-19 in UAB hackathonThis summer’s COVID-19 Data Science Hackathon spurred many creative applications and several ongoing projects, including an automated genomic epidemiology pipeline and a machine-learning based viral transmission simulator.
Hijacked mitochondria could induce COVID-19, study saysIn a new paper, Keshav Singh, Ph.D., outlines the case for the “powerhouse of the cell” as a hideout and unwitting ally for SARS-CoV-2.
Machine-learning tools find targets old drugs can exploit against COVID-19Researchers from UAB’s Precision Medicine Institute have used AI to identify hundreds of potential treatments, which are now being tested through the COVID-19 research fund that the institute helped launch.
Glow-in-the-dark coronavirus testing is first project of new hireNew microbiology faculty member Nicholas Lennemann is transforming the fluorescent virus assay he developed into a new tool against coronavirus in work supported through UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research fund.
Researchers model COVID-19 infection in 3D human lung tissueBioreactors built to offer new insights on lung cancer are being adapted to study coronavirus infection and test new treatments in this project supported through UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research fund.
Tackling his third pandemic, UAB researcher gets up close with coronaviruses in order to kill themVirologist Kevin Harrod, Ph.D., is the institution’s resident expert on SARS viruses. His lab is handling biological validation for innovative drug-repurposing studies supported by the School of Medicine’s Urgent COVID-19 research fund.
Researchers are creating a coronavirus showdown to settle pressing antibody problemsMicrobiologists Troy Randall and Frances Lund are building key proteins from several coronaviruses to study antibody cross-reactivity and other crucial questions in this project supported through UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research fund.
A philosopher explains how to balance rationality, scientific uncertainty in coronavirus claimsUncertainty can fuel scientific endeavors, leading to more and better discoveries and understanding. But what happens when the public misinterprets that uncertainty? Associate Professor Kevin McCain, Ph.D., says education, rational thinking and trust in experts can help protect citizens from being misled.
Where are the good antibodies against COVID-19? UAB project aims to find outIn this project supported through UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research fund, Professor Randall Davis aims to identify antibodies that block SARS-CoV-2 from entering human cells — information that could guide convalescent plasma therapy and more.
Helpful viruses may unlock the secrets of coronavirus antibodiesIn this project supported through UAB’s urgent COVID-19 research fund, Assistant Professor Benjamin Larimer, Ph.D., adapts his lab’s work on phage display — normally used to identify new cancer treatments — to overcome limitations of antibody and vaccine testing.