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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.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.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.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.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.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.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.
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.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.
Dragonflies in the dark: An award-winning mentor shares her steps to successWhat’s the secret to mentoring undergraduates in STEM? Biology Associate Professor Sami Raut, Ph.D., who has mentored nearly 40 students and recently earned a national award from the Council on Undergraduate Research, offers six tips.Chatham named director of UAB Center for Teaching and LearningAmy Chatham, Ph.D., who currently serves as assistant dean for undergraduate education in the School of Public Health, will begin her new role Aug. 18.9 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.
UAB to begin search for next provostUpdates on the search process will be posted as they become available.
Report on federal opioid programs highlights challenges with grant design, structural/policy barriers and COVIDKaren Cropsey, Psy.D., director of UAB’s Center for Addiction and Pain Prevention and Intervention, served on an expert panel studying the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
New grad says “nothing more gratifying” than hunting cyberthreatsCuriosity led Jenna Taer to the Computer Forensics Research Lab — and on to a master’s degree in cybersecurity. Then a major industry scholarship let her network with CEOs in a field she loves.
From punches to pitches, Pham looks for maximum impactA childhood illness, a year spent working for the UFC and an on-campus internship are all fueling a grad student’s goal of breaking down health care barriers through biotechnology.
Benoit announces retirement, UAB to begin national searchProvost and SVP for Academic Affairs Pam Benoit, Ph.D., will retire at the end of 2023, concluding a distinguished career in higher education administration that includes almost seven years as a transformational leader at UAB.
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.
Hernandez reflects on 50 years of ‘phenomenal change’ at UAB“Why have I stayed?” Before he is honored March 21 for his five decades of service to UAB, Bob Hernandez, DrPH, Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration, answers this and other questions.Shook named new Collat School of Business deanChristopher L. Shook, Ph.D., who will begin July 1, brings more than 25 years of academic leadership experience to the role; he has served as dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University since 2019.
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.
More than 1,200 employees to be honored with annual service awardsMore than 300 employees with 20 or more years of service will be honored by the university during a reception 2 p.m. March 21 in the Hill Student Center; S. Robert Hernandez DrPH, will be honored for 50 years of service to UAB.
4 appointed to endowed positionsThe University of Alabama System Board of Trustees voted to appoint one chair and three professors to endowed positions during its Feb. 3 meeting. Those honored are Jeffery Walker, Lewis Shi, Farah Lubin and Brant Wagener.
3 honored as emeritus facultyThe UA System Board of Trustees elevated three former faculty to emeritus status during its Feb. 3 meeting. Those honored were Pamela S. Murray, Stephen James O’Connor and George Howard.
Weaver is Distinguished Faculty LecturerDiscoveries led by Casey Weaver, M.D., revealed a new commander of the immune system and a new class of therapies for autoimmune diseases. In 2022, Weaver was elected to the National Academy of Sciences — now he has been selected for the academic medical center’s highest faculty honor.
Colleagues share impact of 2022 Shared Values award winner — and she shares how to get the most from UABJamye Hester, administrative projects specialist in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, is the 2022 winner of the President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values. We asked this longtime Blazer for her advice on what every employee should know.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.
Researcher turns startup founder to pursue promising oral diabetes drugAnath Shalev, M.D., did everything she could to change treatment for Type 1 diabetes from her lab, but getting to first-in-human trials meant taking a step she had always resisted. The most surprising thing about launching a startup, though? “I have enjoyed it.”
Taber Doughty named new School of Education deanTeresa Taber Doughty, Ph.D., who will begin April 3, brings to the role extensive experience in higher education and a demonstrated commitment to preparing outstanding education professionals; she has served as dean of the University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Education since 2016.
Horvath to be next UAB ombudsMichelle Horvath, J.D., will help provide a safe place for the UAB community to navigate policies, issues, concerns and conflicts in a safe, unbiased environment.
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.
This radiologist is helping doctors see through the hype to an AI futureThe AI Literacy Course that fellow Jordan Perchik, M.D., began in 2020 for UAB trainees now reaches 25 programs in 10 countries — at a time when radiology faces global shortages and a proliferation of artificial intelligence tools.
Kirklin’s ‘new chapter’: a health-tech startup powered by his research breakthroughsFive years after he retired from the OR, cardiothoracic surgeon James K. Kirklin, M.D., is starting a new company that will leverage his team’s research on advanced statistics and machine-learning algorithms to track and predict outcomes for high-risk patients.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.
10 appointed to endowed positionsThe University of Alabama System Board of Trustees also voted to accept endowments for four chairs, a professorship and a lecture.
7 honored as emeritus facultyThose honored for long-standing and distinguished service include Dean George Assimos, Peter Bellis, Joseph Van Matre, Harry William Schroeder Jr., Dean Sicking, Alexander Szalai and Sergey Vyazovkin.