From the CCHS Department of Translational Science and Medicine:
Kabirat Baboloa, the department’s doctoral student in Interdisciplinary Studies, a University of Alabama Graduate School program, successfully defended her dissertation, making her the first PhD student from the department to graduate. Her dissertation, “Leveraging Nanoparticle Cyclosporine A as a Potent Therapy for Diverse Lupus Manifestations,” was based on research she conducted in the Laboratory for Drug Research and Engineering for Advanced Medicine, which is operated by CCHS faculty.
Seven undergraduate researchers in the department participated in the UA Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference, which showcases student scholarship and helps students strengthen their research communication skills through presentations to peers, faculty and staff. Bailey Berry, Reese Fitzhugh, Reagan Baggett, David Anderson, Melaina Munson and Kylie Buchanan presented their research in the Health Science/Human Performance/Nursing/Nutrition session, and Alejandro Gonzalez presented in the Life Sciences session. Munson earned third place in her division for her presentation, “Oral Paclitaxel Nanoparticles for Long Term Ovarian Cancer Management.” In addition, Dr. Meenakshi Arora, associate professor of biomedical sciences in the department and who served as Munson’s faculty mentor, was selected as an Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor at the conference.
Six CCHS faculty members were promoted in academic rank by The University of Alabama:
- Dr. Shawn Cecil to clinical associate professor in the CCHS Department of Pediatrics
- Dr. Drake Lavender to clinical professor in the CCHS Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine
- Dr. Cheree Melton to clinical associate professor CCHS Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine
- Dr. Grier Stewart to clinical professor CCHS Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine
- Dr. Ray Stewart to clinical associate professor CCHS Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine
- Dr. Lea Yerby to research professor in the CCHS Department of Community Medicine and Population Health
Dr. Jackie Luker, clinical assistant professor in the CCHS Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine, and Dr. Liz Lanier, a second-year resident with The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which is operated by the College, participated in the 16th Annual Hospice of West Alabama 5k. The event raises funds and brings awareness for hospice services. Luker is also a hospice physician for Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa.