Dr. Meenakshi Arora, associate professor and chair of the Department of Translational Science and Medicine, was selected as an Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor at The University of Alabama Undergraduate research and Creative Activity Conference. The conference showcases student scholarship and helps students strengthen their research communication skills through presentations to peers, faulty and staff. Arora served as faculty mentor to Melaina Munson, who earned third place in the Health Science/Human Performance/Nursing/Nutrition Division for her presentation, “Oral Paclitaxel Nanoparticles for Long Term Ovarian Cancer Management.
Dr. Joy Bradley, assistant professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Population Health, taught a four-week summer course in Vietnam in 2025 that combined classroom learning with real-world experiences, including engagement with local communities, hands-on field work and visitation of cultural sites.
Dr. John Burkhardt, clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, was appointed vice chair of the Alabama Psychology Professionals Wellness Committee. The committee assists in providing confidential support, evaluation and treatment referrals for licensed psychologists and psychological technicians experiencing personal or professional challenges.
Dr. Tamer Elsayed, clinical associate professor and chair of the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine, received the Degree of Fellow from the American Academy of family physicians. The credential recognizes the recipients commitment to family medicine through community work, research, teaching, professional development and organized medicine.
Dr. Antonio Gardner, associate professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Population Health, was named president-elect of the Society for Public Health Education for the 2026-27 Board of Trustees. In the leadership role, Gardner will support the current SOPHE president in guiding the organization’s initiatives, setting strategic direction and advancing goals that promote health education and health promotion nationwide.
Dr. M.N.V. Ravi Kumar, Distinguished University Research Professor with CCHS, professor in the College’s Department of Translational Science and Medicine, and founding director of The University of Alabama Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine, was selected as UA’s recipient of the 2025 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award. The award honors SEC faculty who have exceptional achievements in research and scholarship and who are dedicated to fostering academic excellence through teaching, innovation and service.
Kumar received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists. Kumar is a world-renowned leader in the field of translational science for medicine design and widely recognized for his pioneering advances in nanotechnology and drug delivery systems that have transformed how medicines are designed, developed and administered to patients.
Kumar was selected for the Fulbright-Nehru Scholar Award, allowing him to conduct research at the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India, that will focus on developing advanced formulations of urolithin A and naringenin. Naringenin is a flavonoid found in citrus fruits and recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but which the body doesn’t absorb well. Kumar’s research seeks to enhance the bioavailability and translational potential of the compounds in human health and nutrition.
Kumar received an honorary doctorate from Krishna University in India, located in the region of the country where he grew up, for his contributions to pharmaceutical science and medicine.
Kumar was elected to the European Academy of Sciences, a prestigious organization of leading scholars and engineers dedicated to advancing science and technology.
Kumar was recognized for his dedicated work to faculty research during The University of Alabama Spring 2025 Campus Assembly.
Kumar received the Alabama Academy of Sciences Wright Gardner Award, established and named for the future looking scientist and educator by the Alabama Academy of Science. The award honors individuals whose work, during their residence in Alabama, has been outstanding.
Dr. Drake Lavender, clinical professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine and director of CCHS Rural Programs, was recognized by the Southeastern Conference for his work to increase the physician workforce and access to health care in rural Alabama. In “SEC Faculty Tackle Today’s Health Challenges,” published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Lavender was featured with faculty from other SEC universities for their work to improve rural health and access to care. The rural programs he directs have placed nearly 90 primary care physicians into rural practice in Alabama as of 2024.
Lavender received the UAB Heersink School of Medicine’s Distinguished Service Award in 2026. The award recognizes distinguished graduates of the Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala., whose careers exemplify leadership, service and excellence in their fields.
Dr. Catherine Lavender, clinical professor with the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine, director of the Division of Family Medicine Obstetrics, and a practicing family medicine obstetrician at University Medical Center, earned the Menopause Society Certified Practitioner credential. The certification recognizes specialized expertise in menopause-related care, including hormone therapy management, symptom evaluation and evidence-based treatment planning.
Dr. Robert McKinney, clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and a licensed clinical social worker, received the Outstanding Commitment to Practicum Education Award from The University of Alabama School of Social Work. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to practicum education through professional support and mentorship. McKinney, who is also director of University Medical Center’s Department of Case Management and Social Services, teaches and supervises social work field students and psychology and clinical behavioral medicine trainees.
McKinney was recognized by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine for completing a three-year term as director of the Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship. As director, he and his leadership team updated the fellowship curriculum and increased the number of annual fellowship slots from 16 to 18. The fellowship is a training program for behavioral health faculty members new to family medicine residency education.
McKinney provided a presentation on ethical post-graduate clinical social work at the annual education conference of the Association of Social Work Boards in Newport, R.I. The association supports social work regulatory agencies in U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions. During the conference, McKinney was asked to join a 10-member workgroup to develop best practices for post-graduate clinical social work supervision in the U.S. and Canada.
Dr. Ashley Steiner, clinical associate professor with the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine and a practicing family medicine obstetrician at University Medical Center, earned the Menopause Society Certified Practitioner credential. The certification recognizes specialized expertise in menopause-related care, including hormone therapy management, symptom evaluation and evidence-based treatment planning.
Dr. Jane Weida, clinical professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine, was re-elected vice-chair of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama Board of Censors. The 12-member board manages the property and financial affairs of the association, which represents physicians throughout the state and works to promote high-quality healthcare for patients.