Haifa Alsharif, Ph.D.Haifa Alsharif, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar in the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC), won first place for her poster presentation at the UAB Department of Medicine’s 2025 Trainee Research Symposium (TRS).

Alsharif is a researcher in the lab of Sushant Bhatnagar, Ph.D., a UCDC scientist and associate professor in the UAB Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.

TRS highlights the hard work and talent among trainees in basic science and clinical research. From over 100 researchers, eight were selected as winners for the six awards at the 2025 symposium. 

Alsharif received the Joseph Reeves Award for Excellence in Research by a Post-Doctoral Scholar for her research poster titled, “Brain-Angiogenesis Inhibitor-3 Ablation Enhances Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis and Protects Against Obesity.” 

Each poster was judged by three judges on scientific merit, presentation and communications skills, and evidence that the trainee understood the significance of their work and played a major role in obtaining the data upon which the poster was based.

In addition to a certificate of merit, Alsharif received a Department of Medicine travel award of up to $1,000 to cover travel expenses to attend a single research conference, approved by her mentor, in her field of research.

Alsharif also received the Samuel B. Barker Award for Excellence in Research by a Graduate Student at the 2024 Trainee Research Symposium. 

Alsharif has been a researcher in the Bhatnagar Lab since 2019. She joined the lab as a graduate student and completed her doctorate in biomedical science in the Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatic theme in December 2024. Now, she works as a postdoctoral fellow in the same lab, continuing her research focusing on understanding the role of adhesion G-protein coupled receptor brain angiogenesis inhibitor 3 (BAI3) in regulating whole-body energy and glucose homeostasis.

Bhatnagar said he is proud to support the training of future diabetes researchers such as Alsharif.

“Haifa did an outstanding job representing our lab as well as the UCDC at this year’s training symposium,” Bhatnagar said. “I look forward to continuing to support her learning journey and watching her contributions to the field of diabetes research grow.”

For more information on TRS and a complete list of participants, mentors, and research projects, visit the TRS 2025 webpage.