L to R: Fernando Ovalle, M.D., Andy Basu, M.D., Rita Basu, M.D., Robert Edwards, M.D., Martin Rodriguez, M.D., and Mark Dransfield, M.D.UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC) senior scientists Ananda Basu, M.D., and Rita Basu, M.D., were each honored during the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine Spring 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception, May 7.

Rita was honored with the inaugural Endowed Professorship in Diabetes Science and Ananda (Andy) was honored with the S. Richardson Hill, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Endocrinology, named after the first director of the UAB Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Andy and Rita Basu are world-class clinician scientists in diabetes who joined UAB in 2023 as a result of the successful Strategic Recruitment Initiative of the Heersink School of Medicine and the UCDC, initiating a new phase of growth in diabetes research. They both are professors in the UAB Department of Medicine Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.

An endowed chair or professorship is one of the most prestigious honors an academic institution can bestow. It recognizes the exceptional achievements of its holder and provides vital support to advance their work through funding for innovative research, protecting time for mentorship and scholarship, or enabling travel to conferences that foster collaboration and connection.

Read more about the recent endowed professorships here.