19 faculty honored with 2025 Dean’s Excellence Awards

Written by: UAB Heersink News

Group photo of the Dean's Excellence Awards for Faculty and Will Ferniany Academic Leadership Award winners The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Dean's Excellence Awards for Faculty. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in teaching, research, service, access and engagement, and mentorship.

The Dean's Excellence Awards for Faculty celebrate faculty members who embody the highest standards of excellence and innovation. Their dedication to advancing knowledge, fostering student success, and contributing to the university's mission is commendable. The recipients were selected based on their exemplary performance, impactful research, and commitment to service, making them role models for their colleagues and students alike.

A reception was held on Tuesday, April 29, to celebrate this year’s Dean’s Excellence Awards for Faculty winners and the two recipients of the 2025 Will Ferniany Academic Leadership Award. See more photos from this event.

Congratulations to the 19 honorees. Thank you for your contributions to Heersink and the UAB community.

Access & Engagement

Gabriela Oates, Ph.D. | Department of Medicine | Senior Faculty
Johan Latorre, M.D. | Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Junior Faculty

Mentorship

Research

Service

Teaching

About the winners

Gabriela Oates, Ph.D.
Gabriella Oates, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, is the senior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Access and Engagement. This award recognizes Oates’ commitment to expanding access to health services for everyone and her engagement of our local communities in research focused on their unique health concerns. Her work significantly influences the health of residents living in Birmingham and beyond.

Oates leads groundbreaking research initiatives focused on improving lung health and proactively engages participation of local communities to enhance her research. As lead principal investigator of multiple projects, as well as lead investigator for the UAB Superfund Research Center Community Engagement Core, Oates collaborates with local partners to implement large-scale interventions aimed at improving environmental factors that affect quality of life and increase cancer risk in North Birmingham neighborhoods.

As director for Population Health Sciences at the UAB Lung Health Center, Oates has expanded community outreach, delivering health services and educational programming to thousands of community members and students. She also established the UAB Social Determinants of Health Institutional Research Core, which has provided services to nearly 100 researchers across multiple schools, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and grant success.

Oates has published 60 peer-reviewed articles addressing chronic diseases and interventions. Additionally, she has held national leadership roles in programs that expanded access to health care for all populations.

“Dr. Oates’ unwavering commitment and long history of engaging our local communities in addressing environmental risk factors of lung disease make her an outstanding selection for this prestigious award,” said Mark Dransfield, M.D., interim chair of the Department of Medicine and division director of the UAB Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.

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Johan Latorre, M.D.
Johan Latorre, M.D., M.S., assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), is the junior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award for Faculty in Access & Engagement.

Latorre is highly engaged and proactive in the service of patients who have physical, cultural, and language barriers. As a lead physician for adaptive sports at UAB, he provides sports and musculoskeletal medical care for patients at Spain Rehabilitation Center, UAB Hospital Highlands, Medical West, and the Lakeshore Foundation. Since joining UAB, he has significantly advanced the care of adapted athletes and athletes with disabilities.

His involvement as a team physician is evident on both a local and national level. He served as team physician to the 2024 paralympic silver medalists - Team USA Wheelchair Rugby and continues to support Bessemer City High School and UAB men’s and women’s tennis teams.

Furthermore, he has successfully connected with the traditionally underserved Hispanic population in the Birmingham metropolitan area through community involvement. His passion for education focuses on Spanish speaking patients to ensure they are knowledgeable on adaptive sports access and care through UAB. He also mentors Hispanic students at UAB and provides shadowing experiences.

Latorre is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a certificate of added qualification in Sports Medicine. He serves on the public policy and advocacy committee for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and on the American Board of PM&R as an item writer for the Longitudinal Assessment program. He also chairs the adaptive sports community in the American Academy of PM&R.

Latorre received his medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine. He earned a Master of Science degree in physiology and biophysics from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biological anthropology and anatomy, and psychology from Duke University

“Johan’s work reminds us of what’s possible when compassion meets purpose. His advocacy, mentorship, and care are opening doors for so many—both on and off the field. He is a true force for good,” said Robert Brunner, M.D., vice chair of development in the Department of PM&R.

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Farah Lubin, Ph.D.
Farah Lubin, Ph.D., FAES, Distinguished Professor, Triton Endowed Professor of Neurobiology, and vice chair of Trainee Engagement and Development, has been honored as the senior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award for Faculty in Mentoring.

Lubin joined the Department of Neurobiology in 2009 after completing two postdoctoral fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to her professorship, she directs the NIH/NINDS R25-funded Neuroscience Roadmap Scholar Program, mentoring students through career development and personal challenges. She also leads the annual UAB NEURAL conference, which brings graduate students from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico to learn from prominent neuroscientists.

Lubin’s commitment to mentoring extends beyond her department. She co-directs the NIGMS-funded Mentored Experiences in Research, Instruction, and Teaching Program for postdoctoral fellows and serves on the Medical Scientist Training Program advisory board and UAB Mentoring Academy organizing committee. Lubin was also a founding member of the Research Civitan Club, an initiative that supports individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

On the national stage, Lubin mentors through the NIH MOSAIC Program and provides cultural awareness training through the National Research Mentoring Network. She also engages with children through organizations that spark an early interest in science.

“Dr. Lubin deserves special recognition because she doesn’t only mentor her own trainees, she mentors everyone around her including faculty colleagues, postdoctoral fellows, post baccalaureate, graduate and undergraduate students, departmental staff, and alumni,” said Linda Overstreet-Wadiche, Ph.D., professor and vice chair for Faculty Affairs and Development in the Department of Neurobiology, who nominated Lubin for this honor. “The genuinely positive energy that she pours into building up everyone around her creates a stronger scientific community both within and beyond UAB.”

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Michael Mugavero, M.D.
Michael Mugavero, M.D., MHSc, professor in the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases, is the senior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Mentoring. Mugavero’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists has been the cornerstone of his career at UAB, advancing research and initiatives across the school.

Throughout his career, Mugavero has mentored 19 pre- and postdoctoral fellows, the majority of whom have stayed in research or related fields. He has also mentored seven early- to mid-career faculty, who have collectively secured 15 grant awards as principal investigators. Additionally, as principal investigator of an AHRQ T32 training grant, Mugavero supports nine trainees annually.

As director of the Center for Outcomes Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE) at UAB, co-director of the Center for AIDS Research, inaugural associate director for Dissemination and Implementation Science at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, and leader of the Investigator Development Core at the Forge AHEAD Center, Mugavero has led several innovative programs to meet the needs of UAB trainees and faculty.

These programs include the Annual Methods Symposium, GEARS monthly seminar series, and DRIVEN, in partnership with CCTS. Mugavero and his team also established the GRIT program, which provides up to 20 scholars with opportunities to learn about every element of grant submission and receive one-on-one coaching. Through this program, 27 scientists have successfully competed for federal funding to advance the frontiers of discovery.

“Dr. Mugavero is an outstanding mentor who has extended his influence far beyond individual mentoring. His programs bring together mentees and strengthen our research mission,” said Martin Rodriguez, M.D., division director of Infectious Diseases. “This kind of mentorship sets Dr. Mugavero apart, creating a productive, collaborative, and ultimately successful group of junior scholars.”

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Adam Wende, Ph.D.
Adam Wende, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Pathology’s Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, has been awarded the senior faculty 2025 Dean’s Excellence Award in Mentorship.

Wende earned his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2006 before completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in 2009. He stayed at the University of Utah as a postdoctoral research associate and later as a research instructor until 2013.

Wende joined the UAB Department of Pathology as an assistant professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology in 2013. As a researcher, he explores the regulation of metabolism and mitochondrial function with a specific focus on glucose utilization in the heart and muscle. Throughout his prolific career in research, excellence in mentorship has been a recurring theme.

Wende’s dedication to mentorship is evident through his extensive involvement with trainees at various stages, including undergraduate students, graduate students, MSTP trainees, and postdoctoral fellows. His mentorship philosophy is deeply rooted in fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. Wende’s mentees have consistently received travel awards, fellowships, and named awards such as the Society for Heart and Vascular Metabolism William C. Stanley Early Investigator Award and the UAB Samuel B. Barker Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies. In 2023, Wende received the 2023 Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship.

“Adam has a proven commitment to mentoring and education in the biomedical research setting,” said Rakesh Patel, Ph.D., division director, Molecular and Cellular Pathology. “I am thrilled he is receiving recognition for his exceptional contributions to mentorship.”

Wende has served on mentoring committees for seven postdoctoral fellows, five MSTP trainees, 25 graduate trainees, and six undergraduates. His commitment to mentorship extends well beyond his own research lab, as he actively participates in the UAB Mentoring Academy and the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). In addition to his mentorship experience, Wende is an esteemed educator, having contributed to 16 different courses for the UAB Graduate Biomedical Sciences program, including serving as course director for a course on new perspectives in cardiovascular biology and molecular exercise.

“I consider him to be a role model for our trainees,” Rakesh said. “Adam’s outstanding commitment to mentoring, his ability to inspire and guide his trainees, and his contributions to the academic community make him a highly deserving individual for this accomplishment.”

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Robert Hollis, M.D.
Robert Hollis, M.D., MSPH, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, is the junior faculty winner of the 2025 Dean’s Excellence Award in Mentorship.

Hollis has demonstrated dedication to advancing the medical and academic careers of surgical residents, medical students, undergraduates, and high school students.

Hollis has served as the co-director of the UAB Short-term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students (STREAMS) program since 2021. The program's success resulted in its being refunded in 2023 with additional research spots for UAB medical students.

He has mentored high school, undergraduate, and medical students through the UAB Medical Student Summer Research Program and two programs offered by the Department of Surgery: the Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) and the Pre-College Research Internship for Scholarship and Mentoring (PRISM). He has also provided mentoring across the country through the American College of Surgeons, the Association for Academic Surgery, and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Hollis is a graduate of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the UAB General Surgery Residency Program. During his surgical residency, Hollis obtained a Master of Science in Public Health at the UAB School of Public Health. He then completed a colorectal surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic.

As a surgeon-scientist, Hollis’s research interests include health inequities and improving the outcomes of patients with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes. He is the leader of the Colorectal Cancer Management Team for the O’Neal Cancer Service Line and an associate scientist in the Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center (MHERC).

“Dr. Hollis is an exceptional mentor whose guidance and leadership have allowed for the academic advancement of many students and trainees,” Herbert Chen, M.D., the Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair of Surgery, said. “It’s evident their endeavors are important to him, and he makes every effort to assist them in obtaining their goals. We’re proud of Dr. Hollis for this well-deserved recognition.”

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Daniel Chu, M.D.
UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Director Daniel Chu, M.D., MSPH, FASCRS, is the senior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award for Faculty in Research. Chu holds many roles across the field of surgery, including chair of the Enhanced Recovery Committee for the Alabama Hospital Association, secretary for the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons, member of the International Relations Committee for the American College of Surgeons, and member-at-large of the Nomination Committee for the Society of University Surgeons. He is also an invited Study Section Reviewer for the NIH Interdisciplinary Clinical Care in Specialty Care Settings (ICSC) Study Section.

A prolific researcher, Chu has been awarded over $21.8 million in funding to further efforts to identify and understand opportunities to improve surgical recovery and patient care across the Southeast and beyond. Currently, he is the primary investigator on two grants totaling over $7 million, as well as an additional project totaling almost $4 million – all in efforts to increase health literacy. Specifically, the Chu Lab is working to develop existing programs, such as enhanced recovery programs (ERPs), to meet the unique needs of low health literacy populations. His work is laying the foundation for multi-institutional trials to optimize healing for all patients and eliminate any potential gaps in knowledge in the surgical recovery process.

In sharing his findings, Chu has published 115 peer-reviewed manuscripts, two books, and 12 book chapters. He has also been invited to 15 grand rounds engagements, 11 visiting professorships, 17 international and 140 national research presentations, and 24 invited national non-research talks. Through his numerous presentations and discussions, he has been selected as winner for the best abstract and presentation by the International Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society at their 2022 annual meeting in Madrid and was most recently noted as the first-place presentation at the Medical Association of the State of Alabama’s 2023 Research Symposium, along with many additional honors.

“Dr. Chu embodies the qualities of a committed surgeon-scientist and innovator – and his contributions to the field are deserving of this recognition,” said Herbert Chen, M.D., FACS, chair of the Department of Surgery. “His work is continuing to further the way we approach surgery and ensure the best care possible for patients.”

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Maria Grant, M.D.
Maria Grant, M.D., FARVO, professor and Eivor and Alston Callahan, M.D., Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, is an internationally recognized physician-scientist known for her pioneering research into stem cell-based therapies for retinal vascular diseases. Her work focuses on harnessing the regenerative potential of human embryonic stem cells and understanding targeted gene expression for tissue repair. Her efforts hold significant promise for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

Grant joined the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in 2017 from Indiana University, where she served as the Marilyn Glick Professor of Ophthalmology. Her research has garnered national acclaim, most recently with the prestigious Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research, awarded at the 2025 Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology annual meeting. She delivered a featured lecture, “Inside out solutions: using gut-targeted approaches to treat retinal disease,” highlighting her team’s findings on the gut microbiome’s influence on ocular health.

“Dr. Grant’s groundbreaking research is emblematic of the innovation and excellence we strive for at UAB, particularly in exploring the link between the gut microbiome and vision in individuals with diabetes,” said Brian Samuels, M.D., Ph.D., EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Chair. “Her contributions continue to elevate our department’s impact on the national stage and inspire the next generation of physician-scientists.”

Grant earned her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Florida, followed by research fellowships at the University of Florida and Johns Hopkins University.

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Ryan Coute, D.O.
Ryan A. Coute, D.O., assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, has been named a junior faculty recipient of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Research.

Dr. Coute earned his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed residency at UAB Emergency Medicine. He finished his research training as a Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Fellow under the mentorship of Robert W. Neumar, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of Michigan before returning to UAB to join the department as faculty in July of 2021. His primary research focus is resuscitation science, specifically cardiac arrest outcomes, disease burden estimation, and healthcare policy.

He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts in high-impact journals, with 20 as first or senior author. His scholarly work has been presented at numerous local, national, and international scientific meetings and recognized with 11 national awards, including two AHA Young Investigator Awards, an AHA Best Abstract Award in Resuscitation Science, the 2020 Resident Academic Achievement Award from the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD), and the 2021 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) RAMS Excellence in Research Award. At UAB, he has also received the Department of Emergency Medicine’s Outstanding Researcher Award, the Outstanding Mentorship of Research Scholarship Award, and the 2025 Heersink School of Medicine Pittman Scholar Award.

“Dr. Coute is a remarkably talented and productive junior physician-researcher who has clearly demonstrated outstanding success in clinical investigation. Despite being in the early stages of his career, Dr. Coute has already established himself as a rising star in cardiovascular resuscitation research at the national level.,” said Lauren Walter, M.D., professor, vice chair of Population Health and Research, and director of Research and Clinical Trials for the Department of Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Coute currently serves as an active member of the American Heart Association (AHA) Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science Subcommittee and the AHA Advanced Life Support Guideline Writing Group, where he contributes to the development of the 2025 national treatment recommendations for cardiac arrest. His ongoing investigations are supported by multiple prestigious funding sources, including the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, the Emergency Medicine Foundation, the Zoll Foundation, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

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HaoSheng Sun, Ph.D.
HaoSheng Sun, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, has been named the junior faculty recipient of the 2025 Dean’s Excellence Award in Research.

Sun is a rising leader in the fields of neuroscience and genetics. His research investigates how transcriptional and chromatin-based mechanisms regulate neural development and plasticity, and how these processes go awry in neurological disorders. Using both C. elegans and rodent models, his lab integrates genomics, genetics, behavioral science, and microscopy to uncover the genetic timing mechanisms that drive nervous system maturation and how environmental factors influence these processes.

His work has been published in top-tier journals, including Science, Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Medicine, Neuron, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In a 2023 Neuron study, Sun and his team created a comprehensive map of neuropeptide signaling in the C. elegans nervous system, laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs in neural development research.

Sun’s innovative science has earned him several of the most competitive honors in biomedical research. In 2024, he received the NIH Director’s Avenir Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, supporting his work on evolutionarily conserved mechanisms underlying long-term brain changes caused by repeated drug exposure. He was named a Freeman Hrabowski Scholar by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in 2023, the first and only recipient of this honor at UAB. Most recently, he earned a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to explore how neuron-neuron communication drives post-mitotic neuronal maturation.

“Dr. Sun’s research is not only cutting-edge but transformative, with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of brain development and disease,” said Bradley Yoder, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, who nominated Sun. “He is an exceptional investigator whose work exemplifies the spirit of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Research.”

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Shea Duerring, M.D.
Shea Duerring, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics’ Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, is the senior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Service.

Duerring has dedicated his career to improving the care of pediatric patients across the state of Alabama and beyond. He provides exceptional service and leadership to pre-hospital providers in the state of Alabama and works to train and educate all levels of providers on emergency medical services (EMS).

Through his role as medical director for multiple local EMS services, Duerring provides hands-on education to EMS providers, reviews and provides feedback on pediatric run records, and oversees the quality of care provided by the EMS.

Statewide, he serves in multiple leadership roles supporting EMS for children, including serving as the first pediatric assistant state EMS medical director, providing oversight of the EMS pediatric protocols.

Nationally, Duerring serves as a member of the Pediatrics Committee and the Education Committee of the National Association of EMS Physicians. He was also a reviewer for the pediatric protocols for the National Association of State EMS Officials National EMS Model Care Guidelines.

At UAB, Duerring is the co-director of the EMS course for the School of Medicine and the EMS rotation for the pediatric emergency medicine fellowship. He is the author of the EMS rotation curriculum and co-wrote a new pediatric disaster preparedness curriculum for the fellowship with a pediatric resident.

To reach more providers across the state of Alabama, Duerring recently obtained funding for a pediatric simulation-based education course that he takes across the state, providing pediatric education for EMS providers from each region.

“Dr. Duerring is truly deserving of this award,” said Kathy Monroe, M.D., division director for the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. “He is known as an expert in the field of pediatric emergency medicine and in pre-hospital care. He works tirelessly throughout the entire state to improve the care of pediatric patients, and his work with EMS has truly improved pre-hospital care for all children.”

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Clinton Martin, M.D.
Clinton Martin, M.D., regional chair of the Huntsville Regional Campus Department of Psychiatry, has been selected as the senior faculty winner for the Dean’s Excellence Award in Service on a regional campus.

Martin was named regional chair of the Department of Psychiatry in 2019, where he quickly made a significant impact. Under his leadership, the department introduced a new psychiatry residency in North Alabama, which will welcome six residents per year starting in July. He also worked to establish a Child Psychiatry Crisis Center Service, which helped ease the burden on the Huntsville Hospital emergency room during the pandemic.

“Martin has proven to be a true servant-leader for his department, benefiting his faculty, staff, and the students and residents that rotate through his clinic,” said Roger D. Smalligan, M.D., MPH, FACP, regional dean of the Huntsville Regional Campus. “He strives to support his faculty and shares leadership opportunities with them to ensure their growth and progress towards promotion.”

Additionally, Martin served as president of the Alabama chapter of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). He was then named a Distinguished Fellow and asked to represent the state at the APA national meeting. He was also appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to sit on the Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board and serves on various committees for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

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Rodney Tucker, M.D.
Rodney Tucker, M.D., MMM, professor in the UAB Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care (GGPC), is the senior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Service. For over 20 years, Tucker’s service to UAB has benefited our patients, faculty, providers, and trainees.

As director of the UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, Tucker has been instrumental in establishing and expanding programs that have made UAB a national and international leader in palliative care. His leadership and vision have shaped the UAB Palliative Care Unit, palliative consult services, pediatric palliative service, Supportive Care Clinic, and Palliative Care Fellowship programs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tucker served as interim director of the Division of GGPC, where he worked to ensure the division remained stable and continued to progress during a time of tremendous demand for palliative care services.

Throughout his career, Tucker has held various leadership roles, including a secondary appointment in the Heersink School of Medicine’s Department of Medical Education, UAB Medicine chief experience officer, associate director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, and founding director of the Heersink LGBTQ+ Faculty Association. These initiatives have aided in the development of the next generation of clinicians and leaders, promoted exceptional patient care, advanced health access for all, and fostered mentorship, networking, and advocacy for faculty.

His leadership and engagement with the Birmingham community have led to department-leading philanthropic donations that have supported goals far beyond typical divisional capabilities, advancing the management of patients with severe symptoms, educating providers and staff in end-of-life communication, and spreading palliative care models nationwide.

“Dr. Tucker’s long legacy of dedication to UAB makes him particularly deserving of this honor. It is hard to think of someone who has left a greater mark on UAB and the Heersink School of Medicine,” said Kenneth Boockvar, M.D., MS, division director of the UAB Division of GGPC.

Tucker’s consistent dedication to improving the health and lives of the most seriously ill and providing an extra layer of comfort to all members of the UAB community makes him most deserving of this recognition.

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Kyle Eudailey, M.D.

Kyle Eudailey, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Surgery’s Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, has been named the junior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Awards for Faculty in Service.

Dedicated to each area of UAB’s triparted mission of research, patient care, and education, Eudailey serves in a host of roles, including: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery medical director, program director of the UAB Aortic and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship, co-medical director of the UAB Comprehensive Heart Attack Center (CHAC), and physician representative to numerous UAB clinical committees, among many others.

He is currently involved in eight ongoing trials, each centered around the mission of improving patient care. Eudailey has published 47 research articles and shared his research findings in over 31 invited lectures across the United States and internationally.

As a surgeon-scientist, Eudailey has been recognized as a UAB Office for Patient Experience and Engagement Top Performing Provider and has provided expedited, exceptional care for his patients, scheduling 325% more cases than the average.

In addition to his prolific research and full clinical practice, Eudailey has also directly mentored 12 trainees across numerous academic institutions.

“Dr. Eudailey joined the UAB faculty in 2019 and hit the ground running with regard to his contributions to service as a healthcare provider, researcher, and educator,” said James Davies, M.D., director of the UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. “His contributions demonstrate a high level of excellence from which patients, peers, and students have all benefited."

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Lara Ianov, Ph.D.
Lara Ianov, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology and co-director of the UAB Biological Data Sciences Core (U-BDS), has been honored as the junior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award for Faculty in Service. This recognition is particularly significant given the highly competitive nature of the service category, which is distinguished by the large number of accomplished clinicians in the field.

Since joining UAB in 2017, Ianov has been a key figure in the bioinformatics community, developing cutting-edge pipelines for next-generation sequencing data. In 2022, she became co-director of the U-BDS, overseeing support for over 150 UAB PIs. Ianov leads highly sought-after workshops, office hours, and one-on-one training, impacting more than 165 trainees across the university.

Her contributions extend to vital NIH support roles, including involvement in numerous research projects. Additionally, Ianov leads the 10X Xenium spatial analysis working group, playing a critical role in bringing spatial transcriptomics to UAB.

“Dr. Ianov’s commitment to bioinformatics service has had a profound impact on UAB’s research community, not only advancing cutting-edge techniques but also providing essential training and support that have empowered countless trainees and researchers,” said Jeremy Day, Ph.D., professor and vice chair for Strategic Planning and Recruitment in the Department of Neurobiology, who nominated Ianov for this honor. “Her work has directly contributed to UAB’s growing reputation as a leader in computational biology.”

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Britney Corey, M.D.
Britney Corey, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Surgery Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, is the senior faculty winner of the 2025 Dean’s Excellence Award in Teaching.

As director of the General Surgery Residency Program since 2020, Corey oversees the training of over 50 surgical residents. She has implemented significant initiatives to improve resident education, including enhancing the recruitment process, expanding residents' involvement in the program, developing community rotations to meet the needs for key general surgery cases, partnering with program directors in Urology, Otolaryngology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and more. During her tenure, she has also expanded the Military General Surgery Residency pathway and program.

She is respected both at UAB and nationally. She has served on the Program Committees for the Association for Academic Surgery and the Association of Program Directors in Surgery. She is currently the APDS representative to the Fellowship Council. In addition, Corey serves on the Education and Program Committees of the Association for Academic Surgery. She also provides curriculum review for the American College of Surgeons and the Association of Surgical Education.

As a surgeon-scientist, her research interests center on improving surgical education and holistic review in graduate medical education.

Corey received her medical degree from the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. She then completed her surgical residency and the Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at UAB.

“Dr. Corey is an inspirational role model and committed advocate for medical students and residents,” Herbert Chen, M.D., the Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair of Surgery, said. “Through her dedication to surgical education, she has established herself as a national leader, and we are proud of her for this recognition.”

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Eric Judd, M.D.
Eric Judd, M.D., associate professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology, is the senior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Teaching. Judd’s passion for education and innovative contributions have profoundly impacted learners across all stages of medical education at UAB.

As clinical co-director for the Renal Module, Judd annually provides more than 30 hours of exceptional teaching for medical students through lectures, simulations, and interactive workshops. His leadership has led students to vote for him to receive the Argus Awards for Best Organ Module three times and Best Educator four times. Judd’s creative resources, including the renal “Jeopardy!” game and AMBOSS study hall, enhance student engagement and mastery.

As director for the Nephrology Clinical Fellowship, Judd has implemented a weekly board review series and quality improvement initiatives, significantly improving fellows’ board pass rates. The "Useful Renal Information Needed Everyday (URINE)" handbook, updated under his guidance, remains an essential learning tool. His exceptional mentorship was recognized with the 2023 Top Teacher in the Division of Nephrology Award.

Judd’s national contributions include his role as a question writer for the Kidney Self-Assessment Program (KSAP) and authoring chapters in essential nephrology textbooks such as Hypertension Secrets and Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. His expertise in hypertension is further reflected in his contributions to the Nephrology Self-Assessment Program and presentations at the National Kidney Foundation.

“Dr. Judd’s unique teaching methods showcase his creativity and commitment to inspiring curiosity among learners,” said Professor Ashita Tolwani, M.D., M.Sc. “His numerous accolades and exceptional leadership make him most deserving of this prestigious award.”

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Steven Fox, M.D.
Steven Fox, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, is the junior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Teaching.

Fox joined UAB in 2022 after his fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. From his first clinical rotation, Fox quickly gained a reputation as a stellar clinician-educator.

Fox revamped the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) resident curriculum and monthly Morbidity and Mortality conference, incorporating faculty and fellows as teachers. These changes made the curriculum more interactive and adaptable to the needs of various learners. Fox also strengthened the MICU Resident Orientation, helping internal medicine residents understand expectations and educational goals for their MICU rotations.

Fox guides the Internal Medicine Morning Report sessions, simulation sessions, and resident MICU rotations, leading to him receiving a Top Ten Teacher Award, the Teaching Excellence Award, the Gustavo Heudebert Award for Continuous Improvement of the Residency Program, and selection as one of the nine IM Core Faculty Mentors in the entire Department of Medicine—all within his first two years at UAB.

“We cannot adequately convey the impact that Dr. Fox has made on our educational programs in the brief time he has been here. We have never seen a junior faculty member with such a natural gift and true passion for medical education,” said Tracy Luckhardt, M.D., director of the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.

“Dr. Fox is compassionate, selfless, and humble, which is likely why trainees respond so positively to him and his teaching methods,” said Mark Dransfield, M.D., interim chair of the Department of Medicine and director of the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine. “We cannot imagine an awardee more deserving of this recognition.”

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Braden McFarland, Ph.D.
Braden McFarland, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, has been named the junior faculty recipient of the 2025 Dean’s Excellence Award in Teaching.

McFarland is the founding director of the nation’s first undergraduate cancer biology program, which launched in 2020. In just four years, the program has grown to 142 students, including more than 50 new enrollees in fall 2024. She played a central role in designing and implementing the curriculum, creating over nine new undergraduate courses and five master’s level versions. An additional three courses are set to launch in fall 2025 and spring 2026.

McFarland serves as course director or co-director for most of these offerings, where her instructional approach combines core scientific principles with the latest developments in cancer research. Her classes are known for being academically rigorous yet highly accessible, and she is widely praised by students for her engaging teaching style, responsiveness, and empathy.

Her excellence in teaching has earned her multiple honors, including the 2023–24 Early Medical School Acceptance Program Teaching Award and the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award from the Council of Faculty Advisors at UAB.

Beyond the classroom, McFarland mentors students in research and career development and has been an invited speaker on effective teaching strategies and interdisciplinary education. She also contributes to several curriculum committees across UAB and maintains an active research program in brain tumor biology.

“Dr. McFarland’s passion for teaching, dedication to her students, and commitment to academic innovation have made a lasting impact on our department and the university as a whole,” said Bradley Yoder, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, who nominated McFarland. “She is truly an inspiring educator and role model."

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