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The Dixon Foundation supports the Dixon Pediatric Fellowship training program for fellows who intend to pursue an academic career with a research emphasis (ranging from basic and translational science to education or QI-centric research) in approved pediatric subspecialties.

The Chu Family has generously donated funds to Children's of Alabama and the Department of Pediatrics to support educational initiatives. A portion of this donation has been set aside for the pediatric fellows to fund scholarships for fellows who apply. Candidates were selected on a competitive basis. These awards will provide funds for tuition, books and fees related to their educational endeavors.

Tania Arora, M.D., a professor in the UAB Division of Surgical Oncology and Vice Chair of Access and Engagement in the UAB Department of Surgery, has been appointed as co-chair for two prestigious surgical society committees.

We are pleased to announce that Mark Reynolds Jones has joined the Department of Pediatrics leadership team as director of Pediatrics Business Services.

The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Dean's Excellence Awards for Faculty, recognizing exceptional faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, service, access and engagement, and mentorship.

Camilla Margaroli Bell, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, and Taru Dutt, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Laboratory Medicine, recently received funding from Insmed for their project, titled, “Microbial determinants and host signatures enable early risk stratification in non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD)”. The $246,000 grant will run for 18 months.

The UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery honored survivors of traumatic injury and their families, as well as first responders and healthcare professionals, at the third annual Heroes and Healers event on Friday, May 1, 2026.

The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to honor our 2025-2026 Department of Pediatrics Faculty Achievement Awards. They have attained a level of excellence recognized by their peers due to their exceptional contributions for the development of the department and in turn, the achievers of tomorrow - our children.Please join us in congratulating the winners in each category.

J. Crawford Downs, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has been awarded a four-year, $2.35 million R01 grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) to further his study of glaucoma progression—research that spans over two decades and continues to shape how experts understand the disease.

Fifty-six UAB Department of Surgery staff members collectively logged more than 3.3 million steps during a four-week wellness challenge in March, organized by the department's Access & Engagement Committee.

UAB researchers observed an increase in severe diabetes subtypes in U.S. adults after the COVID-19 pandemic. Their studies led them to develop a new tool to help clinicians identify diabetes subtypes in their patients.

Simran Singh Cheema, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Radiology as an instructor in the cardiopulmonary imaging section in March 2026.

Ortal Resnick, M.D., a third-year fellow in the UAB Department of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, has been selected as a 2026 RAPID Scholar. 

J. Bart Rose, M.D., MAS, associate professor in the UAB Division of Surgical Oncology and chief in the Section of Hepatopancreatobiliary Disease, brought his expertise directly to patients and caregivers across the country during a live virtual Q&A hosted by the Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN).

UAB Vice Chair of Global Surgery Lily A. Gutnik, M.D., MPH, has been appointed as an associate scientist of the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health (MHIGH). 

Alizeh Abbas, M.B.B.S., a research resident in the UAB General Surgery Residency Program, has been selected for membership in the Delta Omega Honor Society.

For the first time in its history, the UAB Department of Pathology is leading three of the most prestigious pathology organizations- all at one time. Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair in Pathology, is serving as president of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), Gregory Davis, M.D., MSPH, Division Director, Forensic Pathology, and Jefferson County Coroner, is serving as president of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and Samuel Borak, M.D., Assistant Professor, Community Practice Pathology Program, is serving as president of the Alabama Association of Pathologists (AAP).

Jianhua Zhang, Ph.D., a professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, recently received a Heersink School of Medicine Bridge Funding Award. This program aims to improve the success of research faculty experiencing gaps in funding by providing continuing research support.

Mary Catherine “Cathy” Duncan, RN, who was recognized at the UAB Medicine Service Awards Luncheon for 45 years of service, will retire on May 15, 2026.

A team from the UAB Systems Pharmacology AI Research Center (SPARC) received a Certificate of Innovation in Biomedical AI at the national Bridge2AI Spring 2026 All-Hands Meeting

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is pleased to announce the winners and runners-up from the 2026 Research Symposium.

When it comes to women’s health, preventive imaging plays a powerful role. In the UAB Department of Radiology, we see how early detection through routine screenings can make a meaningful difference in outcomes. During Women’s Health Month, we’re highlighting three important imaging screenings every woman should prioritize to stay informed, proactive, and empowered about her health.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) services are expanding to Mobile Infirmary through a new telemedicine agreement that increases access to high-risk obstetric care in the Mobile region.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recently welcomed Adam Niolet, M.D., as an assistant professor.

Department of Family and Community Medicine Assistant Professor Taylor Taylor, Ph.D., M.Ed., has been accepted into the latest cohort of the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) Leadership Academy. Through additional training, mentoring, and skills development, Leadership Academy scholars hope to drive advances in research, policy, and education surrounding the field of pain science. 

Daniel I. Chu, M.D., MSPH, FASCRS, director of the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS, Endowed Chair, has been recognized by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCF) as this year’s Healthcare Honored Hero for the 2026 Alabama/Northwest Florida Take Steps Walk.

April marks the month when organizations around the nation acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of administrative professionals. Often working behind the scenes, these individuals are crucial parts of their teams and take on a variety of responsibilities to ensure the effectiveness of their units. Coinciding with this important day of recognition, a pivotal member of the Department of Medical Education reached a major milestone in their career. Denise Coston, administrative associate for Nick Van Wagoner, M.D., and Todd Peterson, M.D., celebrated her 35th year with UAB.

Each summer, the UAB Department of Microbiology partners with the Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) to introduce high school students to the dynamic world of microbiology through an immersive, hands-on learning experience. Designed for students in grades 9 through 12 who are highly interested in STEM fields, the two-day summer program offers an engaging glimpse into what a future career in science might look like.

Briana De Miranda, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, is leading NIH-funded research examining how environmental exposures may contribute to Parkinson’s disease.

UAB welcomed an international delegation from the Netherlands for a day of collaboration, innovation, and forward-looking discussion centered on the future of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and global partnerships on April 8, 2026. The visit brought together institutional leaders, researchers, and innovation stakeholders to explore shared priorities and identify opportunities for deeper engagement across sectors.