Ralph Sanderson, Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, retired from the department on August 31, 2023, after 17 years of service at UAB and 34 years in the field of pathology. A passionate educator and mentor, Sanderson was the founding director of the Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine graduate theme and served as co-leader in the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Cell Biology Program. He was a mentor and advisor for more than 110 medical, graduate, and postdoctoral students, and nearly 20 junior faculty members. In 2012, Sanderson was named the UAB Endowed Professor of Cancer Pathobiology, and in 2018, director of the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology.
After retirement, Sanderson continues to mentor several faculty within the department and throughout the Heersink School of Medicine. He advises on research issues and reviews grant summary statements and applications. Sanderson also co-leads the monthly departmental Grants Club hosted by Ryan Miller, M.D., Ph.D., Vishnu B. Reddy Translational Research Endowed Professor, Division Director, Neuropathology, and Daniel Tyrrell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology. He is also co-investigator on four active NIH grants, while co-editing the second edition of Heparanase: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications, with his long-time collaborators Israel Vlodavsky, Ph.D., and Neta Ilan, Ph.D.
“Since retiring, my wife and I purchased a house on the Cahaba River and have spent many hours on renovation,” said Sanderson. “I like being outdoors and have enjoyed maintaining the land and gardening.”
Sanderson says that he and his wife often travel to Navarre Beach in Florida, have taken two family trips to Italy, and are planning to head west next. “We spend time with family, when possible.” Sanderson said.
Following retirement, Sanderson enjoys playing golf once a week with childhood friends from Birmingham. He also reads historical novels, particularly set during the 1940s and WWII.
After an artistic hiatus, Sanderson decided it was time to dust off the canvas and pick up the paintbrushes. “I am just starting to get back into drawing and painting,” Sanderson said. “A hobby I dropped when I started graduate school in the early 1980’s.”