UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Demario Overstreet, Ph.D., has been awarded substantial funding through the National Institutes of Health for his innovative research program, titled “Contemporary human models of postoperative pain: A biopsychosocial investigation in general surgery.” 

The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 2025 Annual Symposium will conclude with a keynote presentation from James Cimino, M.D., distinguished professor of Medicine and chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science.

In a new paper published in mSPhere, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, Nicholas Lennemann, Ph.D., reflects on this career journey, highlighting the significance of mentorship and supportive work environments in shaping his career.

Meet Adam Wende, Ph.D., Professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology in the Heersink School of Medicine Department of Pathology. His work has been funded by the American Heart Association, Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), and most recently the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH.

The Department of Urology is proud to spotlight Valencia Jones, an executive assistant in our department, whose open and welcoming spirit shines through her work.

The newly constructed atrium is the first street-level entrance for Volker Hall in recent history, providing convenient access from the corner of 16th St S and University Boulevard. The completion of this project also marks a major milestone in efforts to update the learning facilities and environments for current and future Heersink School of Medicine students.

Supporting those around you starts with supporting yourself. A new training offering at UAB not only emphasizes this but also teaches participants how to use self-regulation to benefit those around them, specifically in a healthcare setting while being transferable to other areas.

In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, we caught up with Nicole Johnson, DrPH, the first Miss America with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), who now calls Birmingham home. Johnson shares her story of living with T1D since age 19 and how it has shaped her lifelong career of advocacy and education.

Be wary of text messages claiming to be deans, VPs, or even a manager within your department.

UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center is a leading provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation services. Teams of specialists use innovative therapies to deliver the highest levels of inpatient and outpatient care to those with an injury or disability, with the goal of improving long-term function and quality of life.

Luke Shumaker, M.D., joined the Department of Urology as an assistant professor of reconstructive urology in September 2025. He completed his undergraduate degree in medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Purdue University. He then completed medical school at Indiana University before his residency training at UAB. He went on to complete a fellowship in abdominal urologic reconstruction at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Margaux Mustian, M.D., MSPH, an assistant professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, is one of the fall 2025 graduates of the UAB Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead (SAIL) program.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics is proud to recognize Jaime McKinney, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, for being honored by the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AL-AAP) for her leadership in the Pages Over Pixels campaign.

Corey Speers, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair, Merle M. Salter Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, has been named an Investigator with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). This honor recognizes his leadership and innovative work to improve treatments for aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of breast cancer.

A new trio of clinics in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology reflects the department’s dedication to innovation in mental health care. Known collectively as the TEAM Clinics (Treatment, Evaluation and multidisciplinary Approaches for Mental health Clinics), they focus on early intervention for younger individuals experiencing first episodes of psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use disorders—conditions that often emerge during adolescence and early adulthood.

Haifa Alsharif, Ph.D., said working under the mentorship of Sushant Bhatnagar, Ph.D., in the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC) shaped her scientific path and deepened her appreciation for metabolic and diabetes research.

UAB Department of Surgery Senior Communications Manager Emily “Emme” Stewart was awarded the 15 Within 15 Young Alumni Recognition Award from her alma mater, the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama.

With the chilly weather in the air, summer may feel like a distant memory; however, that sun exposure you soaked up this summer on the lake, beach, or hiking trail, may be catching up with you.

A new study involving researchers in the UAB Department of Neurology could help doctors better understand a chronic pain-causing condition associated with diabetes mellitus and, therefore, improve treatment options and reduce pain for diabetic patients.

Angela Hays Shapshak, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, has been selected as a recipient of the Association of University Professors of Neurology (AUPN) Faculty Leadership Award.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce that Anderson Marshall, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, will be joining the Med-Peds Residency Program as an assistant program director as of Nov. 1, 2025.

Meg Francis, M.D., PGY2, joined the UAB Department of Radiology in July 2025. Originally from Louisville, Mississippi, she earned her undergraduate degree from Jackson State University and later completed her master’s degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She went on to complete medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research & Education (R&E) Foundation recently expressed its appreciation to Christopher T. Hensley, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Radiology, for his recent service on the foundation’s grant review study sections.

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that causes seizures and affects millions worldwide. Though seizures are a commonly recognized symptom of epilepsy, the disease can present differently depending on the patient.

Members of the UAB Department of Neurology attended and presented at the 2025 Northeast Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (NEALS) Consortium annual meeting in Clearwater, Florida, Oct. 7-10.

Gerardo Torres-Flores, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Radiology as an assistant professor in the emergency radiology section in July 2025. With a diverse background, he brings a passion for teaching and dedication to advancing the field of radiology.

This month, we’re excited to feature Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery Assistant Professor Victoria Huynh, M.D., for this month’s UAB Department of Surgery’s Access & Engagement Committee Spotlight.

More than 120 physicians, hospital leaders, legislators, and educators gathered in Birmingham for the Rural Primary Care Summit, hosted by the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in partnership with the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the Alabama Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network, and the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA). The goal: to identify practical, community-driven solutions to sustain rural health care across the state.

The UAB Department of Surgery is excited to welcome two new faculty members in the month of November 2025: Drs. Eliot Gagne and Lauren Theiss Gleason.

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine launched the Family Medicine Integrated Residency (IR) program on the Huntsville campus in 2017, marking the beginning of a new approach to preparing physicians for long-term service in Alabama communities. The IR program combines early recruitment, hands-on training, and strong mentorship to help medical students transition seamlessly into residency.