Martin E. Young, Ph.D.
Martin E. Young, Ph.D.
Block 1 Director
Where are you from?
I was born in England. Although I don’t have an English accent, I am a dual US-England citizen, and lived many of my ‘early’ years in England.
What degree(s) do you have?
Bachelors, Masters, and PhD (DPhil) degrees
What’s your favorite lecture within your block?
I’d have to say ‘Integration of Metabolism.’ During this lecture, you’re able to realize how metabolic processes work in synchrony. It's very cool!
What advice do you have for incoming students for your block?
Don’t panic! Block 1 is one of the first courses in medical school that is content heavy. During this 3 week period, it will appear that a lot of information is being thrown at you. The goal is to build on the foundation of biochemical knowledge that you already have, to make it more applicable to human disease states, and to prepare you for future courses (including various organ systems).
What overall advice would you give incoming students?
Find what works for you. We are all unique individuals, and as such, we all have different learning styles. Identify the learning strategies that work well for you and employ them to be successful.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Birmingham?
Bottega. It is the restaurant where my wife and I had our first date.
What’s your favorite place in Volker Hall?
The new Active Learning Center on the 2nd floor. There is lots of neat technology in there!
If you could have every medical student watch one movie or read one book, what would you choose?
Extraordinary Measures. It tells the story of a father’s relentless pursuit to find a cure for Pompe’s Disease.
What is your favorite color?
I’d have to say ‘blue’, for so many reasons. Eye color, sunny skies, calm seas, etc.
Teresa Wilborn, Ph.D., PharmD 
Teresa Wilborn, Ph.D., PharmD
Block 3 Director
Where are you from?
Ocala, FL. Go gators!!
What degree(s) do you have?
I received a B.S. from the University of Florida, a PharmD from Mercer University, and a Ph.D. from UAB.
What’s your favorite lecture within your block?
Easy! It would be autonomics, which is the basis for so many other drug classes and lectures. It is the root of all good.
What advice do you have for incoming students for your block?
Just stay with it. Reward yourself when you work hard, and don’t get behind. Take a break, have tea or coffee, do chair yoga, and enjoy the moment.
What overall advice would you give incoming students?
Make some good friends in your classes and work together to succeed.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Birmingham?
The Pita Stop (which is super close to campus--across the street from Highlands). I would recommend trying the falafel and hummus.
What’s your favorite place in Volker Hall?
My office. I enjoy people coming by to talk and have tea.
If you could have every medical student watch one movie or read one book, what would you choose?
a. The Fisher King: This movie is about a guy that ends up on the street and befriends someone with schizophrenia. It is incredibly thought provoking and helps you gain perspective of individuals with schizophrenia and an appreciation for all things.
b. Lord of The Rings: This can be a difficult book to read compared to the movie, but full of good lessons.
What is your favorite color?
Yellow!
Jeremy Walker, M.D.
Jeremy Walker, M.D.
Block 5 Director
Where are you from?
Huntsville
What degree(s) do you have?
I have a B.S. in biomedical sciences and an M.D.
What’s your favorite lecture within your block?
I enjoy the review sessions and active learning sessions because I get some feedback on what is clicking and what needs further review. The antibiotics lectures are interesting because I do a regular chalk-talk on antibiotics for MS3/4 and residents in IM. I’ve found I borrow from both to improve.
What advice do you have for incoming students for your block?
It is a lot of material and a move into a more clinical lens as compared to other components of fundamentals. These are both stretching. But we are here to help and support. Take advantage of the MSS reviews and our reviews. We put a lot of effort into making sure they are relevant. We are also here to help.
What overall advice would you give incoming students?
Medical school is an incredible journey. You’re here because of so many people and experiences that shaped you. Yet, you have a long way to go. It may seem like there is already an expectation to know who you will be as a physician, but I promise there isn’t. Focus on getting in a rhythm with the coursework first. Then, if/when you have some extra bandwidth explore the things that interest you. The diversity of careers as a physician is wide and you will find a space that meets with your goals and talents.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Birmingham?
I love being able to walk to an outing and so we frequent places in Homewood. Little Donkey and Hero Donuts are popular with everyone in the family.
What’s your favorite place in Volker Hall?
The new second floor space has really allowed us to improve our interactive sessions. But as a former student, I’m always fond to return to my old haunts in the 5th floor study rooms.
If you could have every medical student watch one movie or read one book, what would you choose?
From an education standpoint, Make It Stick is such a valuable resource in thinking about what does and doesn’t work for learning. For pure entertainment, I’m sentimental and love returning to series I’ve grown attached to like Ted Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, or Scrubs. From a self-care standpoint, I’d encourage you to take some time to return to a group/ book/ character that you’ve appreciated over time.
What’s your favorite color?
I’ve never had a strong conviction here. My girls both feel rainbow is best, and I think they have a point. Why not just appreciate the spectrum!
Bonus Question: what is your favorite animals?
Otters – duh! Thankful for my otter family in the Oparil LC.
Mukesh Patel, M.D.
Mukesh Patel, M.D.
Block 5 Director
Where are you from?
Birmingham, England
What degree(s) do you have?
M.D.
What’s your favorite lecture within your block?
Any lecture where I can watch and learn from one of the great faculty members. Of my own lectures, the one where I talk about ticks.
What advice do you have for incoming students for your block?
There’s a lot memorization here, but try to look at how to create a framework for that information so that you can see some overlapping information and themes.
What overall advice would you give incoming students?
This isn’t college, leave that world behind.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Birmingham?
$ option – University Tacos
$$$ option - Highlands when it was open, now Bottega or Chez Fon Fon
What’s your favorite place in Volker Hall?
A secret bathroom that I won’t reveal as I want to keep it secret and available for porcelain meditation.
If you could have every medical student watch one movie or read one book, what would you choose?
I’m assuming you want something profound, that will impact their perception of medicine or the human condition. I don’t buy into that because I can’t assume my experience with art is the same as someone else’s. Just pick something that makes you laugh or cry or both when you need it to. For me, that’s The Big Lebowski every time.
What’s your favorite color?
Whatever color shoes I’m wearing today.
Laura Fraser, Ph.D.Laura Fraser, Ph.D.
Where are you from?
Lafayette, LA; I’m a Ragin Cajun.
What degree(s) do you have?
B.S. – Biology and Chemistry, Univ of Louisiana at Lafayette
Ph.D. – Cell Biology, UAB
What’s your favorite lecture within your block?
I love teaching about Epithelium. It’s the most diverse of the tissue types and is unique in every organ system.
Advice for incoming students for your block:
Shift your mindset to larger scale thinking (compared to the molecular pathways in Block 1) as you broadly consider the structure and function of cells and tissues and the organization of the body systems.
Advice for incoming students overall:
Try to maintain healthy habits and activities that work for YOU. Consider things you like to do to de-stress and make time for them. For example, I have 8:00-9:00 am on Tuesdays blocked off for “Swim at JCC”. Tuesday mornings don’t always work out, but I reschedule for another time in the week to ensure I make time for something that I know is good for me (physically and mentally). Also, don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Find ways of learning that work for you and seek experiences that appeal to your passions, and in doing so, you’ll likely to remain more fulfilled and well-adjusted as you progress in your training.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Birmingham?
Chez FonFon
What’s your favorite place in Volker Hall?
This may seem odd, but probably Lecture Room E. It’s cozy and quiet and holds dear memories with students especially in my early years teaching.
If you could have every medical student watch one movie or read one book, what movie/book would you choose?
Book – Jitterbug Perfume, by Tom Robbins ; Movie – The Outsiders
What is your favorite color?
Yellow ?