Discoveries in the Making series returns Feb. 11

The Discoveries in the Making lecture series returns for the spring with sessions about exercise medicine, schizophrenia, and more. Postdoctoral and graduate students of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Graduate School will share the results of their research with the return of the “Discoveries in the Making” lecture series. The series will resume Tuesday, Feb. 11, with monthly events at The Lumbar, a science-themed bar and restaurant. The presentations begin at 6 p.m.

Upcoming talks in the Discoveries in the Making series include:

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Speakers: Kaleen Lavin, Ph.D., Jeremy McAdam, Ph.D., Samia O’Bryan, Ph.D., Margaret Bell and Devin Drummer; Title: “Exercise is a Powerful Medicine: How Should We Use It?”  

Summary: Find out how the UAB Center for Exercise Medicine is working to understand the full range of benefits that come with exercise and how we can take advantage of individual responses to training to maximize health outcomes.

Tuesday, March 10

Speaker: Radhika Chadha; Title: “Miscommunication in the Schizophrenia Brain” 

Summary: Chadha’s research investigates how the signaling pathways in brains of schizophrenia subjects relay altered signals that can result in defects in learning and working memory, both common in patients with schizophrenia.

Tuesday, April 14

Speaker: Sade Williams Clayton; Title: “Back Pain Bites the Dust: Reprogramming stem cells to treat chronic back pain”

Summary: Clayton’s research studies the signals required for spinal development and how those signals can be used to repair the spine when it starts to degenerate as we age.

Speaker: Sangeeta Nair; Title: “Seeing the whole picture: What can we learn from human brain imaging?”  

Summary: Nair will discuss the cutting-edge techniques she uses within the UAB Epilepsy Center to expand knowledge about where and when memory is taking place in the brain.

Tuesday, May 12

Speaker: Casie Morgan; Title: “Your Friendly Neighborhood Superkid: The Influence of Superheroes on Children’s Risk-Taking Behaviors”

Summary: Morgan’s research discusses the potential implications of superhero media on children’s risk-taking behavior. She will share different risky play behavior, presented in the four risk-outcome activities and discuss any differences or similarities between superhero and non-superhero groups.

The Discoveries in the Making series is free and open to the public. A complete schedule is available online.