Melissa Mercer, Miss UAB 2025, is set to graduate Saturday, May 3 — just eight weeks before she takes the stage to compete for the prestigious title of Miss Alabama.

Xavier Golden always planned to become a doctor; but after joining the military and discovering tech careers through TikTok, he switched paths to computer science, earning his degree and more than one job offer.

Jacqueline Hernandez-Burgos would have never guessed that when she transferred to UAB she would also become familiar with UAB Medicine.

Hara, assistant professor in the Department of World Languages and Literatures, was selected for the honor because of his tremendous contribution to the Japanese program at UAB.

Mullins, a longtime UAB leader, will oversee finance, facilities, construction and business operations.

The CIO Hall of Fame spotlights outstanding IT leaders who have significantly contributed to and profoundly influenced the IT discipline.

Snekha Rajasekaran plans to leverage her passion for medicine and social welfare to become a service-oriented physician-scientist, improving lives in Alabama and beyond.

Maria Grant, M.D., was recently awarded the Research to Prevent Blindness David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research.

Those inducted into the Hall of Fame have made contributions to the advancement of engineering and technology. 

The UAB Department of Dermatology chair, Boni Elewski, M.D., was recently awarded the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Gold Medal Award.

InspireHER awards are presented by the national EmpowerHER Foundation to recognize women who make a profound, lasting impact on the lives of others.

Jacquelyn Shaia, J.D., Ph.D., director of UAB’s Public Relations curriculum, is faculty advisor for the nationally recognized PRCA/PRSSA student chapter.

Garvey’s career spans decades of influential work, shaping national guidelines for obesity and diabetes treatment.

The commission recommends a shift away from relying solely on BMI to more accurately define obesity as a disease.

Brynn Welch, Ph.D., has received the 2024 David W. Concepción Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching, and Lindsay Brainard, Ph.D., received the 2024 Article Prize.

Brianna Hampton is excited to grow as a Future Educator Fellow and looks forward to her clinical experiences.

Heersink’s exemplary service to UAB has been recognized by one of the highest honors bestowed at the institution, the President’s Medal.

Colton Segars pivoted from history to nursing after working in the Blazer Simulation Lab at the School of Nursing, finding his long-term career interest.

Michael Niederweis, Ph.D., and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., who collectively hold 23 patents, have been recognized for approaches to DNA sequencing and detection of impaired dark adaptation, respectively.

Nakia Coleman, an assistant director with UAB Birmingham Promise, integrates the cutting-edge skills and techniques from her online master’s program into her daily work, driving innovation and excellence.

After four years of playing with the UAB Marching Blazers, Jonah Ross will graduate with his bachelor’s degree from the UAB School of Engineering.

David Russell, mentored by his professor, transformed from a curious student into a pioneering researcher in nuclear fuel recycling, earning multiple awards and recognition for his innovative work.

UAB assistant professor in the Department of Physics has been awarded over $250,000 in funding for research on quantum simulation.

Virginia J. Howard, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor in the UAB School of Public Health, received the award for her contributions to stroke research.

Kenneth Chiou, Ph.D., is a principal investigator on an international collaborative NIH project budgeted at more than $3 million; UAB will receive $1.5 million.

During the second semester of her freshman year, Kiersten Ratcliff joined a research team where she discovered the versatility of math in real-life scenarios.

Mercer, 21, of Spanish Fort, Alabama, also won the Miss Congeniality and Talent awards, winning $2,600 in scholarships.

Steven Austad, Ph.D., has been awarded the inaugural George M. Martin Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring Award by the American Federation for Aging Research.

Jeff Simmons, M.D., shares how his time in the Air Force transformed him into the health care leader he is today.

These exceptional students will each receive $2,500 scholarships and serve as an ambassador of UAB and as leaders of the UAB Future Blazers Alumni.