By Samil Baker
Each year, faculty who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to engaging UAB's undergraduate students in research, creative activities, service-learning, and education-abroad experiences are awarded the Provost's Award for Faculty Excellence.
This year's winners represent three departments from three schools: Jie Gao, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Health Professions Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences; Camerron Crowder, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Heersink School of Medicine Department of Neurobiology; Ken Marion, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, and James B. McClintock, Ph.D., Endowed University Professor in the Department of Biology.
Service Learning
Jie Gao, Ph.D.
Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
School of Health Professions
Gao has integrated service learning in multiple graduate courses in the CLS professional program, where students engage in projects to improve the health of homeless populations and science education for high school students. These service-learning projects have fulfilled various community needs and equipped students with critical professional skills, resulting in their recognition at numerous conferences and co-authoring of publications.
"Dr. Gao currently employs service-learning in multiple science courses throughout the CLS curriculum," a nominator wrote. "For instance, she utilizes a service-learning project in her clinical chemistry course to provide free wellness screening for the homeless population in the Birmingham area. Through this initiative, students can apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom and further develop their professional skills while positively impacting the health of underserved populations. This service-learning project allowed me to serve a vulnerable population and gain a deeper understanding of the role of healthcare professionals in the community."
Undergraduate Research
Camerron Crowder, Ph.D.
Department of Neurobiology
Heersink School of Medicine
Crowder developed a research-based curriculum from patient cases for courses in the Undergraduate Neurosciences Program. In her research lab, Crowder mentors students in studying participants of UAB Precision Medicine Institute's consultation program. They can assist with developing hypotheses regarding pathophysiological disease mechanisms and zebrafish models of rare disease. Students can continue the research they started in the classroom and complete their SciTech honors or Undergraduate Neuroscience Program thesis work.
"As a mentor, Dr. Crowder reassured me that I could conduct research and gave me the confidence to work on complex projects," a nominator wrote. "Rather than assuming that I could not do it since I am an undergraduate student, she instilled confidence within our lab. She taught us complex protocols that are typically conducted at the graduate level. Working with Dr. Crowder has been one of the highlights of my undergraduate experience. Her passion for teaching is just as great as her passion for research. She always puts her students' personal and professional development first, both inside and outside the lab. Dr. Crowder is passionate about helping her students reach their full potential, and she goes above and beyond to support them in their academic and career pursuits."
Education Abroad
Ken Marion, Ph.D., and James B. McClintock, Ph.D.
Department of Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
Marion and McClintock started one of the very first study-away courses at UAB in 1993. Since that time, they have annually led UAB students to some of the great global ecosystems, such as the coral reefs of the Bahamas, the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica, and the biologically diverse Galapagos Islands. Such on-site field experiences provide students with a first-hand working knowledge of ecosystem interactions and foster a long-term appreciation of our natural world.
"Drs. McClintock and Marion truly care about their students and their research," a nominator wrote. "They use their position to reach students and profoundly impact them using the knowledge they have gained throughout their career. I had the pleasure of joining Drs. McClintock and Marion on the Bahamas - Tropical Ecology and Dr. McClintock on his Antarctic - Polar Ecology study abroad programs. These programs were made unforgettable by the experiences I was able to have and the relationships I was able to build. Through these programs, I was able to learn first-hand from Drs. McClintock and Marion and witness their love for the field and teaching."
