UAB Graduate School

Malia McDowell, OD, a 2026 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, is the first recipient of the Rural Optometry Scholarship from the Alabama Board of Optometric Scholarship and Loan Awards. She has received $134,000 to practice in an underserved rural community in Alabama.

McDowell will be moving to Valley, Alabama, to establish a practice as an independent optometrist at a Walmart Supercenter. The area has more than 34,000 residents and is considered critically underserved, with only a part-time optometrist currently providing care.

Read her full story through the link: https://buff.ly/h2H2loQ

Ariel Salas, MD, associate professor in the Division of Neonatology, along with his research team, have received a three-year R34 grant totaling $634,334, pioneering research in optimizing early milk nutrition to improve lung development and reduce respiratory morbidity in preterm infants.

This award will support an innovative pilot clinical trial focused on improving outcomes for extremely preterm infants, one of the most vulnerable patient populations. These infants face a high risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a serious lung disease associated with long-term health challenges.

Salas and his team will explore whether optimizing early human milk nutrition by enhancing key fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, during the first two weeks of life can improve lung development and reduce respiratory morbidity. The study aims to generate critical data that could transform neonatal nutrition practices and improve long-term outcomes for preterm infants.

“R34 awards play a vital role in advancing clinical research by supporting early-stage studies that test feasibility and refine interventions,” Salas said. “This project will help us establish proof of concept and inform the design of a future large-scale trial with the potential to significantly impact neonatal care.”

Would choose UAB over and over again 🫶 💚

🔬 For Chloe Jones, pursuing a career in clinical psychology has always been about combining research with meaningful patient care. Throughout her time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she has done exactly that — building expertise in neuropsychology while helping patients and families navigate complex neurological and psychological conditions.

Read her full story through the link: https://buff.ly/8q8OgZW

On Memorial Day, the UAB Graduate School pauses to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Thank you for your sacrifice. 💚

If you are earning a graduate degree or certificate this summer, the deadline to apply for your degree/certificate is June 8th, 2026. Please follow the steps below to apply for your degree/certificate:

✅ Login to BlazerNET
✅ Select the Links/Forms tab
✅ Under Forms select Apply for Graduate Degree/Certificate
✅ Follow the prompts and submit

You will receive a confirmation email that your application is under review and a fee will be assessed to your student account ($20-certificates, $60-master’s and doctoral degrees). Don't let time run out, apply for your degree today!

As a recent graduate from the Behavioral Neuroscience PhD program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oge Ngwu-Hyacinth has built her academic journey around curiosity, adaptability and a passion for understanding human health.

Originally from southeastern Nigeria and later living in London before moving to the United States, Ngwu-Hyacinth says her interest in science began early through frequent hospital visits and an endless habit of asking “why?” — a mindset that continues to shape her approach to neuroscience research today.

Read more about her experience at UAB: https://buff.ly/l7aXUcS

🎓 Lean Into Future Teaching this summer with the CTL LIFT: Summer Seminar on June 10th!

Designed for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, this interactive seminar offers practical strategies to strengthen your teaching and student engagement skills.

📅 Agenda:
⏰ 10:00–11:30 a.m. — Effective Content Delivery
🍽️ 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Lunch & Guided Discussion Groups
⏰ 12:30–2:00 p.m. — Motivating and Engaging Students

Can’t attend the full day? No problem — join the sessions that fit your schedule! Register today: https://buff.ly/xGLo8Z3

Love is temporary. Blaze is forever. 💚