UAB ranked 5th best workplace for scientists

Searching for a stimulating scientific environment? According to a recent survey, there’s no place like home! 

In a survey conducted by The Scientist magazine, UAB was ranked 5th in the nation when readers were asked to rate their workplace on features such as quality of mentorship, salary, and tenure opportunities. The survey, entitled, “The Best Places to Work in Academia,” revealed that, overall, scientists on campus are particularly enthusiastic about their level of pay and the resources that are available to them; many also enjoy a good deal of job satisfaction.

“I personally knew UAB is a great place to work, but to get the national spotlight shown on us was like going to a BCS bowl game for [the] scientific community here on campus,” said Mick D. Edmonds, President of the Graduate Student Association.

Edmonds, a graduate student in the Department of Pathology who studies cancer, feels that he made the right choice when he decided to move across the country from Washington State in order to attend UAB.

“The University's training environment has allowed me to interact with world experts in my field of study, and compete and receive a fellowship from the Department of Defense.”

UAB’s 5th place ranking comes as an enormous jump from last year’s ranking of 47th. Much of this advancement is attributed to the school’s interdisciplinary style of research that pulls together scientists from a variety of campus departments to study a certain topic. In this way, each department brings their own expertise to the table, and the issue at hand can be approached from multiple angles.

According to graduate student Marcienne Wright, there are currently over twenty Interdisciplinary Research Centers in the UAB Joint Health Sciences. It is this type of environment that she feels fosters cutting-edge research.

“The collaborative structure of these centers has led to groundbreaking discoveries and therapeutic applications. For example, the UAB Atherosclerosis Research Unit, which is a part of the UAB Center for Aging, includes faculty with backgrounds in computational structural biology and informatics, biochemistry, and physiology. Research from faculty in each of these disciplines has contributed to the development and therapeutic use of a class of mimetic peptide drugs designed to treat vascular disease. These drugs are currently in early stage clinical trials.”

One UAB student finds a heightened inspiration for his work as a result of collaborating with other labs to research a topic.

“My overall work experience has been great … everyone I've worked with is so helpful,” said Sean Markwardt, a graduate student in the Department of Neurobiology. “It's also exciting for me to be developing collaborations with other labs; it really motivates me as a scientist.”

UAB President Carol Z. Garrison, Ph.D. anticipates that this 5th place ranking will aid recruiting efforts to bring new students and faculty to the University.

“Students and faculty want to learn and work in supportive and creative environments,” she said.

Edmonds agrees and adds that that the news will also serve to increase retention rates for the students already enrolled at UAB.

“There is a huge increase in enrollment in the biomedical/basic sciences right now because students are taking undergraduate science classes, becoming exposed to fields of science where the knowns are outnumbered by the unknowns, and deciding they would like to join those investigations,” Edmonds said. “When they ask their professors about the top places to do those studies, undoubtedly the answer is UAB.”

In the midst of celebration, however, key issues still exist in the area of student health care.

“I can speak as a scientist, both from the perspective as a UAB employee and a UAB graduate student, that UAB is a fantastic place to work,” said graduate student Rachel Gill. “My only complaint is in regards to graduate student medical benefits, but I'm confident the UAB administration is working hard to ensure that the health of its students is not an afterthought.”

Wright says that she would like to see more interactive methods that announce, among other things, discoveries taking place on campus.

“UAB Blazernet is a great portal for learning about the UAB research community. I’d like to see Blazernet incorporate message boards for reagent, equipment and protocol exchange and develop campus wide interactive blogs that review recent UAB advances in science research.”

Published in the UAB Kaleidoscope newspaper on November 25, 2008

Devyani Dance Company Announces Successful Year

Devyani Dance Company, located in Irondale, Alabama, experienced a flourishing and prosperous 2007-2008 season. Whether the studio was undergoing expansion or the dancers were going on tour, this season served to reinforce the notion that Devyani is one source for the cultural experience that binds us all.

In November, Devyani teamed up with Dandasha Dance Company from Chattanooga, TN and Awalim Dance Company of Atlanta, GA to hit the road with Raquy and the Cavemen, a progressive Middle Eastern music experience out of Brooklyn, NY. This three-city southeastern tour was one leg of Raquy and the Cavemen’s larger “Give Thanks” tour. Devyani performed in a sold out show at the Barking Legs in Chattanooga; wowed a particularly enthusiastic group at the Red Light Café in Atlanta; and were heavily supported by the home crowd at Bottle Tree Café in Birmingham. Each show provided audiences with a taste of several styles of belly dance including American tribal style and tribal fusion, along with core shaking live music. In fact, the shows were so well received that dates are already set for the next tour and will feature two more cities in the lineup: Asheville, NC and Knoxville, TN. Look for more information in fall 2008!

Devyani’s Megha Gavin was invited to teach two workshops in February at TribalCon, a highly lauded annual belly dance event held in Atlanta that brings in teachers and students from around the country for three days of classes, networking, and shopping. Gavin’s workshops were packed with helpful information on dance technique and full details of new dance moves and combinations, much to the delight of the students. A highlight of the TribalCon event is the all-star show, and Devyani was invited to participate. The number included breathtaking floor work and many of the new dance combinations that Gavin taught in the workshop. The audience was filled with the energy generated by the performance, made evident through their boisterous praise.

In line with spring’s beauty and new beginnings, Devyani began a new venture by hosting a hafla on March 1 that featured two-time Grammy award winner Naser Musa and Grammy nominee Souhail Kaspar. Prior to the hafla, Kaspar offered a course at the studio detailing the history of belly dance; additionally, on the day of the hafla, Musa and Kaspar offered several drumming and melody workshops. The hafla itself featured dance companies and performers from around the southeast. The event included belly dancing, flamenco, hula, and Indian classical folk fusion dance. The Devyani students performed alongside several troupe members in a traditional number. The second half of the show was dedicated to the music of Musa and Kaspar with a few belly dance solos peppered into the pieces; one of the soloists was Devyani’s Deanna Freeman, who also coordinated this festive event.

Devyani also has two cover girls to announce! Gavin graced the cover of Zaghareet magazine in April 2007 and was featured in one of the articles. Devyani’s Michelle Amaral lit up the cover of the January / February 2008 issue of Jareeda Magazine for her winning article describing the addictive nature of belly dance costuming. An enormous “thank you” goes out to Sharon Creel for her fabulous photography that made each of these cover shots simply stunning.

And, as if these Devyani women just can’t sit still, their much sought-after American tribal style dance moves are once again going international! Yes, for the third straight year, Gavin will be teaming with Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance, who is the creator of this dance style, to instruct Tribal:Pura workshops in such places as Canada, Madrid, Mexico, and Finland, to name just a few.

Devyani is looking forward to several upcoming performances including the ONB Magic City Art Connection in April, and the Devotion Show in San Francisco, where they will work in conjunction with sister troupe Fat Chance Belly Dance.

A studio expansion has allowed incorporation of many more classes at Devyani Dance Studio, including children’s belly dance, hula, and Middle Eastern drumming. More information may be found at www.devyani.net.

Published in Synchronicity: A Publication of the Alabama Dance Council, Spring 2008 issue Volume 12 Number 1

UAB celebrates neuroscience center, research activities

Pioneers in the field of neuroscience were on hand October 29 and 30 to celebrate the remarkable advances made in neuroscience research, patient care, and education at UAB. Their participation, along with UAB’s own neuroscience investigators, at the UAB Neuroscience Symposium, “Neuroscience Frontiers in the 21st Century” garnered approximately 300 registrants from around the southeast including undergraduate and graduate students from Auburn University, Mississippi State University, Tulane, and Emory University.

“The purpose of this symposium was to celebrate the establishment of the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center and to showcase the exciting neuroscience research activities of our invited scientists and the UAB neuroscience community,” said Dr. Kevin Roth, director of the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center.

According to Roth, the number of NIH funded grants awarded to UAB neuroscience investigators has increased by 25% over the last two years, a feat made even more impressive given that national funding cuts have made obtaining grants all but impossible.

“The total neuroscience-related NIH funding to UAB in 2007 is approximately $43 million,” said Roth. “This is a big operation, and, hopefully, it will continue to expand.”

One source of pride for the Comprehensive Neuroscience Center is its collection of varied investigators from a wide range of departments on campus; it is not an effort made only through the medical school.

“When we developed the Comprehensive Neuroscience Center we envisioned bringing together researchers from many disciplines who share the common goal of finding more effective therapies for people with neurological disorders and diseases. This means that researchers from fields such as neurology, psychiatry, basic sciences and biostatistics can come together to work on what many consider to be the fastest growing unmet medical need in the United States. Having this symposium on campus is one measure of our commitment to making this happen,” said Carol Z. Garrison, UAB President.

This sentiment is well illustrated in the UAB Department of Psychiatry, where Dr. James H. Meador-Woodruff, Professor and Chair of the department, plans to recruit 20 to 30 more faculty in the future to study schizophrenia, suicide prevention, and depression.

“I would like to recruit more people so that we can perform laboratory research and carry it through to patient care,” he said. “In this way, we can study large-scale outcomes and epidemiology.”

Other speakers at the symposium included the highly-anticipated Dr. Eric Kandel, a Nobel laureate from Columbia University, who was introduced as “one of the most prominent founding fathers of modern neurobiology” by Dr. J. David Sweatt, Professor and Chair of the UAB Neurobiology Department. His presence moved faculty and students alike.

“The greatest moment I had was hearing Eric Kandel speak and then interacting with him later,” said Jennifer Larimore, a UAB graduate student. “His level of science and his drive to discover more inspires me to achieve great things no matter what I pursue. His curiosity and genius in how he approaches a problem is amazing.”

Kandel, likewise, enjoyed answering questions and giving advice to up-and-coming neuroscientists.

“Neuroscience has an enormous future,” he said. “Just look at the area of psychiatry in which we are only beginning to investigate human activities and how these originate from the mind. We are attempting to bridge the humanities and sciences and will continue to explore mind processes such as how a person interprets a work of art.”

Symposium participants were also afforded the opportunity to share their own research findings at two poster sessions.

“The poster session not only gave me a chance to present my research and to receive feedback, but also gave me a chance to exchange ideas and brainstorm with other investigators,” said Tania Roth, a UAB postdoctoral scholar. “And of course, this poster session has helped me in preparing to share my findings at two national meetings I am attending later this week (International Society for Developmental Psychobiology and Society for Neuroscience annuals meetings).”

Overall, attendees were impressed by the symposium and anticipate the next one.

“I thought the symposium was excellent on so many levels,” said Tania, “Foremost, I was impressed by the quality of research presented, by both UAB investigators and invited investigators. Second, it was a terrific opportunity to learn about cutting-edge clinical and basic research taking place, both on our campus and at other research institutions. And third, the structure of the symposium was such that it provided ample opportunity to form and potentiate scientific collaborations.”

Published in the UAB Kaleidoscope on November 6, 2007

Simple steps can prevent staph scare, official says

Recent reports of staph infections among students at Shelby County High School in Columbiana have prompted enhanced cleaning measures in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of any further infections.

“We have intensified cleaning efforts following the reported staph infections,” said Cindy Warner, Public Relations Supervisor for Shelby County Schools. “We have been paying close attention to the locker room and PE changing areas. Desks are wiped down each day with disinfectant, and even school buses are cleansed on a daily basis. These precautions are important as cold and flu season approaches anyway, when germs are always a problem.”

According to Warner, 5 confirmed cases of staph infections have been reported at Shelby County High School within the last month. Four of these cases were normal staph infections that responded well to antibiotics. One of the students, however, was infected by an MRSA strain.

“MRSA refers to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and means that the staph bacteria is resistant to a class of antibiotics called the beta-lactams (eg: penicillin),” said Elizabeth Turnipseed, Director of Disease Control at the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH). “Fortunately, we have other antibiotics that can treat these infections.”

According to Turnipseed, it is important that the public understands that about 30% of normal, healthy people have staph on their skin or in their nose naturally. But where, exactly, do staph infections appear and how do people determine whether they should seek a physician’s care?

“I have seen abscesses near the nostril, on the neck, in the armpits, on the trunk, on the buttocks, and on the upper and lower limbs,” said Dr. Alan Stamm, UAB Hospital Infection Control Officer. “Most of the MRSA infections that occur outside of health care settings, however, involve the skin.”

According to Stamm, staph infections can present as cellulitis, as an abscess, or as multiple abscesses scattered along the body at the same time, a condition known as furunculosis.

Stamm describes cellulitis as a thickened, red, warm, tender patch of skin that may originate from a small cut or scrape and can potentially expand to include much of a limb! The skin can become blistered or develop ulcerations or sores. An abscess, which is also known as a carbuncle or a boil, can develop as a raised, warm, red, tender spot that may be small (1 cm) or large (10 cm). It is common that the more superficial and large lesions will spontaneously rupture or drain at the surface, releasing white or yellow pus.

He also adds that, because these presentations could be due to germs other than MRSA, a culture is required to prove that MRSA is indeed responsible.

According to Turnipseed, taking a few simple precautionary steps may assist the general public from falling prey to a staph infection. These steps include maintaining good personal hygiene by keeping the hands washed, taking hot soapy showers particularly after contact sports or other close skin-to-skin contact. It is also important to keep all wounds covered; wipe down shared sports equipment with bleach-based cleaners; and do not share razors, towels, or other personal items.

“Close skin-to-skin contact and crowded conditions are important risk factors for community acquired staph/MRSA,” said Turnipseed. “Every year we see superficial skin infections attributable to staph when contact sports are being played. Fortunately, the majority of these are minor.”

UAB students are not overly concerned about the recent staph infections but do take routine precautions against germs by using hand sanitizers and, for surfaces, Clorox wipes.

“I do not know of any students actively taking precautions against staph,” said Kristin Johnston, UAB graduate student and Academic Advisor in the School of Business. “Students seem to be more concerned about the recent TB infections.”

This exact sentiment is echoed at the UAB Campus Recreation Center, where gym equipment is routinely disinfected.

“We have multiple disinfectant spray bottles in all workout areas – cardio room, weight room, fitness corridor and stretching mats upstairs,” said Wendi Stanley, Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness at the UAB Campus Recreation Center. “We encourage all of our patrons to wipe off the equipment after use. My weight room attendants are also responsible for cleaning the machines and mats when they are working. Furthermore, we have periodic mass cleaning of all equipment; we spread all the mats out and spray with disinfectant spray and wipe off the other equipment.”

And how is the Shelby County High School student with the MRSA infection doing now?

“The student with the MRSA strain responded to another kind of antibiotic and the infection then cleared up,” said Warner.

Published in the UAB Kaleidoscope on November 6, 2007

Two popular solutions exist for the one huge dilemma faced by graduate students: Where to look for a job once the degree is in hand? These two choices, academia and industry, each have their own positive and negative aspects, and, recently, a scientist with experience in both areas gave useful advice to UAB graduate students.

Dr. Robert A. Copeland, Vice President of Biology, who is in charge of the Oncology Center of Excellence in Drug Discovery at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceutical Company, is well versed in both industry and academia. Not only does he hold a prestigious position at a booming pharmaceutical company, but he is also an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. On October 12, he addressed a packed house of graduate students to share his experiences in both worlds, thanks to support from the UAB Industry Roundtable.

“Since he is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Dr. Copeland was able to do a fabulous job of comparing the various pros and cons of working in the pharmaceutical industry versus working in academia,” said Brett Pickett, a co-chair of the UAB Industry Roundtable.

Copeland, who received his degree in biochemistry from Princeton University before continuing his studies at the California Institute of Technology, worked at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck Research Laboratories before entering the ranks at GSK.

“I think the IR seminar was very informative, which not only pointed out the ‘collaborative differences’ between industrial research and academic research, but also pointed out the career pathway that could combine the positives of both realms,” said Yuquan ‘Eddie’ Wen, a UAB graduate student.

Prior to his employment in academia, Copeland was an assistant professor at the University of Chicago School of Medicine on the brink of obtaining tenure, the pinnacle of an academic career.

“I had to do some soul-searching at that time and decide what was my view of a successful career,” he said. “While I enjoyed academia and especially interacting with students, this wasn’t really what I wanted to do with my life.”

It was at this point that he decided to dedicate his career to drug discovery; he quit academia and went to work for Bristol-Meyers Squibb.

Copeland now uses his experiences to advise students and provide them topics to contemplate when deciding upon a career.

“Know what you want out of life and visualize what success looks like for you. When you are 65 or 70, what do you want to look back on as being success?” he said. “Be sure to identify role models and seek them as mentors. Furthermore, be adaptable to change, as science changes often.”

According to Copeland, one of the main differences between academia and industry is the actual focus of the research projects. Academia, which puts a greater focus on biology, tends to ask more broad scientific questions; if the project is not going to yield a drug, academic investigators will continue to study the basic biology. Pathobiology is the main focus in industry, and the scientific questions are directed toward clinical utility. In the pharmaceutical industry, if a research project will not yield a useful drug, the project is terminated.

“The project may be scientifically interesting, but if it is not good for a patient, we do not have the time or energy to chase it,” said Copeland.

A common misconception about industrial scientists is that they are unable to publish their work or otherwise obtain external recognition. Copeland has proven this theory wrong, as he has authored 4 books, 9 patents/applications, and over 135 scientific papers.

“The bottom line,” Copeland said, “is that it is possible to have a productive career in industry.”

Graduate students found Copeland’s seminar to be quite useful.

“I thought that the seminar was rather informative, both for persons who are considering industry and those who are considering academia and how one can straddle both fields,” said Carlene Chapman-Moore, a UAB graduate student. “I especially like his suggestions for success!”

The next Industry Roundtable seminar will take place on Friday, Nov. 2 from 10:30-12:30 in Spain Auditorium (corner of 19th Street South and 7th Avenue South); the featured speaker will be a science writer.

Published in the UAB Kaleidoscope on October   , 2007

Garlic benefits health, UAB researchers say

A few cloves of garlic may put the “Bam!” in a good pesto, but this famed spice can also prevent “Bam!” from occurring in the cardiovascular system. Thanks to the work of UAB scientists, the process by which garlic imparts protection against high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease is now known.

“Science is catching up with what native peoples have known for centuries,” says David Kraus, associate professor in the departments of environmental health sciences and biology, “namely, that garlic can impart positive effects on a person’s health. We have received calls from all over the world in response to this study. People are very excited about the health benefits of garlic consumption.”

Gloria Benavides, an American Heart Association postdoctoral fellow also in the department of environmental health sciences, Kraus and their colleagues found that red blood cells could metabolize sulfur compounds contained in garlic and, in turn, liberate hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenously produced anti-oxidant, into the bloodstream. In order to sustain life, tissues likely require low concentrations of H2S; high concentrations of H2S as a gas, however, are actually toxic.

“Organisms across many biological phyla produce hydrogen sulfide,” Kraus says. “Its production following metabolism of the poly-sulfur compounds in garlic boosts concentrations just enough to enhance its protective properties. A fine line exists between its protective versus toxic concentrations.”

Interestingly, the number of sulfur atoms comprising the garlic compounds dictated the amount of H2S produced.

“Most of these garlic compounds contain two or three sulfurs but can have up to five or six sulfur atoms,” says Kraus. “We found that the higher number of sulfur atoms, the more effective was the compound at producing hydrogen sulfide.”

The investigators were also able to demonstrate this physiological response in an aorta that was submerged in an organ bath. The tension produced by the blood vessel held open with metal hooks was measured with a strain gauge. When H2S was produced the vessel relaxes and once the H2S was used up, the vessel would then reconstrict.

“The readout from these experiments is that H2S released upon break-down of the garlic compounds causes blood vessels to relax,” Kraus says.

The results obtained by UAB investigators corroborate studies conducted by colleagues John Elrod and David Lefer and others at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. These scientists simulated a heart attack in mice by clamping off blood flow to the heart. After 30 minutes, the clamp was released so that blood flow could return. This reperfusion of blood caused extensive damage to the heart tissue. If H2S was present, however, tissue damage was avoided.

“Hydrogen sulfide protects against cell and tissue damage from heart attacks,” says Jeannette Doeller, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at UAB and a co-author of the recent UAB findings.

Each day, cells in the body are victims of oxidative stress, caused by such molecules as reactive oxygen species and peroxides. As people age, the effects of oxidative stress increase because the body loses its ability to counteract the effect. Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease are only two of the many ailments that have been linked to oxidative stress. Even the immune system releases hydrogen peroxide in response to a wound; although this reaction is necessary to protect from bacterial infections, it still contributes to tissue damage. H2S may very well be the anti-oxidant needed to counteract oxidative stress.

Previous work performed in the laboratory of Mark Roth at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Washington has demonstrated that H2S even has the ability to induce a state of suspended animation in mice in which, essentially, their life is put on hold for an unspecified amount of time. This is, once again, another enormous feat for H2S.

“When tissue is in suspended animation, the demand for oxygen decreases,” says Kraus. “Under normal situations, 70% of donated organs die before reaching the patient in need. We can eventually stop this and lengthen the amount of time an organ is viable.”

“H2S seems to have numerous medical applications,” says Kraus. “It has the potential to protect cells and tissues during general surgery, in cases of trauma, heart attacks, and battlefield wounds. In fact, I would not be surprised if one day it is standard practice to have it available in ambulances so that it can be quickly dispensed to heart attack victims in an effort to prevent tissue damage.”

According to Doeller, the mediator of garlic’s good health benefits is H2S. Many garlic compounds have been isolated and proven to be effective, but it is this common metabolite that imparts its beneficial properties. These studies may actually lead to improvements in garlic supplements, as the effectiveness to date has been inconsistent.

“This is an exciting time for H2S research,” Doeller says. “Garlic has been known for centuries to have beneficial effects, and we encourage people to enjoy a garlic-rich diet.”

UAB graduate student Chris Chapleau couldn’t agree more.

“I found the results of these studies about garlic to be quite interesting,” he says. “I have always been a big fan of garlic, now I have even more reason to pile it on!”

Published in the UAB Kaleidoscope on October 23, 2007