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UA ENGINEERING FACULTY RECEIVES FULBRIGHT AWARD Dr. Leigh Terry, assistant professor with The University of Alabama’s College of Engineering, recently received a Fulbright Specialist Award to travel to Barranquilla, Colombia, in November to collaborate and work with the faculty at the Universidad del Norte on research and teaching projects related to water quality. The award will be used to address critical water quality issues facing the U.S. and Colombia and provide the opportunity to conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu

UMC OPENS CARROLLTON LOCATION – University Medical Center recently opened a location in Carrollton, Alabama, to provide primary health care services to the rural Pickens County community. UMC-Carrollton is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic, located at 289 Robert K. Wilson Drive, Suite C, will provide local health care to the community after the Pickens County Medical Center in Carrollton closed in January 2020. UMC is the largest multi-specialty medical practice in West Alabama with locations in Tuscaloosa, Northport, Demopolis, Fayette and now Carrollton, and more than 150,000 annual patient visits. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu

UA LEADING EFFORT TO INCREASE VACCINATIONS IN RURAL ALABAMA – In a partnership with community organizations, The University of Alabama is spearheading a project to get 70% of eligible people in the state’s Black Belt vaccinated against COVID-19 over the next year. A $1 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to UA will assist with vaccine information and outreach programs and support remote and pop-up vaccination clinics throughout the 18 counties. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu

STATE’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY BOOMING JUST BEFORE COVID-19 RESURGENCE – Two snapshots of the state’s economy earlier this summer show recovery from the pandemic recession of 2020 exceeding expectations, with business leaders confident things were getting even better, according to research from The University of Alabama. It’s unknown whether the rise of the Delta variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 will dampen the economy, but, if it does, nothing short of another lockdown could stunt the recovery, said Ahmad Ijaz, executive director of the UA Center for Business and Economic Research. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu

RAINFOREST DROUGHT INTENSIFIED DISEASE, DEATH IN A BRAZILIAN FROG – Human-caused changes to the environment that exasperate droughts in a Brazilian rainforest intensify seasonal infections of a deadly fungus afflicting frogs and toads, causing localized mass deaths, according to research involving The University of Alabama. The study is the first real-time report of chytridiomycosis in Brazil. The findings, reported in a recently published paper in the journal Biological Conservation, suggest human-caused climate change and deforestation may accelerate disease in drought-sensitive species to an extent that may shift disease dynamics toward localized but potentially lethal spikes in infection.  For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu

CURRENT COMMENT

SUPPORT, PATIENCE VITAL IN APPROACHING LOVED ONE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE – As the number of Americans struggling with a substance use disorder, particularly opioids, continues to climb, some may wonder how to approach a loved one who is in need of help. “Addiction takes a toll on families and friends,” said Dr. Tricia Witte, associate professor with UA’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies. “If you suspect that a loved one has developed a substance use disorder, it is important that you first take care of yourself. Make sure you are not consumed with concern, anger, resentment, sadness or any other emotion you may be feeling. Second, share your concerns directly, set clear boundaries and let your loved one know you will support them in treatment. Third, be patient, persistent and positive.” For more information, contact Witte at twitte@ches.ua.edu or Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu

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