University of Alabama doctoral student selected to meet Nobel Prize winners at annual conference
Al.com – June 26
A University of Alabama doctoral has been selected to attend Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting next week, a conference designed to foster interaction between Nobel Prize winners and up-and-coming student researchers from around the world. Brandon Hill, a Jackson, Miss., native, is one of approximately 600 students selected from a pool of thousands of applicants around the world. According to a UA release, Hill’s doctoral studies “blends the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, virology and nanotechnology.” His previous graduate research at Jackson State University, where he received his bachelor’s and master degrees in biology, has application in future cancer-treatment methods, according to UA. According to the Lindau Meeting website, 37 Nobel Laureates and approximately 600 students from more than 80 countries have announced they will attend.
Crimson White – June 25 (Print edition only)
Noyce Scholars Program readies future teachers
Crimson White – June 25 (Print edition only)
Students at The University of Alabama have been encouraged to pursue STEM majors and careers through undergraduate research, clubs, societies and programs. Now, the Noyce Scholars Program, in its first year at the University, is joining that push. Dennis Sunal, a UA professor in post-secondary science education and director of the program, said the he has wanted to bring the Noyce Scholars Program to the University for more than 10 years. The two primary goals of the program are increasing and diversifying the number of college students who graduate in fields of chemistry, math or physics and encouraging those graduates to consider teaching in high-needs secondary schools across Alabama. “For students who are starting out in the [STEM] programs, we would like them to continue on,” Sunal said. “Provide some support, provide them with some type of career orientation and exploration so they can see, ‘Well, where can I go with my chemistry major?’ or ‘Where can I go with my math major?’ And so, the second part is getting these majors to recognize that one major occupation area in these fields is teaching.”
Cybercrime lab coming to UA
Crimson White – June 25 (Print edition only)
Years ago, checking the Internet history on a criminal’s computer would not have registered as criminal evidence, because years ago, the Internet did not exist, and computers were not commonplace. Today, however, most electronics would be gathered as criminal evidence because of their constant presence. In partnership with the University of Alabama Police Department, Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar, assistant professor in the department of criminal justice, will create the University’s first cybercrime lab, funded by a $60,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic Affairs. The lab will serve as a space for University professors, UAPD and other task forces around the state to access, supplement and analyze data involving criminal cases.
Rivals unite for rural health care
Crimson White – June 25 (Print edition only)
University of Alabama fans and Auburn University fans don’t always get along. But UA associate professor of management information systems Uzma Raja and Rafay Ishfaq, assistant professor of Auburn University’s Department of Aviation and Supply Chain Management, don’t just work at rival schools. They work together. Raja approached Ishfaq, a 2010 UA graduate, about conducting an academic research piece around an idea she had about helping out people in certain areas who don’t have certain access to services like those that doctors provide. The barrier, Raja said, was that using telemedicine facilities can help rural patients avoid long commutes and get the access to expert health care that they normally cannot access.
Mentors work with high schoolers for AP classes
Crimson White – June 25 (Print edition only)
College students often come into The University of Alabama with advanced placement credit, but some students are going back to work with high school students who are hoping to gain some AP credit of their own. Impact Alabama, A+ College Ready and the University are partnering to create CollegeFirst, an initiative that lets high school students use a collegiate facility to advance their education. CollegeFirst is currently taking place at The Universiy of Alabama.
Tuscaloosa News – June 27 (Photo/cutline; print edition only)
Fulbright Award scholars travel abroad to teach, research, study
Crimson White – June 25 (Print edition only)
Haglaeeh Contreras, Rachel Hunkler and Lauren Marsh are University of Alabama students, but at the moment they are spending time in China, Spain and Malaysia, respectively. Contreras, Hunker and Marsh are three of eight UA students who were selected as Fulbright Award recipients for the 2014-15 academic year. The U.S. State Department directs and funds the Fulbright program to provide grants and scholarships for students to travel, teach and study abroad.
UA’s STEM Entrepreneurship Academy
Tuscaloosa News – June 27 (Photo/cutline; print edition only)
Amber Woods, an upcoming junior at Greene County High School, and Jacob Creel, an upcoming senior at Holt High School, present portions of their group’s business plan during the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Entrepreneurship Academy at the Bryant Conference Hall on Thursday at the University of Alabama. About 30 students participated in the camp, which is designed to present science, technology, engineering and math in the context of entrepreneurship to students interested in those fields.
50 States Series: Top Campuses Worth Traveling For
FlipKey.com – June 18
For impressionable youths lucky enough to be receiving a secondary education, choosing the right place to call home for the next four years is a major decision. Since college is “the best four years of your life” students need to visit a number of possible candidate universities to see how they might fit in, and if they like the appearance. The people, the classes, the professors, the social life and the sporting events all can vault a college onto a short list – but it is the setting that leaves a lasting impression. We’ve compiled a list of one college or university per state and the one attraction on campus (though there may have been many) that make that institution a must-see. It may be a historical building, an art gallery featuring student work, a particular monument with a memorable backstory, or simply a walk around campus with landscapes to take out a loan for. Whether you are a prospective student, the parent of a student, or a family planning your next trip – consider stopping by any of these fine universities to see their most defining features … University of Alabama Arboretum. The Arboretum’s primary emphasis is on Alabama’s native flora and fauna. It includes 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of walking trails through native piney woods and oak-hickory climax forest, a wildflower garden containing more than 250 species, ornamental plants, an experimental garden, a bog garden, an open-air pavilion, and a children’s garden. Two greenhouses contain collections of orchids, cacti, and tropical plants
Library to host free legal clinic Thursday for low-income people
Tuscaloosa News – June 25
A free legal clinic for low-income people will be held Thursday from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa County Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway. The clinic is a joint effort of the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program, the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association, the University of Alabama School of Law and Legal Services Alabama. The clinic is designed to assist low-income individuals with civil law challenges. Lawyers will be available to answer questions about divorce, custody and visitation issues, landlord-tenant issues, wills and estates, debts, bankruptcy, foreclosure and domestic violence.
Student solves real world problems
Crimson White – June 25 (Print edition only)
There are two kinds of people in two different worlds facing two different problems. On the one hand are students looking to make a social impact but can’t find the right kind of work. On the other hand are organizations trying to make change but can’t find the right talent. The Data Science for Social Good fellowship was established to bridge that gap. Joseph Walsh, doctoral student in political science at The University of Alabama, was a fellow in the Data Science for Social Good program last year. This year, he was invited back as a mentor. As a fellow, he worked on a project as part of a four-member team.
Scholastic Honors, Lamorinda Sun
San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) – June 26
Garrett Haislet, a 2010 graduate of Campolindo High School, received a bachelor of science degree in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama at its 183rd annual spring commencement, May 3, 2014. Haislet, the son of Scott and Pam Haislet of Orinda, earned a professional accounting designation with his degree.
Grammar named to honors society
Hartselle Enquirer – June 26
Courtany Jayne Grammer, daughter of Morris and Janie Grammer of Hartselle has recently become a member of Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Lambda at The University of Alabama. Phi Sigma Theta is a national honor society dedicated to recognizing and rewarding academic achievement in undergraduates at institutions of higher learning. Sigma Alpha Lamdba is a national leadership and honors organization dedicated to promoting and rewarding academic achievement and providing members with opportunities for community service, personal development and lifelong professional fulfillment.