UAB Digital Commons (Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham)

2025 Summer Expo Poster Presentation Health Sciences & Health Professionshttps://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/sp-expo/1129/thumbnail.jp

Nallamala, Daphne

Matthews, Emma L

Rua, Viviana Acevedo

Prokopczuk, Federico I

Barnes, Jarrod W

Martinez, Eriel

Krick, Stephanie

Acknowledgement
Introduction
Future Directions
1Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, 2Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 
3Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Center, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
• Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an AR disorder caused by mutations in the 
CFTR gene. This causes defective transepithelial ion transport, 
disrupting osmotic balance leading to a thick mucus and chronic 
infection, inflammation, and bronchiectasis in the CF lung.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic pathogen 
colonizing 50% of adults with CF. 
• PA exists in several phenotypes: mucoid, non-mucoid, and small 
colony variants (SCVs).
• The PA-SCV  is correlated with chronic PA infection but has not 
been explored in the CF lung.
• Replicate experiment for more statistical power 
• Perform ELISA to quantify cytokine protein 
product
• Compare PA strains effects in non-CF bronchial 
epithelial cells.
• Expand experimentation to multiple PA strains
• Use motility models to confirm attachment 
assays
• Animal models needed to characterize the host-
bacterial interactions of PA-SCV infections in 
multiple cell types.
We hypothesize that the SCVs will have altered virulence 
factors and will attenuate pro-inflammatory cytokine 
expression of infected CFBEs relative to non-SCV strains. 
Methods
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Small Colony Variants and their Effects on the Inflammatory Response 
and Virulence in the Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelium 
Inflammatory Cytokine Output: RT-
qPCR of CFBE mRNA; images were 
taken using a zeiss stereo microscope 
at 10x mag
Attachment Assay Outputs: Infected 
CFBEs with PAM-57 FPA0066 and 66-
SCV for one hour and 16-hour time 
points measured CFUs attached.
Biofilm Quantification Output: Crystal 
violet staining absorbance controlled to 
OD600
• Assessment of pro-inflammatory 
markers indicated a differentially regulated 
response with FPA0066-SCV infection at the 16-
HR time point leading to significant attenuation. 
PAM57-15 and FPA0066 pro-inflammatory 
response was higher than the FPA0066-SCV.
• Assessment of virulence compared between 
PAM57-15, FPA0066-SCV, and FPA0066 
revealed decrease in attachment of 66-SCV to 
CFBE’s. Quantification of biofilm formation 
revealed had lower production of biofilm by 
SCVs.
• Our PA bacteriophage-induced FPA0066-SCV 
has attenuated virulence which can give us 
important information about PA infection. 
Figure 2. A visual colony morphology screen for the PA strains grown overnight on LB agar plates.
Research for this project was supported by the 
National Institute of Health (R01HL160911 S.K.) and 
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation CF-SURP (BIRKET-
2280-SURP). The content is the responsibility of the 
authors and does not necessarily represent the 
views of the NIH.
1 Daphne Nallamala, 1 Emma L. Matthews, 1 Viviana Acevedo Rua, 2Federico I. Prokopczuk, 1, 3Jarrod W. Barnes, 2Eriel Martinez, 1, 3Stefanie Krick.
Overall, our study shows that the PA-66-SCV 
has attenuated virulence and modulates pro-
inflammatory markers in the CF bronchial 
epithelium as compared to PA-66 and PAM. 
A
. 
P
A
M
Patient Information
Age 24 yo 
Gender White Female
CF Mutation F508del/F508del
PMH Asthma, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Modulator 
Therapy Trikafta
Baseline 
FEV-1 64%
ID History Pulm aspergillus and MAC
Table 1. Patient demographics of 
the clinical isolate FPA0066 source 
Figure 3. 66-SCV exhibits decreased pro-
inflammatory markers via RT-qPCR at the 16-
HR timepoint. No significant change at 1-HR. 
Figure 6. Biofilm Formation
PAM57-15 66 66-SCV 
Figure 1. Experimental workflow of PA infection, mRNA isolation, attachment assay and 
RT-qPCR measurements for pro-inflammatory cytokines using GAPDH as a control.
Figure 4. CFU/mL for PA 
phenotypes
PAM57-
15 
66 66-SCV 
*
Cells: Immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells homozygous 
for Δ508del CFTR mutation (CFBEs).
PA strains: mucoid clinical isolate PAM57-15, FPA0066 (66) 
bacteriophage-induced and small colony variant (SCV).
Discussion and ConclusionResults
Figure 5. 1-HRAttachment Assay 
of PA phenotypes
C. 66-SCVB. 66A. PAM
C. 
CT
RL
PA
M 66
 
66
-S
CV
CT
RL
 
PA
M
 
66
 
66
-S
CV
 
1 HR 16 HR
CT
RL PA
M 66
 
66
-S
CV
CT
RL
 
PA
M
 
66
 
66
-S
CV
 
1 HR 16 HR
B.
16 HR
CT
RL
PA
M 66
 
66
-S
CV
CT
RL
 
PA
M
 
66
 
66
-S
CV
 
1 HR
A. 


Pseudomonas aeruginosa Small Colony Variants and their Effects on the Inflammatory Response in the Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelium

Patent coloring bookhttps://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/patentcb/1004/thumbnail.jp

McGuire, Ashley S

University of Alabama at Birmingham 
UAB Digital Commons 
Patent Coloring Books Professional Showcase 
5-1-2025 
Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety 
Ashley S. McGuire 
University of Alabama at Birmingham, asmcguire@uab.edu 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/patentcb 
 Part of the Engineering Commons 
Recommended Citation 
McGuire, Ashley S., "Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety" (2025). Patent Coloring Books. 5. 
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/patentcb/5 
This content has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of the UAB Digital Commons, and is 
provided as a free open access item. All inquiries regarding this item or the UAB Digital Commons should be 
directed to the UAB Libraries Office of Scholarly Communication. 
Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety 
University of Alabama at Birmingham Libraries 
May 2025
 Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety – Compiled by STEM Librarian for Engineering & Chemistry,  
Ashley S. McGuire, MLIS, PhD 
 
 
   
 
The Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HIIE) houses UAB’s technology 
transfer office, the UAB Research Foundation. The HIIE serves as the university hub for protecting 
and promoting innovations developed by UAB faculty and staff, including by deciding whether to 
file patent applications for the innovations and coordinating the patent protection process. The 
HIIE also helps create business relationships between UAB faculty and commercial entities to help 
bring discoveries, inventions, and technologies generated through research on our campus to the 
market. These relationships may lead to licensing agreements, which grant the commercial 
entities rights to develop and sell those technologies. 
 
For more information about protecting and promoting your intellectual property as a member of 
the UAB community, please visit uab.edu/innovation or email innovation@uab.edu. 
 
For more information about patents and access to other free patent coloring books, please visit 
the UAB Libraries Patent Coloring Books guide at guides.library.uab.edu/coloringbooks. 
 
 
 
 
This patent coloring book is created specifically to highlight the vast accomplishments of one of 
our UAB School of Engineering emeritus professors, Dr. Dean L. Sicking. Dr. Sicking has contributed 
significantly to the field of sports safety through inventions related to vehicular crash safety and 
helmet design, among others. Following Dale Earnhardt’s fatal accident during a race in 2001, Dr. 
Sicking (at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the time) was commissioned by NASCAR to 
determine the cause of his worst injuries using video footage from Earnhardt’s crash and others 
from the previous decade. This inspired the development of Dr. Sicking’s most famous invention, 
the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier. The SAFER barrier has succeeded in 
reducing the number of barrier impact-related annual fatalities in NASCAR and Indy Racing 
League from 1.5 to 0. After joining the UAB School of Engineering, Dr. Sicking turned his attention 
to another major safety issue in sports – safer helmets for contact sports like football. 
 
Awards and acknowledgements for Dr. Dean Sicking include  
• 2002 Motorsports Engineering Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers and the 
Specialty Equipment Market Association 
• 2003 Bill France Junior Award for Excellence from NASCAR 
• 2004 Bill France Award of Excellence from Pocono Raceway 
• 2004 Herb Porter Award from Indianapolis Motor Speedway 
• 2005 National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President George W. Bush 
• 2005 Vision Award from the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame 
• 2011 Ken Stonex Award from Transportation Research Board Committee on Roadside 
Safety Design 
• 2012 Charter Fellow for the National Academy of Inventors 
• Landmark Award as part of the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame 
 
 Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety – Compiled by STEM Librarian for Engineering & Chemistry,  
Ashley S. McGuire, MLIS, PhD 
 
 
   
 
The patents represented in this coloring book are in order of publication and include Dr. Dean L. 
Sicking as a UAB inventor, despite the fact that many of these inventions were patented before 
he joined UAB as a faculty member in the School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and 
Materials Engineering. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Dr. Sicking’s patents. 
 
References: 
"About Us." Midwestern Roadside Safety Facility – University of Nebraska. Archived 
September 7, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed May 28, 2025. 
https://web.archive.org/web/20160907121816/http://mwrsf.unl.edu/history.html  
Bakken, Jim, "UAB's Marchase, Sicking named NAI Charter Fellows for inventing" (2012). 
Browse All News. 12940. https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/all-news/12940  
Blount, Terry. "Famed Engineering Turns Eye to Football" ESPN. December 18, 2012. 
Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/8759901/dean-
sicking-turns-attention-football-nfl-racing-nascar  
"Dr. Dean Sicking | Class of 2025 Landmark Award Winner for Outstanding Contributions 
to NASCAR." Nascar Hall of Fame. Accessed May 28, 2025. 
https://www.nascarhall.com/hall-of-famers/landmark-award/dr-dean-sicking  
 
 
Patent Identifier Title of Patent and Inventors Date of Publication 
 
US 4,815,565 A 
 
* cover image 
 
Low maintenance crash cushion end treatment 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventor: Hayes E. Ross, Jr. 
 
 
March 28, 1989 
 
US 5,775,675 A 
 
Sequential kinking guardrail terminal system 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventors: John D. Reid, John E. Rohde 
 
 
 
July 7, 1998 
 
US 5,931,448 A 
 
Reverse twist turned-down terminal for road 
guardrail system 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventors: John D. Reid, Gene W. Paulsen 
 
 
 
 
 
August 3, 1999 
 Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety – Compiled by STEM Librarian for Engineering & Chemistry,  
Ashley S. McGuire, MLIS, PhD 
 
 
   
 
 
US 5,988,598 A 
 
Breakaway steel guardrail post 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventors: John D. Reid, John R. Rohde 
 
 
November 23, 1999 
 
US 6,022,003 A 
 
Guardrail cutting terminal 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventor: Brian G. Pfeifer 
 
 
February 8, 2000 
 
US 6,244,571 B1 
 
Controlled buckling breakaway cable terminal 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventors: John D. Reid, John R. Rohde 
 
 
June 12, 2001 
 
US 6,505,820 B2 
 
Guardrail terminal 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventor: Brian G. Pfeifer 
 
 
January 14, 2003 
 
US 6,668,989 B2 
 
Trailer mounted bursting energy absorption system 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventors: John D. Reid, John R. Rohde 
 
 
December 30, 2003 
 
US 7,100,752 B2 
 
Bridge pier crash cushion system 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventors: John D. Reid, John R. Rohde, King K. Mak 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 5, 2006 
 Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety – Compiled by STEM Librarian for Engineering & Chemistry,  
Ashley S. McGuire, MLIS, PhD 
 
 
   
 
 
US 7,111,827 B2 
 
Energy-absorption system 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventor: Brian G. Pfeifer 
 
 
September 26, 2006 
 
US 7,220,077 B2 
 
Traffic noise barrier system 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventors: Eric C. Humphries, Stephen D. Barratt, 
Ronald K. Faller, Keith J. Kurz 
 
 
May 22, 2007 
 
US 7,913,981 B2 
 
Cable release lever 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean Sicking 
 
Inventors: John Rohde, Ronald Faller, Jim Holloway, 
John Reid, Robert Bielenberg, Karla Polivka 
 
 
March 29, 2011 
 
US 9,091,091 B2 
 
Energy absorbing sports board assembly 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
Inventor: Cody S. Stolle 
 
 
July 28, 2015 
 
US 9,145,943 B2 
 
Systems and methods for absorbing energy 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean Sicking 
 
 
September 29, 2015 
 
US 9,683,340 B2 
 
Systems and methods for supporting bollards 
 
UAB Inventors: Dean Sicking, David Littlefield 
(Mechanical & Materials Engineering), Kenneth 
Walls (Mechanical & Materials Engineering) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 20, 2017 
 Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety – Compiled by STEM Librarian for Engineering & Chemistry,  
Ashley S. McGuire, MLIS, PhD 
 
 
   
 
 
US 9,856,616 B2 
 
Self-restoring crash cushions  
 
UAB Inventors: Dean Sicking, David Littlefield 
(Mechanical & Materials Engineering), Kenneth 
Walls (Mechanical & Materials Engineering), Seth 
Cohen, Kevin Schrum (Mechanical & Materials 
Engineering) 
 
 
January 2, 2018 
 
US 10,036,132 B2 
 
Twist box guardrail terminal 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
 
July 31, 2018 
 
US 10,115,200 B2 
 
Systems and methods for analyzing sports impact 
 
UAB Inventors: Dean Sicking, Seth Cohen, Dennis 
Leonard 
 
 
October 30, 2018 
 
US 10,444,099 B2 
 
Systems and methods for testing protective helmets 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean Sicking 
 
 
October 15, 2019 
 
US 10,568,377 B2 
 
Protective helmet systems that enable the helmet to 
rotate independent of the head 
 
UAB Inventor: Dean Sicking 
 
 
February 25, 2020 
 
US 10,729,200 B2 
 
Protective helmets having energy absorbing tethers 
 
UAB Inventors: Dean Sicking, Blake Feltman 
(Mechanical & Materials Engineering), James T. 
Houston (School of Medicine, Neurology) 
 
 
August 4, 2020 
 
US 10,779,600 B2 
 
Protective helmets having energy absorbing shells 
 
UAB Inventors: Dean Sicking, Benjamin Willis 
(Mechanical & Materials Engineering) 
 
 
September 20, 2020 
 
US 11,759,697 B2 
 
Sports wall assembly 
UAB Inventor: Dean L. Sicking 
 
September 19, 2023 























 Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety – Compiled by STEM Librarian for Engineering & Chemistry,  
Ashley S. McGuire, MLIS, PhD 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Find access to dozens of free databases for all Alabama residents at the 
Alabama Virtual Library. (www.avl.lib.al.us) 
 
 
Visit any UAB Library to receive a Courtesy Card, which allows any resident 
of Alabama to check out our printed materials and access additional 
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(library.uab.edu/information/community-and-alumni) 
 
 
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(library.uab.edu/about/liaisons) 


Dean Sicking: Celebrating Safety

2025 Summer Expo Poster Presentation Educationhttps://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/sp-expo/1148/thumbnail.jp

Do, Dori

Donaldson, Jonan Phillip

Mahesh, Ananya

The Uncovering of Five Distinct Learning Experiences in a Graduate 
Instructional Design Course through Network Analysis 
Dori Do, Jonan Phillip Donaldson, & Ananya Mahesh
Introduction
In graduate-level instructional design courses, reflection activities are 
commonly used to support student learning. However, it’s less clear 
how these reflections translate into actual learning experiences. This 
study uses network analysis to examine coded student reflections 
from the IDD 660 course to uncover how students engaged with 
concepts like teamwork, assessment, feedback, and instructional 
design principles. Using a learning theory framework and thematic 
codes, we sought to identify patterns in what worked, what students 
struggled with, and the theories they relied on to make sense of their 
learning.
Methodology
This study, conducted in a fully online graduate course during Spring 
2024, examined student reflections as part of a larger design-based 
research project using Learning Experience Network Analysis 
(LENA). Thirteen anonymized end-of-course reflections were coded 
in MAXQDA based on what worked, what posed challenges, and 
references to learning theory, resulting in 66 codes and 302 
segments. A co-occurrence correlation analysis (p < .01) revealed 
patterns of code relationships, which were visualized using UCINET. 
Network analysis with the Girvan-Newman algorithm identified five 
distinct clusters—highly modular “learning ecologies” (Q = 
0.669)—each reflecting interconnected cognitive, emotional, and 
social learning experiences. 
Conclusion
Student reflection papers provide a rich view into the lived experience 
of learning. This study used network analysis to identify five distinct 
clusters—“learning ecologies”—in a graduate instructional design 
course, each blending academic challenges, personal growth, and 
learning theories. These ecologies revealed patterns in how students 
managed teamwork, developed professional identity, and responded 
to feedback. The findings offer actionable course design 
recommendations and a model for using student voice to improve 
graduate-level instruction. 
References
Figure 1. LENA map of what worked, struggles, and theories.
Barab, S. (2022). Design-based research: A methodological toolkit for engineering change. In R. K. Sawyer (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (3 ed., pp. 177-195). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108888295.012 
Barron, B. (2006). Interest and self-sustained learning as catalysts of development: A learning ecology perspective. Human Development, 49(4), 193-224. https://doi.org/10.1159/000094368 
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer. 
Donaldson, J. P., Han, A., Yan, S., Lee, S., & Kao, S. (2023). Learning experience network analysis for design-based research. Information and Learning Sciences, 125(1/2), 22-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-03-2023-0026 
Girvan, M., & Newman, M. E. J. (2002). Community structure in social and biological networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99(12), 7821. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.122653799
Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906911. 
Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of educational research, 77(1), 81-112. https://doi.org/10.3102/003465430298487 
Kaplan, A., & Garner, J. K. (2017). A complex dynamic systems perspective on identity and its development. Developmental Psychology, 53(11), 20362051. 
Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge University Press. 
Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 1997(74), 512. 
Papert, S., & Harel, I. (1991). Constructionism: Research reports and essays, 19851990. Ablex Publishing. 
Piaget, J. (1972). The psychology of the child. Basic Books. 
Schön, D. A. (1992). Educating for reflection-in-action. In J.-M. Choukroun & R. M. Snow (Eds.), Planning for human systems (pp. 142-161). University of Pennsylvania Press. https://doi.org/10.9783/9781512801576-013
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. 
Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge University Press. 


The Uncovering of Five Distinct Learning Experiences in a Graduate Instructional Design Course through Network Analysis

Behavior and imaging data for the ebf3a mutant zebrafish line. Also, Supplementary Data S1, which contains additional RNA-seq analyses and code

Thyme, Summer

Disrupted development of sensory systems and the cerebellum in a zebrafish ebf3a mutant

University of Alabama at Birmingham

August 8, 2025
Fireworks, back-to-school smiles and ribbon cuttings
Take a minute to explore nine memorable images from July 2025 as selected by UAB's
official photographers.
SHP’s Butler to step down as
dean, lead CEDHARS
Andrew J. Butler, Ph.D., has announced
that he will step down as dean of the UAB
School of Health Professions at the end
of the year. Following a spring leave, Butler
will assume a new role as director of the
UAB Center for Engagement in Disability
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
(CEDHARS).
Unified for impact: Empowering
UAB through data insights and
technology alignment
The Igniting Data Insights initiative and
the cross-functional Technology
Alignment and Collaboration Committee
will strengthen our infrastructure, foster
collaboration and ensure that our decisions
are informed, efficient and future-ready.
Things to know
UAB to host summer
commencement Aug. 16
More than 926 graduating students will
participate in morning and afternoon
ceremonies in Bartow Arena, which will be
livestreamed.
Gang Green reignites: A new
era for Blazer spirit
The UAB Athletics student support group is
now a student-led organization with
leadership positions and member benefits.
Faculty Senate to meet Aug. 12
The Faculty Senate will host Christopher Sorenson, assistant vice president for Project
Management, and his team members, who will be presenting UABHS Epic Project
Overview. Also on the agenda is Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president for
Medicine and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, who will present Heersink
School of Medicine: Positioning Ourselves for the Future. The meeting begins at 7:30
a.m. Aug. 12 on Zoom.
Deadline approaching: 2025-2026 Elevate Leadership Academy
Applications for this eight-month program, designed for emerging leaders at UAB, are
due by Aug. 16. Participants cultivate essential leadership skills and forge collaborative
relationships; learn more in this short video.
New to a research role? Start here.
The free, one-session Research Orientation Program offers a high-level overview of how
to implement a clinical study. It is ideal for young investigators and research staff who
are new to clinical research. The virtual session will be held 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 21.
Register online by Aug. 15. 
Mark your calendars
Summer fun: Legacy Family
Day is back
Looking for one more summer adventure?
This popular event returns with all activities,
games and snacks included for $5 per
ticket.
⏰ 3-5 p.m. Aug. 10
📍 Campus Green
🗓 Buy tickets
Research & learning
Learn about stormwater management from a master gardener
Discover how rainwater moves from yards and lawns into nearby creeks, streams and
drinking water resources, and how to prevent water pollution during this process —
starting with your own yard. This session, at 1 p.m. Aug. 8 in Sterne Library room 163,
is taught by Jefferson County Master Gardener Hana Berres.
Explore these research training opportunities:
→ How to Create a Grant Budget, noon Aug. 8
→ Asking the Right Guiding Questions: Foundations of Research and Evaluation,
10 a.m. Aug. 15
→ CCTS Mock Study Section: Sit In The Driver’s Seat – Be the Reviewer, 11 a.m.
Aug. 19
→ Starting the Journey: Introducing Dissemination and Implementation Research,
noon Aug. 19
→ CCTS TIERS+: Data Visualization and Integrity Workshop, noon Aug. 20
More learning opportunities
Tech Talk: Using OneDrive Effectively, 11
a.m. Aug. 11
Cell Maps for AI CodeFest at UAB, 8
a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 14
Feedback for Impact, 1 p.m. Aug. 21
One more thing
Understanding vein pain
From persistent leg pain and swelling to visible varicose or spider veins, symptoms often
signal underlying issues with blood flow. Early recognition and proactive
management of vein disease are key to preventing long-term discomfort and
complications, say experts from the UAB Vein Clinic.
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August 8, 2025 eReporter

SEPTEMBER 3-9, 2025
First game vibes
Check out the scene at Thursday night's Blazer victory.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apply to become a Capitol Scholar 🏛 
The Capitol Scholars Program is a summer internship program in Washington,
D.C., for University of Alabama System students who plan to pursue a career in or
around the government. Applications are due Friday, Sept. 12. Watch the video.
Get drenched at Blazer Splash 🎈  
Have some fun at the 9th Annual Blazer Splash, featuring 20,000+ water balloons,
two giant water slides, and dozens of water shooters. The first 300 participants will
receive free food and t-shirts. 
Apply for the 2026 Orientation team 🙌 
Serving as an orientation leader is an excellent way to develop leadership skills and
build lifelong friendships. Apply now.
Refine your research pitch 🔬 
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates research conducted by
doctoral and master's students by challenging them to explain their research in
three minutes to a non-specialist audience. Register by Sept. 12.
Share what you want to cook 🍪 
The Department of Nutrition Sciences is developing classes for its teaching kitchen.
Tell them what you want to learn. (Scroll to the bottom of the webpage and click
"UAB Qualtrics Logon Portal" to access the survey.)
BLAZER SPOTLIGHT
Public Relations student chapter
recognized
This is the seventh year the UAB chapter has
been awarded STAR Chapter status by the
Public Relations Student Society of America. 
DATES & DEADLINES
Sept. 22: Second payment deadline for the Blazer Flex Plan
Oct. 8: Last day to drop a course without paying full tuition
MAKE THE MOST OF IT
Student Resources for Success
Book this room for private virtual
meetings
A newly dedicated space for telehealth appointments,
thesis/dissertation meetings and presentations,
conference presentations, and interviews is available
at Sterne Library; anyone with a ONE Card can book
the room for two-hour time slots.
UP NEXT
Check the Campus Calendar for more events this week.
Hat Day Hype: Today, Wed., Sept. 3, stop by the Campus Rec Center to
get a free hat as part of its 20th anniversary celebration.
VIP Event at the UAB Bookstore: Thurs., Sept. 4, enjoy games, raffles
and free samples while you shop.
Sterne Back-to-School Bash: Thurs, Sept. 4, drop by for pizza, therapy
animals, and a DIY craft.
Education Abroad Fair: Tues., Sept. 9, learn more about studying
overseas.
Blazer Book Club: Wed., Sept 10., Blazer Book Club books distributed;
register before Sept. 10 - the first 30 registrants get a free copy.
Last week's This or That poll asked:
What's your tried-and-true comfort food—chicken nuggets or pizza?
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September 3, 2025 Blazer Weekly

June 6, 2025
UAB opens new home for the School of Engineering
Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall, a 110,000-square-foot facility, is Phase 2 of the Science
and Engineering Complex and includes sophisticated technology and design throughout
to attract faculty and train the next generation of modern engineers.
🏢 Learn more about the building.
⚡ Tour its spaces in this video.
📱 See more of the ribbon-cutting fun with a slideshow and video on Instagram.
This landmark study is looking
for more participants
UAB researchers are studying knee
osteoarthritis, a condition that will affect
nearly half of Americans as they age, using
new diagnostic tools. The pioneering
research is now enrolling younger
participants, starting at age 45. Learn more
in this story.
Heersink Conference Center is
open for events
Located in the Altec/Styslinger Genomic
Medicine and Data Sciences Building, the
facility has conference rooms, a lobby and a
rooftop terrace. UAB and UAB Medicine
units, as well as UAB affiliates, can book for
immediate use. See a slideshow of
spaces, along with details and rates.
Things to know
Free applications for business grad programs through Monday
Prospective graduate students planning to start any of Collat's three graduate business
programs this fall can apply at no cost now through June 9.
Teams security strengthened
for external participants
Beginning June 13, UAB IT will add
verification checks for anonymous and
unverified external participants joining
Microsoft Teams meetings. UAB-
authenticated attendees will not have to
perform this check; learn more.
Note this change to overtime compensation withholding
Alabama law currently exempts state tax withholdings on amounts paid to non-exempt
(biweekly paid) employees as overtime compensation. This law will expire June 30. As of
July 1, UAB will resume withholding Alabama state income tax from any FLSA overtime
wages paid to non-exempt employees. Employees with questions can contact Payroll
Services at payhelp2@uab.edu.
Medical volunteers needed for World Police and Fire Games
Nurses, PCTs and CMAs who would like to volunteer can help staff medical stations at
various event venues during the games, which will bring thousands of first
responders from across the globe to Birmingham June 27-July 6. Learn more by filling
out this form and sign up for a shift here.
Faculty Senate to meet June 10
The agenda includes updates on academic calendars from Katrina Mintz, Ph.D.,
associate vice provost for Assessment, Accreditation & Academic Planning; on
technology updates and data insights from Curtis Carver, Ph.D., vice president and chief
information officer; and on the Office of Research from Chris Brown, Ph.D., vice
president for Research. The meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. on Zoom.
Blazer achievements
Murrow honors awarded to
WBHM, Gulf States
Newsroom
WBHM 90.3 FM and Gulf States
Newsroom have won nine Regional
Edward R. Murrow Awards for 2025,
including the highest award, Overall
Excellence, for WBHM.
Major milestone for UAB’s
Tele-ICU
UAB, in collaboration with Whitfield
Regional Hospital in Demopolis, has
surpassed 500 admissions to the UAB
Tele-Intensive Care Unit. Whitfield’s eight-
bed ICU is monitored remotely 24/7 by the
UAB Tele-ICU team to help support
bedside staff.
Mark your calendars
Alabama Triennial Artist Panel
This is the first of three panels in
conjunction with AEIVA’s Alabama Triennial
exhibition, loosely organized around themes
of ancestry, family, community and
narrative.
⏰ 2 p.m. June 7
📍 AEIVA
🗓 Details online
Explore these adult summer
workshops from ArtPlay
One-session workshops invite faculty, staff
and community members to explore hands-
on activities, including making polymer clay
jewelry and watercolor illustrations.
Research & learning
Preemies’ “mycobiomes”
predict deadly lung disease
Very-low-weight newborns need extra
oxygen and can develop deadly
bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Differences in
gut fungi predict getting, or not getting,
BPD, according to new research from
UAB.
Take a 360-degree tour of
Pappas Gallery's current exhibit
Don't work on campus or can't make it to
Lister Hill Library? “Navigating
Communication: Breaking Invisible
Barriers,” which explores vision and hearing
loss and the Deaf, Blind and DeafBlind
communities, can now be explored
interactively from anywhere, anytime.
More learning opportunities
Neuroscience For All: Brain Chats, 11
a.m. June 7
Tech Talk: Teams Channels & Settings,
11 a.m. June 9
Healthy Aging: Understanding &
Navigating Senior Care Options with
Confidence, noon June 10
Global Health Dissemination &
Implementation Research, noon June
10
More news online
Get campus news at uab.edu/reporter and uab.edu/news. Check the Campus Calendar
for more events on campus, and submit your own. If you have news you want to share,
use the Request Publicity form online.
Lectures Arts Athletics
Follow UAB on LinkedIn Visit UAB on Facebook
Direct questions about the eReporter to reporter@uab.edu.
Read UAB Reporter Request Publicity
Clinical Trials eReporter Archive
The eReporter is published by and for the UAB community as a service of the Office of Marketing and
Communications. It is an official communication of UAB, companion to the UAB Reporter news site and
the recommended alternative to mass e-mails.


June 6, 2025 eReporter

June 10, 2025
Flowers and smiles bloom in this campus slideshow
Our photographers captured pollinators in action, downtown beauty, swimming smiles
and more in their May shoots. Spend a minute with this slideshow and see where
you can jump in.
Celebrating a special class
With 105 graduates, this year’s D.M.D.
class at the School of Dentistry is the
largest in its 76-year history. They entered
school at the height of the pandemic and
were the first to rotate through UAB’s
community-based clinic in Dothan. See
more online.
Radiologist’s book helps kids
picture themselves in her field
Associate Professor Aparna Singhal, M.D.,
wrote “The ABCs of Radiology” to spark
curiosity and encourage future careers in
STEM and health care.
Vacation-season health advice
🔥 An emergency room doctor shares how
to avoid common camping mishaps.
🏌 Sports-medicine physicians explain how
to play or watch golf without tears.
🐠 A leader of UAB’s Hyperbaric Medicine
program breaks down dive safety.
Things to know
Dead battery? Flat tire? UAB can fix that — for free
UAB Transportation’s Motorist Assistance Roadside Service program, known as
MARS, provides a great service to help you resolve car troubles such as a dead battery,
a flat tire or locked-in car keys. It's fast and free when you are on campus. Call (205)
975-6277.
Want to get involved at UAB?
Meet new people and help make positive
change: Register now on BlazerPulse,
UAB’s community engagement hub. Find
volunteer opportunities that match your
passions (even virtual options) and work
with your schedule. Sign up today at
uab.givepulse.com.
Note this change to overtime compensation withholding
The current law in Alabama exempts Alabama state tax withholdings on amounts paid to
non-exempt employees as overtime compensation. This law will expire June 30. As of
July 1, UAB will resume withholding Alabama state income tax from any FLSA overtime
wages paid to non-exempt employees. Employees with questions can contact Payroll
Services at payhelp2@uab.edu.
Faculty Senate meets today
The agenda includes updates on academic calendars from Katrina Mintz, Ph.D.,
associate vice provost for Assessment, Accreditation & Academic Planning; on
technology updates and data insights from Curtis Carver, Ph.D., vice president and chief
information officer; and on the Office of Research from Chris Brown, Ph.D., vice
president for Research. The meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. on Zoom.
Research & learning
Blossom as a leader
The Shifting to Leader Ready program is for
emerging and aspiring leaders, those
looking to be promoted to a people-leader
position, or those who have been identified
for future people-leader roles. Register
now for this training, held in Medical
Towers room 419A from 9-11 a.m. June 12.
CTL LIFT: Summer Seminar
Targeted to graduate students and
postdoctoral scholars, this seminar includes
two Lean Into Future Teaching sessions led
by Professor Stacey Cofield, Ph.D.
⏰ 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 17
📍 Lister Hill Library, 4th floor
🗓 Register online
Due Friday: abstracts for Interprofessional Healthcare
Symposium
Students, staff and faculty are invited to submit poster abstracts for the seventh annual
event by June 13. Poster presentations will be held 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. July 25.
Details online.
Register for UAB CRRT Academy 2025
Founded by UAB’s Ashita Tolwani, M.D., in 2007, this annual event draws attendees
from around the globe. It will run from Sept. 10-12 this year, with lectures, hands-on
workshops, simulations and problem-solving sessions providing in-depth understanding
of continuous renal replacement therapy. Registration closes Aug. 31; details online.
More learning opportunities
Healthy Aging: Understanding &
Navigating Senior Care Options with
Confidence, noon June 10
Global Health Dissemination and
Implementation Research, noon June 10
You Are Not Alone: Infertility Support
Group, 5 p.m. June 10
AI & Mental Health, noon June 12
Copyright Bootcamp with UAB
Libraries, 8:30 a.m. June 13
The Center for Teaching and
Learning Presents: A Taste of the
CTL, 9 a.m.-3:50 p.m. June 13
Summer of Wellness: Personal
Finance 101, noon June 13
Lifesaver Course, 9 a.m. June 24
Mark your calendars
Wilson Phillips at 2025 Viva
Health Gala
This year's gala will offer guests an
immersive celebration of the arts, including
a performance by Wilson Phillips.
⏰ Sept. 5
📍 Alys Stephens Center
🗓 Buy tickets
Register now for UAB Athletics summer camps 🌞
Still looking for summer camps to keep kids occupied? UAB Athletics offers camps for
indoor volleyball, football, baseball, beach volleyball, soccer and basketball. Check out
this list online.
More news online
Get campus news at uab.edu/reporter and uab.edu/news. Check the Campus Calendar
for more events on campus, and submit your own. If you have news you want to share,
use the Request Publicity form online.
Lectures Arts Athletics
Follow UAB on LinkedIn Visit UAB on Facebook
Direct questions about the eReporter to reporter@uab.edu.
Read UAB Reporter Request Publicity
Clinical Trials eReporter Archive
The eReporter is published by and for the UAB community as a service of the Office of Marketing and
Communications. It is an official communication of UAB, companion to the UAB Reporter news site and
the recommended alternative to mass e-mails.


June 10, 2025 eReporter

Duration: 11:59https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/ethnographic/1197/thumbnail.jp

Nelson, Jaylan

Campos, Isabella

We Are Home

2025 Summer Expo Poster Presentation Biological & Life Scienceshttps://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/sp-expo/1103/thumbnail.jp

Breazeale, Lucius

Norian, Lyse

Bartlett, Kimberlyn

Administration Of An Anti-inflammatory Diet Plus Anti-PD-1 
Slows Renal Cancer Progression In Mice
ABSTRACT
Lucius Breazeale, Department of Immunology; Dr. Lyse Norian, Department of Nutrition Sciences and O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center; Kimberlyn Bartlett, Graduate Behavioral Neuroscience Program; Dr. Rob Sorge, 
Department of Psychology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
RESULTS
METHODS
Background
RESULTS (continued)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CONCLUSIONS
HYPOTHESIS
Renal cancer is highly prevalent in adults and is treated clinically with immune 
checkpoint blockade therapies. Although immune checkpoint therapies are used, they 
are effective in only ~50% of patients, and there is a growing interest in using dietary 
interventions to improve patient outcomes. Inflammation plays a large role in the 
progression of cancer due to utilizing pro-inflammatory cells and signaling molecules to 
promote their proliferation and metastasis. We hypothesized that by utilizing an anti-
inflammatory diet, inflammation would be reduced, slowing tumor progression, 
particularly after being used in combination with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Using data 
analysis gathered from flow cytometry data and bioluminescent imaging, we evaluated 
renal cell carcinoma progression in mice receiving a combination treatment of anti-PD-1 
immunotherapy with an anti-inflammatory diet. By comparing diet efficacy when used 
with or without immunotherapy in both old and young female mice, as well as by 
comparing outcomes in male and female mice, we sought to determine if our 
combination approach slowed tumor progression more than therapy alone. We found 
that young BALB/c mice had a higher tumor outgrowth than old BALB/c mice. We also 
observed that overall male BALB/c mice had a faster tumor outgrowth compared to 
female BALB/c mice. The combined use of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy with anti-
inflammatory diet effectively limits tumor progression in the kidneys relative to untreated 
controls and single treatment groups. Our results suggest that the combined use of an 
anti-inflammatory diet with anti-PD1 is effective in slowing renal cancer progression and 
has potential for improving patient outcomes.
▪ The anti-inflammatory diet  enhances the anti-tumor 
ability of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy on renal cancer.
▪ Administration of anti-inflammatory diet was most effective when used in 
combination with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy compared to single treatments and the 
control group.
▪ Use of the combination therapy (i.e. anti-inflammatory diet and anti-PD-1 
immunotherapy) showed trends in decreased tumor growth, lung and liver 
metastasis, and endpoint tumor weights.
▪ Use of the combination therapy shows decreased expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 
which could be explained by a lack of an immune response due to smaller tumor 
size.
▪ The use of the combination therapy could be used in the future as new form of 
treatmement clinically in humans in the future.
• Norian Lab Members
• Stacie Totsch
• Sorge Lab
• Small Animal Imaging Facility
• Funding provided by NIH R01 #CA269568 to LAN
▪ Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is responsible for ~2% of cancer diagnosis and 
deaths each year.
▪ PD-1 immunotherapies have become a first line of treatment for RCC but is only 
effective to PDL1 positive types of RCC making PDL1 negative difficult to deal with.
▪ Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy functions by blocking the PD-1 receptor on T cells to 
prevent tumor cells from interacting with PD-L1 to stop the T cell immune response. 
By blocking the PD-1 and PD-L1 interaction, T cells effectively target cancer cells.
▪ Dietary interventions have become a popular addition to cancer treatments as a 
way of limiting tumor growth by limiting certain nutrients like glucose that tumors 
utilize for growth.
▪ Inflammation plays a major role in tumor growth as it can limit tumor growth, 
however if it becomes chronic the tumor can utilize pro-inflammatory cells and 
signaling molecules to promote tumor proliferation and survival.
▪ Our anti-inflammatory diet (AID) works to limit inflammation in the body and may 
slow tumor progression by limiting the availability of nutrients that tumors use for 
growth. 
▪ AID differs from a traditional dietary intervention through anti-inflammatory 
components: EGCG, sulforaphane, curcumin, ginseng, and resveratrol which make 
up the anti-inflammatory effects of the diet.
▪ By using a combination of anti-inflammatory diet and anti-PD-1 
immunotherapy, inflammation should be effectively limited allowing a-PD-1 to block 
the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 to promote an effective T cell response 
against malnourished tumors.
Figure 1: Combination Therapy (i.e. AID + anti-PD-1) showed the slowest tumor progression over 
time compared to the other treatment groups. (A) Tumor growth over a 26 Day period across four 
treatment groups (Control, a-PD-1, AID, and Combo). (B) Excised renal tumor weights at endpoint of 
experiment across the four treatment groups. (C) Lung metastasis were measured to test the 
effectiveness at limiting metastasis between treatment groups.
Figure 2: Combination therapy (AID + anti-PD-1) shows the least expression in PD-1+ TIM3+ CD4 and PD-
1+ TIM3+ CD8 T cells compared to the control and single treatment groups. (A) Live CD4 T cells compared 
between four treatment groups. (B) Live activated CD4 T cells compared between four treatment groups. (C) Live 
CD8 T cells compared between four treatment groups. (D) Live activated CD8 T cells compared between four 
treatment groups. (E) PD-1+ CD4 T cells compared between four treatment groups. (F).(G) TIM3+ CD4 T cells 
compared between four treatment groups. (H) PD-1+ CD8 T cells compared between four treatment 
groups. (I).(J) TIM3+ CD8 T cells compared between four treatment groups.
Figure 3: Combination Therapy is more efficacious at slowing tumor growth in female BALB/c mice 
than male BALB/c mice. (A) Tumor growth over a 26 Day period across four treatment groups in both male 
and female BALB/c mice (Control,a-PD-1, AID, and Combo). (B) Excised renal tumor weights at endpoint of 
experiment across the four treatment groups compared between male and female BALB/c mice. (C) Lung 
metastasis were measured to test the effectiveness at limiting metastasis between treatment groups compared 
between male and female BALB/c mice.
Figure 4: Old BALB/c female mice showed slower tumor progression and a poorer response to 
combination therapy (i.e. AID + anti-PD-1) compared to young BALB/c female mice. (A) Tumor growth 
over a period of 21 days between old (~12 months) and young (8 weeks) BALB/c female mice under control 
treatment or treated with AID and a-PD-1. (B) Excised renal tumor weights at endpoint of experiment between 
treated and controlled young and old BALB/c mice. (C) Lung metastasis were measured to test the 
effectiveness at limiting metastasis between treated and controlled BALB/c female mice.
E
H
Flow CytometryDietary Intervention: +/- AID


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