UAB Digital Commons (Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham)

University of Alabama at Birmingham

FEBRUARY 5-11, 2025
Check out this video about UAB Medicine's rising star, Topgun. And in case you
missed it, UAB's Cutest Pet is pretty awesome too.
Who's your trusty sidekick: a goofy dog or a cozy cat?
VOTE NOW
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Launch your career  🤝 
Don't miss next Monday's One Big Career Fair in the Hill Student Center, where
employers from industries of all types will be available to discuss jobs, internships,
and other professional opportunities. Before you go, prepare yourself with the
Career Center's handy resources for resumes, interviews, and business attire.
Lend a hand at Blazer Kitchen  🙌  
Do you want to make a difference and help feed those in need? Volunteering at
Blazer Kitchen is a meaningful way to support the community and gain valuable
experience. Register to volunteer through BlazerPulse.
Apply to become a Gulf Scholar  ☀   
Attention, rising sophomores and above: The Gulf Scholars Program prepares
students to address critical challenges related to the Gulf Research Program, such
as community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship, and
offshore energy safety. Applications are being accepted now through March 1.
DATES & DEADLINES
Feb. 5 - Blazer Way nominations due
Feb. 7 - Last day for full-term withdrawal, 50% refund
Feb. 17 - Second payment deadline for Blazer Flex Plan
Feb. 23 - Student Excellence Awards nomination deadline
Feb. 28 - Blazer BRAIN summer program application deadline
UP NEXT
Check the Campus Calendar for more events this week
Funding Your Future for First-Gen Students: Today, Feb. 5, find out
about scholarship opportunities, funding sources, and more.
Peace in a Long Run: Tonight, Feb. 5, learn about three cases of trans-
Pacific citizen diplomacy.
Revisiting Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham
Jail": Thursday, Feb. 6, join a conversation about the significance and
legacy of Dr. King's famous letter.
Friday Night Live: Dragon Fire Trivia: Friday, Feb. 7, bring your
competitive spirit for a chance to win prizes.
Education Abroad Fair: Tuesday, Feb. 11, learn about opportunities to
explore the world.
If you have news you want to share, use the Request Publicity form online. Want
to dialogue with the editors? Contact us.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL


English

February 5, 2025 Blazer Weekly

February 25, 2025
UAB employees spoke up
The overall response rate for UAB's 2025 Campus Engagement Survey was 49% of
workgroups A and F, with more than 5,000 employees participating. The staff response
rate was 57% and the faculty response rate was 48%. This is the highest number of
responses since the survey started in 2017. In 2023, the overall response rate was 42%,
with staff at 52% and faculty at 37%.
⏰ Hold the date for a results town hall at 1 p.m. April 23 at the Hill Student Center
Alumni Theater.
My Health Rewards draws more
participants and rewards
In 2024, more than 6,400 employees
activated a My Health Rewards account —
1,200 more than in 2023 — and 3,935
logged enough healthy behaviors to receive
a payout of $50 or more. That trend has
continued since the 2025 program
launched. Activate your account here.
Heart-healthy snacks are here
Check out recipes for a chocolate nut
cookie in a mug, creamy spinach feta dip
and more from UAB Medicine and the
American Heart Association.
Check out this free sapling
giveaway for Arbor Day
Join UAB Sustainability for a tree sapling
giveaway in celebration of Arbor Day from
10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 7 at the UAB
Recycling Center. Cool Green Trees, a local
nonprofit, will be providing education on the
importance of planting trees. See tree types
available at the giveaway here.
Things to know
Vendor Showcase 2025 is tomorrow
Do you design or order promotional items or apparel for your unit? Meet UAB’s approved
vendors, see their products and get answers to your questions about UAB’s refreshed
brand, the ordering and approval process, and more from the Office of Marketing and
Communications and UAB Purchasing. ⏰ 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 26 | Hill Center
Ballrooms A&B | Details online
Pledge your support to the
Blazer family, Birmingham
community
In 40 years, the UAB Benevolent Fund has
granted more than $4.95 million to UAB
employees in crisis and awarded more than
$42.6 million to local nonprofits. Your gift
can help people in their time of need. Give
today at go.uab.edu/spring2025.
This is Free App Week
Entering freshmen and transfer students
can apply to UAB for free through Feb. 28.
Share feedback about UAB Police and Public Safety
Employees and students can share comments, commendations and other information on
UAB Police and Public Safety regarding the agency’s quality of service with the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which has accredited UAB
since 1995. The annual assessment verifies that UAB continues to meet specifically
defined standards necessary to maintain accreditation. Share feedback here.
Complete Statement of Economic Interests Form by April 30
UAB employees who meet a salary threshold of $97,000, whose job includes purchasing
or procurement authority, or who serve as a supervisor or executive assistant to
institutional leaders are required by state law to complete an annual Statement of
Economic Interests Form. Instructions for submitting the form and additional information
about the process are available at uab.edu/ethicsrequirement. Employees whose
primary assignments are in the UAB Hospital or UAB Hospital LLC are exempt.
Nominations open now
Samuel B. Barker Awards for Excellence in Graduate Studies: These awards are
given to students who represent the highest level of achievement in a UAB graduate
program. Students graduating in the calendar year may be nominated by their
department's graduate program director. Nominations due by March 3.
Want to serve on the Faculty Senate? Nominate yourself and/or colleagues;
see a list of seats needing to be filled. Submit nominations online through March 6.
Mark your calendars
🏀 Pack Bartow for UAB vs. Memphis on Sunday 🏀
Men’s Basketball takes on the Tigers in this big rivalry game at 3 p.m. March 2. Buy your
tickets today. Before the game, you can join fellow UAB alumni at a National Alumni
Society tailgate starting at 2 p.m. outside Bartow Arena.
Today: Mardi Gras Lunch 2025
This lively event will feature a variety of
Mardi Gras favorites, from crawfish étouffée
to beignets, alongside live music from the
UAB Jazz Band and giveaways including
moon pies.
⏰ 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 25
📍 The Commons on the Green
🗓 Details online
Theatre UAB presents “The
Revolutionists”
Catch this irreverent comedy about four
women who lose their heads in 1790s Paris.
⏰ 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26-March 1;
2 p.m. March 2
📍 ASC
🗓 Buy tickets
UAB hosts inaugural race to
raise awareness for rare
diseases
The free event includes a 5K and fun run.
⏰ 8 a.m. March 1
📍 Railroad Park
🗓 Register by Feb. 28
Research & learning
Get a taste of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Sample the various types of professional and educational development workshops
provided year-round in this one-day intensive on Feb. 28. Register online for all classes
or specific sessions.
9 a.m. - Teaching Effectiveness: Flipping the Classroom
10:25 a.m. - Accessibility: Understanding Your Role
noon - Global Awareness: Exploring UAB International Student
Backgrounds: South Asia
1:25 p.m. - Teaching Effectiveness: The City Is Our Classroom
2:40 p.m. - Using AI in the Classroom: Effective Prompt Generation
Haddin Forum: Understanding
the reading brain
Rajesh Kana, Ph.D., CAS associate dean
for Graduate and Continuing Education and
professor of Psychology, will present.
⏰ 1:25 p.m. Feb. 28
📍 Heritage Hall room 526
🗓 Register online
AI: Menace or miracle?
Explore the dual-edged nature of AI in
health care, from its transformative potential
to its ethical dilemmas, with Rubin Pillay,
M.D., Ph.D., during the 46th annual
Reynolds-Finley Historical Lecture.
⏰ 4 p.m. Feb. 28
📍 Hill Student Center/virtual
🗓 Register online
More learning opportunities
AI @ Work: Surfing Ahead of the Crowd,
11 a.m. Feb. 26
Making Recognition a Routine, 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 26
The Rita and Sol Kimerling Public
History Endowment: Dr. Martha
Jones, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27
12th Annual Rare Disease
Symposium, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Feb.
28
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.


February 25, 2025 eReporter

UAB Libraries

February 2025
NEWS
2025 funding now available to publish
open access in Wiley journals
 
UAB-affiliated authors can publish open access in
select Wiley gold and hybrid open access journals at no
cost to the author through an ongoing read-and-publish
agreement; UAB Libraries funds up to 100 Wiley
article processing charges per year on a first-come,
first-served basis.
2 new agreements increase
opportunities for UAB authors to
publish open access
 
Two new read-and-publish agreements made between
UAB Libraries and top journal publishers Mary Ann
Liebert Inc. and The Company of Biologists will enable
more UAB authors to have article processing fees
waived when publishing in select open access journals
— meaning savings of around $1,600 per author, per
article.
Introducing the fall 2024 Spotting the
Spin: Political Ad Design Contest
winners 🏅📰
 
Submissions were judged by a jury of College of Arts
and Sciences faculty and currently are displayed
alongside the “Spot the Spin: Politics & Public
Relations” exhibit in Sterne Library, which features
official memorabilia from the Presidential Campaign
Collection of William L. Benoit. See the winners on
Instagram.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Submit spotlight entries for new
employee recognition newsletter
 
Any UAB Libraries employee can submit information
about colleagues (including student workers) who are
doing outstanding work in their departments.
Submissions for the Q1 newsletter are due Feb. 14. 
SUBMIT NOW
February 2025 Image of the Month
 
In 1973, construction was completed on a new student
residence hall with 100 housing units in efficiencies,
one-bedroom units, and three-bedroom suites. Renamed
in 1975 as Denman Hall in honor of Hugh Denman, an
executive director of the Housing Authority of the
Birmingham District and a supporter of UAB, the
building became the oldest remaining residence hall on
campus following the demolition of older facilities in
2002. Denman was closed before the fall 2024 term,
and demolition of the building began in 2025.
Complete your campus engagement
survey by Feb. 17
 
Employees in Workgroups A and F can share thoughts
on work and life at UAB and identify strengths and
opportunities for improvement in the anonymous
Campus Engagement Survey; look for an email sent
Feb. 3, 2025, from Great Colleges
(surveys@modernthink.net) in your inbox. Complete
the survey by Feb. 17 to have your voice heard, and
encourage your colleagues to do the same.
RESOURCES SPOTLIGHT
Learn about UAB's new dataset
catalog in this webinar
This new resource from UAB Libraries enables
searchers to more easily find and use research data by
UAB investigators. Discover how use the catalog to
both find data and submit your own records.
⏰ 11 a.m. Feb. 11
📍 virtual
🗓 Register
→ Next up: Learn about open educational resources in the webinar "Navigating Open
Education: Opportunities and Insights" 11 a.m. March 5 and discover how to leverage OE to
enhance teaching and learning.
MedlinePlus
 
Learn about heart disease and how to maintain heart
health during National Heart Month with resources
from MedlinePlus, an online health information
resource from the National Institutes of Health. The
database shares easy-to-read health information in
multiple languages and healthy recipes to help users
better understand health and medicine.
Have a question? Ask a librarian.
 
Contact the library liaison who specializes in your field of study — they are subject specialists
ready to connect faculty and students to library services and collections, support research, and
provide instruction on a wide range of topics.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
TECH SPOTLIGHT
Learn to use Adobe Aero and Firefly in
these 2 workshops
 
UAB Libraries' IT Services team is hosting interactive
workshops on two Adobe Creative Cloud products;
enrolled students have free access to Adobe CC, and
UAB employees can request access at
go.uab.edu/adobe. 
💻 Adobe Aero Workshop: Make AR Valentine's Day
Cards — 1 p.m. Feb. 12
💻 Adobe Firefly Workshop: Discover Adobe's
Generative AI Tool — 1 p.m. March 20
EVENTS
Project Safe Flight Information Session
with Alabama Audubon
 
A representative from Alabama Audubon will share
information on how to prevent bird/window collisions
— of which an estimated 1 billion birds die each year in
the U.S. — during this UAB Libraries' Sustainability in
Focus seminar.
⏰ 2 p.m. Feb. 5
📍 Sterne 163
🗓 Details
Half-Hour History: Tours of the
Pappas Historical Collections Gallery
 
Time travel on your lunch break! Stop by the Pappas
Historical Collections Gallery on the second floor of
Lister Hill Library from 12:15-12:45 p.m. every Friday
Feb. 14-March 7 for a guided tour of "Navigating
Communication: Breaking Invisible Barriers," which
explores historical topics surrounding vision and
hearing loss as well as the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Blind
communities.
Feb. 5: Knocking at the Door: The Life and Legacy of Dr. James Montgomery
Feb. 5: Getting Started with Data Visualization: Tools for Research
Feb. 6, 12, 21: Introductory 3D Printer Training
Feb. 11: Advanced Searching in PubMed
Feb. 12: Pet Therapy Animals at Sterne and Lister Hill
Feb. 20: Introduction to EndNote
Feb. 25: Introductory SLA 3D Printer Training
Feb. 28: AI in Medicine: Menace or Miracle? with Rubin Pillay, M.D., Ph.D. (46th
Annual Reynolds-Finley Historical Lecture)
STAFF UPDATES
New Hire: Conner McKelvy
 
Conner McKelvy, Information Systems Specialist I,
currently is earning his bachelor's degree in computer
science at UAB. Prior to joining UAB Libraries, he
worked as a student worker at the AskIT Help Desk. In
his free time, Conner enjoys working out and playing
video games with his friends.
New Hire: Sethany Owens
 
Sethany Owens, User Access Associate, has a
bachelor's in history from UAB. In her spare time, she
enjoys building Lego, reading, and skating at City
Walk.
Instagram Twitter NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES


News from UAB Libraries, 02 2025

January 17, 2025
Meet Topgun: UAB’s first-ever facility dog
The 2-year-old golden retriever helps patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord injuries
or brain injuries achieve their goals by playing fetch, challenging their reflexes or just
offering “goofy comedic relief.” See him in action with recreational therapist Emily Rider
in this video.
Limited time only: 3 tech
certifications free through
Libraries
Through a continued membership with the
Unity Academic Alliance, UAB employees
and students can earn industry-recognized
certifications in programming, artistry and
game development at no cost. Details
online.
Lund is 2024–2025
Distinguished Faculty Lecturer
Fran Lund, Ph.D., a renowned scientist who
uncovered crucial roles of the antibody-
generating B cells, will receive the academic
medical center’s highest faculty honor.
Learn about her career path, new work in
immune memory and why the Healthy
Donor Cohort is a big deal.
See these artists coming to
UAB’s Alys Stephens Center in
2025
This year, the ASC is bringing classical
music, Irish dance, doo wop and Americana.
Plus, hear from the creator of one of the
hottest podcasts and the stars of the most
quotable film. See the full list of
performances and buy tickets today.
🚌 University to close Monday, no bus service
Most campus operations will be suspended in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Day, but essential services will continue; there will be no Blazer Express bus, Cooper
Green and Highlands Shuttle, Blaze Ride or MARS. Safety Escort rides can still be
requested, and those who park in Express lots can utilize the Sixth Avenue Parking
Deck. Learn more about transportation alterations online and see all designated
2025 UAB holidays.
The eReporter will not publish Tuesday; we will be back next Friday.
Things to know
Activate your 2025 My Health Rewards account now
The incentive program, which allows participants to earn up to $350 a year for healthy
behaviors, now has a streamlined online portal and a fully functional mobile app. Also
new this year: participants can earn points for volunteering, having a gym membership,
completing hydration challenges and more. Activate your account now by clicking the
"Log in to My Health Rewards" button on this page.
NIH implements stricter
regulations on controlled-
access data
Significant updates to the Genomic Data
Sharing Policy will take effect Jan. 25. The
change affects new and renewed requests
for data access from 20 NIH-supported data
repositories. Learn more about how this
affects UAB researchers.
Making good connections
Register for the spring 2025 Business Research Toolkit course to discover free online
sources and UAB subscription databases available through UAB Libraries. Participants
who finish the course will receive a digital badge for use on resumes and LinkedIn.
Register online now; the course runs Feb. 3-March 30.
975-SICK service gives UAB employees options for acute care
UAB employees who need non-urgent care can now call (205) 975-SICK (7425) to
speak with a nurse and be directed to an appropriate provider for same-day or next-day
appointments. Learn more online.
Do you work with a star performer? ⭐
All non-faculty employees at UAB (including UAB Medicine and UAB Hospital LLC staff
members) are eligible for this award, the highest honor bestowed on staff members at
UAB. Nominate a colleague by Jan. 31.
Mark your calendars
Today: 2025 Martin Luther King,
Jr. Commemoration
The keynote speaker will be Lisa McNair,
author of “Dear Denise: Letters to a Sister I
Never Knew.” The Miles College choir will
perform and UAB's Ashley Jones will give a
poetry reading. Lunch will be available (first-
come, first-served). ⏰ 11:30 a.m. Jan. 17 |
📍Spain Auditorium | 🗓 Register online
Tuesday: Employee
Appreciation Night 🏀
Get $10 lower-level tickets to watch the
Blazer men take on UTSA.
⏰ 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21
📍 Bartow Arena
🗓 Buy tickets
More events upcoming
2025 Birmingham Chinese New Year
Gala, 2 p.m. Jan. 18
Part-Time Job & Internship Fair, noon
Jan. 23
Research & learning
Time management, UAB-style
Kick off the new year with a productivity
boost: Watch a brief video on time
management approaches, then dive into a
group discussion and exchange practical
productivity tips with colleagues.
⏰ 11 a.m. Jan. 22
📍 virtual
🗓 Register online
Lunch and Learn: Fashion
History Museum
Join ArtPlay for an exploration of Regency-
era fashion with curator Jonathan Walford,
who will showcase iconic clothing and
accessories from the FHM collection.
⏰ noon Jan. 22
📍 virtual
🗓 Register online
Make time for these tech trainings: 💻  
BioRender Webinar: Design Grant Figures Worthy of Funding, noon Jan. 22
Adobe Express workshop: Create a vision board, 1 p.m. Jan. 22
3 workshops on working with
postdocs
The Office of Postdoctoral Education is
hosting these trainings: Using the Postdoc
IDP as a Mentoring Tool (2 p.m. Jan. 17),
Communication and Conflict Resolution for
Postdoc Mentors (10 a.m. Jan. 24), and
Postdoc Career Transition Plans & their
Importance (10 a.m. Jan. 31).
More learning opportunities
Introduction to Health Sciences
Resources, noon Jan. 21
CCTS expeDITIons: “If You Write It, Will
They Fund?”, 3 p.m. Jan. 21
Haddin Forum: Is Affirmative Action
Racial Discrimination?, 1:25 p.m. Jan.
24
O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer
Center New Colleagues Seminar
Series, 3 p.m. Jan. 24
One more thing
A closer look at food dyes
This week, the federal Food and Drug Administration banned the artificial dye Red No. 3
from food and ingested drugs. Learn more from UAB researchers about artificial dyes
and natural alternatives in this story from UAB News.
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.


January 17, 2025 eReporter

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2025
This week's poll takes on the "five-second rule." When you drop food on the
floor, do you quickly pick it up and eat it, or do you toss it in the trash? 
VOTE NOW
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Attend UAB Arts Week 🎨 
The College of Arts and Sciences will host its annual celebration of student and
faculty creativity, Arts Week, from March 31 to April 8. See a list of events and
performances.
Appreciate our grad students 👏 
Join the Graduate School and Graduate Student Government as they celebrate
graduate students with a week full of events beginning Monday, March 31.
Learn how to prep for a tornado 🌪  
Spring marks the beginning of severe weather season in the South. While
tornadoes can happen at any time, Alabama's peak tornado season is March
through May. Learn how to prepare yourself.
DATES & DEADLINES
March 28 - Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of "W"
April 1 - Summer parking permits go on sale
April 15 - Abstracts due for Spring Expo
April 25 - Commencement registration deadline - RSVP now to walk
MAKE THE MOST OF IT
Student Resources for Success
Gain real-world experience
The Institute for Human Rights is seeking interns for
three programs: the Birmingham Immersive
Community Empowerment Program internship
program, a social media intern, and Human Rights
Lab Blog interns. Open to all UAB undergraduate
students; deadline for applications is April 7.
UP NEXT
Check the Campus Calendar for more events this week
Free Food for Thought: TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 26, join a
discussion about money while dining at Blazer Hall's RLC.
She Kills Monsters: TONIGHT, Wed., March 26, join Theatre UAB for
opening night. Performances run through March 30.
Friday Night Live: Sterne After Dark: Friday, March 28, head to the
library for laser tag, crafts, popcorn, and more.
TEDxUAB: Saturday, March 29, listen to speakers with innovative ideas
and insights at AEIVA.
Healing Collective Trauma Conference: Monday, March 31, and
Tuesday, April 1, work toward a compassionate future.
Asymmetries in the Archives: Tuesday, April 1, hear from Visiting
Professor Dr. Rana Hogarth.
Have you seen UAB's new monogram?
Learn more about UAB's brand refresh, which unites campus, athletics, and medicine
for the first time. Check Blazer Weekly next week to see our own update!
If you have news you want to share, use the Request Publicity form online. Want
to dialogue with the editors? Contact us.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL


March 26, 2025 Blazer Weekly

Costa, Kauê

Zhang, Zhang

Deutsch, Douglas

ZHUO, YIZHOU

Li, Guochuan

Li, Yulong

Schoenbaum, Geoffrey

Dopamine and acetylcholine correlations in the nucleus accumbens depend on behavioral task states

2025 research posterhttps://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/uabh-rd-all/1381/thumbnail.jp

Bag, Soumyadeep

Sunil, Shreya

Patra, Tumpa

Li, Peng

Halade, Ganesh

Kain, Vasundhara

Dudenbostel, Tanja

When Good Inflammation Turns Bad: Role of Bioactive Lipids in Obesity, Chronic Inflammation and Resistant Hypertension

2025 research posterhttps://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/uabh-rd-all/1390/thumbnail.jp

Jarrell, Matthew

Atchley, Travis

Estevez-Ordonez, Dagoberto

Alam, Yasaman

Kole, Adam J

Willey, Christoper

Schmalz, Philip

Riley, Kristen

FIGURE 3
Seizures Following Proton Beam Therapy for Meningiomas: Case Series 
and Systematic Review of the Literature
Matthew Jarrell, Travis 
Atchley, Dagoberto Estevez-
Ordonez, Yasaman Alam, 
Adam J. Kole, Christoper 
Willey, Philip Schmalz, 
Kristen Riley
Background
• WHO Grade II/III 
meningiomas: Complex 
treatment due to critical 
locations and high recurrence 
rates.
• Proton Beam Therapy 
(PBT): Emerging treatment 
with precise tumor targeting 
and reduced exposure to 
nearby neurovascular 
structures.
• Complications: Seizures 
post-PBT not well 
characterized.
Methods
Results
Case Series 
• Retrospective review at our 
institution.
• Included patients with 
intracranial meningiomas 
treated with fractionated PBT 
who developed seizures post-
treatment.
Systematic Review
• PRISMA guidelines followed.
• Literature assessed for reports 
of seizures post-PBT in 
meningioma patients.
Case Series
• Patient 1:
• Generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) 
seizure at 3 months post-PBT.
• MRI: Stable tumor burden, 
increased frontotemporal 
vasogenic edema.
• Patient 2:
• Prolonged seizure at 2 months 
post-PBT, required 
hospitalization.
• Imaging: Slight tumor 
progression, associated edema.
• Patient 3:
• GTC seizure at 4 months post-
PBT.
• Poor antiepileptic medication 
compliance noted.
• Commonality: All tumors located 
in middle fossa or sphenoid regions 
adjacent to temporal lobe.
Systematic Review 
• Total Patients: 706 (across 15 
studies)
• Total Complication Rate: 21.9%
• Seizure Incidence: 4 patients 
(0.57%) with new/worsened 
seizures post-PBT.
• Tumor Location: 3/4 seizure 
cases involved tumors in middle 
fossa/sphenoid regions.
Conclusions
• PBT provides advantages for 
challenging meningiomas; 
however, heightened seizure 
vigilance is necessary, 
particularly for tumors in 
middle fossa/sphenoid 
regions.
• Further longitudinal studies 
needed to delineate seizure risks 
attributed specifically to PBT.
• Recommend proactive seizure 
monitoring and patient 
counseling regarding medication 
compliance post-PBT.
Figure 1: Depth-dose distribution comparison between Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) and conventional X-ray 
treatment. Proton therapy delivers maximum radiation precisely at the tumor location (Bragg peak), 
significantly reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Figure 3: Case 1. (A) Axial T1 post-contrast sequence magnetic 
resonance image (MRI) of left spheno-orbital meningioma with left 
proptosis. (B) Axial fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence 
with mild amount of left frontotemporal edema pre-treatment. (C) Axial 
FLAIR sequence MRI obtained the day following a generalized seizure and 
3 months after completion of proton beam therapy (PBT). (D) Axial FLAIR 
sequence MRI 6 months following PBT with stable tumor burden but 
increased vasogenic edema.
Figure 2: PRISMA flow diagram demonstrating systematic review 
of literature, study exclusion, and final study selection. 
Objectives
• Present a case series 
describing seizures following 
PBT for meningiomas.
• Systematically review 
literature to assess incidence 
of seizures following PBT.


Seizures Following Proton Beam Therapy for Meningiomas: Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature

https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/uabh-rd-all/1407/thumbnail.jp

Davis, Chandler

Rathi, Hinal

Raghu, Rashini

Introduction
• Multiple Myeloma is a disorder in which plasma cells 
produce an abundant amount of immunoglobulins
• Typically, MM is diagnosed based on the CRAB criteria
• The purpose of this poster is to exemplify an associated skin 
manifestation and raise awareness of the dermatological 
findings in association with MM.
• An 88 year old female with a PMH of HTN, HLD, DM, and CHF 
who presented to the ED for worsening achy bilateral lower 
leg pain. 
• Vital signs on admission were notable for a BP of 179/54. 
Labs were notable for a calcium of 10.9, creatine of 1.2, and a 
normocytic anemia with a hemoglobin of 9.5. She also had a 
total protein of 5.4 with an albumin of 3.3.
• On physical exam, she was tender to palpation at her medial 
ankle region. On skin exam, it was noted that she had bullous 
lesions diffusely on her wrist, abdomen, and upper legs. 
• The patient reported that she first noticed these “blisters” 
started around 3 months prior to the current admission.
• skin biopsy from a recent dermatology visit showed bullous 
dermatosis highly suggestive of immunobullous disease.
• a bone marrow biopsy was performed, and she was 
diagnosed with a isotype IgA lambda multiple myeloma. 
• She is currently undergoing chemotherapy consisting of 
daratumumab and lenalidomide. She reports that her bullous 
lesions are improving..
Chandler Davis MS4, Hinal Rathi MD, Rashini Raghu MD,
 Pierce Elliot DO, Kelsey Ivey MD
UAB-Huntsville Regional Medical Campus
MULTIPLE MYELOMA FROM THE SURFACE: A DIAGNOSTIC 
DILEMMA
References
1) Behera, B., Pattnaik, M., Sahu, B., Mohanty, P., Jena, S., & Mohapatra, L. (2016). Cutaneous 
Manifestations of Multiple Myeloma. Indian journal of dermatology, 61(6), 668–671. 
https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.193682
2) Buntinx-Krieg, T., McKee, R. M., Eichenfield, D. Z., & Marsch, A. (2020). Increased Risk of Cutaneous 
Diseases in Multiple Myeloma Patients. Cureus, 12(9), e10356. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.10356
• Multiple Myeloma can have many various 
presentations.
• MM is typically diagnosed with the CRAB criteria
• Calcium > 11
• Renal insufficiency: Cr >2 GFR < 40
• Anemia: Hb < 10
• Bone Lesions:1 or more lesions on imaging
• However, some rare dermatologic findings are 
associated due to the increase in 
immunoglobulins
• Bullous lesions, Amyloidosis, and Pyoderma 
gangrenosum
• These cutaneous lesions typically present later in 
the disease process and are indicators of poor 
prognostic outcomes. 
• However, there have been a few cases of 
dermatological presentations and minimal 
systemic manifestations
• These cutaneous manifestations are often very 
nonspecific.  Therefore, a high degree of clinical 
suspicion is required to arrive at an early 
diagnosis.
Discussion
Case Presentation
Image 3: 400x H&E there are irregular spindle cells with 
scattered atypical mitotic figures
Bullous Lesions in various stages prior to admission:


Multiple Myeloma From the Surface: A Diagnostic Dilemma

https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/uabh-rd-all/1415/thumbnail.jp

Huang, Tina

Takahashi, Mina

Benitez, Luis

Yedla, Anupama

Nimmagadda, Janaki

Martin, Clinton

Testosterone Therapy for Depression in Men: High Potential, Limited Evidence
Tina Huang, BS; Mina Takahashi, MD; Luis Benitez, MD; Anupama Yedla, MD; Janaki Nimmagadda, MD; Clinton Martin, MD.
Department of Psychiatry, UAB Heersink School of Medicine Huntsville Regional Medical Campus 
Case ReportIntroduction
• Testosterone is a sex steroid hormone produced de 
novo from cholesterol by the testes and in the brain.1 
• Men with testosterone deficiency have an increased 
risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD) 
compared to healthy controls.2,3 
• Studies have shown that men with depression often 
have significant reduction of testosterone levels, and 
men with hypogonadism can experience depressive 
symptoms.4 
• Meta-analysis by Zarrouf et al. suggest testosterone 
replacement therapy (TRT) has a positive impact on 
depressive symptoms when measured by the 
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, compared to 
placebo.5
• Long-term safety and efficacy of testosterone therapy 
has not been established for any depressive disorder. 
36-year-old male with a past medical history of MDD, 
insomnia, and mixed hyperlipidemia presented to the 
psychiatric clinic with a 2-year history of worsening 
depressive symptoms. He reported decreased 
motivation, sadness, anhedonia, insomnia, and 
intermittent suicidal ideation. The onset of his depression 
was at age 30, when he presented to his primary care 
physician with suicidal ideation. He was prescribed 
escitalopram 20 mg, quetiapine 25 mg, and referred to 
therapy.
The patient reported being on TRT through an outside 
clinic. His regimen included testosterone cypionate 200 
mg IM weekly, gonadotropin 30 units weekly, and 
anastrozole 1 mg daily. Recent labs showed a total 
testosterone level of 476 ng/dL and free testosterone of 
136 pg/mL. While he experienced some improvement in 
mood, he continued to have episodes of sadness, 
decreased motivation, and impaired concentration.
His social history revealed the use of alcohol (12 
drinks/week), occasional marijuana use, and a daily 
caffeine intake of 300 mg. He denied tobacco use.
The patient has chronic depressive symptoms with partial 
remission. His treatment plan included trazodone 100 mg 
for insomnia and bupropion 75 mg was added to 
augment his existing regimen.
• The role of testosterone in the pathophysiology and 
treatment of depression in men remains an area of 
ongoing investigation.
• Studies suggest that testosterone can act as a positive 
allosteric modulator on the GABA-A receptors and may 
be anti-inflammatory.6
• TRT was found to be more effective in men younger 
than 60, in hypogonadal population and in the case of 
subthreshold depression, dysthymia.7
• The TRAVERSE trial found that TRT was associated 
with modest, but significant improvements to mood and 
energy. It recommended that middle-aged and older 
men with hypogonadism should be evaluated for 
depressive symptoms because of the high prevalence 
of depressive symptoms and disorders in this 
population.8,9 
• Testosterone treatment is not currently recommended 
as a primary antidepressant therapy in clinical practice 
guidelines for depression.
Discussion
• Lack of 
motivation
• Fatigue
• Poor memory
• Weight changes
• Difficulty 
concentrating
• Sleep changes
• Decreased 
libido
• Erectile 
dysfunction
• Anxiety
Depression
• Feeling sad, empty 
and hopeless
• Anhedonia 
• Feelings of 
worthlessness or 
excessive guilt 
• Recurrent thoughts 
of death or suicide
Low testosterone
• Diminished 
physical 
performance
• Reduced body hair 
or beard growth
• Anosmia
• Loss of muscle 
mass
• Hot flashes
• Anemia
• Infertility
Major Depressive 
Disorder 
Increased levels of 
inflammatory markers 
including C-reactive protein, 
CD5L, and FAS.
Adipose tissue
↑adipocyte size and number
↑ lipoprotein lipase activity
↑ triglyceride uptake
Low testosterone
Figure 1. Overlapping symptoms of Depression and Testosterone deficiency
Figure 2. Hypothesis of the link between testosterone and MDD
References
1.Vermeulen A, Rubens R, Verdonck L. Testosterone secretion and metabolism in male senescence. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Apr 1972;34(4):730-5. doi:10.1210/jcem-34-4-730
2.Kulej-Lyko K, Majda J, von Haehling S, et al. Could gonadal and adrenal androgen deficiencies contribute to the depressive symptoms in men with systolic heart failure? Aging Male. Dec 2016;19(4):221-230. doi:10.1080/13685538.2016.1208166
3.Wainwright SR, Lieblich SE, Galea LA. Hypogonadism predisposes males to the development of behavioural and neuroplastic depressive phenotypes. Psychoneuroendocrinology. Oct 2011;36(9):1327-41. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.03.004
4.Fischer S, Ehlert U, Amiel Castro R. Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in male depressive disorders - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neuroendocrinol. Oct 2019;55:100792. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100792
5.Zarrouf FA, Artz S, Griffith J, Sirbu C, Kommor M. Testosterone and depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Pract. Jul 2009;15(4):289-305. doi:10.1097/01.pra.0000358315.88931.fc
6.Flores-Ramos M, Alcauter S, Lopez-Titla M, Bernal-Santamaria N, Calva-Coraza E, Edden RAE. Testosterone is related to GABA+ levels in the posterior-cingulate in unmedicated depressed women during reproductive life. J Affect Disord. Jan 1 2019;242:143-149. 
doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.033
7.Amanatkar HR, Chibnall JT, Seo BW, Manepalli JN, Grossberg GT. Impact of exogenous testosterone on mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Ann Clin Psychiatry. Feb 2014;26(1):19-32. 
8.Bhasin S, Seidman S. Testosterone Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Men: Too Much Smoke, Not Enough High-Quality Evidence. JAMA Psychiatry. Jan 1 2019;76(1):9-10. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.2661
9.Bhasin S, Seidman S, Travison TG, et al. Depressive Syndromes in Men With Hypogonadism in the TRAVERSE Trial: Response to Testosterone-Replacement Therapy. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2024;109(7):1814-1826. 
doi:10.1210/clinem/dgae026


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