USA Football Program "Sneak Peek"

Look for this ad in the Jaguar Football Program at the football team's first game of the 2010 season -- this Saturday, Sept. 4, against Pikeville College at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. To hear what our students have to say about their experiences in the Health Sciences Division at USA, click here.

Clyde Huggins Recipients Announced at 2010 Medical Student Research Day

From left to right: Dr. Hanes Swingle, William Gannon, Sara Long and Dr. Brian Fouty

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine hosted its 37th annual Medical Student Research Day on Aug. 6, 2010. Dr. Jane Reusch, professor of medicine and biochemistry at the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Reusch’s lecture was titled “Cyclic AMP Response Element Binding Protein: An Unexpected Journey in Translational Medicine.”

The Clyde G. “Sid” Huggins Medical Student Research Awards, honoring the memory of Dr. Huggins -- who served as the first dean of students, were presented to William Gannon and Sara Long. Dr. Samuel J. Strada, dean of the USA College of Medicine and director of the Medical Student Summer Research Program, presented the awards.

Gannon, a sophomore medical student, was recognized for the best oral presentation, titled "Clinical significance of chromosomal microdeletions and duplications among children with development disabilities." Gannon was sponsored by Drs. Hanes Swingle and Jose` Martinez, both in the department of pediatrics.

Long, also a sophomore medical student, was honored for the best poster presentation. Her project, titled “The effect of oxygen tension and hyperglycemia on Glut-1 expression and glucose uptake in pulmonary artery endothelial cells," was funded by an NIH Training Grant: Cell Signaling and Lung Pathobiology. Long was sponsored by Dr. Brian Fouty, associate professor of internal medicine and pharmacology.

Each winner was presented with a plaque of recognition and cash award. Both students are eligible to make their presentations at the 50th annual National Research Forum held in Galveston, Texas, in April, 2011.

Medical Student Research Day is the culmination of the summer’s work with the presentation of oral and poster presentations. During the 10-week program, 16 first- and second-year medical students participated in research projects with basic science and clinical faculty in the College of Medicine. A weekly seminar series introduced the students to important research related areas. The program highlights the relation between scientific discoveries and their application in clinical medicine.

For more information about the 2010 Summer Medical Student Research Day, visit http://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2010/08/dr-jane-reusch-speaks-at-37th-annual.html and http://www.southalabama.edu/com/summerresearch.shtml.

Harry Potter Exhibit Begins Next Week at USA Biomedical Library

Click on the above to view a larger image. To read more about the Harry Potter exhibits and events, click here.

USA Women in Science Organization Hosts GEMS -- Girls Exploring Math and Science

The University of South Alabama Women in Science Organization is pleased to host GEMS --Girls Exploring Math and Science -- for middle school students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

The emphasis of this one-day program is to encourage girls to maintain an interest in math and science as they advance in their education.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the USA main campus. Each student will be assigned to three workshops with lunch provided.

For registration material, contact Patty Davis at (251) 460-5346 or Alison Henry at (251) 460-6509. Due to the popularity of the program, registration will be limited to 300 students. Pre-registration is requested by Oct. 11, 2010.

Med School Café - Expert Advice For The Community

Last week's Med School Café lecture, "Autism Services in South Alabama," was given by Dr. Hanes Swingle, associate professor of pediatrics at USA, and Jennifer Williams, regional director for The Learning Tree, Inc., and its programs. The lecture was held at the Mobile West Regional Library and had a total of 49 attendees.

Video from this lecture will be posted online by next week. To read more about the lecture, click here.

The next Med School Café lecture will be held on Sept. 24, 2010, and will feature Dr. Thomas Martinko, associate professor of pediatrics at USA. If you are interested in attending, email kebarnes@usouthal.edu for details.

USA Knollwood Physicians Group Welcomes Dr. Christi Cazalas

Dr. Christi Cazalas recently joined the University of South Alabama’s Knollwood Physicians Group. She will be providing both pediatric and adult care.

Dr. Cazalas received a dual bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish, as well as her medical degree, from USA.

She is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee Internal Medicine-Pediatrics combined residency training program.

Dr. Cazalas is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians and the Christian Medical and Dental Association. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

She is now accepting new patients. To make an appointment with Dr. Cazalas, call 660-5787.