Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program Student Receives Edwin R. Hughes Award

Dr. Thomas Rich (left), associate professor of pharmacology at the USA College of Medicine, presents student Joshua Bryant Phillips (right) with the Edwin R. Hughes Award.

Joshua Bryant Phillips, a second-year student in the University of South Alabama Basic Medical Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, recently received the annual Edwin R. Hughes Memorial Award for the Outstanding Student of the IDL Class of 2011-2012. 

Phillips is the fifth student to receive the annual award, first presented in 2007. Dr. Thomas Rich, associate professor of pharmacology at the USA College of Medicine, presented Phillips with the award.

The award is named in memory of Edwin R. Hughes, who served as director of the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program at the USA College of Medicine from its inception in 1978 until 1990. The award recognizes the student with the best performance in the curriculum.

Phillips completed his undergraduate studies at Centenary College of Louisiana, receiving his bachelor of science degree in biology in May 2011.  Phillips is currently concentrating his advanced studies for a Ph.D. degree through the USA Center for Lung Biology. Dr. Ronald Balczon serves as Phillips' major professor.