Lions Club International Foundation Grant Awarded to Vision Scientists

Dr. Robert Lausch makes a presentation announcing a grant from the Lions Club International Foundation on Aug. 28.

Drs. Robert Lausch and Robert Barrington, members of the USA Department of Microbiology and Immunology, received a $50,000 grant from the Lions Club International Foundation to help purchase an X-Rad 320 Biological Irradiator.

This state-of-the-art instrument will be used in experiments designed to evaluate the role of lymphocyte subsets in virus infections of the eye.

"We are conducting basic research using an experimental model that mimics human corneal infection," Dr. Lausch said. "Different lymphocyte subsets have different activities, and their action can help resolve inflammation or make it worse. The overall goal is to identify, via cell transfer studies, therapeutic and vaccine targets useful in treating and/or preventing ocular disease. What's really neat is that we are able to label cells with a fluorescent dye and monitor where
they go after transfer into an infected host."

Additional funding for the $167,000 X-irradiator was provided by the Lions/USA Eye Research Institute, the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, and the USA College of Medicine. The new instrument will also be available for use in research projects by other medical investigators.

Snapshots: USA College of Medicine History

Forty years ago this past January, the USA College of Medicine admitted its first class of medical students. As we look back at the medical school’s four decades of history, we will post several photos and look forward to your responses as far as memories and details surrounding the images.

To view previous featured photos, click here, here, here, and here.


USA Medical Center House Staff 1979
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Dr. Charles Rodning, 1985

Dr. Robert Kreisberg, right

Mark Your Calendar: 2013 Alabama Gulf Coast Heart Walk

The 2013 Alabama Gulf Coast Heart Walk will be held in Mobile County on Saturday, Sept. 21, on the University of South Alabama’s main campus. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. and are followed by the Heart Walk at 9 a.m.

Because heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, this event encourages exercise as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. It is the American Heart Association’s (AHA) signature fundraising affair, in which the proceeds from over 1,500 local walkers from businesses, schools, organizations, family, and friends, as well as people across the country raise funding for lifesaving research, educational programs and advocacy component of the AHA.

Teams of businesses or organizations are encouraged to participate. A team is comprised of 15 or more registered walkers or runners. Another way to support the Heart Walk is to become a sponsor by providing donations. This year’s goal is to raise $425,000.

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. This event encourages exercise as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

To register online, or to join a team associated with the University of South Alabama, click here.

For additional information about the 2013 Alabama Gulf Coast Heart Walk, or how to be a sponsor, contact Marty Vignes at (228) 604-5314 or martha.vignes@heart.org, or Bridgett Dunn at (678) 224-2047.

Thomas Baker Receives Inaugural Class of 1981 Scholarship

Thomas Baker (right) being congratulated by Dr. Pat Nolan, Class of 1981.

Thomas Baker, a first-year medical student at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, was recently selected as the first recipient of the Class of 1981 Scholarship. Baker was congratulated by Class of 1981 members, including Dr. Pat Nolan, who presented the $5,000 award.

The scholarship was initiated during the Class of 1981’s 30th-year celebration, where they decided to take on a class project in order to give back to the College of Medicine. This project established an endowment fund to support student scholarships and additional projects as the endowment grows.

Baker is a native of Mobile, Ala., and received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University. He said, “I am honored to be chosen to receive this award and hope to give back to the school in a similar manner after I graduate.”

Baker joins the College of Medicine as a member of the Class of 2017, with an interest in oncology and emergency medicine.

USA Autism Interest Group to Host Autism Grand Rounds

The University of South Alabama’s Autism Interest Group is hosting Autism Grand Rounds on Sept. 20, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the College of Education, Room 3212, at University Commons.

As part of this year’s professional conference, Dr. Brenda Beverly, associate professor of speech pathology and audiology, will present “An Update on Speech-Language and Communication Services for Children with ASD: The State of the State (AL) and the USA Campus.”

Dr. Beverly will give an update on state-wide efforts to develop standards of practice for children with ASD, focusing on speech-language and communication development in young children.

Additionally, Dr. Beverly will review recent research activities involving speech-language treatment of children with ASD that are being conducted on campus and in the Mobile region.

This event is open to USA faculty, staff and students. The meetings are designed to provide a forum for discussion of research and service provision within the University community related to autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities.

The conference does not provide CEUs, but a certificate of attendance will be available.

For additional information, contact Amy Mitchell at 415-8643 or abmitchell@southalabama.edu.