Meet a Med Student: Emily Cleveland

Emily Cleveland

Age: 24

Class: 2025

Hometown: Pace, Florida

Undergraduate education: B.S. in biomedical sciences and minors in philosophy and medicine, University of South Alabama

What do you enjoy most about being a medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
The incredible community of students, faculty members, and clinicians! We are so blessed to have wonderful, passionate, and selfless individuals who are eager to make a difference in the lives of others and support one another.

Are you involved in any research, organizations or other initiatives at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
The Summer Research Program allowed me to work with Dr. Heather Fishel in the Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Division, after M1 year where we looked at CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) technology among pregnant diabetic patients. 

I serve as the clinic manager for the Student-Run Free Clinic, and I presented a poster at the National Society of Student-Run Free Clinic conference to highlight our clinic's dedication to diabetes management and treatment.

I also participate in a weekly Bible study with my fellow M3 ladies.

What are your interests and hobbies?
Spending time with Jesus, playing with my cats, savoring a good cup of coffee, exploring new places, and practicing yoga

What is something unique about you?
Trying a local coffee shop in a new city is a must for me.

MAA to host Student Career Exploration Mixer

The USA Medical Alumni Association is excited to announce the return of the MAA Student Career Exploration Mixer on Tuesday, April 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Strada Patient Care Center. 

This event is an opportunity for current Whiddon COM medical students to meet and network with alumni and area physicians as they explore their professional specialties of interest.

Medical students should email medalum@southalabama.edu by Friday, March 1, to RSVP and declare their specialty interests.

Physicians interested in representing a specialty at this event can email medalum@southalabama.edu. 

Elliott joins microbiology and immunology faculty

Michael R. Elliott, Ph.D., conducts research focused on innate immunity, macrophage biology, and cancer immunotherapy.   

Michael R. Elliott, Ph.D., recently joined the faculty of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine as an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.   

“Dr. Elliott is an excellent addition to our faculty, bringing expertise in immunology that will strengthen the research and teaching mission of the University of South Alabama and USA Health,” said Kevin R. Macaluso, Ph.D., professor and Locke Distinguished Chair of Microbiology and Immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine.   

He most recently served as an associate professor of microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He will continue as an adjunct associate professor there. Elliott has received numerous awards, and his research has been and continues to be funded by federal grants.  

Elliott will conduct research at a new lab at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. His research interests focus on innate immunity, macrophage biology, and cancer immunotherapy.

Macrophages are a highly diverse, specialized population of immune cells that reside in every tissue in the body. These cells play key roles in maintaining normal tissue function and immune defense against pathogens. The goal of Elliott’s work is to understand the function of tissue-resident macrophages as regulators of innate immunity in cancer immunotherapy, acute and chronic inflammation, aging, and microbial infection.   

“USA and MCI provide a great environment for biomedical research and training,” Elliott said. “I am excited about the future of research at South Alabama and look forward to contributing to this through our work in basic immunology and cancer immunotherapy.”  

Elliott received his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and his Ph.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.