Meet a Ph.D. Student: Haley Kominek

Haley Kominek

Hometown: Pace, Florida

Previous education: B.S. in biomedical engineering, Mississippi State University

Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program track and year of study: Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics, third year

Faculty mentor: Glen Borchert, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology

Current research: My current research focuses on extracellular RNA mediated cell communication — specifically, how RNA modifications may be playing a role in designating RNA for the secretion from cells or uptake by recipient cells.

What do you enjoy most about being a graduate student at the Whiddon COM?
I enjoy the collaborative environment of the College of Medicine. I have also been given many opportunities to grow as a scientist. Most importantly, I enjoy that I am close to my and my husband's families.

Interests and hobbies: I enjoy painting, doing DIY home projects, going out on the jet ski, and going fishing with my husband.

MAA requests 'A Note for Every White Coat'

The USA Medical Alumni Association is proud to provide Whiddon COM students with their very first white coats. As a part of this special tradition, the alumni association includes a handwritten note card in the pocket of every white coat when they are presented to students at the White Coat Ceremony.

The MAA needs your words of encouragement and advice for these notes. They request that you submit your own special message via email to medalum@southalabama.edu by June 9. 

Medical Student Summer Research Program begins at Whiddon COM

Students participating in summer research attended orientation.

The 52nd Annual Medical Student Summer Research Program officially kicked off with orientation on Wednesday, May 28, marking the start of a busy and exciting summer of research at the Whiddon College of Medicine. This year, 53 students — 44 rising M2s and nine incoming M1s — are participating in the program.

Program coordinators are Skye Andrade and

Marcina Lang.

The eight-week program pairs medical students with faculty mentors, and students devote 30 to 40 hours a week to a research project. The summer experience includes hands-on research related to basic science and/or clinical medicine, a seminar program that focuses on various scientific and clinical topics, and student presentations. Through the program, students develop an appreciation of how research contributes to the knowledge and practice of medicine.

The program will culminate with student presentations on the 52nd Annual Medical Student Summer Research Day, scheduled for Friday, July 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Medical Sciences Building. Oliver McDonald, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, will deliver the keynote lecture.

Chair of the summer research program is Jonathan Rayner, Ph.D., and coordinators are Skye Andrade and Marcina Lang. Support for the program is provided by the Dean's Office.

Learn more about the Medical Student Summer Research Program.

Whiddon COM’s Office of Accreditation and Planning shares expertise at national APQI Conference

Russell Cantrell, MSCIS, MBA; Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA; and David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, presented at the virtual conference.

Three members of the Whiddon College of Medicine’s Office of Accreditation and Planning presented at the 2nd annual Accreditation Preparation & Quality Improvement (APQI) Conference, held virtually on May 21. Centered on the theme “Growing the Choir of APQI Professionals,” the conference brought together leaders, practitioners and researchers from medical schools across the country to share innovations and best practices in accreditation readiness and continuous quality improvement (CQI).

Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA, director of quality improvement, and David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and academic success, co-presented a two-part session focused on the Data Collection Instrument (DCI) — a central component of the Whiddon COM’s LCME accreditation efforts — and its role in shaping a culture of CQI.

In “The DCI Overture: Setting the Stage for Accreditation Readiness,” Pierce and Williams introduced a proactive, CQI-based framework that includes structured committee roles, integration of student feedback, and the use of an accreditation readiness heat map to monitor progress. Their approach emphasized how strategic planning and collaboration reduce last-minute efforts and increase institutional transparency.

Their follow-up session, “The DCI Encore: Elevating CQI Through Collaboration,” guided attendees through practical tools and peer-driven strategies to apply these models in other institutional settings. Through a virtual gallery walk, participants exchanged ideas on committee structure, data visualization, and embedding student input, ultimately identifying actionable ways to advance CQI through the accreditation process.

Russell W. Cantrell, MSCIS, MBA, director of data administration and strategic initiatives, presented “Melody in Metrics: Crafting Charts That Hit the Right Note.” His session explored the power of data visualization to transform raw numbers into coherent and compelling narratives. Drawing on principles of perception and design, Cantrell demonstrated how thoughtful use of layout, color and scale can enhance understanding, drive decision-making, and support institutional effectiveness, especially in the context of accreditation. 

“Good charts rely on rhythm and clarity,” said Cantrell. “When space, color, and structure are used with intention, data stops being noise and starts making sense.”

In addition to her co-presentations, Pierce also facilitated a dedicated networking session titled “Best Practices for CQI,” during which participants shared strategies, challenges and solutions for embedding continuous quality improvement across their institutions.

“This year’s APQI conference was an opportunity to both share our work and learn from the collective experience of colleagues across the country,” Pierce said. “Our goal is to help institutions approach accreditation not just as a compliance exercise, but as a catalyst for long-term improvement.”

Williams added, “We’re proud to be part of this growing national conversation and to highlight how collaboration, structure and design can shape more effective and sustainable accreditation practices.”

The Whiddon COM Office of Accreditation and Planning continues to lead in aligning data strategy with collaborative processes, ensuring that CQI and accreditation efforts not only meet standards but also drive meaningful and measurable progress.

USA scientist awarded NIH grant to study how Lyme disease invades the nervous system

Timothy Casselli, Ph.D., is studying the mechanisms of how the bacterium that causes Lyme disease enters the central nervous system.

By Casandra Andrews

Timothy Casselli, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, has been awarded a two-year grant for $385,000 from the National Institutes of Health to study how Lyme disease invades the central nervous system.  

The ultimate goal of his research is to identify treatments for Lyme disease, a complex infection transmitted by ticks most often during the hottest summer months.  

“Because there are no vaccines or effective vector controls against the infection, the disease is and will continue to be a significant public health concern,” Casselli said. 

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease, with more than 300,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of new cases has been increasing in recent years, and the areas where ticks are found are expanding, which puts more people in more states at potential risk. 

Caused by infection with the tick-borne pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme disease can lead to inflammatory health conditions impacting the joints, heart, and nervous systems. Neurologic disease, referred to as Lyme neuroborreliosis, can include meningitis, cranial and peripheral neuritis/neuropathy, and encephalopathy. 

Work conducted with grant funds on this project will provide the foundation for a long-term research program focused on mechanisms of Lyme neuroborreliosis pathogenesis, Casselli said. 

The bacterium that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, can enter the central nervous system causing disease. This central nervous system invasion only occurs in some Lyme disease patients, although the reasons for differences in infection outcomes are unknown. To address this, the study will use a lab model of Lyme disease to identify the site of entry and host immune responses that influence bacterial entry into the central nervous system.  

Understanding the mechanisms of central nervous system entry by Borrelia burgdorferi could lead to the identification of novel risk factors to explain or predict the different outcomes between Lyme disease patients, as well as inform the development of novel diagnostic tests and treatments for neuroborreliosis. 

Casselli, who joined USA in 2025, earned a Ph.D. in immunology and infectious diseases from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington; an M.S. in microbiology and infectious diseases from the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, in Canada; and a BMS degree in microbiology and immunology from what is now Western University in London, Ontario.  

A member of the review editorial board for the journal Frontiers in Microbiology from 2016-2022, Casselli is also a member of the American Association of Immunologists and the American Society for Microbiology.  

Overall, his research seeks to identify how Borrelia, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, can access the central nervous system and the mechanisms leading to disease known as neuroborreliosis. 

Learn more about his research. 

Program Coordinators Advocating for Wellness marks transformative first year

Program coordinators gather for a Match Madness potluck.

Last year, the Program Coordinators Advocating for Wellness (PCAW) initiative was launched at USA Health in response to feelings of isolation, burnout and lack of support among Graduate Medical Education (GME) offices nationwide.  

Department of Internal Medicine program coordinators Brant Weindorf and Kimberly Eardley, C-TAGME, recognized the need to improve community, morale and work-life balance. They say the changes have been nothing short of transformative.  

Wellness is a core Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirement and is emphasized as a priority for residents and fellows. But the program coordinators felt little attention was being paid to their wellness concerns. 

PCAW members take a trip to the farmers market.

Surveys conducted in early 2024 indicated more than half of coordinators (56.3%) reported lacking resources needed for success, and nearly 70% felt burnt out. Feelings of workplace isolation were common, and job satisfaction was alarmingly low, data showed. 

At the time, one coordinator summed up what was missing: “We need more communication and social connections with other coordinators.” 

Weindorf and Eardley planned six events throughout the year, intentionally scheduling them during the less stressful months of the academic calendar. Social activities included two after-hours dinners, two workplace potlucks, a yoga session, and a group field trip to the farmers market. 

All low-cost events utilized existing institutional resources and required minimal funding. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Food-centered gatherings had the highest participation, with the yoga session following closely behind. 

The success of PCAW isn’t just anecdotal — it is measurable. A follow-up survey conducted in early 2025 among USA Health graduate medical education coordinators showed marked improvement across all indicators: 

• Job satisfaction increased by 18%. 
• Looking forward to work jumped from 43.8% to 75%. 
• Feelings of isolation dropped from 50% to 37.5%. 
• Overall well-being rose from 50% to 87.5%. 

Notably, 100% of respondents reported that PCAW improved their sense of community, well-being, and work-life balance. One participant said it best: “[PCAW] really creates a sense of belonging for me.” 

“When program coordinators thrive, so do the residents, fellows, and programs they support,” Weindorf said. “PCAW is a reminder that intentional, inclusive wellness strategies — no matter how simple — can dramatically reshape the culture of support in medical education.” 

Program coordinators participate in a yoga session.

Faculty grand rounds to focus on appreciative inquiry

Terry Kurz, Ph.D.

The Whiddon College of Medicine’s Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development will host the next Faculty Development Grand Rounds on Friday, June 13, via Zoom. 

Terri Kurz, Ph.D., assistant dean for professional development at Texas A&M University College of Medicine, will present “Exploring Appreciative Inquiry.”

This session will explore appreciative inquiry, a strengths-based approach to organizational development that focuses on identifying what works well and leveraging those strengths to drive positive change. Learn how this powerful methodology can transform teaching, leadership, and collaborative efforts within academic medicine.

Register for the virtual session on Zoom. 

For questions or assistance, contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu.

Clinical Trials Day recognizes staff, investigators and patients

The staff celebrated Clinical Trials Day on May 20.

The USA Clinical Trials Office celebrated Clinical Trials Day to help bring awareness to clinical trials, celebrate innovation and discovery, and pause to recognize the staff, investigators and patients who help shape the future of healthcare.

International Clinical Trials Day was organized by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) as “a joyful opportunity to pause in reflection, recognition, and admiration of all that has been accomplished thanks to clinical trials and the people behind them.” The theme for this year is “Powered By Purpose,” encouraging all involved in clinical trials to reflect on the power and purpose behind what they do.

The Clinical Trials Office team took time out to consider and share their purposes, which included ensuring patient safety, honoring the memory of loved ones, providing hope for future generations, advancing treatment options, supporting researchers, and providing evidence for evidence-based practice.

The work and dedication of the USA Clinical Trials Office is recognized throughout the University of South Alabama and USA Health. 

“At the heart of every academic health center lies a robust clinical trials program — one that not only paves the way for life-saving therapies but also offers patients early access to cutting-edge treatments,” said Christopher Davies, Ph.D., associate dean for research at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “At the University of South Alabama, thanks to the leadership of Stefanie White and her exceptional team, our clinical trials enterprise continues to thrive, expanding into new disease areas and touching more lives than ever before. On Clinical Trials Day, we proudly recognize the dedication and excellence of our Clinical Trials team, the investigators committed to advancing medical science, and — most importantly — the patients who make this progress possible.”

“The University of South Alabama is fortunate to have a dedicated, knowledgeable Clinical Trials Office team to specialize in bringing innovative treatments to our patients and ensure the highest quality care,” said Melissa Beavers, associate director of research quality assurance and improvement. “This group, along with our team of investigators and patients, work incredibly hard to help advance science and give hope for future generations."

International Clinical Trials Day is celebrated by many organizations and academic institutions annually on May 20 to commemorate the first randomized clinical trial by James Lind in 1747. His experiment aboard a British Royal Navy ship led to the discovery that citrus is a cure for scurvy. Today, Clinical Trials Day is a time to reflect and recognize all that has been accomplished thanks to clinical trials and the people behind them. 

The Clinical Trials Office is a USA Health systemwide office providing support to investigators conducting clinical studies, including industry-sponsored, investigator-initiated, and federally funded trials.

Learn more about Clinical Trials Day.