BMS graduate students join lab 'matches': Part 2

At the end of their first year of studies, students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program choose a major professor who will mentor them throughout the program. This selection also determines the students’ program track affiliation. Then, at the beginning of their second year, they join the labs with which they “matched,” and this lab home is where they will conduct research for their dissertation through graduation.

This year, 10 BMS graduate students joined labs. This week, meet the second group of five students: 

Manley Hicks
Age: 23
Hometown: Louisa, VA
Education: B.S. in natural sciences, concentration in cell and molecular biology; Pensacola Christian College
BMS track and faculty mentor: Infectious Disease and Host Defense; Michael “Rusty” Elliott, Ph.D.
Research focus: Macrophage hypophagia in cancer immunotherapies
Why did you choose to join this lab?
The mentor. While I love getting to work at MCI with my amazing coworkers, I would never have joined if Dr. Elliott wasn’t the man he is. My mentor is a top-tier scientist that cares for his students and wants us to become the best we can be. He is always available and more than willing to help while also not hovering, allowing us a healthy degree of independence. I’m getting to learn about a fascinating research field from an accomplished scientist, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be his student. Shoutout to my lab mates Brianna, Mita, and Mary! 

Hoa Thi Tran
Age: 38
Hometown: Binh Phuoc, Vietnam
Education: B.Sc. in biotechnology and M.Sc. in microbiology; Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City University of Science
BMS program track and faculty mentor: Infectious Disease and Host Defense; Jonathon Audia, Ph.D.
Research focus: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection that causes inflammation and pyroptosis in lung endothelial cells
Why did you choose to join this lab?
My research interest is studying the mechanism of bacterial infection and host immunity. I also love to learn about genetics and cell biology, so I chose the Audia lab where I have many chances to work with DNA, RNA and protein. The important reason is I have a great mentor who is willing to teach me not only the biological knowledge background but also a lot of research skills. Moreover, department admin staff and other professors do care about the students and help the students when they need help. After working in this lab for several months, I believe that I made a good decision. 

Jonathan Cortez

Age: 23

Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL

Education: B.S. in cell and molecular biology; Pensacola Christian College 

Faculty mentor: Marie Migaud, Ph.D. 

Research focus: NAD metabolism and impacts of oxidized NAD 

Why did you choose to join this lab?
I wanted to challenge myself in my Ph.D., and I felt like joining an organic synthesis lab would provide a unique challenge and a variety of experience in science. Dr. Migaud is teaching me to do organic synthesis as well as allowing me to pursue biology, so it was a good opportunity to grow in two fields. 

Rebecca Tang-Holmes

Age: 32

Hometown: Irvington, AL

Education: B.S. in cardiorespiratory sciences, Master of Business Administration; University of South Alabama

BMS program track and faculty mentor: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Biology; Silas Leavesley, Ph.D., and Tom Rich, Ph.D.

Research focus: Detection of cancer-related spectral signatures in neoplastic tissues using excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging techniques

Why did you choose to join this lab?
I was a respiratory therapist for 10 years before matriculating into the Basic Medical Sciences Ph.D. program, and my clinical experience is largely what influences my interest in translational medicine. The technological development work of Drs. Leavesley and Rich has fueled my intrigue, and the other members of the lab – Dr. Naga Annamdevula and Santina Johnson – continue to inspire me on a daily basis in various aspects of life. Plus, it's fun! I am excited to have a hand in potentiating the transition of their technology from benchtop to bedside one day. So, stay tuned!

Michael Shaw

Age: 24

Hometown: Newnan, GA

Education: B.S. in biology and B.S. in information technology; Georgia Southern University

BMS program track and faculty mentor: Biomedical Engineering & Bioinformatics; Glen Borchert, Ph.D. 

Research focus: The role of DNA secondary structure in mediating interactions between genetic regulatory elements and how their perturbation affects the severity of various disease states

Why did you choose to join this lab? 
I’ve always been interested in genetics, and this lab conducts cutting-edge research within that realm of science, with notoriety in both the amount of publications it produces and their quality. I also thoroughly enjoy working with the other members of the lab, and I really appreciate the mentoring style and lab culture Dr. Borchert provides to his students. It is also a nice plus knowing that the Borchert Lab is well funded.

Goodloe follows family path to emergency medicine

Travis Bedsole Goodloe III, M.D.

For Travis Bedsole Goodloe III, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at USA Health and an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine, being an ER doc is in his blood. 

As a child, he listened to stories from his grandfather – Travis Bedsole Goodloe Sr., M.D. – about interesting patients and cases he encountered in the emergency department. His grandfather started in pediatrics, but he transitioned to emergency medicine during the infancy of the specialty, having never completed formal residency training in the field.

Goodloe’s path to emergency medicine continued to develop while he was an undergrad at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. During his freshman year, he took an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic course and became a certified EMT. He worked throughout college for the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad in Farmville, Virginia, as well as the Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department. 

Due to his experience in EMS, he matriculated into medical school at the Whiddon College of Medicine fairly certain that emergency medicine was going to be his career path. While a medical student, he was named to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and received the Merck Award, given to the senior student who demonstrated superior academic achievement. He also received the Department of Emergency Medicine’s Award of Excellence for outstanding performance and academic excellence in emergency medicine. 

Goodloe received a medical degree from the Whiddon College of Medicine in 2020. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, followed by a one-year EMS fellowship at UTHealth Houston. 

Now, he’s back in his hometown of Mobile, excited to make a difference at USA Health and the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

“When my wife and I moved to Birmingham for my residency, we knew that we would ultimately return to Mobile,” Goodloe said. “We are both lifelong Mobilians, and this is the community where I have always wanted the impact of my career as a physician to be, just like my grandfather. 

“During my medical school years, I was continually impressed with the strides that USA Health was making as a health system. I wanted to be a part of that growth, and thus I am very happy to be back!”

Goodloe’s role will extend beyond the emergency department due to his extensive background and training in EMS. Over the next few weeks and months, he will be getting involved in the prehospital environment with many local EMS partners. 

“Being in a position to deliver emergent care/comfort to a patient during their most critical or desperate time is unique and a privilege not to be taken lightly,” he said. “I find these interactions incredibly rewarding, especially when we have the ability to positively affect a patient's life.”

Goodloe is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Medical Association, the National Association of EMS Physicians, and the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.

Mills leads health system grants administration and development

Jennifer Mills

Jennifer Mills recently joined the Whiddon College of Medicine as executive director of the Health System Grants Administration and Development Office. In her new role, she provides leadership and guidance to the grants administration and development team, ensuring they effectively assist in proposal and budget development, submissions, reporting, and post-award processes.

“Jennifer joins us at a time of exciting growth in our research enterprise, as we look forward to the new Whiddon College of Medicine building and recruitment of new faculty researchers,” said Christopher Davies, Ph.D., associate dean for research.

Mills brings a wealth of experience in research administration, research administration training, and research reporting using advanced analytics tools. She is a Certified Research Administrator and an active member of the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA).

Most recently, she was the manager for electronic research administration, training and reporting at the University of Alabama (UA). In this role, she directed electronic reporting for UA’s research enterprise, and developed and led training programs for research administrators.  Prior to that, she was the senior grants and contract specialist for UA, preparing submissions and managing awards for more than 15 departments.

“I was drawn to the University of South Alabama and the Whiddon College of Medicine due to their outstanding academic reputation and commitment to excellence,” Mills said. “Additionally, the diverse research opportunities available at the Whiddon College of Medicine were a significant factor in my decision.” 

Mills said her goal is to provide excellent customer service to researchers while maintaining compliance with federal, state and sponsor requirements, and adhering to university policies. 

“Everyone here has been very helpful and welcoming, and I look forward to developing more relationships across campus in the coming months,” she said.  

Mills earned an executive MBA from the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. 

Rx for Success pre-orientation course empowers future medical professionals

David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, leads one of the in-person sections of Rx for Success.

The Office of Academic Success, within the Office of Accreditation and Planning, at the Whiddon College of Medicine offered the pre-orientation course, Rx For Success: Achieving Academic Excellence in Medical School, for the second year in a row. This year's program saw increased participation, with 50 incoming M1 students joining the course, which ran from July 22-25 blending Zoom and in-person sessions.

David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and academic success, led the course alongside an expanded instructional team that included Angie O'Neal, M.Ed., and four second-year medical student facilitators — Keegan Musaalo, Jade Crabtree, Avery Thomas and Nia Booth. These student facilitators received personal professional development in advance of the course to enhance their teaching and leadership skills.

David S. Williams, Ph.D., and Angie O'Neal, Ed.D.,

led the course with M2 student facilitators

Nia Booth, Keegan Musaalo, Avery Thomas and

Jade Crabtree. 

A significant highlight of this year’s program was the involvement of O'Neal, director of learning support services at the Whiddon COM. She brought her expertise to the instructional team, focusing on teaching students about the importance of creating individual learning plans tailored to their medical school careers. Her sessions emphasized the use of learning science, validated self-assessment tools, and self-reflection to help students set and achieve their academic and professional goals.

Throughout the course, students were immersed in lessons on learning science, evidence-based learning strategies, effective time management skills, and the importance of resilience in medical school. They also engaged in activities designed to reflect on the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and professional behavior as they embark on their medical school journey.  

“It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and commitment from our incoming students,” Williams said. “This program is a vital part of our mission to provide the tools and support necessary for their success in medical school and beyond.”  

Thomas, one of the M2 student facilitators, commented, “It has been so rewarding to meet the next class of medical students and see their growth in only one week. I am so excited to see how they take the skills they learned this week to become successful future physicians.”

Margaret Lloyd, an incoming first-year student, said, “I was most nervous about effectively studying for medical school exams and the step exams. Now, I feel confident that I can implement these strategies and use the momentum from the success of the strategies to continue enjoying studying and doing well in exams. I am so lucky to be entering a class that gets a resource like this, since this is only the second year of it.”

The collaborative nature of the program was further enhanced by guest speakers who delivered interactive lessons and Q&A sessions. Laura Boatright, M.D., from the Division of Medical Education discussed the best ways to study to develop clinical reasoning. Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., from Student Affairs focused on strategic goal-setting. Loren Modisa, Ed.D., MPA, and Tiquera Hall, Ph.D., MPA, both from the Office of Health Advancement, addressed resilience in medical education, while Natalie Bauer, Ph.D., from Admissions provided insights on professionalism and time management. Tim Gilbert, Ed.D., from Accreditation and Planning wrapped up the week emphasizing the various ways in which the Whiddon COM supports student success and professional development.

The Office of Academic Success is committed to continuing the Rx for Success pre-orientation course each summer, continually enhancing it to better support our incoming medical students, Williams said.

Williams and T.J. Hundley, M.D., associate dean for medical education, lead an ongoing educational research project evaluating the course's impact and how students are integrating these evidence-based strategies in their learning and development. Data from last year’s program was presented at the national Medical Education Learning Specialists Conference in November 2023, highlighting the program's success and areas for further development.

View more photos from the pre-orientation course on Flickr.

BMS graduate students join their lab 'matches'

At the end of their first year of studies, students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program choose a major professor who will mentor them throughout the program. This selection also determines the students’ program track affiliation. Then, at the beginning of their second year, they join the labs with which they “matched,” and this lab home is where they will conduct research for their dissertation through graduation.

This year, 10 BMS graduate students are joining labs. This week, meet five of them: 

Brianna Mitchell
Hometown: Pearlington, MS
Education: B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, University of South Alabama
BMS program track and research focus: Infectious Disease and Host Defense; I’m currently focusing on cytokine release as it relates to first infusion reactions of monoclonal antibody therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Faculty mentor: Michael Elliott, Ph.D.  
Why did you choose to join this lab?
I really enjoy how the work challenges me to think outside of the box, and I love learning more and more about immunology every day. After my first week of rotating in Dr. Elliott’s lab, I vividly remember calling my mom and telling her about how excited I was and about the lab work I would be doing during my rotation. It was that same phone call I told her that I thought I was going to stay, and that’s exactly what I did!

Oluwagbenro O. Adesunloro

Hometown: Itaogbolu, Ondo State, Nigeria

Education: B.S. in microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

BMS program track and research focus: Infectious Diseases and Host Defense; investigating the role of amyloid-Beta in pyelonephritis and urosepsis

Faculty mentor: Allyson Elizabeth Shea, Ph.D.

Why did you choose to join this lab?
I love the lab's projects and lab environment. 

Sarah Macon-Foley

Hometown: I was born and raised in Severna Park, Maryland, but I haven't been there since I was 18. Honestly, I would say that since I got married, my hometown is wherever my husband is, which is wherever the Coast Guard sends us, so for now that is Mobile, AL.

Education: B.S. in biology, Randolph-Macon College; M.S. in individualized genomics and health, Johns Hopkins University 

BMS program track and research focus: Infectious Disease and Host Defense; tick-borne viruses, tick-to-tick virus transmission, tick-host interface

Faculty mentor: Meghan Hermance, Ph.D.

Why did you choose to join this lab? 

When I decided to get a Ph.D. I knew I needed two things in order to pick a lab to join: really good and interesting science and a gut feeling that I could spend four to five years working in that environment. I picked my rotations based on the science that was being done and what I wanted to spend my Ph.D. studying and let the gut feeling tell me the rest. The Hermance Lab provided me with both!

Davis Holdbrooks

Hometown: Winfield, AL

Education: B.S. in biomedical sciences, University of South Alabama

BMS program track and research focus: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Biology; H1N1-induced tauopathy 

Faculty mentors: Troy Stevens, Ph.D. and Jonathan Rayner, Ph.D.

Why did you choose to join this lab? 

While my primary focus has been virology, this co-mentorship opportunity allows me to expand my research scope. I can now explore the intricate relationship between viruses, their effects on the pulmonary system, and their subsequent cognitive impact. 

Magan Pittman 

Hometown: Monroeville, AL 

Education: B.S. in biomedical sciences with a concentration in biotechnology, University of South Alabama

BMS track and research focus: Cancer Biology; DNA repair

Faculty mentor: Aishwarya Prakash, Ph.D.

Why did you choose to join this lab? 

I chose to join this lab because my favorite area of study is biochemistry/molecular biology, and my lab mates and mentor are incredible scientists and people!