Graduate students awarded Dean's Predoctoral Fellowships

The Whiddon College of Medicine has announced the recipients of the 2025-2026 Dean's Predoctoral Fellowship Awards. 

The program awards up to three one-year fellowships to eligible students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program. The awards provide comprehensive support including the student’s stipend, individual health insurance, and $5,000 to cover travel and expenses for awardees to present their work at a national or international conference, or to attend an extramural course/workshop.

Oluwagbenro Adesunloro
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
“The Antimicrobial Role of Amyloid-Beta Against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli”
Mentor: Allyson Shea, Ph.D.

Adeyeye Haastrup
Department of Pharmacology
“Targeting Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Dysregulation in Sepsis: Nicotinamide Riboside and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Transcript Isoform Switching”
Mentor: Ray Langley, Ph.D.

Shovon Lal Sarkar
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
“Characterization of Amblyomma maculatum saliva microRNAs and their role in Rickettsia transmission”
Mentor: Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D.

Adesunloro is investigating the antimicrobial role of Amyloid-β (Aβ) against uropathogenic Escherichia coli, the primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The rising threat of antibiotic resistance has made it critical to explore alternative antimicrobial strategies while enhancing the effectiveness of conventional therapies.

Traditionally linked to Alzheimer’s disease, Aβ has been recognized as an antimicrobial peptide with activity against a variety of bacteria, fungi and viruses. However, Adesunloro said, its role in UTIs remains poorly understood. 

“Ultimately, my findings will establish Aβ as a key component of host defense in UTIs and create novel therapeutic avenues to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens,” he said.

Haastrup’s research focuses on sepsis, which is responsible for approximately 11 million deaths globally each year. A major challenge in its pathology, he said, is the metabolic collapse driven by NAD⁺-dependent bioenergetic dysregulation.

“My research, utilizing a preclinical murine model of sepsis, aims to generate translational evidence addressing NAD⁺ insufficiency in septic conditions,” Haastrup said. “Additionally, this work also investigates transcript isoform switching — shaped by host-pathogen interactions — and its correlation with metabolic changes to better illuminate mechanisms of sepsis-associated bioenergetic failure.”  

Sarkar is studying the role of the Gulf Coast tick's saliva microRNAs (miRNAs) in Rickettsia transmission. Tick saliva contains molecules that modulate the host immune response and enable blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. Bacterial pathogens alter the salivary gland and ovary transcriptome of ticks, emphasizing the intricate relationship between pathogens and their vectors. 

“Guided by previous findings, we propose a comparative study of ticks infected with pathogenic Rickettsia parkeri, non-pathogenic Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae, and uninfected ticks,” Sarkar said. “We anticipate discovering a distinct catalog of miRNAs in tick saliva, highlighting unique expression patterns that could enhance our understanding of host-vector-pathogen interactions related to tick transmission of pathogens.”

The fellowship award recipients expressed their gratitude to their mentors, labs, departments, and the Office of the Associate Dean of Research for their guidance and support.

Learn more about the Dean's Predoctoral Fellowship Award Program.

Whiddon COM welcomes new cohort of Ph.D. students

The new class of graduate students attend orientation at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

The Whiddon College of Medicine welcomed 13 new students to the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program. The incoming class represents a diverse group of talented individuals from all over the country and the globe, bringing with them a wide range of experiences and a shared passion for scientific discovery.

“We wish them the best of luck as they embark on this challenging and rewarding chapter of their academic careers,” said Alani Rodgers, M.Ed., assistant director of the Office of Research, Education and Training. “We are confident that they will thrive and become the next generation of leaders in medical research.”

Makala Cox, of Riverside, Iowa, earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical science with a biotech concentration from the University of South Alabama. She became interested in the BMS program after one of her undergraduate professors recommended that she attend an informational session.

“The staff and faculty were so hospitable and emphasized the program's collaborative nature, which really stood out to me,” Cox said. “Additionally, the program equips graduate students with strong research skills through peer mentorship and hands-on experience, which is really important to me. On top of everything, I was impressed by the quality of research that was coming out of the program.” 

During last week’s orientation, Cox had the opportunity to meet with all of the BMS program track leaders. She describes her experience thus far as “phenomenal,” as she immediately felt welcomed into the program. 

At this stage in her academic journey, Cox is interested in genetics research. “I have some past experience with characterizing novel DNA structures across species, and I really enjoyed that,” she said. “Looking forward, I think I would like to get a job working in bioinformatics because I think visualizing data is a powerful way to disseminate knowledge.”

Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Sergio Guerrero earned his bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology from Jacksonville State University. With an interest in cancer tumorigenesis, he would like to understand better the underlying mechanisms of how these cells develop resistance against therapy. 

“My experience at South so far has been amazing,” Guerrero said. “I love Mobile’s coast scene and how many entertaining things there are to do. Everybody in the BMS program and its surroundings have been helpful and easy to approach, which is something that I highly appreciate.”

Elisa Pizzocaro, a native of Pavia, Italy, received her undergraduate degree in biology from Southern Utah University. She is interested in studying the mechanism of disease progression, along with possible treatments, either in neuroscience or cancer biology. 

She was drawn to the Whiddon College of Medicine to pursue her Ph.D., she said, because of the program’s strong sense of community, teamwork and innovative research. 

“Everyone is welcoming, accessible, and ready to offer a hand when needed,” Pizzocaro said. “The professors are outstanding. It is clear from the way they teach that they are passionate about what they do, and how committed they are to guiding us in becoming great researchers.”

Faculty from the basic medical sciences speak to new students in the graduate program.

New faculty development series to focus on AI in medical education

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development will host a comprehensive five-week series titled “Introduction to AI in Medical Education.” 

Classes will be:

• Oct. 21 to Nov. 18
• Tuesdays, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• Hybrid format

This hands-on workshop series is designed for health professions educators who want to harness the power of AI tools while maintaining ethical teaching practices. Whether completely new to AI or already experimenting with these emerging technologies, participants will gain practical skills and ethical frameworks to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

The series takes a deeply interactive approach, moving beyond theoretical discussions to give participants real experience with AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Bing Copilot. They'll learn to create compelling educational content, generate assessments, and develop clinical scenarios while navigating the important ethical considerations that come with integrating AI into medical education. Each session builds on the previous one, culminating in participants' own custom-designed AI-enhanced teaching activity that they can immediately implement in their courses.

Weekly outline:

• Week 1: AI Fundamentals & Medical Education Applications
• Week 2: Hands-On AI Toolbox Lab
• Week 3: Ethical AI Use & Policy Development
• Week 4: AI-Human Teaching Simulations
• Week 5: Design Your Own AI-Enhanced Teaching Activity

Register now for in-person or virtual participation. Space is limited.

For more info, contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu or 251-460-6823.

Meet a Med Student: LouAnn Crosby

LouAnn Crosby

Class: 2027

Hometown: Madison, AL

Education: B.S. in biomedical sciences and M.S. in biological sciences from Auburn University

What do you enjoy most about being a student at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
I love how supported I am by the faculty and staff here. It is clear that they all want me to succeed and will help me reach my goals.

Are you involved in any research, organizations or other initiatives at the Whiddon College of Medicine?
I am the founder and president of Med-Able, an affinity group for students identifying as disabled or neurodiverse. I am also the president of the Otolaryngology Interest Group. I am currently working on a research study on hearing disabilities in medical schools.

What are your interests and hobbies?
I am a flautist in The Mobile Pops! I also enjoy building the LEGO Botanicals in my free time.

Registration open for 2025 Sickle Cell Regional Conference

USA Health healthcare professionals are invited to register for the 2025 Sickle Cell Regional Conference, a one-day educational event dedicated to advancing knowledge and care strategies for sickle cell disease hosted by the Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D. Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.   

The conference will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Strada Patient Care Center first-floor conference room. Registration will be from 7:30 to 8 a.m.  

The event, Sickle Cell Disease Practical Issues XIX: Nurses, Anchors of Healthcare in Sickle Cell Disease, will bring together leading experts to discuss the latest developments in pathophysiology, precision medicine, gene therapy, nursing management, and emerging treatments.  

This year’s program is designed for advanced practice providers, nurses, medical and nursing students, community health workers, social workers, case managers, and allied health professionals. The conference has been approved for 6.3 CEU contact hours by the Alabama Board of Nursing.  

Registration information:

• Advance registration deadline: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at 5 p.m.  
• $60 general admission  
• $40 non-USA Health nurses, social workers, case managers and allied health  
• No charge for USA Health advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, case managers, interns, residents, and students with a USA ID.  
• Late registration after Sept. 12 will be $85 for most categories.  
• Registration fee includes conference syllabus, breakfast, and a box lunch.  

Featured presentations include:  

• Pathophysiology of Sickle Cell Disease – Felicia Wilson, M.D., a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with USA Health and professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine
• Precision Medicine in Sickle Cell Disease – Antwan J. Hogue, M.D., medical director of the sickle cell center and assistant professor of internal medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine
• Gene Therapy in Sickle Cell Anemia – Hamayun Imran, M.D., a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with USA Health and professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine
• Nursing Management in Pediatric & Adult Sickle Cell Care – Jennifer Williams, CRNP, and Jessica King, FNP-C

Participants may register online.  

For questions or requests for special accommodations, contact the Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D. Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at (251) 470-5893 or amabien@health.southalabama.edu.  

USA Health expands nephrology division with addition of Sinha

Urshita Sinha, M.D.

By Milena Mata

To meet the growing nephrology needs of community residents, USA Health has added Urshita Sinha, M.D., who will care for patients at the Mastin Internal Medicine Clinic and University Hospital. 

Sinha was initially drawn to nephrology, the study of kidney disease, because of its challenges and complexities. “Regardless of one's subspecialty, nephrology plays a significant role,” she said. “After all, the body is 60% water.”   

Prior to joining USA Health, Sinha was a nephrology fellow at the University of Illinois in Chicago. As a fellow, she learned about transplant surgery and renal diseases. She also developed her management skills, helping to assess patients and perform renal biopsies. Sinha published most of her research during her time there.    

Originally from India, she earned her medical degree at Kasturba Medical College in India and completed an internship there as well. During her internship, she gained experience in a variety of fields, including nephrology and transplant surgery. She later completed her residency training at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, where she also mentored students.  

As part of the University of South Alabama’s academic health system, Sinha will serve as assistant professor of internal medicine at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine. “I knew I loved teaching ever since I was in medical school,” she said. “The first time I taught was when a close friend of mine asked me to teach her anatomy and cardiology in our first year.” 

Sinha further developed her teaching experience at Weill Cornell and Qatar University. In addition to her medical work, Sinha won the inter-university debate championship for the National Kidney Foundation in 2023 and contributed to published research.  

Nadarajan joins emergency medicine faculty

Annamalai Nadarajan Jr., M.D.

Annamalai Nadarajan Jr., M.D., has joined the University of South Alabama as an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Drawn to the specialty for its complex problem-solving and diverse patient population, Nadarajan began his training with a general surgery internship at USA Health before joining the inaugural class of USA Health’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program in 2019.

“I really enjoyed my residency experience,” he said. “As a member of the inaugural class, I had the unique opportunity to help shape the program, and I am amazed to see how much it has grown since I graduated.”

During residency, he was honored with the Resident Award for Outstanding Performance in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and the Golden Laryngoscope Award for excellence in performing and teaching emergency procedures.

Nadarajan completed an anesthesiology/critical care fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Since graduating from fellowship, he has practiced critical care medicine at UAB St. Vincent’s East Hospital in Birmingham. 

With his return to USA as a faculty member, he looks forward to teaching and mentoring future emergency medicine residents.