Pediatric critical care specialist joins pediatrics faculty

Mohammad Sabobeh, M.D.

By Milena Mata 

To better serve the healthcare needs of critically ill and injured patients, USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital has expanded its critical care division with the addition of Mohammad Sabobeh, M.D. 

A fellowship-trained pediatric critical care specialist, Sabobeh said he understands the clinical setting can often be challenging, which forces him to think critically and quickly. He ultimately wants the best for his patients.  

“I am very passionate about understanding the physiology of the human body, and how multiple systems interact with each other during severe illnesses,” Sabobeh said. “Also, I was emotionally drawn to my patients and their families, as parents go through rough times during a child’s illness and stay in the pediatric intensive care unit. I feel if I am empowered with knowledge, skills, and good communication, I will be able to support them by treating their children.” 

In addition to his medical career, Sabobeh has extensive volunteer experience. In 2016, he helped execute a healthcare campaign in Qatar to vaccinate children in response to a measles outbreak. He participated in another vaccination program in Michigan to raise awareness of the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. 

He has also published articles and collaborated on several research projects related to critical care.  

Originally from Jordan, Sabobeh earned his medical degree at the Hashemite University School of Medicine in Zarqa, Jordan. He began developing a passion for pediatric care during his residency in Qatar at the Hamad Medical Corporation Hospital and Sidra Medicine and Research Center. In 2022, he completed a second residency at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.  

Before joining USA Health, Sabobeh completed a fellowship for pediatric critical care medicine at the University of Tennessee Health and Science Center in Memphis. 

As part of USA Health, the academic health system for the University of South Alabama, Sabobeh is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine. 

“I look at medical education as a legacy that stays behind, as all that knowledge and the skills you are able to transmit to others,” he said. “You would only hope they would use it wisely treating patients in their career and teaching others.” 

BMS graduate students match with faculty mentors, join labs

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, seven second-year graduate students joined labs:

Rajarshi Banerjee
Hometown: Kolkata, India
Age: 25
Education: B.S. in biology with a focus in forensic science; M.S. in toxicology; Delhi, India
BMS track and faculty mentor: Cancer Biology, Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D.
Research focus: mt-DNA mutations in PCa in circulating EVs and determining their potential usefulness.
Why did you choose to join this lab?
I always knew I wanted to work in a lab environment and do something that is translational. What's better than focusing on cancer? I really enjoy studying different types of cancer, and Dr. Dasgupta's lab gives me the environment where I can learn about cancer types, as well as the fact that he is an incredible scientist who helps me become the best version of myself. Also, my lab mates are nice people who are always there to help and support me whenever I need them. Overall, I am really happy that I can join such a nice lab, which is very close to my area of interest too.

Tyler Beling
Hometown: Bloemfontein, Free 9301, South Africa
Education: B.S. in quantity surveying, University of the Free State; M.S. in kinesiology, Boise State University
BMS track and faculty mentor: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Biology; Thiago Bruder, Ph.D.

Research focus: Endothelial-derived PGRN and its effect on vascular function and insulin secretion under obesity-induced hypertension 

Why did you choose to join this lab?

I have always been interested in cardiovascular biology, but what really led me to join this lab was the lab culture. Dr. Bruder and the fellow lab members facilitate a welcoming environment. Not only that, they also love the science, are great teachers, and provide amazing guidance. I truly believe that this is the lab where I can grow and develop as a scientist to one day make a meaningful contribution to the cardiovascular field.

Nairuti N. Bhatt
Hometown: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Age: 28
Education: B.S., State University of Albany; M.S. in biology, University of Miami (accelerated pathway)
BMS track and faculty mentor: Neuroscience; John N. Soltys, M.D., Ph.D.
Research focus: Elucidating the molecular origins of pathological autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders like neuromyelitis optica of the central nervous system.
Why did you choose to join this lab?
I chose this lab because it was a perfect continuation of my work. In my master’s, I studied neutrophils, and here I get to study B cells, so from one white blood cell to another. I’ve also moved from gray matter to white matter, which connects with my strong interest in the CNS and in finding translational approaches that can lead to new therapies for patients.
Another big reason was the people. My mentor, Dr. Soltys, is incredibly talented and kind, and I know I’ll get the best training here to support my future goals. Our lab tech, Olena Gorodnya, makes learning fun while being an excellent teacher, and the undergrads bring diversity and energy that make the team even stronger.

Trey Deason
Hometown: Vernon, AL
Age: 27
Education: B.S. in biochemistry, University of South Alabama
BMS track and faculty mentor: Cell and Molecular Biology; Marie Migaud, Ph.D.
Research focus: Over-oxidized NAD metabolites and their consequences on bioenergetics in relation to age and disease
Why did you choose to join this lab?
I have known Dr. Migaud for a long time, as I had her as a teacher in undergrad, and I have always been fascinated with her work. So, when the opportunity to explore something novel with little to no background was offered to me, I knew immediately that this is what I wanted to pursue.

Sicily Hardy
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Age: 23
Education: B.S. in biomedical sciences, University of South Alabama
BMS track and faculty mentor: Infectious Disease and Host Defense, Allyson Shea, Ph.D.
Research focus: My research focuses on how riboside pyridones influence host-pathogen interactions and contribute to infection susceptibility.
Why did you choose to join this lab?
I decided to join this lab because of the experience I had while working here as an undergrad. I really value the lab environment and the strong relationships I’ve built with my lab mates, including Olu, Juleigh, and Rachel, as well as with Dr. Shea. I have always felt very loved and supported in this lab. I am also passionate about studying bacteria, particularly in the context of urinary tract infections, which predominantly affect women. Women's health is very important to me, and here I can pursue research that directly impacts it. 

Qudus Abiola Ojomo
Hometown: Idimu, Lagos, Nigeria
Age: 33
Education: Bachelor of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria; M.Sc., Pharmacology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
BMS track and faculty mentor: Infectious Disease and Host Defense; Robert Barrington, Ph.D.
Research focus: My research will investigate the role of alveolar macrophages and other innate immune cells in the pathology of autosomal dominant hyper IgE syndrome (AD-HIES).
Why did you choose to join this lab?
My interest in immunology began during my master’s program, when I took a course titled Immunopharmacology. This was my first introduction to immunotherapy and how the immune system could be harnessed to combat cancer and immune-related diseases such as AD-HIES. Later, during my rotation in Dr. Barrington’s lab, I was able to engage with the basic science of immunology more deeply. The lab’s focus and environment not only broadened my understanding but also solidified my passion for studying immune system mechanisms and their therapeutic potential.

Angela Russ
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Age: 23
Education: Mechanical Engineering, University of South Alabama
BMS track and faculty mentor: Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics; Mark Gillespie, Ph.D.
Research focus: DNA base damage and modifications
Why did you choose to join this lab?
I love how our group uses the latest technology and informatics techniques on projects that have great translational potential. It’s also a very welcoming environment that still maintains a high level of science — they hold a high bar for the results we put out from the lab while helping every student reach it.

Sarkar awarded American Cancer Society grant to advance colon cancer research

Chandrani Sarkar, Ph.D., is principal investigator of the project.

By Lindsay Hughes

With support from a four-year, $946,000 grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS), researchers at the University of South Alabama will investigate how immune cells called macrophages are regulated in colon cancer — work that could lead to new treatment strategies for one of the most lethal cancers worldwide.

The project will be led by Chandrani Sarkar, Ph.D., a cancer researcher at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute and an assistant professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine. Sarkar serves as principal investigator on the grant.

Colon cancer is among the most common cancers in both men and women, and its high mortality rate stems largely from its ability to metastasize, or spread, to other organs. Nearly half of patients diagnosed with colon adenocarcinoma develop liver metastases, and survival rates drop sharply once the disease advances. While localized colon cancer carries a five-year survival rate of nearly 90%, that figure falls to just 15% for patients with metastatic disease, according to ACS data.

Although most primary colon tumors can be removed surgically, metastatic tumors often do not respond effectively to surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. In recent years, new treatment approaches have provided modest improvements in outcomes, but metastatic disease remains a major cause of cancer-related death.

Sarkar’s research centers on macrophages, a crucial cellular component of the tumor microenvironment. Depending on the cues they receive, macrophages can exhibit either pro-tumor or anti-tumor properties. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant immune cells present in colon cancer, play a crucial role in cancer progression and metastasis. By studying how TAMs are regulated within the tumor microenvironment, Sarkar and her team aim to identify ways to “re-educate” these cells to fight cancer instead of fueling its progression.

“Currently, there are limited treatment options for patients with metastatic disease, and the prognosis is very poor,” Sarkar said. “Understanding the molecular mechanisms of macrophage regulation will reveal new targets for therapy and aid in the development of novel, targeted therapies for colon cancer.”

Current macrophage-associated therapies exhibit several shortcomings, Sarkar said, including poor efficacy and adverse side effects, and warrant further investigation. Her study will focus on the molecular drivers of TAM activity, seeking insights that could overcome those challenges and expand treatment options for patients.

Collaborators on the project are Debanjan Chakroborty, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology; Guillermo Herrera, M.D., professor and chair of pathology; Richard Honkanen, Ph.D., professor and chair of biochemistry and molecular biology; Paramahansa Pramanik, Ph.D., assistant professor of math and statistics; and Ahmed Abdalla, M.D., assistant professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology.

Sarkar joined USA Health and the Whiddon College of Medicine in July 2021. She earned a Ph.D. in cancer biology from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She also holds a Master of Clinical Research from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. 

Her research has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, and she has presented her work nationally and internationally.

Discovery 2030: Research town hall set for Sept. 9

The USA Office of Research and Economic Development will host a research town hall with Allen Parrish, Ph.D., vice president of research and economic development. He will discuss research at South, the R1 journey, and answer questions as the university launches a research strategic planning process.

Discovery 2030 Kickoff Town Hall is set for Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Marx Library Auditorium.

Register and submit questions: https://bit.ly/RSPQuestions

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance, as there will be time during the event to address a selection of the questions received.

The event will be recorded and archived for those who are unable to attend in person. This is the first of what will be many opportunities for engagement.

Whiddon COM team wins prize at 'Shark Tank'-style competition

Allyson Shea, Ph.D., center, and researchers Rachel Fleck and Ethan Myers made up the team from the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Nine teams made up of University of South Alabama students, faculty, staff and alumni recently competed in the Launch USA | Pitch Competition for a chance to win $10,000 in seed money from the Melton Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

The competition was the culmination of the Launch USA | Big Ideas Challenge, a program designed to foster entrepreneurial spirit by offering business education, mentorship and $5,000 in initial funding to support start-ups. During the Aug. 26 pitch event, sponsored by C-Spire, each team had 10 minutes to pitch their product or idea to a three-judge panel, similar to the TV show “Shark Tank.”

Allyson Shea, Ph.D., pitches UroBacT.

The Whiddon College of Medicine team took the runner-up prize of $2,500 for UroBacT, a diagnostic tool for urinary tract infections that will help increase accuracy, improve patient outcomes, and advance antibiotic stewardship. The team was led by Allyson Shea, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, and assisted by researchers Rachel Fleck and Ethan Myers. 

The top prize of $7,500 went to engineering student Braxton Daw. His company, ManuLabs offers end-to-end solutions for designing and manufacturing complex components for industries like aerospace and healthcare.

The judging panel included Mike Eckert, chairman, Gulf South Angels; Brent Barkin, strategic advisor, Stoic Equity Partners; and Angela Dunn, senior vice president, Pinnacle Financial Partners.

The inaugural year of the Launch USA | Big Ideas Challenge was supported by a grant from the University of Alabama Honors College and the Innovate Alabama Network, a program which seeks to provide seed funding for innovative projects and encourage partnerships within the innovation ecosystem.

The Melton Center’s vision is to educate, engage, develop and impact the entrepreneurial community at the University of South Alabama and across the Central Gulf Coast region. The center supports the undergraduate entrepreneurship major through the Mitchell College of Business and offers programs for high school students and community members.

USA Health Game Day: It's time to order T-shirts, register for tickets

Registration is now open for USA Health Game Day 2025, set for Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the South Alabama Jaguars take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium. 

USA Health employees and volunteers, and Whiddon College of Medicine employees and students are each eligible to receive two free tickets to the football game. Registrants will also receive two wristbands to attend the tailgate event, catered by Sonny's BBQ, which begins at 4:30 p.m. 

The deadline to register for Game Day is Tuesday, Sept. 30. For details and registration, visit the USA Health Game Day event page. 

Game Day T-shirts are available for purchase online at Promotional Designs. The deadline to order shirts is Tuesday, Sept. 16. They will be available for pickup beginning Oct. 2 at the location selected at checkout. A very limited number of shirts will be available for cash purchase at hospital gift shops.

This annual event allows us to recognize and honor our employees for their many contributions to our mission of helping people lead longer, better lives. We hope you will join us this year as we continue our USA Health tradition and cheer on the Jags!

Register now for Crucial Conversations training

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development will host Crucial Conversations training Sept. 25-26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Center Terrace Room. Lunch will be provided, and space is limited.

This free course will equip participants with the skills needed to navigate high-stakes discussions with confidence and clarity. Whether it's addressing sensitive issues with colleagues, resolving conflicts, or having difficult conversations with managers, Crucial Conversations training will empower participants to communicate persuasively while maintaining positive relationships.

Participants will gain:

• Enhanced communication: Techniques to express their viewpoints clearly and respectfully.
• Effective conflict resolution: Tools to turn disagreements into productive dialogue.
• Stronger workplace relationships: Strategies to build trust and foster understanding with colleagues.
• Improved professional growth: Insights to help navigate workplace challenges and advance their careers.

By taking part in this training, participants will be better equipped to handle difficult conversations in their roles, which can lead to reduced stress, stronger relationships, and greater professional success.

Sign up: https://forms.gle/kMwavyh2ocJehU978

Contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu or 251-460-6823 for additional information or assistance with the registration process.

From lecterns to SonoGames: EM team makes waves at SAEM 2025

Emergency Medicine faculty and residents participated in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's annual meeting.

At this year’s Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Annual Meeting, USA Health's Emergency Medicine Residency Program demonstrated leadership in clinical education and innovation on the national stage.

Walker Plash, M.D., residency program director and associate professor of emergency medicine, led an engaging small-group session titled “Designing an Experience-Based Wilderness Medicine Educational Activity.” As wilderness medicine continues to gain popularity among medical students and residents, Plash addressed the growing need for effective, hands-on educational experiences. His session explored best practices for designing realistic, resource-limited learning environments, providing participants with practical tools and strategies for curriculum creation and implementation. 

Caroline Molins, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine, also shared her expertise in clinical education through her session, “Teaching on Shift in Emergency Medicine.” She introduced an SAEM Education Committee–sponsored online curriculum designed to support emergency physicians — particularly those new to supervising students and residents — with practical, evidence-based tools for bedside teaching. Her session provided department leaders and frontline educators with strategies to implement the curriculum locally and improve clinical learning environments.

Residents David Monaco, M.D., Channing Stroud, D.O.,

and William Craig, D.O., competed in the SonoGames.

Additionally, the residency program participated in the annual SonoGames competition, a national ultrasound skills event known for its intensity and excitement, which challenges residents from across the country in ultrasound knowledge and procedural skill. Residents William Craig, D.O.; David Monaco, M.D.; and Channing Stroud, D.O., formed the team, showcasing their knowledge, procedural skill, and teamwork. Their performance highlighted the strength of our ultrasound training and collaborative spirit. Their preparation and performance were guided by dedicated faculty mentors Beau Stokes, M.D.; Kaitlyn Hall, M.D.; and Reshvinder Dhillon, M.D., whose mentorship and ultrasound expertise were instrumental to the team’s success.

Elliott awarded $150,000 bridge grant to continue blood disorder study

Michael R. Elliott, Ph.D., an associate professor of microbiology and immunology, received a bridge grant from the American Society of Hematology.

By Casandra Andrews

Michael R. Elliott, Ph.D., an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, has been awarded a $150,000 Bridge Grant from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) to support his study on the cytotoxic capacity of antibody-mediated phagocytosis.  

Elliott is one of 25 investigators nationwide selected for the one-year grant, which serves as a critical lifeline for scientists whose federal funding has been disrupted by budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  It marks the first time this grant has been awarded to a researcher at USA since its inception in 2012.  

The grant will allow Elliott and his team at the Whiddon College of Medicine and the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute to continue their research into how immune cells recognize and destroy harmful cells in the blood. Insights from the study could advance therapies for patients with blood-related diseases.  

“This award is not only a testament to Dr. Elliott’s innovative work but also reflects the University of South Alabama’s growing role in advancing biomedical research that impacts patients in our region and beyond,” said Kevin R. Macaluso, Ph.D., chair of the department of microbiology and immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine.   

The American Society of Hematology created the Bridge Grant program in 2012 to sustain meritorious blood research proposals left unfunded due to NIH budget constraints. This year, ASH expanded the program, investing more than $3.75 million to help 25 investigators continue their work.  

“While ASH continues to advocate fiercely for robust funding for the National Institutes of Health, the cancellation of study sections and grants has put many investigators in an impossible position,” said ASH President Belinda R. Avalos, M.D. “That’s why ASH has invested more than $3.75 million in the Bridge Grant this year to ensure vital research can move forward instead of being stalled.”  

Since its creation, the ASH Bridge Grant has funded 206 projects and committed nearly $28 million in awards. A recent analysis found that nearly 60% of recipients later secured NIH funding, more than double the national resubmission average.  With more than 18,000 members from nearly 100 countries, ASH is the world's largest professional society serving both clinicians and scientists around the world who are working to conquer blood diseases. 

Elliott received his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University and his Ph.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. His research focuses on innate immunity, macrophage biology, and cancer immunotherapy. His laboratory is in the Mitchell Cancer Institute.