News

The statistics are startling: more than 7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a figure that is projected to double by 2060. In Alabama, over 103,000 people age 65 and older—nearly 12% of seniors—have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Alabama has the sixth highest Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in the nation.

The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Dean's Excellence Awards for Faculty, recognizing exceptional faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, service, access and engagement, and mentorship.

UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) recognized eight faculty members who graduated from cohort 8 of the SAIL (Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead) program for spring 2026. The program supports junior faculty as they develop authentic leadership approaches, strengthen professional networks, and navigate the unique challenges of early academic careers.

A UAB assistant professor explains neuroplasticity and offers tips to help maintain newly set goals and habits in the new year.

UAB neuroscientist Kauê Machado Costa, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, received a Parkinson's Foundation grant to test an intriguing hypothesis: The cognitive deficits now known to occur in the early years of Parkinson's disease may be a clue that learning-oriented dopamine circuits shift gears to cover for their movement-focused cousins. If Costa’s...

A UAB brain expert discusses the ways exercise can improve overall brain health.

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the 19 winners of the 2025 Dean's Excellence Awards for Faculty.

Written by: Joy Marsch Media contact: Brianna Hoge Eating foods that contain sugar in regulated amounts may not be exceedingly harmful, but overconsumption of sugar can lead to a significant impact on brain function and overall mood. The fall and winter months are an exciting season as people of all ages celebrate many holidays.

Written by: Joy Marsch Media contact: Brianna Hoge The purchase and consumption of alcohol and substances often increases during the holiday season, and while some may drink to celebrate, others may drink to suppress their feelings.The holiday season is a time of fun and excitement. But for some, it can bring stress and anxiety.

In grateful recognition of a transformational $95 million lead gift from longtime University of Alabama at Birmingham supporter Marnix E. Heersink, M.D., the UAB School of Medicine will now be named the UAB Marnix E.

The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce the newest cohort of James A.

Camerron M. Crowder, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Neurobiology, has been awarded the 2023 Provost’s Awards for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research.

Blazer BRAIN is an eight-week undergraduate summer program that offers students an opportunity to conduct research and participate in an intensive professional development program as they work towards earning their Ph.D. in neuroscience.

U-BDS specializes in analyzing genomic and transcriptomic data, creating data pipelines, and keeping up with the latest methods and algorithms required for cutting-edge research.

UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office recently recognized 12 individuals in its fourth cohort of Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead (SAIL). The spring 2024 graduates received their certificates on April 9.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying tolerance and hyperalgesia is essential to enhance morphine’s utility in chronic pain management.

In the mouse brain, two neural pathways were discovered: The first is active during motivation; the second is active only at the termination of motivation. In humans, these pathways could underlie motivational dysfunctions present in various psychiatric conditions.

Medical Student Research Day celebrates the research accomplishments of medical students and provides them with the opportunity to present their projects to fellow students and faculty.

Eighteen faculty members across Heersink School of Medicine’s departments have received 2022 Dean’s Excellence Awards in recognition of excellence in the areas of teaching, research, service, mentorship, and diversity.

This therapy, using sustained release of nitric oxide, may be a novel, efficient and safe way to prevent and treat multiple metabolic diseases.

Inspired by a family diagnosis and a viral video, Adeel Memon, M.D., Ph.D., is exploring the possibilities of brain-computer interfaces to treat Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.

You may know Dr. Kristina Visscher as your friendly Human Neuroimaging instructor, but the rest of UAB now knows her as the Diversity Champion that she is! Dr. Visscher was recently awarded the 2022 President's Diversity Champion Award. 

The Civitan International Research Center is offering conference awards for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.  Deadline to apply is March 15, 2022.  For additional details visit:Trainee Conference Awards

First-of-its-kind book explores astrocytes as emerging player in psychiatric disorders

Neuroscience_alumna_publishes_in_major_journal.pdf

Lifetime achievement in teaching....

The Civitan International Research Center proudly announces the winners of the 2021 - 2022 Emerging Scholar awards.  For the full story visit Emerging Scholars.

Fight for Sight

This year, the university recognizes 50 years of service by Jeanne Hutchison, Ph.D., and Ferdinand Urthaler, M.D., and 45 years of service by Robert Kim M.D., and Joseph Lovetto. In addition, 294 employees with 20 or more years and 904 with five, 10 and 15 years will honored for their longevity.

Happy Brain Awareness Week!