The Birmingham Area Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities honored UAB Department of Psychology senior Lauren McCartney with its Student of the Year award.

McCartney has Oculocutaneous Albinism, which is an autosomal recessive, genetic disorder involving the pigmentation of the body. In the absence of pigment, the visual system develops differently which results in vision impairment. Her vision is 20/200.

“She hasn’t let her disability keep her from doing what she wants to do,” says Allison Solomon, M.S., director of UAB Disability Support Services. “I wish all students could take her approach in life and in their studies at UAB.”