Carlos E Cardenas, PhD
2023 K Award Scholar
Assistant Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Samantha L Martin, PhD
2023 K Award Scholar
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jessica Jaiswal, PhD
2023 K Award Scholar
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Science
University of Alabama
Lindsey A. Hohmann, PharmD
2023 K Award Scholar
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Auburn University
Brittney Davis, BS, PharmD
2022 K Award Scholar
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Viral Jain, MD
2022 K Award Scholar
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Alabama at Birmingham
2021-2023
Learn more about each scholar's research interests here.
Carmen E. Capó-Lugo, PT, PhD | Assistant Professor
2021 KL2 Scholar
Certified Healthcare Interpreter
Department of Physical Therapy
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sara Davis, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC
2021 CCTS KL2 Scholar
Assistant Professor, College of Nursing
University of South Alabama
Natalie Hohmann, PharmD, PhD
2021 KL2 Scholar
Assistant Professor, Harrison School of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Auburn University
Nathaniel Jones, MD
2021 KL2 Scholar
Gynecologic Oncologist
Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Clinical Oncology
University of South Alabama
Kristy Broman, MD, MPH
2021 KL2 Scholar
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Brittney Davis, BS, PharmD
2022 KL2 Scholar
Instructor, Department of Neurology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Viral Jain, MD
2022 KL2 Scholar
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Alabama at Birmingham
2021-2023
Radhika Gangaraju, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Samantha Hill, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Alabama at Birmingham
2019-2021
Raymond J. Langley, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, USA Department of Pharmacology
Metabolic Energy Crisis Signatures Predict Quality of Life in Survivors of Acute Respiratory Failure
Donna L. Murdaugh, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics Hematology and Oncology, UAB
Cognitive Remediation Program to Promote Increased Independence and Facilitate Transition in Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease
Babak J Orandi, MD, PhD, MSc
Assistant Professor, Division of Transplant Surgery, UAB
The Role of Bariatric Surgery in Obese Liver Transplant Candidates and Recipients
Brandi M Pernell, DNP, MSN
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, UAB
Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences in Sickle Cell Disease (The O-ACES Study)
Caroline A Presley, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Division of Preventive Medicine, UAB
Intervention Mapping to Adapt a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Adults with Diabetes and Emotional Distress
Emily L. Spangler, MD, MS
Assistant Professor, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, UAB
Assessment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Imaging Surveillance Practices in Veterans
Jereme D. Wilroy, PhD, MA
Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Changing the Trajectory of Non-responders in a Home-based Exercise Trial for People with Physical Disabilities: A Mixed-methods Study
2017-2018
Ejvis Lamani, DMD, PhD
Assistant Professor, UAB Dept. of Orthodontics
Genetic Markers in Orthodontics
*Dr. Lamani’s appointment began June 15, 2017.
Crystal Chapman Lambert, PhD
Assistant Professor, UAB School of Nursing
Stress and Coping: Understanding Determinants of Adherence to HIV Care in African American Women Living with HIV
Mentors: Drs. Michael Mugavero, Janet Turan
Jianmei Leavenworth, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, UAB Dept. of Neurosurgery
Identifying Immune Biomarkers for Malignant Gliomas to Oncolytic HSV Viroltherapy
Mentors: Dr. James Markert, Yancey Gillespie
George Solomon, MD
UAB Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
Nasal Cell Procurement in PCD Patients
Mentors: Drs. Steven Rowe, Stephanie Davis
Chad Washington, MS, MPHS, MD
Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Sildenafil for the Treatment of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Mentor: Dr. Alan Jones
*Dr. Washington’s appointment began April 1, 2017.
2016
Courtney Peterson, PhD, MSC
Assistant Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center's Skeletal Muscle Physiology Laboratory
Title of Research: Meal Timing Affects on Circadian System in Humans
"The biggest thing that was helpful for me from the application process for the KL2 was all of the feedback, and the support and mentoring resources. Going through the process and helped me articulate the kind of research I want do."
Surya Bhatt, MD
Associate Professor, UAB Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
Medical Director, Pulmonary Function and Exercise Physiology Lab
Title of Research: Diastolic Dysfunction and Pauci-inflammatory Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Learn more
Brandon Rocque, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery, UAB
Title of Research: Psychosocial risk and distress in families of newly diagnosed pediatric brain tumor patients
"I'm hopeful that this grant will allow the development of hospital protocols that will improve family support for a wide range of children."
Ceren Yarar-Fisher, PT, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UAB
Title of Research: Utilizing a ketogenic diet to improve neuro-recovery following spinal cord injury
2014-2015
Frank M. Skidmore, MD
Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders
Title of Research: Diagnosis of Parkinson Disease using Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Primary Mentor: David G. Standaert, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of Neurology/John N. Whitaker Endowed Chair/ Director, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics
Co-Mentors: Gary R. Cutter, PhD., Professor of Biostatistics, Head, Section on Research Methods and Clinical Trials, SOPH; George Howard, DrPH, Professor of Biostatistics, SOPH; Adrienne Lahti, MD, Professor of Psychiatry/ Director, Division of Behavioral Neurobiology; and Almeida, Jonas S., PhD, Professor and Director, Division of Informatics, Department of Pathology.
Dr. Frank Skidmore joined the UAB faculty in 2011. He specializes in movement disorders, particularly cognitive and behavioral manifestations of movement disorders, and also sees complex general neurology cases. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Virginia, and did postgraduate training at Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland Medical Center. He is the author of 32 publications and several patents, and his primary area of research interest is developing brain imaging techniques as a diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Essential Tremor, and other forms of Parkinsonism, including using imaging as a method to predict onset of cognitive and behavioral change in these disorders. Special interests are developing brain imaging techniques as diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative conditions.
"I was greatly honored to have the opportunity afforded by this award to pursue research into developing methods to more effectively use brain imaging for clinical purposes. The award provides an opportunity, but also carries a responsibility to focus on results that will contribute to patients, as well as to engage in and support the university academic community."
Kristen Triebel Gerstenecker, PsyD
Associate Professor of Neurology
Title of Research: Medical Decision Making Capacity in Patients with Metastatic Brain Cancer
Primary Mentor: L. Burton Nabors, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Neurology, Director, Division of Neuro-Oncology
Co-Mentors: Daniel C. Marson, JD, PhD, Professor of Neurology, Director, Division of Neuropsychology and Gary R. Cutter, PhD, Professor of Biostatistics
Dr. Triebel joined the faculty of the UAB Department of Neurology on September 1, 2008. Triebel obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology (2002) from Pittsburg State University and Masters in Art degree in psychology (2005) from the School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute in Springfield, Missouri. Triebel completed her Doctor of Psychology degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in adult neuropsychology in 2006 from the School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute.
Professionally, Triebel focuses on geriatric and adult neuropsychology, evaluating and studying patients with a variety of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, brain cancer, among others. Dr. Triebel's research focus is on cognitive and functional change in patients with primary and metastatic brain cancer. She is the lead investigator of a study examining decisional capacity in patients with metastatic brain cancer.
“I am very excited about the dedicated time this CCTS KL2 Scholar Award will afford me to work on this exciting research.”
Timothy Beukelman, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Title of Research: The Risk of Serious Infection in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Mentors: Ken Saag, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology and Elizabeth Delzell, Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health
Dr. Timothy Beukelman is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the UAB Division of Pediatric Rheumatology. His overall career research goal is to optimize the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) using various clinical research methods including retrospective analysis of observational data, prospective observational data collection and analysis, decision analysis, and clinical trials.
In this project, Dr. Beukelman is employing pharmaco-epidemiologic methods to investigate the incidence of and factors associated with serious infections among children with JIA within the Medicaid administrative claims database. The advent of new biologic therapies for JIA has greatly improved clinical outcomes, but the potential associated increased risk of serious infections due to these new agents is not known. With the KL2 Award, Dr. Beukelman is addressing this important clinical question and developing expertise in analyzing large observational databases, a skill essential to the further investigation of comparative effectiveness and safety of therapeutics in JIA.
Todd Brown, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Title of Research: Variations in Cardiovascular Risk Among Different Clinical Presentations of Metabolic Syndrome in Young Adults
Mentors: Vera Bittner, MD, MSPH, Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cora Lewis, MD, MSPH, Professor of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine and Monika Safford, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine
Dr. Todd Brown is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases. With his KL2 award, Dr. Brown is using data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) and the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) studies to explore how different clinical presentations of metabolic syndrome in young adults impact the development of cardiovascular disease later in life. At the conclusion of this research, Dr. Brown hopes to design a prospective study investigating different approaches to modifying the metabolic syndrome to prevent the future development of cardiovascular disease.
Carlos E. Cardenas, PhD 2024 K12 Scholar Assistant Professor Department of Radiation Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Christy Foster, MD 2024 K12 Scholar Assistant Professor Department of Pediatrics and Endocrinology University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Lindsey Hohmann, PharmD 2024 K12 Scholar Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice Auburn University |
Holly Lynn Horan, PhD 2024 K12 Scholar Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Jessica Jaiswal, PhD 2024 K12 Scholar Assistant Professor, Department of Health Science University of Alabama |
Karen Andrene Johnson, PhD 2024 K12 Scholar Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work University of Alabama |
Olivia T. Van Gerwen, MD, MPH 2024 K12 Scholar Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Brigham C Walker, PhD 2024 K12 Scholar Assistant Professor, Public Health and Tropical Medicine Tulane University |
2023-2024
Medicine
Pharmacology
Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Disease
Medicine
School of Kinesiology
Kinesiology
Louisiana State University Health Science Center
Genetics
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Biomedical Engineering
Tulane University
Epidemiology
Medicine; Environmental Health Sciences
Tulane University
Biochemistry
Tulane University
Neuroscience
Medicine
2022-2023
Tulane University
School of Science and Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
University of Alabama
College of Human Environmental Sciences
Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management
LSU Health Sciences Center
School of Medicine
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Graduate Biomedical Sciences
Nephrology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Heersink School of Medicine
Medicine
Biomedical Sciences
University of Alabama at Birmingham
College of Arts and Sciences
Psychology
Auburn University
College of Education
Kinesiology
Auburn University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Pathobiology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Heersink School of Medicine
Infectious Diseases
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Heersink School of Medicine
Medicine
Tulane University
Bioinnovation
Nursing
2021-2022
Tulane University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tulane University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
2020-2021
Mentor: Geetha Thangiah, PhD
Mentor: Suzanne Oparil, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASH, FAPS
Mentor: Allan David, PhD
Mentor: Anne Sorace, PhD
Mentor: Christina Rodriguez, PhD
Mentor: Julie Kanter, MD
Mentor: René Myers, MD
2019-2020
Mentor: Michael Crowe, PhD
Mentor: David Knight, PhD
Mentor: Kim Garza, PharmD, PhD, MBA
Mentor: Burel Goodin, PhD
Mentor: Christina Rodriguez, PhD
Mentors: Michael Lyerly, MD; Nita Limdi, Pharm.D, PhD, MSPH, FAHA; Toby Gropen, MD
Mentor: William Opoku-Agyeman, MSc, MPH, PhD
Mentor: Magdalena Szaflarski, PhD
Mentor: Martha Wingate, DrPH, MPH
Mentors: Craig Maynard, PhD; Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Mentors: Marissa Gowey, Phd; Gareth Dutton, PhD
Mentor: Janna Wisniewski, PhD
Mentor: James Jackson, PhD
Mentor: Despina Stavrinos, PhD
2018-2019
Mentor: Rajesh Kana, PhD
Investigating mechanisms of driving impairment in individuals with autism and ADHD, as well as mapping brain activity in driving simulator
Mentor: Erik Hess, MD
Interested in improving linkage to care for Hep C positive in ED
Mentor: Elizabeth Lipke, PhD
Engineering novel tissue for heart patches in children with congenital heart defects
Mentor: Maureen Lichtveld, MD, MPH
Mentor: Herb Chen, MD
Interested in neuro-endocrine cancer research, including the viability of cell cultures and the role of NOTCH-2
Mentor: Patricia Kissinger, PhD, MPH
Mentor: Isabel Scarinci, PhD MPH
Identifying factors in Hispanic mothers not vaccinating their teen daughters against HPVD
Mentor: Suzana Savkovic, PhD
Mentor: James McLachlan, PhD
Mentor: Tanika Kelly, PhD, MPH
Mentor: Marie Anne Bakitas, DNSc, CRNP, NP-C, AOCN, ACHPN, FAAN
2017-2018
Mentor: Rajesh Kana
Mid-Fusiform sulcus anatomy-relationship to face processing in autism spectrum disorder
Mentor:Kiersten Kennedy
Patient-reported sociocognitive factors predicting readmission risk
Mentor: Isabel Scarinci
Perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer; AA Women living in MS delta
Mentor: Craig Elmets
The role of IL-23 in the prevention of melanoma
Mentor: Prescott Deininger
L1 expression analysis using a bioinformatics approach
Mentor: Maria Hopkins
Effectiveness of a robot social skills therapy for children with an autism spectrum disorder
Mentor: Bridgette Collins-Burow
Patient-derived xenografts: triple negative breast cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis
Mentor: David Kimberlin
ID of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) shedding in pregnant women
Mentor: Bruce Bunnell
Obesity-altered stem cells & breast cancer metastasis
Mentor: Christine Curcio
Clinical ophthalmic imaging & retinal cell biology - macular degeneration
Mentor: Brandon Rocque
PTSD symptoms in hydrocephalus population
2016-2017
(Cancer)/Impact of related health behaviors on chemotherapy regimen
(Neuro)/Neuroassessment of Traumatic Brain Injury
Long-term psychosocial impact of low grade CNS tumors on families
(HIV)/Therapeutic Adherence
Prostaglandin metabolism in ovarian cancer
(Precision Medicine)/Patient preferences related to genetic testing
(CVD)/Connection between PTSD and cardiovascular outcomes
Overcoming chemoresistance with the inhibition of the WNT pathway in ovarian cancer
(Pediatrics)/Transitions in care for children with concussions
Pain disparities in knee osteoarthritis
2015-2016
Anshika Chopra Bakshi
Shima Dowla
Stephen Douglas Gragg
Timothy Irving Kennell
Mary Kenna Lynch
Michael Owens
Anna Joy Graves Rogers
Robert F Wood
Mallory L Youngstrom
2012-2013
Thy Huynh, 3rd Year Medical Student
Mentor: Naveed Sami, MD, FAAD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Genetic Mutational Analysis of a Family with Unique Sclerodermoid Features
Catherine Poholek, Medical Scientist Training Program Trainee, Graduate Biomedical Sciences - Immunology Theme
Mentor: Laurie E. Harrington, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Cell Biology
Mechanisms of Interleukin-21-driven Pathogenesis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Neil Kelly, Graduate Biomedical Science - Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine Theme
Mentor: Marcus Bamman, Ph.D., Professor of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology Director, UAB Center for Exercise Medicine
Novel exercise prescription to improve fatigability and muscle function in Parkinson’s Disease
2011-2012
Donnie McCormick
Mentor: Candace L. Floyd, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The Effects of Venlafaxine on Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury
Carl Odom
Co-mentors: James M. Markert, MD, Professor and Chair, Division of Neurosurgery and Kevin A. Cassady, MD, Associate Professor, Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Modulation of MICA/B by Engineered Herpes Simplex Type-1 Vectors
Stephanie Robert
Mentor: Harald Sontheimer, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Neurobiology
Cystine/Glutamate Transporters as Possible Prognostic & Therapeutic Markers of Primary Brain Tumors
2011
Paul Bonvallet
Mentor: Susan L. Bellis, PhD Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
Designing an electrospun scaffold for skin regeneration
Jacquelyn Zimmerman
Mentor: Boris Pasche, MD, PhD, Professor and Division Director, Hematology/Oncology
Amplitude-Modulated Electromagnetic Fields as Novel Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
2010-2011
Ian Backstrom, MS
Mentor: Shawn R. Gilbert, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
The Effect of Pediatric Obesity on Traumatic Lower Extremity Long Bone Fracture Outcomes
Teruko M. Bredemann, PhD
Mentor: Lori L. McMahon, PhD Professor and Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Major Depressive Disorder, Estrogen, and Hippocampal Synaptic Function
2010
Christina M. Croney
Co-mentors: Marilyn J. Crain, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and David E. Briles, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Pediatrics
Selection and Evolution of Pneumococci in Response to Conjugate Vaccines
2008-2009
Jessica Alvarez, PhD, MS, RD
Mentor: Barbara Gower, PhD, Professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences
The influence of vitamin D on insulin sensitivity
Nikki Bush, PhD, MS, RD
Mentor: Barbara Gower, PhD, Professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences
Insulin resistance and body composition in African American children exposed to gestational diabetes and obesity in utero
TL1 trainees from 2008-2012 were supported by grant number 5TL1RR025775 from the NIH National Center for Research Resources.
2024-2025
Department of Psychology
Department of Medicine
College of Education
Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management
School of Medicine
Department of Genetics
Biomedical Informatics and Genomics
Department of Psychology
Neurosurgery
Rehabilitation Science; University Center for Exercise Medicine
Click here to view previous CCTS T Program predoctoral trainees.
Predoctoral Clinical/Translational Research MS/MSPH Program (12-Month TL1)
Broaden Your Career Options with a CCTS-funded Clinical Research Fellowship!
Through the CCTS Pre-doctoral Training Program (TL1 trainees), eligible individuals will acquire competencies necessary to conduct clinical and translational research. The TL1 award provides a stipend and partial support for tuition and specified educational expenses for one year. During this year, the trainee will complete the CCTS’ Clinical and Translational Science Training Program.
CCTS TL1 trainees dedicate full-time effort to pursue a translational science-related doctoral degree. In addition to completing the core curriculum and other requirements, trainees will ultimately complete a dissertation that will culminate in the submission of manuscripts for publication and a grant application.
12-Month CCTS Clinical Training Program (MS/MSPH) - Application Instructions
Predoctoral Training Program (TL1): 8 Week
Use Your Summer to Learn About Research!
The Summer Enrichment Series provides an introduction to general principles of research with a specific focus on patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and comparative effectiveness research (CER). Topics usually include:
- Orientation (How to be a mentee; MyIDP)
- Introduction to CER/PCOR Research
- The Responsible Conduct of Research
- Information Finding and Evaluation of Literature
- Study Design 101
- Team Science
- Stats 101
- End of Program Presentations
To learn more and apply, visit our Summer Enrichment Series page.
Mentored Career Development Program (KL2)
The CCTS Mentored Career Development Program (KL2 scholars) is for junior faculty in a clinical or related discipline. The overall goal of this training program is to impart knowledge, experience, and perspective to a network of junior scientists who will emerge as independent investigators.
Scholars, selected through a competitive application process, receive KL2 Clinical and Translational Science career development support for up to five years with protected time for both formal training and hands-on research. Scholars enroll in an educational program, usually the MSPH in Clinical and Translational Science, which include the CTS core curriculum. In parallel, they enter a research apprenticeship with a primary mentor who has an excellent training record and commits to extended close interaction with the scholar. Training will culminate in lead author manuscripts and an extramurally-funded research grant submission (e.g., R01).
Now Accepting Applications! Download instructions here.