Shahid Mukhtar, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences

Shahid Mukhtar, Ph.D., one of 12 faculty selected to receive the 2021 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, researches the interface of bioinformatics and life sciences, specifically understanding how macromolecular networks are organized in cells and how pathogen proteins can promote diseases within them.

Mukhtar is known for his active mentoring style aiming to prepare the next generation of intellectual leaders in biology and STEM fields. Since 2017, Mukhtar has organized the day-long National Science Foundation-funded workshop Green DNA Day, in which he and graduate students teach basic plant biology lab techniques to local high school teachers.

“One of the best things about Dr. Mukhtar and his class is the way he emphasizes understanding, asking questions and application over memorization of material,” a student wrote. “Dr. Mukhtar genuinely wants to see that all of his students learn from his class in a way that is deeper and more useful than just memorizing material.”

Maggie Amsler
Benthic Ecologist & Researcher, Department of Biology

Maggie Amsler, a benthic ecologist and researcher in the Department of Biology and longtime member of UAB’s Antarctic research team, has trekked to Antarctica nearly 30 times in more than 35 years, studying everything from its krill population to the effects of ocean acidification on calcifying organisms.

In 2021, Amsler was selected as a member of The Explorers Club inaugural Explorers 50 program, which recognizes 50 remarkable people working to change the world and extend the meaning and impact of exploration. The Explorers Club, established in 1904, is an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to advancing field research and preserving the instinct to explore. Amsler was selected from more than 400 applicants across the globe.

Read more about Amsler in the UAB Reporter.

Kerry McAlpine
Administrative Supervisor, Occupational Therapy

Kerry McAlpine's role demands the ability and personality to work with applicants and advisors of Occupational Therapy’s graduate and post-professional programs to ensure that applicants are well prepared and understand the profession and opportunities UAB can provide.

Despite the pressures, McAlpine “always demonstrates a positive and upbeat attitude, which is the first impression seen by all our potential applicants,” a nominator said. “Without Kerry, we would not have the quality and breadth of the applicant pool we get, and without the students we would not have the national reputation we enjoy.”

As one of UAB’s Global DEI Ambassadors, McAlpine seeks opportunities to better ensure diversity and inclusion in the applicant pool and implements his knowledge and experience into our admissions process. “He is exactly the person you want in this position as he knows that kindness, respect and courtesy are at the root of a positive admission experience,” colleagues say.

During the pandemic, Kerry worked to help manage admissions for a new program — the first of its kind in Alabama. Through his efforts, the department will welcome 60 highly qualified young people who will ultimately be the first students to graduate from UAB with a Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

McAlpine was one of the first six honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program (UAB VIP Award), launched in 2021 to honor employees whose work exemplifies and embodies one or more of the UAB Shared Values.

Malcolm Marler, D.Min
Chaplain and Senior Director, Pastoral Care

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malcolm Marler, D.Min, chaplain and senior director of Pastoral Care, was limited to praying on the other side of a patient’s door or placing his hands on a glass enclosure.

Before he and his team of 30 chaplains could resume face-to-face visits, Marler spent time in the COVID Clinic to better understand what patients were experiencing. He also learned the safety measures that would enable him and his team to be present at the bedside of patients who needed comfort and helped make it possible for all staff chaplains to be properly fitted for and trained with Universal N95 Mask and PPE equipment.

Because of these efforts, UAB chaplains were able to offer patients weakened by the virus in body and spirit more comfort than when they were constrained by audio and visual technology.

To connect with patients while still practicing social distancing, Marler adopted a new habit, one he picked up from a friend, a retired Methodist minister. Placing one hand over his heart and patting his chest, Marler tells them, “I want you to know that I am holding you right here in my heart.”

Marler was one of the first six honorees of the UAB Shared Values in Action Program (UAB VIP Award), launched in 2021 to honor employees whose work exemplifies and embodies one or more of the UAB Shared Values.

Kelly Mayer
Employee Relations Director, Human Resources

Kelly Mayer was one of 20 faculty and staff selected to receive the inaugural President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values honoring Blazers who demonstrated one or more of UAB’s shared values in the course of their work during the extraordinary times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayer was honored for her embodiement of the shared values of excellence and achievement and collaboration in her role as director of Employee Relations. Mayer and her team played a significant role in ensuring furloughed employees received weekly unemployment benefits from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and Mayer was the direct point of contact for questions or concerns and spent many days working with the DOL to resolve issues.

In one instance, a clerical issue prevented a UAB employee from receiving unemployment benefits for multiple weeks; once the error was discovered, Mayer offered to drive to the DOL offices in Montgomery to retrieve the employee’s payment and eliminate mail times.

“Kelly is truly an unsung hero,” a nominator says. “She works tirelessly and has been doing so since the beginning of the pandemic. She embodies the purpose of this award.”