Haifa "Saba" Alsharif, a fifth-year graduate student in Dr. Sushant Bhatnagar's Lab, won first place for her oral presentation at the annual UAB Graduate Biomedical Sciences Symposium.

The GBS symposium took place on August 10 at the Hilton Hotel at UAB. The symposium provides graduate students an opportunity to present their research in front of other students as well as faculty, postdoc, and guest speaker judges.

The primary goal of the symposium is to help students develop their presentation skills. It is also an opportunity to share research projects and collaborate across UAB units, challenging any potential research silos.

Alsharif took first place for her presentation, “Exploring the metabolic impact of BAI3 on ​​energy balance and glucose metabolism” out of nine graduate student presenters. Her presentation was judged on analysis and results, conclusion/discussion, and her overall presentation.

The focus of the Bhatnagar Lab is on Type 2 diabetes and obesity research. Members are interested in identifying key proteins responsible for regulating body glucose and energy homeostasis as well as other molecular structures that might play a role in the treatment and management of Type 2 diabetes.