Davide Botta, II Research Manager, visited St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman on April 16, 2025. He gave two talks - one to a class of seniors taking AP biology and one to the ninth grade students. His talk focused on what the institute does and what has the institute accompolished. A show of hands revealed that a good number of ninth graders are interested in pursuing a scientific field.
II members volunteered at the W. Clyde Williams Terrace Apartments in Fairfield to plan a vegetable garden with the senior residents on April 4, 2025. We hope to go back in summer for the harvest.
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UIS hosted second-year immunology outreach programs at Vestivia Hills Elementary East (VHEE) and Liberty Park (VHELP)
The Undergraduate Immunology Society (UIS) went back to VHELP in February and VHEE in March 2025 to host two immunology classes for the fourth grade students, reaching approximately 150 students. This program introduced germs and the immune system, how vaccine works, and making antibodies.
The Undergraduate Immunology Society (UIS) volunteered at the Dream Big GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) Expo on February 1, 2025, at Spain Park High School in Hoover, AL, The Dream Big GEMS Expo aims to empower young girls by showcasing opportunities in STEM fields and inspiring them to pursue careers in math and science. The UIS volunteers engaged participants in learning the fundamental functions of the immune system through hands-on demonstrations, including making their own antibody, and encouraged them to pursue STEM careers.
The American Physician Scientist Association at UAB hosts a monthly outreach activity at the local Youth YMCA to expose fourth to sixth graders to topics and careers in various STEM fields. In November 2024, the Immunology Institute sponsored an activity with the group: Patient Zero!
Students were provided a test tube with clear liquid and asked to swap some of the contents of their test tube with that of another student’s test tube. After 3 rounds of swapping, the students were provided a solution that would indicate whether or not their test tube had been “infected” with any contents of the test tube from the unidentified patient zero. At the end, students noted who was infected and with whom everyone swapped. With nearly 30 kids and 10 UAB-affiliated volunteers in attendance, the group worked diligently to identify patient zero and were successfully able to solve the puzzle.
Institute trainees helped tabling at the Autumn Immunology Conference held in Chicago from November 22-25, 2024. There were about 45 undergraduates and 14 academic institutions represented at the Undergraduate Careers In Immunology session. A panel of three researchers, two from academia and one from industry, answered any questions the students had during the session. Students were able to walk around and chat with the school reps before and after the panel discussion.
UAB Undergraduate Immunology Soceity(UIS), sponsored by the Immunology Institute, partnered with Vestavia Hills City Schools to host immunology outreach programs at Vestavia Hills Elementary East (VHEE) and Liberty Park (VHELP) on March 19 and 22, 2024. This program introduced germs and the immune system to the fourth graders at VHEE and the fifth graders at VHLP. More than 200 elementary students participated in the program, learning how vaccine works, and building their own antibodies. Through another interactive activity they get to play as the immune system before and after a vaccine. The Immunology Insitute hopes to expand this outreach program to more VH schools in the upcoming year.
UAB’s Undergraduate Immunology Society (UIS) was able to attend the GEMS event at Berry Middle School, an event encouraging girls to foster interest in STEM at a young age. UIS, supported by the Immunology Institute, introduced the students to immunology, more specifically antibodies, vaccines, and phagocytosis, and received very positive feedback from the attendees.
UAB Undergrauate Immunology Society (UIS) students hosted a series of immunology workshops at the McWane Science Center in downtown Birmingham. The workshop is a series of community outreach program sponsored by the Immunology Institute to promote immunology education and health awareness on campus and in greater Birmingham area.
The immunology workshop on November 18, 2024. There were approximately 200 participants engaged in this workshop learning about immunology.
The Immunology workshop on Jan. 28, 2023. 114 guests participated at the workshop, and the UIS students volunteered to help young participants make pathogen and antibody crafts.
