Research Highlights

Lydia West: From UAH Athletics to Rural Medicine

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:18:28 -0500

Lydia West is a senior at ��ԭ��Ʒ (UAH), majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. She is pursuing the pre-professional health concentration, which is preparing her not only for medical school but also for a future career in healthcare.

Originally from Crossville, Alabama, West was drawn to UAH not only by academics, but also by the athletic opportunities.

“I chose to attend ��ԭ��Ʒ because I was honored to receive a softball scholarship to play here, and I was also drawn by the university’s strong academic reputation, especially in science,” West says. “My goal is to pursue a healthcare career, and UAH has provided a great balance of academic challenge and athletic opportunity.”

West’s experience at UAH extends far beyond the classroom and the softball field. She is the President of the UAH Pre-Health Society and an active member of many other campus organizations.

“At UAH, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in several organizations that have played a significant role in my personal growth and preparation for a future career in healthcare,” she explains.

When asked about her leadership role as President of the Pre-Health Society, West says that her varied tasks all support fellow students pursuing careers in healthcare. “I help coordinate events, guest speakers, and volunteer opportunities that support students on pre-professional health tracks. This leadership role has strengthened my communication, organization, and teamwork skills—qualities that are essential in the healthcare field.”

As a pitcher on the UAH softball team, West has learned discipline and resilience. She is also involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), the Biological Society, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), all of which have helped her stay engaged with the campus community and advocate for others.

West’s journey toward medicine was shaped early in life by a personal medical experience that gave her both perspective and purpose.

“At age 14, I was unexpectedly hit in the head with a softball, which led to me receiving a CT scan. That scan revealed I had been living with hydrocephalus—a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain. I was born with it, but it had never been detected before,” she recalls.

“Shortly after the diagnosis, I underwent ETV brain surgery. This life-changing experience not only gave me a new perspective on healthcare, but it also deepened my passion for medicine and inspired me to serve others the way I was treated—with compassion, urgency, and care.”

Following graduation, West plans to pursue the UAB Rural Medicine Program and become a primary care physician serving in underserved areas like rural Alabama.

“The UAH Office of Pre-Health Professions Advising has been incredibly helpful throughout my journey, providing guidance, support, and valuable resources that continue to keep me on track toward achieving my goals.”

One of the most impactful experiences West has had during her time at UAH was her recent participation in the Huntsville Rural Pre-Medical Internship Program.

“The Huntsville Rural Pre-Medical Internship Program gave us the chance to spend four weeks in Huntsville and two weeks shadowing a physician near our hometown,” West explains. “During our time in Huntsville, we got to shadow different doctors, visit hospitals, and attend seminars that focused on rural healthcare.”

“The last two weeks back home made the experience even more meaningful, since we got to see how everything we learned applied to the communities we’re actually from. It opened my eyes to both the struggles and the rewards of working in rural medicine.”

West first learned about the program during UAH’s Health Careers Day, where she met Dr. David Bramm, who introduced her to both the internship and the UAB Rural Medicine Program. The experience reaffirmed her goals.

“Growing up in a small town, I’ve seen how limited access to care affects families, and this program confirmed my goal of becoming a primary care doctor in an underserved area.”

One of the defining moments of West’s academic career at UAH came through a class many students find intimidating: Organic Chemistry.

“I had always heard how difficult the course was, and many people told me I would never be able to earn an A. Instead of letting that discourage me, I accepted the challenge.”

West credits the PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) program for helping her succeed.

“Through hard work and persistence, I earned an A in both Organic Chemistry I and II, which boosted my confidence and showed me I was capable of handling rigorous coursework.”

Another class that stood out was Genetics with Dr. Ng.

“His teaching style made the material engaging and pushed me to think critically. He sparked my interest in how genetic conditions develop and are passed on, which has helped shape my curiosity and motivation to understand the science behind patient care.”

West explains that being a student athlete has taught her strong time management skills. “I’ve gained valuable experiences through clinical exposure, leadership roles, and community service that have helped shape my interest in healthcare and strengthened my goal of becoming a physician.”

West’s advice to students pursuing pre-health careers at UAH reflects both her perseverance and her practical mindset. “If I could give one piece of advice to a prospective UAH student pursuing pre-health goals, it would be to stay focused, work hard, and never give up on your personal goals even when things get tough. The pre-health track is challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”

“Don’t compare yourself to other students. Everyone has a different path, and success looks different for everyone. What matters most is your determination and how you respond to setbacks.”

“Stay consistent, use the resources available (like tutoring and PASS sessions), and surround yourself with people who support your goals. If you're willing to put in the effort, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.”

Lydia West’s time at UAH has been marked by purpose, resilience, and leadership. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or preparing to serve rural communities, she continues to embody the spirit of determination and compassion that will undoubtedly make her an exceptional physician.

UAH researcher gains $95K USDA grant to help control Japanese beetle that causes $450M in U.S. damage annually

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 08:08:21 -0500

Japanese beetles cause approximately $450 million in damages every year to private lawns and golf courses alone. Now a UAH researcher at ��ԭ��Ʒ (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, has won a $94,986 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to help combat this invasive pest.

UAH researchers use pulsar accelerations to detect a dark matter sub-halo in the Milky Way for the first time

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:08:21 -0500

Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, the Pei-Ling Chan Endowed Chair in the College of Science at ��ԭ��Ʒ (UAH), and her team have published a new paper that for the first time uses binary and solitary pulsars to constrain properties of a dark matter sub-halo in our own galaxy.

Reaching for the Stars: How Sophia Vanderwaal is Shaping Her Future in Physics

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:30:27 -0500

Sophia Vanderwaal, a senior physics major at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), is helping push the boundaries of astrophysics. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, the Pei-Ling Chan Endowed Chair in the College of Science at UAH, Vanderwaal has conducted research on pulsars as galactic accelerometers, an experience she describes as both transformative and deeply rewarding.

In addition to research, Vanderwaal plays an active role around the UAH campus. “You’ll find me working at the front desk in the Advising Office some days. I’ve been a student specialist there for almost two years now,” she says. “Other days, you'll probably still find me in the Materials Science Building. I'm always in there.” This semester, she’ll also begin working as a tutor in the Student Success Center.

Sophia Vanderwaal presenting her reserach at the Fermi National Acceelerator Laboratory, or Fermilab, located near Chicago.

Sophia Vanderwaal

Not only is Vanderwaal an active student employee, but she is heavily involved in UAH student organizations. “I serve as the Outreach Officer for the Astronomy Club (a role I’ve held since sophomore year), and I’ve recently taken on the challenge of reviving our Society of Physics Students chapter, which had been inactive for a while.”

These experiences have not only deepened her academic journey but have also shaped her experience as a physics major. “Being involved on campus has helped me build a strong physics community,” she explains. “I’ve met friends, mentors, and other students who share similar interests. That support system has made my experience as a physics major a lot more enjoyable.”

Vanderwaal’s interest in physics began at an early age. “Back in sixth grade, I was an overachiever who loved science and math, and I told everyone I was going to be an astrophysicist,” she said. A stargazing trip to the Grand Canyon deepened that early curiosity for Vanderwaal. “There was virtually no light pollution and the sky was really clear that night, and I was completely blown away by what I saw.” While she didn’t love her algebra-based physics class in high school, her talent for math and long-standing passion for the cosmos led her naturally to a physics major at UAH. Now, as she begins her final year, she’s exploring graduate schools and research opportunities around the country.

"Talk to your professors," is the advice offerred by senior physics major Sophia Vanderwaal, who had the opportunity to travel to Chicago and present her research.

Sophia Vanderwaal

Her journey into research began at UAH after taking AST 106: Exploring the Cosmos with Dr. Chakrabarti. AST 106 is an introductory astronomy course that emphasizes the quantitative aspects of physical phenomena in the universe. Topics include the motions of celestial bodies, the development of astronomy, gravity and motion, light and telescopes, properties of gases and radiation, the Earth and Moon, eclipses, and a survey of the solar system. “I reached out to her for advice during my sophomore year, and she ended up welcoming me into her research group!” Vanderwaal explained. “I worked with her and her postdoc, Dr. Donlon, for a little over a year.”

Together, Vanderwaal and Dr. Donlon focused their research on pulsars, which are rapidly spinning neutron stars with precise electromagnetic signals. “I helped assess their timing characteristics to better understand how their magnetic fields contribute to the rate at which their spin periods slow down. I was even a co-author on one of their published papers earlier this year!,” Vanderwaal excitedly tells us.

UAH physics major Sophia Vanderwaal, discusses her reserach on pulsars as galactic accelerometers with Dr. Rainer Steinwandt, Dean, ��ԭ��Ʒ of Science.

Sophia Vanderwaal

That experience laid the groundwork for a prestigious summer research opportunity. “This past summer, I had the opportunity to research at Fermilab, one of the Department of Energy’s national labs near Chicago,” she says. “I got to dive into neutrino physics and develop a particle identification algorithm for one of the detectors.” That experience, she explains, helped her discover her niche. “It ended up being a really important experience for me, because it helped me find my research niche in high energy physics, a field that doesn’t have much of a local presence back home in Huntsville.”

Managing classes, jobs, research, and leadership roles requires intentional structure. “I’m already a pretty organized person, which definitely helps,” Vanderwaal says, while explaining her daily process. She relies on Google Calendar, frequent to-do lists, and a personal notebook system to stay on track. “One of the biggest things that helps is starting assignments well before they’re due. That gives me time to explore the material, ask questions, and work through challenges without feeling overwhelmed or rushed.”

Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Vanderwaal is a first-generation college student. “No one in my immediate family has completed a four-year degree,” she shares. “Even so, I’ve always felt incredibly supported, especially by my mom and stepdad.” While she now calls Huntsville home, she still stays closely connected to her family. “I try to visit home about once a month, and honestly I FaceTime them pretty much daily. I’m surprised they’re not sick of me yet.”

After graduation, Vanderwaal plans to pursue a Ph.D. in physics. “I’m primarily looking at programs with strong high energy physics research groups,” she said. “I’m also hoping to do another summer research experience at a national lab, like I did this past summer. This time, though, I might stay a little closer to home, maybe at Oak Ridge National Lab.”

"The ��ԭ��Ʒ of Science offers a vast array of opportunities for undergraduate reserach. Sophia Vanderwaal traveled to London as an undergraduate student to present her physics reserach.

Sophia Vanderwaal

For other students considering a physics degree at UAH, Vanderwaal offers both encouragement and realism. “First: it’s okay to change your mind. Undergrad is all about discovery, so try out research areas you don’t think you’ll like. You might be surprised by what actually excites you.” She also emphasizes the importance of building relationships. “Talk to your professors. Seriously. They’re just people, and most of them WANT to talk to students.” And, she adds with a laugh, “don’t take Quantum Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism in the same semester if you can avoid it. It's tough.”

UAH welcomes 21 new faculty members as 2025-26 academic year begins

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:08:21 -0500

��ԭ��Ʒ (UAH) welcomes 21 new faculty members to its ranks as the 2025-26 academic year begins with the start of classes on Aug. 20. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.

Jackson Griggs Pursues Medicine with Purpose Through UAH and Rural Internship Opportunities

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:23:58 -0500

Jackson Griggs is a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) who is double majoring in biological sciences and psychology with a chemistry minor. On the pre-health track, Griggs balances a demanding academic schedule with a variety of extracurricular pursuits, including running for and and leading worship at his church. Originally from Rainbow City, Alabama, he is shaping his path toward a future in medicine.

Griggs’s decision to attend UAH is rooted in both academic opportunity and personal growth. Through the Honors College, SOAR Club (Serving, Organizing, Advocating, and Reflecting), and athletics, he finds ways to develop skills that go far beyond the classroom. “These organizations have been great because they allowed me to meet many new people who are a lot different than me,” he explains. “As someone who wishes to become a doctor, it is incredibly important that I can communicate and work together with others who may look different or hold different values than I do.”

He adds that balancing these commitments alongside a rigorous academic schedule has prepared him for the demands of medical school. “These campus organizations have also been a great way for me to learn how to manage my time and efforts wisely while also maintaining a high academic standard. This skill is also incredibly important to have regardless of the career you wish to have but especially going through med school.”

Griggs’s motivation to pursue medicine is deeply personal. “I love people, and I love to solve complex problems,” he says. After spending significant time in the hospital as a child, Griggs was struck by the empathy and knowledge his doctors demonstrated. “Seeing the way the doctors showed empathy towards me while utilizing their vast knowledge of medicine to diagnose and treat my illness made me realize later in my life that I wanted to do the same thing.”

While he hasn’t chosen a specialty yet, Griggs knows he wants to serve where he’s needed most. “I do know that I want to address the shortage of physicians practicing in rural communities by working in a rural area of Alabama,” he says.

That mission led him to apply for the Huntsville Rural Premedical Internship (HRPI), a summer program offered through UAB. The program allows students from rural Alabama communities to shadow physicians in Huntsville and their home regions, attend medical lectures, and receive direct mentorship.

“This program really inspired me because of my goal of practicing medicine in a rural community where there is a great need,” Griggs says. “During my internship I gained so much knowledge about practicing medicine, communicating with patients, and making myself a great applicant for med school. I also was exposed to so many doctors that I wouldn’t have ever had the chance to meet otherwise. The HRPI program definitely confirmed that rural medicine is the direction I want to take my life when I graduate.”

Griggs credits UAH’s Office of Pre-Health Professions Advising with supporting his goals from the beginning. “The UAH Pre-Health Advisors have been crucial in my journey through my undergraduate,” he says. “They helped me create a four-year plan of which classes to take and when in order to be best prepared for the MCAT and even offered multiple free MCAT mock exams on campus. They are the reason I took part in my summer internship because they announced it to every pre-health student as a great program to apply to.”

Though his high school didn’t offer a pre-health club or program, Griggs found early inspiration in his science courses. “My incredible high school chemistry and biology teachers Mr. Patton and Mr. Russell did greatly influence my love for science and provide me a solid foundation of understanding that has allowed me to perform well in my college chemistry and biology classes,” he says.

At UAH, one class in particular stands out: Cell and Developmental Biology with Dr. Bradley Kraemer, an Associate Professor in the Biological Sciences Department. “The way he lectures lets you truly see how passionate he is about his field, and when a professor is that passionate about science it is hard not to grow to be just as excited as well to learn,” Griggs explains. “These parts of his lectures were my favorite because it really bridged the gap between learning lots of information about seemingly small parts of your body and then applying that knowledge in a way that heals people.”

For prospective students considering UAH’s pre-health track, Griggs offers clear advice:

“Don’t just declare your interest in healthcare. Demonstrate it by shadowing and volunteering with physicians and healthcare workers. Meet patients where they are in the places they are being treated, and learn how to have empathy and compassion towards them. Participate in research in a field you are passionate about.”

He adds that UAH and Huntsville together offer unique advantages. “If your goal is to demonstrate a love and passion for healthcare through observing, volunteering, and researching there is no better city than Huntsville and no better college than the University of Alabama in Huntsville to meet these goals,” Griggs says. “UAH has all the resources you could wish for and a group of advisors and administrators who will do whatever it takes to see you take advantage of these opportunities and succeed in whichever healthcare path you wish to take.”

Shaping the Future of AI: Elijah Shannon Leads Research and Student Innovation

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:40:45 -0500

Elijah Shannon, a senior at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) majoring in computer science, is helping define the future of artificial intelligence. As the founding president of the newly established Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Club, Shannon’s journey reflects a long-standing passion for research, sparked by an early interest in computers and coding.

Shannon is currently working on a self-designed Honors Capstone research project under the mentorship of Dr. Chaity Banerjee-Mukherjee, an Assistant Professor in the computer science department. Driven by the growing presence of misleading AI-generated content online, Shannon set out to develop a method for detecting such content - deciding that the most effective way to combat AI deception is through AI itself.

"Performing all steps of the research process myself with direction from Dr. Banerjee-Mukherjee, I conducted a thorough literature review, utilized modern state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, generated datasets for verification and validation, and am working on compiling the results into my capstone as well as a publishable conference paper,” Shannon says.

Shannon explains that the rise of AI online has led to increasingly realistic and convincing content. His research aims to ensure that data on the internet maintains integrity for all users, meaning AI generated content is labelled or filtered before arriving to an end-user. “I believe that, when used correctly, artificial intelligence can be a huge asset to expedite processes and can greatly improve efficiency. It is hard to predict how something so new with such an impressive growth rate will shape our world, but it is very exciting to be able to watch,” he adds.

When asked about the biggest challenges in his research, Shannon says it was stepping beyond established computer vision and generative techniques to explore newer, emerging methods. “This challenge has provided an excellent opportunity to learn and find footing for future research as well as advancing my current project,” he says.

Shannon’s early interest in computers led his parents to sign him up for a coding camp in middle school. After the camp, he spent time teaching himself the programming language Python at his home in rural Leoma, Tennessee. In high school, Shannon attempted to create a statistics-based chatbot for the messaging platform, Discord. “While the program was definitely flawed,” he says, “It provided a newfound appreciation and passion for artificial intelligence.”

Funded by the Airforce Research Laboratories (AFRL) Elijah Shannon worked under Dr. Mukherjee and his Ph.D. student Timothy McCorry to design and implement swarm robotics methodologies for an interactive, customizable, and scalable testbed for radio frequency (RF) research.

Coming from a high school with only around 400 students, the transition to a university was initially daunting for Shannon, who chose to attend UAH during his senior year of high school due to the advanced space and defense industry in Huntsville. Determined to “keep up” with peers from larger, more academically rigorous schools, he entered freshman year with a strong drive to succeed.

“I found myself feeling behind everyone else,” Shannon reflects. “However, this did not demotivate me.”

“When I began to take Calculus A at UAH, I felt incredibly behind the other students who had previously taken calculus and seemed to breeze through the course,” Shannon says, explaining that his high school hadn’t offered the course.

“Instead of feeling defeated, I took this as a challenge and strived to earn top marks,” they explains. Shannon ultimately excelled in the class. “I finally felt like I had ‘caught up.”

“UAH has given me the opportunity to prove to myself that I belong in advanced academic and professional spaces, regardless of my background,” he says.

Shannon’s determination didn’t stop at academics. In addition to his research, he quickly became involved in student leadership, founding the Data Science and AI Club to connect like-minded students and grow a community around cutting-edge technologies.

“The core purpose of the club is to create a student group to share resources, participate in competitions, and create a community for students interested in data science and artificial intelligence,” Shannon says. As founding president, he has recruited members, led meetings, invited guest speakers, and offered instruction to those new to the field.

“My passion for the art of artificial intelligence development has grown tremendously over the past three years at UAH, and I took on the presidency with the intent to share that passion with people who are interested,” he says.

The experience has also allowed Shannon to hone professional skills that he sees as essential to his future career. “Overall, my time as the President of the Data Science and AI Club has allowed me to share my excitement for the field of AI, and it has honed skills that will inevitably boost my performance in a workplace,” he explains.

Outside of the club, Shannon is also deeply involved in the Honors College and the computer science department, both of which have played roles in his academic and personal growth.

“I applied to the UAH Honors College shortly after being accepted to UAH, and this action has impacted my UAH journey tremendously,” he says. Through the Honors College, Shannon found a network of highly motivated peers and quickly immersed himself in opportunities on campus.

He has served as both an IT Intern and an Honors Ambassador, eventually becoming Co-Lead Ambassador. As IT Intern, he upgraded and streamlined systems for the college, while gaining exposure to valuable campus resources like undergraduate research, academic advising, and graduate school preparation. “The position provided the ideal steppingstone from my small hometown to the technologically advanced city,” he says.

As an ambassador, Shannon says he enjoys talking with new students. “Conversing with potential and incoming students enhanced my ability of public speaking and conveying information effectively,” he notes.

Shannon’s academic journey took a decisive turn at the end of his sophomore year when he joined Dr. Tathagata Mukherjee’s Data Science and Cybersecurity Lab to gain research experience. There, he helped design a swarm robotics testbed system for radio frequency research, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

This experience sparked a deeper interest in research that set Shannon on a new career trajectory. “I gained many fundamental skills necessary for academics to create and analyze research: conducting thorough literature reviews, applying methodologies in new and creative ways, identifying areas for improvement, and producing documentation,” he says.

Though he originally planned to pursue a career in software engineering, Shannon now has his sights set on academia. “As I have worked closely with professors on multiple research projects, I have discovered my love of research and pushing the boundaries of possible,” he says. “All in all, my research participation and design has led me to desire to pursue my Ph.D. in Computer Science and become a professor.”

Throughout his time at UAH, mentorship has played a crucial role in Shannon’s development. He credits Dr. Dr. Banerjee-Mukherjee and Dr. Mukherjee for guiding him through multiple research endeavors and offering continued encouragement. He also acknowledges the influence of Ms. Gina Battle and Ms. Jennifer Staton from the Honors College for helping him build both technical and professional skills.

“Between these academics and staff, I have found connections that offer invaluable advice for my career and research trajectory,” Shannon said.

Staying current in the fast-moving tech world is no small task, but Shannon maintains a focused approach, pointing out the many subfields in computer science. “I try to keep up to technical date with my niche subfield, and I like to have a more general overview of advancements in other Computer Science fields,” he explains. He reads daily updates from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and keeps a close eye on new publications in his research area.

For students considering the computer science program at UAH, Shannon has a clear message:

“My advice to potential Computer Science students at UAH is short… do it! UAH has great resources, motivated professors, and awesome connections to industry,” he said. “The return on investment to UAH’s degree program, in my experience, has been incredibly worth it. With close connections to local industry and potential for flourishing as an academic, UAH’s Computer Science department has excellent conditions and potential to help a motivated individual excel.”

UAH hosts students from Germany and Southeastern U.S. at International Space Weather Camp

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:08:21 -0500

��ԭ��Ʒ (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, recently welcomed students from across the Southeastern U.S. and Germany to the International Space Weather Camp (ISWC), a two-week immersive program exploring space weather science and its global impacts.

UAH researcher wins $681K NSF CAREER award to study the interaction of shockwaves and solar wind turbulence in the sun’s heliosphere

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:08:21 -0500

Dr. Lingling Zhao, an assistant professor in the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) at ��ԭ��Ʒ (UAH), has been awarded a $681,356 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. The project will run through June 2030 and aims to advance the theoretical and observational understanding of how low-frequency magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence interacts with shocks in the heliosphere – a vast, bubble-like region of space carved out by the solar wind from the sun.

UAH first-of-its-kind study shows air quality data derived from megacities are not accurate when applied to U.S. urban centers

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:08:21 -0500

Researchers at ��ԭ��Ʒ (UAH) have published a paper in the Nature journal Communications Earth & Environment that demonstrates for the first time that using data gathered on atmospheric particles from Chinese megacities to characterize air quality for U.S. urban centers leads to significant inaccuracies.