Research News

Hurricane Florence as seen above the Atlantic Ocean from the International Space Station. Florence made landfall along the Atlantic Coast on Sept. 14 and is the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the Carolinas. While weather forecasting has improved dramatically in the last century, it is expected to improve even more using artificial Intelligence and machine learning.

South Wins AI Forecasting Grant
September 10, 2020

Artificial intelligence and machine learning could lead to improved weather forecasting and more targeted evacuations. ...

Clayton Suell, an engineering senior at the University of South Alabama, was recognized with an Alabama Space Grant Consortium Award.

Quickly Making an IMPACT
August 14, 2020

Clayton Suell, who studies artificial intelligence in South's IMPACT Lab, wins an Alabama Space Grant Consortium Award. ...

Dr. Jeremiah Henning, an assistant professor of biology, has secured a two-year, $348,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

The Science of Diversity and Inclusion
August 10, 2020

Dr. Jeremiah Henning, an assistant professor of biology, secures a two-year, $348,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. ...

Jennifer Conrad, left, a University of South Alabama graduate, and Lauren Kapeluck own ellenJAY, a boutique bakery in Midtown Mobile. The two have taken part in South's Real Advice Mentoring Program, RAMP, for help with business planning and growth strategy.

More Than Cookie-Cutter Advice
July 21, 2020

A South mentoring program offers entrepreneurs, like those at ellenJAY bakery, tailored guidance to help their businesses rise. ...

Joe Milter, who graduated in May from the University of South Alabama, works with Dr. Kevin West, background, professor of chemical engineering, in a College of Engineering lab during spring semester. Milter is one of the students who has worked on an antimicrobial fiber research project, collaborated on by West and Drs. Grant Glover, associate professor of chemical engineering, and Terry Ravine, associate professor of biomedical sciences.

South Team Smells Success in Fabrics
July 16, 2020

Commercial applications for antimicrobial material range from germ-free hospital linens to less stinky athletic apparel. ...

University of South Alabama engineering students examine an asphalt pavement core sample held by Dr. Shenghua Wu, assistant professor of civil engineering/pavement engineering. The sample was removed from a road made from 100 percent reclaimed asphalt pavement, which is the focus of research by Wu and the students.

Recycle, Reclaim and Repave
July 15, 2020

Dr. Shenghua Wu and his students wanted to test a road made entirely of recycled asphalt. They found one nearby in Florida. ...

Dr. Glen Borchert, associate professor of pharmacology, is collaborating on one of seven externally funded COVID-related research projects underway at the University of South Alabama and USA Health.

Examining a Pathway to Treat COVID-19
July 15, 2020

Researchers in the College of Medicine are examining a novel novel genetic pathway that could lead to new treatments. ...

South Grad Awarded Top Life Sciences Thesis
July 15, 2020

Valeria King earned a master's degree in biology from the University of South Alabama in 2018. ...

School of Computing Assistant Professor Dr. David Bourrie landed a $213,000 grant that will significantly increase the University's research and education capabilities.

The Need for Speed
July 9, 2020

Dr. David Bourrie lands a grant that will expand USA's cyber infrastructure and transition to a true high-speed network. ...

Dr. Jeremiah Henning, an assistant professor of biology, contributed to a paper published this week that studied the representation of women and people of color in biology textbooks.

Finding Role Models in Textbooks
June 26, 2020

Biology texts are doing better at representing women and scientists of color, but still fall short, says USA associate professor. ...

South Releases Reopening Plan
June 26, 2020

Social distancing, face masks, COVID-19 screening, web-blended classes and a staggered move-in are included in the guidelines. ...

Bryant Baldwin plans to continue his research in biomechanical engineering at the University of South Alabama after spring commencement. “I want to complete the project we’ve been working on,” he says.

'Completionist' Finds Way to Engineering
May 9, 2020

Bryant Baldwin is a problem solver. At South, he discovered a solution to his varying interests: mechanical engineering. ...

Mary Catherine Cazalas conducted research as a graduate assistant in the Swallowing Disorders Initiative Lab in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions. She won the College’s Dean’s Award for her academic and research work.

Dean's Award, Discipline, Determination
May 9, 2020

Mary Catherine Cazalas's pursuit of a graduate degree in speech pathology brought her back to 'the best city in the world.' ...

South Joins COVID-19 Technology Access Agreement
April 13, 2020

USA signs on with Harvard, MIT and others to framework encouraging innovation in response to the novel coronavirus. ...

Stacey Wellborn, a Ph.D. student in business administration at the Mitchell College of Business, said her education is giving her a new perspective. “I have spent the last 20 years working, building businesses, closing businesses and learning lessons,” she said. “Going back to school to pursue my doctorate gives me the opportunity to learn more deeply about why things work — or don’t work.”

Looking at Doing Business Differently
February 4, 2020

Entrepreneur, marketer and Ph.D. student Stacey Wellborn says using data in decision-making has given her a new way of thinking. ...

South Historian Earns NEH Fellowship
January 27, 2020

Dr. Claire Cage will use a fellowship to complete a book titled 'The Science of Proof: Forensic Medicine in Modern France.' ...

Fernando Guérard, a graduate student at the University of South Alabama, watches as his sculpture of Chief Calvin McGhee is being cast in bronze at the Fairhope Foundry. “This man, his humbleness and his honesty, I really connected with,” Guerard says.

'Everything He Did, He Did For His People'
December 9, 2019

Graduate student Fernando Guérard delved into archives as part of his research in creating a sculpture of Chief Calvin McGhee. ...

Ruby Bryan, a University of South Alabama student, joined Dr. Kathy Cooke, Honors College dean, and Dr. Kern Jackson, director of the African American Studies Program, for an interview on the Eastern Shore as part of an oral histories program. The interviews will be shared with the public in local library programs early next year.

Collecting History Through Conversation
December 9, 2019

An Honors College initiative is sending students and faculty into the Mobile-Tensaw Delta to record stories of its people. ...

Dr. Jonathan Rayner, associate professor of microbiology and immunology, and director of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, works in his lab. Researchers at the College of Medicine are collaborating with members of the Yale School of Public Health and its West Nile 4K Project to reconstruct a picture of how the virus has spread and adapted.

South Teams Up With Yale on Mosquitoes
December 9, 2019

The ultimate goal of the West Nile 4K Project and research at USA is to develop life-saving vaccines and therapeutics. ...

Dr. Kendrea Garand, an assistant professor of speech pathology in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, works with a volunteer control subject to collect data on swallowing against data collected from an ALS patient. The goal of her research is to improve treatment options for those who suffer from dysphagia.

Taking On One of Life's Interrupters
December 9, 2019

At South, an emerging leader in dysphagia research is investigating treatments for people who have difficulty swallowing. ...

Dr. John Lehrter, associate professor of marine sciences, and Ph.D. student Mai Fung will take part in a study to determine how oyster, blue crab and speckled trout respond to changes in their environment. “We’re looking at how do we manage the ecosystem both from the bottom up – water quality and habitat quality – and top down – fisheries management,” Lehrter said.

Assessing the Health of Mobile Bay
October 22, 2019

USA receives $2.9 million to study how oysters, blue crab and speckled trout provide answers to environmental questions. ...

What Can Geckos Tell Us About Freckles?
October 9, 2019

USA Mathematics and Statistics supports biological research on leopard geckos. ...

Galapagos sea lions resting in Galapagos National Park.

South Signs Galapagos Agreement
August 29, 2019

An affiliation with the Galapagos Science Center will create faculty and student research opportunities on the archipelago. ...

Creative solutions to the wastewater problems plaguing some rural Alabama counties could include onsite wetlands. University of South Alabama professor Dr. Kevin White and graduate student Brandon Maliniemi have set up an experimental wetland in a Shelby Hall lab to assess the possibility.

A Guide to a Fix After the Flush
August 13, 2019

An engineering professor and his graduate student are helping rural communities find solutions to widespread sewage leaks. ...

Dr. Alex Beebe, an associate professor in the department of earth sciences, said an adult requires a minimum of about three liters of water each day to survive. The average U.S. citizen uses more than 200 liters every day.

Unusable, Inaccessible and Increasingly Scarce
August 7, 2019

A fourth of the world's population is under extremely high water stress. USA hydrologist Alex Beebe lists six reasons to conserve. ...

Research News Archive

South Wins AI Forecasting Grant September 10, 2020

Quickly Making an IMPACT August 14, 2020

The Science of Diversity and Inclusion August 10, 2020

More Than Cookie-Cutter Advice July 21, 2020

South Team Smells Success in Fabrics July 16, 2020

Recycle, Reclaim and Repave July 15, 2020

Examining a Pathway to Treat COVID-19 July 15, 2020

South Grad Awarded Top Life Sciences Thesis July 15, 2020

The Need for Speed July 9, 2020

Finding Role Models in Textbooks June 26, 2020

South Releases Reopening Plan June 26, 2020

'Completionist' Finds Way to Engineering May 9, 2020

Dean's Award, Discipline, Determination May 9, 2020

South Joins COVID-19 Technology Access Agreement April 13, 2020

Looking at Doing Business Differently February 4, 2020

South Historian Earns NEH Fellowship January 27, 2020

'Everything He Did, He Did For His People' December 9, 2019

Collecting History Through Conversation December 9, 2019

South Teams Up With Yale on Mosquitoes December 9, 2019

Taking On One of Life's Interrupters December 9, 2019

Assessing the Health of Mobile Bay October 22, 2019

What Can Geckos Tell Us About Freckles? October 9, 2019

South Signs Galapagos Agreement August 29, 2019

A Guide to a Fix After the Flush August 13, 2019

Unusable, Inaccessible and Increasingly Scarce August 7, 2019