Research News

Researchers and volunteers are hanging lime-green sticky traps in citrus trees near the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to try and catch bugs that are threatening the trees' existence. Dr. David Battiste, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of South Alabama, teams up with Daniel Forbes, a student at Mobile's Davidson High School.

The Tiny Bug That Is Killing Citrus
July 10, 2018

USA chemist Dr. David Battiste and his citrus soldiers are on the hunt to capture the destructive Asian citrus psyllid. ...

University of South Alabama engineering students Brittany McMillan, Peyton Posey and Evan Mazur are researching storm surge impacts on barrier islands with Dr. Stephanie Smallegan, assistant professor of civil, coastal and environmental engineering. Behind them is the College of Engineering's wave flume, which can be filled with water and manipulated to simulate various wave actions found in landfalling hurricanes.

Dauphin Island vs. The Hurricanes
July 26, 2018

A South professor and her students are analyzing how the island might best withstand the impact of tropical cyclones. ...

USA Joins Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute
June 14, 2018

The goal of ARM, a collaboration in industrial robotics and workforce innovation, is to increase manufacturing and sustainable careers. ...

Dr. Alec Yasinsac, left, dean of South’s School of Computing, and Michael Chambers, USA assistant vice president for research innovation, lead a spring workshop in Birmingham as part of South's grant to advance research to real-world applications.

Marketing 101 for Researchers
June 14, 2018

South is helping researchers across the nation move innovation out of labs to real-world applications for consumers. ...

Dr. Karen Fagan, left, director of USA Health’s pulmonary and critical care division, and Dr. Natalie Bauer, an associate professor of pharmacology at USA, are two of the more than 40 faculty members who work with the USA Center for Lung Biology. “I couldn’t move my work forward in this way without collaborating the way I have with Dr. Fagan, and that’s why I think the USA Center for Lung Biology provides an excellent environment for practicing translational medicine,” Bauer said.

Medicine From Bench to Bedside
June 14, 2018

The USA Center for Lung Biology has success in investigating lung disease, then translating that knowledge to serve patients. ...

Dr. Dhananjay Tambe, second from left, an assistant professor in mechanical engineering and pharmacology, worked with engineering students, from left, Cassandra Chapman, Brandon Stokley and Quentin Morris to develop the "Tighten It" smart drill prototype. Chapman and Stokely graduated Saturday.

Developing a Smarter Surgical Drill
May 10, 2018

USA engineering students built a prototype drill with a torque that is just right. In the process, they too learned to pivot. ...

Dr. Claire Cage, assistant professor of history, was the only Alabama recipient when the NEH recently announced the awards. She will travel to France where she will do research for a book on the history of forensic, or legal, medicine during the early 19th century.

For Early Autopsies, a Trip to France
April 16, 2018

South's Dr. Claire Cage receives a National Endowment for the Humanities stipend to study 19th century forensics. ...

Dr. Gayle Davidson-Shivers, professor of instructional design and development in the College of Education and Professional Studies, collaborated on the second edition of 'Web-Based Learning: Design, Implementation and Evaluation.'

Professor Co-Authors Web-Based Learning Book
April 16, 2018

Dr. Gayle Davidson-Shivers collaborated on the second edition of 'Web-Based Learning: Design, Implementation and Evaluation.' ...

Dr. Rodney Rocconi, oncologist at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, evaluated 29 patients with a genetically engineered vaccine made from tumor cells acquired from each patient. The results indicate targeted immunotherapy not only improves outcomes for patients battling recurrent ovarian cancer but incorporating the approach sooner could substantially extend survival.

Promising Results in Ovarian Cancer Vaccine
April 6, 2018

Lead researcher and South oncologist Dr. Rodney Rocconi used targeted immunotherapy in recurrent cancer patients. ...

Brittney Highland completed a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates fellowship in Africa. "I got to see a part of the world I never thought I would get to see, and I made friends from another country.”

When Opportunity Holds for Political Unrest
April 3, 2018

Brittney Highland's all-expenses-paid anthropology expedition to Africa was postponed, but well worth the wait. ...

Russians remember the political and economic turmoil in the 1990s and see President Vladimir Putin as the man who restored stability to their daily lives. His succession plans will clarify whether he is a charismatic strong man or a democratically elected leader with authentic support.

What to Watch After a Putin Victory
March 20, 2018

Russian President Vladimir Putin easily won re-election. Here are five complex issues to follow, according to two USA faculty. ...

Peyton Posey, a University of South Alabama junior who has been named Alabama's civil engineering student of the year, will begin a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at USA focused on hurricanes and coastal engineering.

Meet State's Top Civil Engineering Student
March 16, 2018

Peyton Posey: Alabama's civil engineering student of the year, community volunteer, honor society inductee and mom. ...

Dr. Lesley Gregoricka, assistant professor of anthropology, enlists the help of students when she does forensic recovery for local law enforcement. Bottom photo: Gregoricka works a case with the Mobile Police Department where remains were found. The body was of a homeless person who died of natural causes.

Closing Cases by Unearthing the Past
March 13, 2018

Dr. Lesley Gregoricka and her students offer forensics expertise when law enforcement discovers human remains. ...

Dr. Jingshan Huang, left, professor of computer sciences, and Dr. Glen Borchert, an assistant professor of pharmacology and biology, are two USA researchers working in the field of informatics. The two have collaborated on projects.

Making Sense of Big Data
March 12, 2018

USA researchers mine data with targeted questions to develop real-world applications and solve complex problems. ...

Two USA Researchers Secure I-Corps Grants
March 13, 2018

The awards went to Dr. K. T. Hsiao, mechanical engineering, and Dr. Michael Chambers, Office of Research and Economic Development. ...

Researchers Invited to Submit NSF Proposals
March 13, 2018

Three USA investigators will compete for funding through the National Science Foundation Track 4 Research Fellows program. ...

Antonio Carter, an anthropology major, has been selected as an IDEAS scholar by the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.

Anthropology Major Named IDEAS Scholar
February 26, 2018

Antonia Carter was selected as an IDEAS Scholar by the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. ...

Anne Dorland, who is pursuing a master’s degree in the College of Education and Professional Studies, teaches archaeology lessons at elementary schools through her graduate assistantship.

42 Classrooms, 13 Schools and 1 Semester
January 4, 2018

Graduate student Anne Dorland combines her love of education and archaeology through visits to elementary schools. ...

Dr. Sean Powers, right, chair of marine sciences at the University of South Alabama, is part of a $12 million independent study that includes 21 scientists from 12 institutions who will seek to determine how many red snapper live in the Gulf of Mexico.

New Count for Gulf Red Snapper
January 4, 2018

USA's Dr. Sean Powers is part of a $12 million independent study that could affect hotly debated fishing regulations. ...

Jennifer Scalici, a gynecologic oncologist with the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Cancer Institute, leads an MCI team partnering with Auburn’s poultry science department to determine if a compound developed inside the Mobile center can successfully prevent ovarian cancer in hens.

MCI, Auburn Collaborate in Cancer Fight
January 4, 2018

Can an MCI-developed compound stop ovarian cancer in hens? USA researchers and Auburn are teaming up to find out. ...

Dr. Erin Eun-Young Ahn, right, is congratulated by USA Trustee Arlene Mitchell, wife of the late Mayer Mitchell. She is joined by Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Margaret Sullivan.

Ahn Picks Up Mitchell Cancer Award
December 13, 2017

Dr. Erin Eun-Young Ahn has been named the recipient of the 2017 Mayer Mitchell Award for Excellence in Cancer Research. ...

Dr. Ylenia Chiari investigated why the famed Galapagos tortoise got two different shells. Her findings made the New York Times.

How Did a Tortoise Get This Shell?
December 4, 2017

Dr. Ylenia Chiari investigated why the famed Galapagos tortoise has two different shells. Her findings made the New York Times. ...

Dr. Steve Schultze, a climatologist at the University of South Alabama, talks about the crop of hops he's cultivating in Baldwin County. The green nets are a necessary protection against the afternoon sun. Schultze hopes to harvest his first hops crop next year. If successful, the plants could mean a new economic crop for coastal Alabama.

Gulf Coast Soil Gets New Crop: Hops
December 1, 2017

South climatologist Dr. Steven Schultze combines his expertise and a knack for gardening to support a growing microbrew scene. ...

USA physics majors Paul White, left, and Erriel Milliner, right, discuss the NOvA research project with Dr. Martin Frank, assistant professor of physics, in the lab where they interact with other researchers around the country.

Searching for the Smallest Known Thing
November 22, 2017

Dr. Martin Frank and his physics students are connecting with researchers across the U.S. in pursuit of neutrino knowledge. ...

Monica Sai Pasala, a biomedical sciences major from Birmingham, recently won the best poster award at the National Collegiate Honors Council conference in Atlanta.

Honors Student Wins Top Poster Award
November 21, 2017

Monica Sai Pasala, a junior biomedical sciences major, conducted research focused on the structure of proteins. ...

Research News Archive

The Tiny Bug That Is Killing Citrus July 10, 2018

Dauphin Island vs. The Hurricanes July 26, 2018

USA Joins Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute June 14, 2018

Marketing 101 for Researchers June 14, 2018

Medicine From Bench to Bedside June 14, 2018

Developing a Smarter Surgical Drill May 10, 2018

For Early Autopsies, a Trip to France April 16, 2018

Professor Co-Authors Web-Based Learning Book April 16, 2018

Promising Results in Ovarian Cancer Vaccine April 6, 2018

When Opportunity Holds for Political Unrest April 3, 2018

What to Watch After a Putin Victory March 20, 2018

Meet State's Top Civil Engineering Student March 16, 2018

Closing Cases by Unearthing the Past March 13, 2018

Making Sense of Big Data March 12, 2018

Two USA Researchers Secure I-Corps Grants March 13, 2018

Researchers Invited to Submit NSF Proposals March 13, 2018

Anthropology Major Named IDEAS Scholar February 26, 2018

42 Classrooms, 13 Schools and 1 Semester January 4, 2018

New Count for Gulf Red Snapper January 4, 2018

MCI, Auburn Collaborate in Cancer Fight January 4, 2018

Ahn Picks Up Mitchell Cancer Award December 13, 2017

How Did a Tortoise Get This Shell? December 4, 2017

Gulf Coast Soil Gets New Crop: Hops December 1, 2017

Searching for the Smallest Known Thing November 22, 2017

Honors Student Wins Top Poster Award November 21, 2017