UAB Briefs: Discovery in Egypt, Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Welcome to another installment of UAB Briefs.
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention? Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
MORE DISCOVERY
Sarah Parcak, a UAB archaeology professor who has earned worldwide renown, recently co-led a joint expedition between UAB and the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities that found more than 800 Egyptian tombs at the ancient burial ground at Lisht, according to a UAB news release.
Dating back 4,000 years, it is one of the largest sites of Middle Kingdom tombs in Egypt, the release states.
“We were able to gain insight into ancient Egyptian life from the tombs based on artifacts we found,” Parcak said.
Researchers learned more about the underground network of tombs that connected individuals to the afterlife, according to Parcak.
The excavations at the Lisht burial ground are part of ongoing work to document tombs and collect images and GPS coordinates for a regional database. National Geographic partially funds the work led by Parcak.
Parcak’s groundbreaking discoveries as an Egyptologist — at Lisht and earlier projects — will be recognized in Boston in October when she is presented with the 2018 Lowell Thomas award at a dinner at The Museum of Science.
COFFEE, BEER AND NEW IDEAS
Young researchers at UAB — including grad students and postdoctoral fellows — will explain their discoveries to non-scientists over coffee or beer in the “Discoveries in the Making” series, beginning Tuesday, September 11, at 6 p.m., at Ghost Train Brewing Company in Birmingham, according to a UAB news release.
“Discoveries in the Making” will be held at the brewery the second Tuesday of each month.
On Tuesday, Oct. 9, Melissa Bentley will discuss her research project, “Primary cilia: Structures at the heart of development.”
The primary cilium is a tiny, often overlooked structure present on most cells. Bentley’s research focuses on the role this small structure plays in heart development and seeks insights into congenital heart defects.
Keyur Savla will talk about “A myopic childhood: The tale of nearsightedness.” The number of cases of myopia or nearsightedness is going up in a epidemic rise. According to Savla, we must understand how myopia works and try to prevent a future in which half the world’s population suffers from it.
Ghost Train Brewing Company is located at 2616 Third Ave. S.
For a complete schedule for “Discoveries in the Making,” click here.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
There are numerous activities in the Birmingham area in October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, which has raised more than $7.7 million to support cancer research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other local organizations will host numerous events in the area in October.
The following is a partial list. For more, go to bcrfa.org.
—Cahaba Brewing will have a tart cherry and hibiscus Berliner Weisse specially brewed for the month, as well as navy and pink Cahaba Brewing Co. T-shirts, with a percentage of proceeds from both benefiting BCRFA.
—The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar at The Summit will donate $2 from every specialty pink martini sold at the establishment in October to BCRFA.
—Fire stations across Alabama will go pink in October to support breast cancer research. More than a dozen Alabama stations will sell Pink Ribbon Project T-shirts for $15 and $20.
—Tameron Automotive Group will donate $100 in support of breast cancer research for every new car sold during the month of October at Tameron Honda and Tameron Hyundai.
—Renasant branches statewide will hold fundraisers for the BCRFA and accept donations from their account holders throughout October.
—On October 5, Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ will host the Angel Squad Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Angel Squad members will be present in Jim ‘N Nick’s restaurants in Birmingham from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to promote breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection. They will also be selling Jim ‘N Nick’s gifts cards for $10. Half the proceeds will go to the Angel Squad to support breast cancer patients,
—The BCRFA will host its 10th annual Pink Luncheon Benefiting BCRFA on October 12. Make a minimum donation of $25 to BCRFA, and head over from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to enjoy a buffet and prizes at the MSE Building Co. on 5500 Derby Drive. 205-833-9010 or bcrfa.org/event-detail.php?cn=264.
—Kendra Scott at The Summit will have a charity shopping event from 5-7 p.m., with a percentage of sales benefiting BCRFA.
—The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will begin at Regions Field downtown, with race-day registration and packet pickup beginning at 7 a.m. For details, click here.
For details on these and other events, go to bcrfa.org.