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 Iron City Ink at sydney@starnespublishing.com or jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
Big cancer grants
Photo courtesy of UAB
McConathy & Falcon
Dr. Jonathan McConathy (L) & Dr. Corey Falcon
Research into childhood cancers is critically important, according to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in Monrovia, California.
Every two minutes around the world, a child is diagnosed with cancer, and one in five kids diagnosed in the United States will not survive, according to the foundation web site, citing data from the World Health Organization.
That’s why the foundation gives grants to help fund this research, including the two grants worth more than $260,000 that have been awarded to UAB researchers.
Dr. Jonathan McConathy, an associate professor in the Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, received $99,375 to use a powerful new combination of imaging techniques to guide the treatment of children with brain tumors and help surgeons plan brain tumor surgery and detect residual tumor after surgery, according to a UAB news release.
Dr. Corey Falcon, a fellow in the UAB Department of Pediatrics, received a $163,449 grant to continue his research aimed at creating a novel strategy around cellular suicide gene, or cells that kill themselves through apoptosis.
UAB partners with Calhoun
UAB announced on July 27 that it will partner with Calhoun Community College in Decatur through the UAB Joint Admissions Program, which was launched in 2013 and now takes in six Alabama community colleges.
Students who are not immediately eligible for traditional UAB admission can enroll in a Joint Admissions Program partner institution, and students can also self-select into this program during their first year at Calhoun.
Students also have access to a UAB admissions counselor -- as well as other UAB facilities and resources – at their community college.
Participating students are admitted to UAB when they earn an associate degree, and they receive a $2,000 annual scholarship for their junior year and senior year if they maintain eligibility.
Jefferson State and Lawson State are among the schools that are part of the Joint Admissions Program.
For details, go to uab.edu/students/admissions/transfer/joint-admission.
Managing kids' extracurricular activities
Photo courtesy of UAB
mother with son stock image
Today’s children are often pushed into a lot of extracurricular activities, some of which may not be a good fit for them.
But a UAB expert offers parents some tips to get their kids involved in fun, stimulating pursuits in a healthy, productive, low-stress way.
Listen, listen
Parents should first listen to their children to determine what they really want to be involved with, according to Heather Austin, an assistant professor in the UAB Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
“Sometimes parents make executive decisions about what activities are best, but listening to what the child has to say about their interests is a great step in determining the best activities for them,” Austin said in a UAB news release.
Parents who force their kids into an activity might make the children miserable and lead them to pull away from full participation in the activity, according to Austin. Parents should take a look at the child’s overall interests, while considering the benefits of each activity.
Preventing burnout
Parents should not push their kids too hard, according to Austin. “Life is very busy, and downtime is essential for children,” she said. Increased moodiness, irritability, worrying, nervous habits, clinginess, fatigue and lack of enjoyment in activities may be a sign of over-involvement or need for downtime, according to Austin.
Getting out of the comfort zone
Parents should urge their children to try new activities, but be able to recognize the difference between a child’s refusing to do something and being worried about doing something.
To help support an apprehensive child, ask a few more questions. Knowing why a child does not want to do something may help a parent guide them through the struggles of being uncomfortable and help them cope with new situations.
