Natural Sciences & Mathematics Archives | 91��Ƭ��

From wrenches to wildlife: 91��Ƭ�� grad finds new calling

Lisa Sollie — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 17:11:46 +0000

Jason Williamson spent years making a living under the hood of vehicles, but he also had a passion for wildlife and the environment. Inspired in part by watching Steve Irwin, the famed “Crocodile Hunter,” and later through volunteering at the Environmental Studies Center with Mobile County Public Schools, Williamson eventually found himself on an unexpected career path.

It was at the that Williamson heard about the 91��Ƭ��.

When Williamson began volunteering, he had no plans to change careers, but the work satisfied him in a way that being a mechanic no longer did.

“From the first time I volunteered at the Center, I loved it and I spent a lot of time learning as much as I could from the biologist on staff,” Williamson said. “When she told me she planned on retiring soon, I realized this is what I wanted to do with my life and so I went back to school.”

Once Williamson earned his associate degree, he struggled to find a university with a program that fit what he wanted to do.

“One day I mentioned the issue I was having to the center director, Dr. Tracy Halpin Jay,” Williamson said.

Jay, a two-time 91��Ƭ�� alumnus, told him about 91��Ƭ��.

Just one week after connecting with 91��Ƭ��, Williamson was discussing his ambitious timeline with an advisor.

A husband, father and full-time mechanic, Williamson said it wasn’t easy adding college to the mix. Looking back, he said he doesn’t know how he managed it, often getting by on only four hours of sleep per night.

“I ended up taking 88 credits in a little over a year,” he said, “but I have no regrets. Without the at 91��Ƭ��, I’d never be where I am today.”

Hired full-time by the Environmental Studies Center in July 2026, Williamson said that before he started at 91��Ƭ��, he thought he knew a lot.

“I was humbled really quick when I realized how little I knew,” he said, laughing. “Everything from learning about different viruses to all the math classes I had to take laid the foundation for everything I now use on a day-to-day basis. Now I’m just building on it.”

One of Williamson’s favorite parts of his new career is when an animal completes the rehabilitation process and successfully returns to the wild.

“All the long hours and the hard days are worth it when you see that bird fly off or another animal run off and you know you gave it the best chance at life,” he said. “There’s nothing like it.”

For Williamson, the work is rewarding, but he said there aren’t enough people trained in wildlife rehabilitation.

“We’re down to five rehabbers in the state of Alabama,” he said. “This is definitely an undervalued role in our society, and we need to push the importance of this work to anyone that will listen.”

One way he’s doing that is by educating young people about environmental science.

“We have a large amount of school groups who come to the Center, and I enjoy sharing what we do here, and answer any questions they might have about how to get into this field. I’ll help anybody out that’s interested,” Williamson said.

The Center also must have a college student working or interning there who is studying environmental science— whether that’s marine biology, zoology, or even biology, Williamson noted.

“Part of my job is to teach them and share every bit of knowledge I can. I want others to understand the importance of what we do here and why it matters.”

91��Ƭ�� awarded National Institutes of Health funding for research equipment

Lisa Sollie — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:46:39 +0000

Story: Lisa Sollie

First NIH award for 91��Ƭ�� aligns with University’s plans for growth and expanded research opportunities

A grant from the is making way for new biomedical research opportunities for students and faculty at the 91��Ƭ��. The funding is 91��Ƭ��’s first National Institutes of Health (NIH) award, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s research growth.

The $163,475 award will support the acquisition of an Attune CytPix flow cytometer, a sophisticated instrument that uses lasers to analyze individual cells. The new equipment will expand opportunities for hands-on student learning, faculty and student research and instruction at 91��Ƭ��.

“This award represents exactly the kind of investment envisioned in 91��Ƭ��’s 10-year strategic plan,” said 91��Ƭ�� President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “By bringing advanced technology to our campus, expanding research opportunities and leveraging external funding, we are building institutional capacity in ways that will benefit our students, faculty and the communities we serve for years to come. This is an important milestone for 91��Ƭ�� and a strong example of how innovation, technology and financial stewardship can work together to move our University forward.”

Dr. Brian Keener, who will serve as principal investigator for the instrument, believes the funding represents a major step forward for experiential learning and research at 91��Ƭ��. Keener is a professor of biology and serves as director of 91��Ƭ��’s Cahaba Biodiversity Center.

“Acquiring the Attune CytPix is not simply an equipment request—it is a strategic investment in establishing sustained, grant-funded biomedical research and as well as other general biological research at 91��Ƭ��,” Keener said. “The possibilities for our students, faculty, and future research are truly limitless.”

According to Keener, the flow cytometer will support biomedical research at 91��Ƭ�� in immunology, plant biodiversity, microbial resistance, and environmental health. These fields are directly relevant to public health challenges such as infectious disease, climate resilience, and antibiotic discovery. Integrating the instrument into research and education will strengthen 91��Ƭ��’s research capacity, enhance faculty competitiveness for NIH funding and provide underserved undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on training in critical biomedical technologies.

91��Ƭ��’s R.T. Floyd receives distinguished athletic trainer award

Lisa Sollie — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:45:29 +0000

Story: Lisa Sollie

Dr. R.T. Floyd, director of the 91��Ƭ��’s Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center and associate dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, has received the 2026 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award.

Floyd has served the University for 45 years and was instrumental in establishing its athletic training program. Due in large part to his efforts, 91��Ƭ�� was the first public university in the state to receive approval for both a bachelor’s program in athletic training and a master’s program. This year marks the 40th anniversary of 91��Ƭ��’s Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center which was established in December 1986.

Since 1982, The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the AOSSM have presented the award annually to an outstanding NATA Hall of Fame member whose professional accomplishments have improved the quality of professional practice in athletic training.