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Recent News Stories from UMMC News

Members of the MD-PhD class are, front from left, Caroline Sit, Shelley Edwards, Madeline Griffin, Madison Hansen and Assata DeMyers; and back from left, Hayley Murphy, Xavier Person, Jack Berman, Meredith Johnson and Garner Fincher.

MD-PhD program grows in numbers, but also in potential and staying power

Monday, July 14, 2025

An increase in physician scientists at UMMC is among the goals of the program, which has been reinvigorated with through strong leadership in the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences. With several students in the pipeline, the potential for new program recruits and avenues of funding fuel long-term success. Read More

Doctor of Medicine graduate Boris Kuyeb.

Photos: UMMC Commencement 2025

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

A new class of health care professionals congratulated fellow graduates from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and beamed with pride at family and friends during the May 23 commencement ceremony. For many, it marked the culmination of years of training—and beginning of a lifelong commitment to care. Read More

Graduates from the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, Population Health and Health Related Professions were applauded by friends and family during ceremonies at the Mississippi Coliseum.

UMMC celebrates the graduating class of 2025

UMMC celebrated nearly 1,000 graduates Friday during its 69th annual commencement ceremony. The event, held at the Mississippi Coliseum, honored students from all six of the Medical Center’s health sciences schools.

Published on Friday, May 23, 2025

 Jordan Mallette earns a PhD from the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences this month, establishing her career in research and education.

#2025UMMCGrad: PhD student focuses on the interconnectedness of the body

Jordan Mallette’s curiosity about the human body led her to a career in research and education, following in the footsteps of her father Dr. Robert Hester, professor of physiology and biophysics.

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

 Base Pair founder Dr. Rob Rockhold and Hattiesburg High teacher and Base Pair leader Mariah Hawkins discuss students’ research in the high school laboratory.

Base Pair expansion powers the promise of future researchers

A collaboration between UMMC and University of Southern Mississippi provided an opportunity for budding high school researchers to explore scientific discovery through an expansion of the Base Pair program.

Published on Monday, May 5, 2025

 Dr. Genevieve Shepherd Ali, left, and Dr. John Hall, Arthur C. Guyton Professor and chair of physiology and biophysics, present an award to Melissa Shepherd, recognizing her contribution to the Albert Pitt "Pete" Shepherd Jr., PhD Distinguished Chair in Physiology.

SGSHS announces new chair, award to honor physiology alumnus

Rewarding the spirit of innovation and honoring a trailblazer in research is the basis of the newest chair for physiology and new investigator award at UMMC.

Published on Monday, November 25, 2024

 The School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences on Friday held its annual Distinguished Alumni Ceremony and Luncheon to honor Drs. Jessica Faulkner and Christine Schnackenberg with alumni awards for 2024. From left are Dr. Babette Lamarca, Faulkner, Schnackenberg, Dr. Joey Granger and Dr. Sydney Murphy.

Graduate School honors outstanding alumni, research

Published on Monday, October 28, 2024

 Nathan Campbell, who began working in laboratory research at UMMC as a high school student 11 years ago, is now graduating with a PhD in Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology.

#2024UMMCGrad: Nathan Campbell’s scientific training at UMMC began in high school

Published on Monday, May 20, 2024

 Early Career Achievement alumna Dr. Erin Taylor, left, assistant professor of physiology and biophysics, and Distinguished alumna Dr. Babbette LaMarca with their awards. Joe Ellis/ UMMC Photography

Graduate School honors two distinguished alumni for first time

Published on Monday, October 23, 2023

 John Williams, who has worn hearing aids since age 9, is a student enrolled in the new doctor of audiology program in the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences.

Audiology student relishes ‘full circle’ moment after childhood hearing loss

Published on Monday, October 9, 2023

 Dr. Sydney Murphy, new dean of the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, is inspired by her ‘training pedigree.’

Murphy takes the reins as dean of Graduate School

Published on Monday, August 14, 2023

 UMEEDD interns Austen Breland and Maggie Phillips, MSU seniors, have spent their summer researching ways to build a model that identifies when a chest tube can be successfully removed.

MSU interns work with mentors to design biomedical solutions

Published on Monday, July 24, 2023

 Dr. Jason Griggs is winner of the International Association of Dental Researchers Wilmer Souder Award.

Griggs recognized for decades of dental materials research

Published on Monday, June 26, 2023

 Granger poses for his final official portrait as associate vice chancellor for research and SGSHS dean, among other roles.

Granger retires after 33 years at UMMC

Published on Monday, June 26, 2023

 School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences PhD student Chipo Chapusha leads an activity to test medicine release rates with middle schoolers, clockwise from left, De'Nahri Middleton, Aiden Wynn, Kyndal Lewis, Connor Harrell and Journi Garvis.

Summer school for these kids means lessons in dentistry

Published on Monday, June 12, 2023

 Master of biomedical sciences graduate Cara Irby spots a loved one in the crowd and cheers as her mother, Melanie Irby, prepares to enter the coliseum for commencement.

Photos: Capturing memories of the Class of 2023

Published on Tuesday, May 30, 2023

 Regions TEACH Prize honoree Dr. Barbara Alexander, professor of physiology and biophysics, left, receives congratulations from Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

‘Science mom,’ ‘superb mentor,’ Alexander secures ace educator award

Published on Monday, May 22, 2023

 Maria Jones-Muhammad, who graduates with a Ph.D. in neuroscience in May, will complete her postdoctoral fellowship at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

#UMMCGrad2023 Maria Jones-Muhammad: Homegrown neuroscientist in training

Published on Monday, April 17, 2023

 Joe Mack teaches a lesson on light to 4th graders at Barack H. Obama Magnet Elementary School in downtown Jackson.

Graduate student REACHes back, pays it forward by teaching

Published on Monday, March 27, 2023

 Dr. Elliot Varney sits before a patient's MRI scans that were evaluated for liver fat and liver fibrosis. The images, taken from a study he conducted, are included in his dissertation.

Front and Center: Dr. Elliot Varney

Published on Monday, March 20, 2023

 Dr. Hanna Broome is associate dean of student affairs, director of the MD-PhD program and assistant professor of cell and molecular biology.

Front and Center: Hanna Broome

Published on Monday, February 20, 2023

 Dr. Joey Granger, associate vice chancellor for research and dean of the SGSHS, stands with Dr. Kim Hoover after presenting her with the Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award.

Dr. Kim Hoover: Graduate Studies Distinguished Alumna of the Year

Published on Monday, November 7, 2022

 SURE student Maggie Stanford performs research involving the effect of the drug Prozac on the brain.

Students find out if they’re SURE about research careers

Published on Monday, July 18, 2022

 School of Medicine graduates Hunter Altman, left, and Adam Goodman fist bump prior to commencement.

Photo Gallery: Graduates smile after reaching educational milestone

Published on Tuesday, May 31, 2022

 Wearing the colors of their fields of study, UMMC graduates await the start of ceremonies Friday.

UMMC celebrates 959 May 2022 graduates across six health sciences schools

Published on Friday, May 27, 2022