m"Remember why you started, lean on your support network, and make time for rest and activities that recharge you."
This month, The Graduate School shines a light on Keri Alber, a student in the Applied
Health Sciences PhD program whose research blends creativity with communication to
improve patient care. A dedicated Augusta University alum, Keri returned for her doctoral
degree drawn by the program’s flexibility, interdisciplinary focus, and supportive
environment. In this Q&A, she shares how her innovative research on visual communication
in medical education is filling a critical gap, how qualitative methods reshaped her
approach to research, and why staying grounded in purpose—and supported by community—is
key to thriving in graduate school.
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Applied Health Sciences and why did you choose
Augusta University for your graduate training?
I decided to pursue a PhD in Applied Health Sciences to advance my career and deepen
my expertise. I chose Augusta University because of the flexibility to earn the degree
while continuing to work full time, which was essential for me. I also earned my Bachelor’s
and Master’s here. I was especially drawn to the program’s focus on interdisciplinary
learning and its commitment to preparing students for both academic and professional
career paths.
Can you tell us about your research focus and what excites you most about its potential
impact?
My research focuses on teaching medical students how to draw to communicate with patients and exploring how this training affects both the students and the patients themselves. What excites me most is the opportunity to address a clear gap in the existing research around this communication approach. I’m passionate about not only demonstrating its benefits but also encouraging others in the medical field to adopt and integrate this method, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Have you had any “aha” moments in your research or studies that changed your perspective?
One of my “aha” moments was learning the value of qualitative research. Not just for the depth of insight it offers, but also how engaging the analysis can be. It feels like solving a puzzle, synthesizing and piecing together narratives to uncover patterns and meaning. The course on Qualitative Methods changed my perspective on how qualitative methods can be used, especially when integrated with quantitative data. I now appreciate the strength of mixed-methods research in providing a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues by combining the richness of qualitative data with the structure and scale of quantitative analysis.
What motivates you to keep going on tough days?
I love learning, so the pursuit of knowledge keeps me motivated. I’m also motivated by my long-term career goals and the belief that the effort I put in now will open up greater opportunities down the line. Most importantly, the support and encouragement of my spouse, family, mentor, and colleagues keep me grounded and remind me why I started this journey in the first place.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering the Applied Health Sciences PhD program at Augusta University?
My advice to prospective students is to maintain a strong work-life balance and build a reliable support system. Staying organized and motivated is key. Remember why you started, lean on your support network when needed, and make time for rest and activities that recharge you.
m"Take on challenges that seem daunting and view that feeling of intimidation as a mark of a worthy pursuit."
The Graduate School (TGS) sat down with Vascular Biology PhD candidate, Hunter Sellers,
whose journey through vascular biology, intellectual property law, and scientific
communication reflects both his curiosity and determination. In this Q&A, he shares
how his undergraduate experience in TGS' undergraduate Student Training And Research
(STAR) program influenced his decision to study at AU, what drives his work on obesity
and cardiometabolic disease, and how his recent success on the patent bar exam is
shaping a unique career path at the intersection of science and law.
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Vascular Biology and why did you choose Augusta
University for your graduate training?
My reasons for coming to Augusta University were numerous, however my main draw was
the experience I had during the STAR program back in 2018. I spent the summer in the
laboratory of Dr. Neal Weintraub, and I thoroughly enjoyed the environment. The VBC
was dynamic and friendly, and the faculty were adamant that the focus would be on
student success if I were to return for my graduate studies. Upon applying to graduate
schools, the other schools I interviewed with didn’t quite match the vigorous commitment
to individual investment and excellent training.
Your research centers on vascular biology — can you share what excites you most about
your work and its potential impact?
My major advisor, Dr. David Fulton, recently used a metaphor that I think is pertinent to this question: The contribution of basic research to improving human health is a big wheel that we all push forward. My work on obesity and cardiometabolic disease is no different. I hope that the field of obesity will find utility in the models I’ve created and use them to push the wheel even further towards a world with less burden of chronic disease.
Congratulations on recently passing the patent bar exam! How do you see combining your background in biomedical sciences with intellectual property law shaping your future career path?
Thank you so much! The exam is notoriously difficult and the preparation for it is no joke, but a few months of diligent studying makes the exam a manageable hurdle. Appropriate technical expertise is vitally important in providing competent representation to clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The world-class molecular biology and biomedical training I have received through Dr. Fulton’s mentorship will be instrumental in my ability to take client’s inventions and turn them into robust intellectual property.
What has been the most rewarding part of your graduate school experience at Augusta University—whether in the lab, in the classroom, or through mentorship?
The highlights of my graduate school experience have been centered around the numerous opportunities to communicate my research with others. Whether that be through training new students in lab, choosing the right turn of phrase during a presentation, or writing a persuasive argument in a manuscript, that moment when understanding clicks for the audience brings a huge sense of satisfaction.
What advice would you give to prospective graduate students who are considering Augusta University for their PhD studies?
I strive to be a person with few strong opinions; however, one opinion I do hold firmly is that education should be a deeply uncomfortable endeavor. Education should broaden world views and stretch capabilities in ways that can be quite unsettling. My advice would be to take on challenges that seem extremely daunting and to view that feeling of intimidation as a mark of a worthy pursuit.