USA Research and Tech Showcase Honors Faculty Innovation in Archaeology, Cyber Defense and Genetics
Posted on October 22, 2025
The University of South Alabama's Office of Research and Economic Development hosted its fourth annual Research and Technology Showcase on Oct. 21 at the MacQueen Alumni Center, highlighting the work of four faculty members across a range of scientific disciplines.
Honorees included Dr. Phillip Carr, Dr. Todd Andel, Dr. Glen Borchert and Dr. Aishwarya Prakash, whose research spans archaeology, cyber defense, cellular repair and the human genome.
Collectively, these four faculty members have brought more than $43 million in research funding to South.
“This funding would have never been awarded unless the grant reviewers found merit in their expertise, experience and ideas,” said Dr. Allen Parrish, USA vice president for research and economic development. “The National Science Foundation or National Institutes of Health engages experts in particular fields to grade the quality of the proposals and only those with the highest scores are selected and funded.”
Robin Hayes, chairman and CEO of Airbus in North America, was the keynote speaker and delivered a speech about the future of flight.
Honorees and Research Highlights
Dr. Phillip Carr, Chief Calvin McGhee Endowed Professor of Native American Studies and professor of Anthropology, specializes in the technological and cultural history of the Gulf Coast, with a focus on Indigenous migration, oral history and artifact analysis. The focus of his research spans three million years of technological development, supported by more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, 40 technical reports and several books.
From 2021 to 2023, Carr led the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge excavation, uncovering 2,000 years of history in Mobile Bay using tools such as drones and 3D modeling. His research has attracted more than $20 million in funding from state agencies and tribal partners. Learn more.
Dr. Todd Andel, professor of computer science and dean of the School of Computing, is a retired U.S. Air Force major with more than 20 years of experience in cyber defense. He develops reconfigurable computer chip systems to protect against hardware-level threats and has secured more than $11.5 million in external funding.
With over 80 publications, his work in cryptographic security and embedded systems contributed to the university's designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency. Learn more.
Dr. Glen Borchert, professor of pharmacology, researches how small RNA molecules and unique DNA structures regulate gene expression. His lab recently discovered how DNA enhancer regions can directly activate gene promoters, a finding with implications for genetic medicine.
He has received more than $6.3 million in National Science Foundation funding, authored over 50 studies and mentored 34 graduate and undergraduate students. Borchert is a six-time USA Mortar Board Top Professor and recipient of the prestigious NSF CAREER Award. Learn more.
Dr. Aishwarya Prakash, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, investigates how cells repair DNA damage. Her research focuses on the NEIL1 enzyme and its role in preventing genetic instability. Her team developed a detection system for DNA repair defects linked to Lynch Syndrome, a hereditary cancer.
Prakash has secured over $5 million in research funding, published more than 30 scientific papers and delivered more than 40 invited talks. She is also known for her dedication to mentoring students and engaging local schools in science outreach. Learn more.
