Stephen D. ‘Steve’ Rygiel Birmingham AIDS Outreach 205 32nd Street South Birmingham, AL 35233 (205)427-4795 [email protected] Steve received a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Auburn University. At Auburn, Steve was involved in the college Honors Program, named Sophomore Chemistry Student of the Year and Mortar Board Senior English Student of the Year. Steve then completed two years of graduate coursework in Molecular and Cellular Pathology from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He performed five laboratory rotations studying biochemical disease mechanisms in the following areas: 1) cardiovascular disease due to environmental stressors such as environmental tobacco smoke, 2) neurodegenerative disease processes and apoptosis, 3) upper gastrointestinal tract diseases and microfloral equilibrium, 4) inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal mucosa and mucosal immunity, and 5) metastatic breast tissue diseases and biologic markers of cancer. Steve then received his Master of Arts degree in English at Auburn University. Receiving his Juris Doctor at Cumberland School of Law, Steve was involved in the Community Service Organization as vice president of Service and vice president of Public Interest. He was a 1L Representative, member of Cordell Hull Speakers Forum, received the Cumberland Spirit of Service Recognition for Volunteerism, and was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Birmingham, Lakeshore Foundation, and the ‘Street Law’ program. As the director of Aiding Alabama Legal Program and client attorney at Birmingham AIDS Outreach, Steve has provided pro bono legal services to over 600 individuals living with HIV-AIDS in Alabama in a five-year period. He has written and awarded grants and conducted over 20 trainings on ‘HIV/AIDS and Law.’ He also provides legal services in multiple areas including permanency, immigration, domestic relations, family/juvenile, and prisoner’s rights. Steve is on the Board of Directors for Alabama Appleseed, on the Junior Board for Alabama Ballet, involved with the Birmingham Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, several sections with the Birmingham Bar, the advisory board for AIDS Alabama LIBCAP, Alabama HIV/AIDS Policy Partnership, Alabama Latino AIDS Coalition, Magic City Acceptance Center an Acceptance Project, and the Positive Justice Project. .