University Of Kentucky Research Media

In this “UK at the Half,” hear from Linda Van Eldik, Ph.D., the center’s director, who credits much of its success to community volunteers who participate in clinical trials, providing invaluable data to help scientists understand brain aging. With research now focusing on early intervention, she says the future holds exciting possibilities. As Sanders-Brown looks ahead, its mission remains clear: advancing knowledge, improving treatments, and ultimately, transforming the future of Alzheimer’s care.

The University of Kentucky is leading a five-year, $20 million Research Infrastructure Improvement award from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR) with $4 million in additional funding provided by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. The project is titled “Climate Resilience through Multidisciplinary Big Data Learning, Prediction & Building Response Systems (CLIMBS).”

The University of Kentucky’s Alison Gustafson is forming partnerships across campus and in communities throughout the Commonwealth to address issues around food insecurity and how those issues affect the health of Kentuckians. Learn more about the work of Gustafson — and the team of researchers, clinicians, community partners, health care partners and food commodity producers she leads —by listening to this "UK at the Half," which aired Dec. 11, during the Wildcats' game against Colgate University.

University of Kentucky Social Work researcher Laneshia Conner's course, “Horror Films and Social Welfare,” equips students with historical knowledge, empowers them to critically analyze and reshapes their understanding of society.

This “UK at the Half” features two students who were selected as CURE Fellows.

In this “Research Made Possible” podcast, Laneshia Conner, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UK College of Social Work, discusses her work that is centered on improving scientific knowledge about HIV prevention for older Black women.

UK At The Half: Herculaneum Scrolls by Research Communications

The University of Kentucky’s recently announced eighth Research Priority Area (or RPA) in Materials Science closely aligns with the largest ever investment in R&D to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains and national security — the Chips and Science Act of 2022. From medicine and manufacturing to automotive and aerospace applications, materials are vital to the future of Kentucky’s economy. UK is working with industrial partners across our region to solve today’s problems and train the workforce of the future.

UK at the Half: GEN - EV program teaches kids team-building, STEM by Research Communications

For this "UK at the Half," Stone talks about his work toward a comprehensive understanding of the disease process and how cartilage and other joint tissues respond to injury. He’s studying several factors in the progression of arthritis.

'UK at the Half': Igniting discovery with Clare Rittschof by Research Communications

'UK at the Half': Researchers develop antiviral face mask by Research Communications

According to a new University of Kentucky College of Medicine study, asymptomatic COVID-19 infection during pregnancy could still have potential long-term consequences for a developing baby. The study led by Ilhem Messoudi, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, was published in Cell Reports May 25, 2022. The research shows that COVID-19 infection in pregnant mothers who were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms still triggered immune responses causing inflammation in the placenta. In this podcast she discusses a wide range of immune-focused projects, from maternal obesity and its impact on child health, to the immune impact of chronic heavy drinking and aging.

The best solutions begin when you listen to the people whose problems you’re trying to solve. That community-based focus — the crux of what Nancy Schoenberg says is her approach as a medical anthropologist — has been a guiding value through her 25 years at the University of Kentucky. In this “Research Made Possible” podcast, Schoenberg shares what drives her work on diabetes and cancer in rural communities across Kentucky.

The “Women Making History” series kicks off with this episode of Behind the Blue. Isabel Escobar, Ph.D., professor of chemical and materials engineering in the UK College of Engineering and National Governing Board Chair of the Association for Women in Science, leads a discussion with her female chemical engineering team. Together they work on some of the toughest environmental challenges in water and air filtration. Escobar, Abelline Fionah, UK Ph.D. student, and Laura Brady, a UK senior, share what it’s like to be a woman in STEM, the reality of balancing work and family, and advice for choosing the right mentor.

For this “UK at the Half,” Lisa Cassis, vice president for research at the University of Kentucky, shares how leaders across campus came together to find a path forward for research during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within the University of Kentucky's role as Kentucky's flagship, land-grant university, the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) unites clinicians, researchers and communities to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries to tangible improvements in health. On this episode of "Behind the Blue," CCTS Director Philip A. Kern, M.D., talks about the vast amount of work the center supports. Since his recruitment to UK in 2009, Kern has been continuously funded for both his own NIH-funded research program as well as his leadership of the CCTS. He has also served as a mentor, colleague and collaborator on numerous other projects. In addition, he continues to provide clinical and educational services within the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.

As summer camp season wraps up and a new school year begins, this “Research Made Possible” podcast shares how University of Kentucky researchers across campus are targeting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The STEM Through Authentic Research and Training (START) program at UK is creating a unique pipeline to increase STEM literacy and promote STEM careers for traditionally underrepresented populations (people of color, individuals with disabilities, students from free or reduced lunch schools), first-generation college students, and girls and women in STEM.

The University of Kentucky's Isabel Escobar describes her KY NSF EPSCoR project to use green membranes with silver nanoparticles to make masks that inactivate the COVID-19 virus. She also talks about her mentor, Dibakar Bhattacharyya, known as "DB", and how UK is such a collaborative university.

When you look back at a 45-year career, there are a multitude of moments that stand out. For Allan Butterfield, Professor of Biological Chemistry in the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences, his signature discovery grew from just such a Eureka moment on the sidewalk on campus. In this podcast, you’ll hear Butterfield’s take on why many amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs have failed — “They’ve forgotten their chemistry. They’re targeting the wrong point of the process.” — and why he’s now serving in an administrative role as Associate Vice President for Centers & Institutes and Research Priority Areas within UK Research.