News

Headshot of Justin Xavier Moore in a blue suit
Markey study links neighborhood disadvantage to higher colorectal cancer death risk in younger patients

People diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 who live in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in Kentucky and Georgia had a 30% higher risk of dying from the disease, according to a study led by University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center researcher Justin Xavier Moore, Ph.D.

Riya Patel presenting at the 2026 Kentucky Rural Telehealth Summit
CHET trainee, HDRT fellow presents at Kentucky Rural Telehealth Summit

Congratulations Riya Patel, B.S., B.S., on her successful presentation at the 11th annual Kentucky Rural Telehealth Summit on October 1, 2026. Over 200 participants networked, engaged and shared their telehealth intervention projects. 

Three side-by-side portraits of smiling women. From left: Akua Asamoah, a woman with dark brown skin, long black braids, and glasses, wearing a cream blazer over a dark top; Isabella Skibba, a woman with medium tan skin and long, straight brown hair, wearing a black lace-trimmed blouse; and Gabrielle Romines Parks, MS, a woman with fair skin and long, wavy blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless pink top. Each woman's name appears beneath her portrait.
CHET trainees receive 2026 Lyman T. Johnson Awards

Congratulations to current and former CHET trainees Akua Asamoah, Isabella Skibba and Gabrielle Romines Parks, on their recent Lyman T. Johnson Awards! 

Dr. Carrie Oser
Carrie Oser named director of career development and workforce training at UK CCTS

Carrie B. Oser, Ph.D., has been appointed director of career development and workforce training at the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science.

2026 CHET Faculty Pilot Grant Flyer (all details contained in description)
Deadline November 9, 2026: CHET Faculty Pilot Grant RFA

CHET Faculty Pilot Grant RFA

Application Deadline: Nov. 9, 2026

Headshot of Elizabeth Rhodus wearing white shirt and black jacket
Dr. Rhodus appointed member of the NIH National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core steering committee

Elizabeth Rhodus, Ph.D., M.S., OTR/L, assistant professor of behavioral science and researcher at the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA), has been appointed as a member of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s (NACC) Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement (ORE) Core steering committee.

Headshot of Justin Xavier Moore in a blue suit
Justin Xavier Moore, Ph.D., receives four-year grant from the American Cancer Society for allostatic load and cancer risk research 

Justin Xavier Moore, Ph.D., has received an American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant for his project “Systemic Discrimination, Cumulative Stress and Cancer Disparities Among LGBTQ Populations.” The American Cancer Society’s Research Scholar Grant is one of the most competitive grant programs for independent cancer researchers in the country.

Sierra Turner, Valerie Allen, Meghana Gazula, Andrea Hernandez Gonzalez and Osswaah Fariduddin in front of the Sanders Brown Center on Aging
New Sanders-Brown program helps recent graduates explore careers in Alzheimer’s research

When Lauren Poe graduated from Centre College in 2025, she knew she was interested in medicine. She had not yet imagined research as part of her career. 

Dr. Carrie Oser
Dr. Carrie Oser named director of UK Center on Drug and Alcohol Research

Carrie B. Oser, Ph.D., has been named director of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine's Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR) effective July 1, 2026.  

Dr. Elizabeth Rhodus, a brunette woman in glasses smiling, wearing a blue blouse under black blazer.
Dr. Elizabeth Rhodus is helping dementia patients and caregivers find Harmony at home

A new model of home care for patients struggling with cognitive impairments has found success in clinical trials.

Professional headshot of Dr. Ketrell McWhorter smiling at the camera. She has shoulder-length, tightly curled dark hair with auburn highlights and is wearing a light beige top, gold jewelry, and is photographed against a plain cream-colored background
Cohort 3 ASCEND Scholar selected as 2026 NIMHD Health Disparities Research Institute Scholar

Please join us in celebrating Cohort 3 ASCEND Scholar, Ketrell McWhorter, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Public Health, on her selection as a 2026 Health Disparities Research Institute (HDRI) Scholar by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD).

Two women standing on opposite sides of a research poster
CHET Research, Mentorship, and Engagement Excellence Accolades

The spring semester of 2026 ended with many accomplishments for CHET faculty, staff and trainees - congratulations to all on their numerous accomplishments! 

Woman blonde hair, pink blazer and black blouse
CHET core faculty member appointed James W. and Diane V. Stuckert Professor in Service Learning

CHET Core Faculty Member Melinda Ickes, PhD, professor in the University of Kentucky College of Education, has been appointed to the James W. and Diane V. Stuckert Professorship in Service Learning. The professorship recognizes faculty whose work demonstrates a strong commitment to collaborative, service-oriented approaches to education, research, and community impact. 

Top left, left to right: man in checkered jacket and tan pants, woman in black blazer and pants, woman in tan hijab and red dress, woman in navy blazer and pants. top right, left to right: man in tan blazer, white shirt, black pants, woman white shirt black pants, woman gray vest black pants, woman white shirt black pants, woman tan hijab red dress, woman green shirt and black white patterned skirt. bottom lft: woman standing to the right of a poster in gray vest, bottom rt woman rt of poster in tan
Cohort 6 SPARKlers Shine at 21st Annual CCTS Conference

Congratulations to Cohort 6 members of the Students Participating as AMbassadors for Research in Kentucky (SPARK) program who successfully presented their research projects at the 21st Annual Center for Clinical and Translational Science Spring Conference, AI: Bridging Clinical Care: Innovation, Research, and Technology on March 31, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Side-by-side composite image: On the left, Dr. Laneshia Conner is pictured outdoors wearing a light blue coat over a patterned dress, smiling and looking upward with trees and greenery blurred in the background. On the right, Dr. Shemeka Thorpe is shown in a studio-style portrait wearing a black top and large earrings, smiling toward the camera with short curly auburn hair against a light neutral background.
CHET core faculty members promoted to associate professor with tenure

CHET proudly congratulates core faculty chair, Laneshia Conner, PhD, MSW, CSW, and core faculty member, Shemeka Thorpe, PhD, who were both recently promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure. Their achievements reflect continued excellence in research, mentorship, teaching, and service.  

Woman in black blazer and red blouse standing on the left receiving an award from a man to her right in a gray suit
Dr. Shyanika Rose Receives 2026 CCTS Mentor Recognition Award

Shyanika Rose, PhD, MA, acting director for the Center for Health, Engagement and Transformation (CHET), was honored with the Research Mentor Award in Clinical and Translational Science at the 21st annual Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Spring Conference on March 31, 2026. 

Professional portrait of Dr. Danelle Stevens-Watkins standing outdoors in front of softly blurred stone steps. She is smiling and wearing a bright royal blue blazer over a black top, with shoulder-length styled black hair, small stud earrings, and a gold necklace with a circular pendant. Dr. Stevens-Watkins is facing the camera with a confident and approachable expression.
Dr. Danelle Stevens-Watkins Named 2026-2027 University Research Professor

Please join us in celebrating CHET core faculty member Danelle Stevens-Watkins, PhD, professor of educational, school, and counseling psychology in the UK College of Education. She was selected as a  2026-2027 University Research Professor.

Carey Beth Smith speaks behind the podium and a laptop
SPARK Alumna Speaks at Statewide Conference

Cohort 4 Students Participating as Ambassadors for Research in Kentucky (SPARK) alumna Carey Beth Smith served as a keynote panelist at the 2026 Kentucky Youth Tobacco Control Conference: Beyond the Smoke on Feb. 17  in Frankfort, Ky.

Dr. Lovoria Williams and Pastor Joseph Owen pose together, smiling warmly. Dr. Williams wears a navy blazer with a blue and white scarf, while Pastor Owen wears glasses, a dark polo shirt, and a gray plaid blazer. They stand in front of a black curtain in an indoor venue.
Fit & Faithful Celebration Highlights Translational Diabetes Prevention Success

In 2020, Lovoria B. Williams, PhD, RN, CHET Core faculty member and professor in the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, received an R01 grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to test a cluster-randomized Diabetes Prevention Program for high-risk adults in central Kentucky churches.

Laneshia Conner headshot portrait
Dr. Laneshia Conner Appointed CHET Core Faculty Chair

The Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation (CHET) is thrilled to announce the addition of Laneshia Conner, PhD, MSW, CSW as Core Faculty Chair, effective February 9, 2026. Dr. Conner, an assistant professor in the UK College of Social Work, has served as a Core Faculty member with CHET since 2022 and has been passionate about further contributing to CHET’s mission.