College: UK College of Arts and Sciences

Major: Psychology and ABT (Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology)

Year: Sophomore

Botshelo is a sophomore student at UK from Johannesburg, South Africa, who is studying psychology and Agricultural and Biomedical Technology. Fascinated by the intersection that exists between psychology and medicine, he currently pursues research interests in the psychological and neurological expression of trauma. He aims to gain a holistic understanding of the social determinants of health through his interest in health equity research and healthcare. He supports his fellow students as a calculus tutor and peer mentor. He also enjoys music and film making in his spare time.

College: UK College of Arts and Sciences and Lewis Honors College

Major: Biology (Pre-med track)

Year: Sophomore

Eduardo is an immigrant from Peru, majoring in Biology at the University of Kentucky. He aspires to become a physician-scientist and conduct research in the bioinformatics field. His goal is to revolutionize drug development methodologies, to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, thereby broadening medical accessibility for vulnerable populations and expanding the supply of treatments for neglected diseases. He is especially passionate about the Hispanic population in Appalachia and addressing their unique health needs. Eduardo is a lab assistant at the Moseley Bioinformatics Lab as well as a Lunsford Scholar, in which he receives funding for engaging in high-impact learning experiences. In addition to English, he is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. During his free time, he enjoys playing the drums, swimming, and cooking for friends.

College: College of Public Health

Major: Public Health

Year: Junior

Mandy is a junior from Birmingham, Alabama majoring in Public Health with aspirations to go to Law School. She is also a Signature Programs intern at The Martin Luther King Center. Growing up in her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama sparked Mandy's interest in studying the impacts of Environmental Racism in low income and communities of color. Her goal with research through SPARK and her aspirations of becoming an attorney are to leave a positive impact on her community and invoke positive change.

College: UK College of Health Sciences

Major: Human Health Sciences (Pre-Med)

Year: Junior

Lily-Kate is a junior at the University of Kentucky's College of Health Sciences and Lewis Honors College. She is pursuing a degree in Human Health Sciences. At UK, Lily-Kate is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, DanceBlue, the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program, the Early Assurance Program at UK'S College of Medicine, and is a research assistant in Dr. Jean Edward's lab. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatric hematology/oncology.

College: Kentucky State University (KSU)

Major: Nursing

Year: Junior

Darnell is a junior at KSU from St. Louis, Missouri, currently dedicated to earning his bachelor's degree in Nursing with a minor in Psychology. His hobbies include weightlifting and spending time with friends. Looking ahead, he aspires to continue his education in graduate school, focusing on pursuing a master's in public health (MPH) with a specialization in epidemiology. His research interests center around social determinants of health (SDH) and their effects on metabolic syndrome, particularly within the community of Louisville, Kentucky.

College: Kentucky State University (KSU)

Major: Psychology, minor in Sociology

Year: Junior

Keyoncee is a 3rd year Psychology major with a minor in Sociology from Chicago, Illinois. After she's graduated, her plan is to attend graduate school for communication disorders to be a speech pathologist. On campus she works as a tutor, and liaison for the student success center and the Behavioral Sciences department.

College: UK College of Human Health Sciences

Major: Pre-med track

Year: Sophomore

Carey Beth is a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences and the Lewis Honors College. She hopes to become a physician and own her own medical practice. Her rural Kentucky upbringing sparked her interest in exploring health disparities. Carey Beth is also the Vice President of Programming of her sorority, Delta Zeta. She enjoys reading, going to the University of Kentucky basketball games, and hanging out with her friends.

College: UK College of Public Health

Major: Public Health with a minor in Health Promotions

Year: Junior

Jade is a junior in the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. She is pursuing a public health major with a minor in health promotion. After graduating from the BPH program, she plans on obtaining an MPH with a concentration in Health Behaviors. Postmasters, she intends to work for a health department to assist in reforming adolescent health curriculum to ensure it is comprehensive and accessible for impoverished and underserved communities.

College: Kentucky State University 

Major: Pre-Professional Biology, with a minor in Military Science 

Year: Sophomore

Ellis Jackson is a first-generation college student who is currently enrolled Kentucky State University. Ellis is majoring in Pre-Professional Biology with a minor in Military Science. After graduating, Ellis plans to attend Medical School in the service to become a Radiation Oncologist. In his spare time Ellis enjoys reading, volunteering, lifting weights, and watching movies. 

College: Kentucky State University

Major: Pre-Professional Biology with minors in Mass Communication and Sociology

Year: Junior

Segen Mussie is a junior at Kentucky State University (KSU) where she majors in Biology and a double minor in Mass Communications and Sociology. She works with KSU’s counseling center and student government association to connect students to resources they need to enjoy holistic health while achieving academic excellence. After graduating, Segen aspires to be a primary care physician and continue to serve overlooked and underrepresented communities.

College: UK Lewis Honors College

Major: Neuroscience with a minor in Appalachian Studies

Year: Sophomore

Maddie is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College. She is majoring in neuroscience and minoring in Appalachian studies. She is President of the Appalachian Health Initiative at the University of Kentucky. Maddie’s research experience focuses on opioid misuse and abuse in rural areas. Her future goals include a career in primary care in Appalachia, where she hopes to promote and provide equitable healthcare for everyone.

College: UK College of Arts and Sciences

Major: Health, Society, and Populations

Year: Junior

Treasure is a junior with a Health, Society, and Populations major and a minor in Psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. She serves as the Community Service Chair for UK’s Hues in Medicine, a campus organization for BIPOC students in healthcare. She is interested in a career in the healthcare field with a focus on preventive care. Her goal is to use the skills she would gain in health equity research to become a better physician in the future. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family. 

College: Arts & Sciences
Major: Biology and Neuroscience
Year: Freshman
Riya is freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences where she is double majoring in Biology and Neuroscience. She is interested in a career in the medical field, specifically in the neurosurgery specialty; however, she is also interested in being a Primary Care Physician. Having a CNA Certification and volunteer experience at hospitals has allowed her to strengthen her wish to further a medical career.

Kentucky State University (KSU)
College: Agriculture, Community and the Sciences
Major: Biology
Year: Junior
Michael is a junior at KSU where he majors in Biology. He also volunteers with Circle K International and worked with KSU faculty to re-establish the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students chapter on campus, where he serves as Vice President. He aspires to be an anesthesiologist and for fun he enjoys reading, playing video games, and being with friends.

College: Public Health
Major: Public Health
Year: Sophomore
Princess is an international student from Ghana. She is a sophomore in the College of Public Health. She is pursuing a Public Health major and is on the pre-medical track. Her goals include earning MD and MPH degrees and work in the global health field to improve healthcare accessibility for impoverished and underserved communities. 

College: Arts & Sciences and Public Health
Major: Environmental Sustainability Studies and Public Health
Year: Junior
Meron is a junior in the College of Public Health and the College of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Public Health and Environmental Sustainability Studies. After graduating, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in Global Health. She hopes to work on projects that apply principles from her main areas of interest: global health and environmental sustainability. She believes that having an interdisciplinary background will prepare her to best serve her community by implementing strategies to achieve health equity and environmental justice.

College: Arts & Sciences
Major: Biology and Mathematics
Year: Sophomore
Sairakshitha Yalla is a first-generation immigrant from India who graduated from the MSTC program at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky. Sai aspires to be a physician-scientist who translates fundamental research into clinical interventions that drive effective and impactful healthcare outcomes. In her spare time, she enjoys reading comics, lifting weights, running after her nieces, and mentoring high schoolers.