Dynamic Collaboration

Students Participating as Ambassadors for Research in Kentucky (SPARK) is a dynamic collaboration between the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation (CHET), the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS)Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, and other university and philanthropic partners. The purpose of the SPARK program is to train undergraduate students at the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and communities to conduct impactful research to improve health disparities.

Research Focused on Health Disparities

Students are introduced to community-engaged research focused on health disparities and receive extensive mentorship. Students identify a research topic, program leaders assist in identifying mentors, and students work with their mentors to develop a project. Students conduct this project in their home communities over the summer, receiving funds to support their research. After implementing the project, students meet with their mentors, undertake data analysis and write-up, and present and publish their research in professional settings.


SPARK Cohort 6 (2025-2026)

Akua Asamoah

College: Public Health

Major: Public Health with a minor in Economics 

Year: Sophomore

Akua is an immigrant from Accra, Ghana who aspires to be a global health doctor. She hopes to travel to developing countries as a surgeon and minister care to marginalized communities. Her goal is to alleviate pain and suffering as a physician to disadvantaged populations and use research to dismantle the systematic barriers in healthcare cost and quality for marginalized communities. She hopes that her SPARK project will help international and local communities in KY access better healthcare at an affordable price. 

Madeline Barrie

College: Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

Major: Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology (ABT) with a minor in Biology and a Certificate in Medical Behavioral Science

Year: Junior

Maddy is a junior from Chicago, Illinois, currently dedicated to earning her bachelor's degree in Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology with a minor in Biology and a certificate in Medical Behavioral Sciences. On campus, she is a part of the Step-Up program, a student research assistant in the Kawashima Lab, and a student volunteer at the EPA. She is deeply invested in using both data and narrative to address the complex realities of social determinants of health. By blending quantitative data with powerful storytelling, she hopes to bring a human dimension to the numbers, making the systemic issues more relatable and urgent. After graduation, she plans to get her MPH, specializing in medical behavioral sciences or epidemiology, and continue pursuing her efforts in alleviating social determinants of health that creates disparities between communities.

Ainsley Byers

College: Education

Major: Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Pre-dental Track

Year: Junior

Ainsley is a junior from Murray, Kentucky, who is studying kinesiology with plans to attend dental school. Growing up in a rural area with a passion for dentistry has inspired Ainsley to research the oral health needs of her fellow Kentuckians. Through the SPARK program, she hopes to gain the skills and knowledge to help underserved populations, which she can apply in her future career. 

Amy M. Perez

College: Arts & Sciences

Major:  Political science  with a minor in Law and Justice

Year: Sophomore 

Amy is a first-generation student born to immigrant parents from Mexico. Her goals after university involve building a career as an actor in legislation that helps marginalized communities. She aspires to work in government through doing political research and continue to gain experience through volunteer work such as Americorps VISTA. She's currently involved at Centro de San Juan Diego, where she helps immigrant communities in Lexington and works as a First Gen peer mentor at the University of Kentucky. 

Her research interests center around health policy and the attitudes of immigrant and uninsured individuals towards healthcare. 

Thelma Owiredu

College: Public Health

Major: Public Health and Business Management major with a minor in Business and Economics

Year: Junior

Thelma is originally from Ghana and is a junior at the University of Kentucky, double majoring in Public Health and Business Management. Her research focuses on health equity and improving access to healthcare and mental health services for underserved populations, including immigrants and racial minorities. She is passionate about addressing systemic barriers to healthcare and aspires to become a policymaker in the near future. She plans to attend graduate school to further her education and develop solutions to create more equitable healthcare systems. Outside of academics, she serves as a Peer Coach, CARES Ambassador, and mentor, helping students navigate their educational journeys and personal challenges.

Mariam Younis

College: Arts & Sciences

Major: Pre-professional Biology with a Certificate in Medical Behavioral Science 

Year: Sophomore

Mariam is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky's College of Arts and Sciences and Lewis Honors College. Originally from Alexandria, Egypt, Mariam has called Lexington home for the past seven years. Her experience as a first-generation immigrant has sparked her interest in pursuing a career as a primary care physician and working with underserved patient populations, particularly immigrants and refugees. She aims to grow her impact within the immigrant and refugee community by working in international settings and contributing to conversations in global health through health diplomacy and research. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, gardening, and learning new languages.


SPARK Cohort 5 (2024-2025)

Botshelo Angoma

College: UK College of Arts and Sciences

Major: Psychology and ABT (Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology)

Year: Junior

Botshelo is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. He is studying psychology and agricultural and biomedical technology. Fascinated by the intersection 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 research and health care. He supports his fellow students as a calculus tutor and peer mentor. He also enjoys music and filmmaking in his spare time.

Eduardo Soria Chiroque

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

Major: Biology (Pre-med track)

Year: Junior

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. Eduardo is a lab assistant in the Moseley Bioinformatics Lab, as well as a Lunsford Scholar, for which he receives funding for engaging in high-impact learning experiences. In addition to English, he is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. In his free time, he enjoys playing the drums, swimming, and cooking for friends.

Mandy Dickerson

College: College of Public Health

Major: Public Health

Year: Senior

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 UK Martin Luther King Center. Growing up in Birmingham 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.

Lily-Kate Hubbs

College: UK College of Health Sciences

Major: Human Health Sciences (Pre-Med)

Year: Senior

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.

Darnell Randle II

College: Kentucky State University (KSU)

Major: Nursing

Year: Senior

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 with a specialization in epidemiology. His research interests center around social determinants of health and their effects on metabolic syndrome, particularly within the community of Louisville, Kentucky.

Keyoncee Washington

College: Kentucky State University (KSU)

Major: Psychology, minor in Sociology

Year: Senior

Keyoncee is a Psychology major with a minor in Sociology, originally from Chicago, Illinois. After she's graduated, she plans 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 science department.