Jaime Brown, BA, LYL, works with Dr. Carolyn Lauckner as a research program manager in the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation to support high-quality research. She manages the day-to-day operations at every step of the research process. From the beginnings of a project—grant development and pulling together resources—to its mid-stages—IRB protocol submission and maintenance, recruiting participants, and overseeing data collection—to the final phases of a project—manuscript and presentation preparation. Jaime has over 20 years of experience in NIAAA-funded behavioral and health-focused research.

(859) 257-5794
jaime.blackburn@uky.edu
 

Angela Brumley-Shelton works as a research program manager with Dr. Shyanika Rose. She worked at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for 15 years.  She has experience in STI and HIV prevention and intervention, and served as the coordinator of the Community Health Equity, Education, and Tobacco programs which included work in health education, addiction, tobacco control and treatment, and community partnerships.  She specialized in tobacco treatment for pregnant women and individuals with critical need to stop using tobacco.  In 2020 she left over 20 years of frontline practice to teach at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, and in 2022 returned to tobacco control as a research program manager at the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation (CHET) in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.  Angela holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Health Communication from New Mexico State University and an MPH from the University of Kentucky. 

angela.brumley-shelton@uky.edu

Amy Cowley works as Dr. Laurie McLouth’s Research Project Manager, supporting her research portfolio efforts within the Center for Health , Engagement, and Transformation. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Amy employs project management principles to streamline research processes such as participant recruitment, data management, stakeholder engagement, and protocol implementation from inception to study close-out. She has 10 years of experience in research at UK including managing health services research projects in the fields of healthcare workflow improvement, caregiver strain, and substance use disorder. Before joining CHET, Amy served as a Program Manager for the University of Kentucky’s NIH HEALing Communities Study. She received her BA in Anthropology/Sociology from Transylvania University and an MA in Sociology from the University of Kentucky. She lives in Lexington with her husband and children and is a lifelong fan of UK sports and Taylor Swift.

(859) 323-7079
amy.mitchell@uky.edu

Meman Diaby, MS joined Dr. Mattingly’s lab in September 2024 as a Research Analyst, bringing expertise in social epidemiology, health policy analysis, and substance use research. He holds a Master of Science in Economics from Indiana University Indianapolis, with a concentration in econometrics and health economics. Meman is skilled in using statistical software to analyze large datasets that support research in substance misuse, health economics, and policy evaluation. His work emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of health interventions and the regulation of tobacco and cannabis. He is excited to contribute to the lab’s mission and collaborate with a team dedicated to advancing impactful public health research.

859-323-0464

Meman.Diaby@uky.edu

Kim Haney, MLS, works with Dr. Carolyn Lauckner and Dr. Laurie McLouth as a research program manager in the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation to support high-quality, patient-focused research. She manages the day-to-day operations of multiple research protocols at every step of the research process. From the beginnings of a project—grant development and pulling together resources—to its mid-stages—IRB protocol submission and maintenance, recruiting participants and overseeing data collection—to the final phases of a project—manuscript and presentation preparation, etc. Kim has a background in libraries and experience in medical and health-focused research.

kimberlyhaney@uky.edu

Sydney P. Howard, DrPH, works with Dr. Justin Moore as a research program manager in the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation on cancer health outcomes. She has over 15 years of experience working with rural populations, including her extensive research in rural healthcare workforce capacity. Dr. Howard’s prior research has been used on the national and state legislative floors to support the expansion of student loan repayment programming in Kentucky. A native of eastern Kentucky, located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, she continues to be invested in her hometown. She is active in local civic initiatives and serves as an elected member of the local school board, where she hopes to inspire bright young minds to live and work in rural Kentucky. Dr. Howard holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Experimental Psychology from Morehead State University and completed her Doctorate in Public Health at Capella University.

(859)-218-7293
sydney.howard@uky.edu

courtney.martin@uky.edu

Lexandra originally joined CHET as a lung cancer research interventionist with Dr. Laurie McLouth, and now works as a study coordinator.  She looks forward to exploring her research career as well as improving quality of life for those impacted by her work. Lexandra has a background in Occupational Therapy with a master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University, and works part-time with young adults with autism.

lexandra.overby@uky.edu

Maria is currently a Research Project Manager in the Behavioral Science Department and a PhD candidate in Sociology. Her work centers on mental health equity, particularly for individuals with experiences of incarceration. She is passionate about considering how power and structures interact to form and reproduce inequities, and importantly, how to best interrupt these patterns through community coalitions. Maria first joined CHET as a Graduate Research Assistant and is passionate about CHET's mission and focus on not only acknowledging evident disparities in health but pushing the boundary of what moving towards health equity looks like. Outside of academia, Maria enjoys spending time outside, practicing yoga, and getting lost in a good book.

Maria.Rockett@uky.edu

Misti serves as Research Project Manager for CHET's Research Scholars Program and the ASCEND project. As a lifelong resident of Appalachia, Misti Salyers-Dunford has dedicated her 20+ year career to empowering marginalized populations in the region.  Much of that time has been spent working in child welfare, promoting family preservation and reunification.  She earned a MA in Sociology from Morehead State University in May 2021, reflecting her strong commitment to her goals.  During Misti's academic career, she focused on understanding the impact of social stigma on individual choices and their subsequent social, emotional, and health outcomes.  She previously served as the Greenup County Community Coordinator for the University of Kentucky's HEALing Communities Study, where she gained expertise in community-engaged research. 

misti.salyers-dunford@uky.edu

Deanna works with Dr. Nancy Schoenberg as the project manager for the Make Better Choices 2 health study located in Benham, KY. She is an alumnus of Morehead State University, where she studied communications, as well as Murray State University, where she focused on human development and leadership. Deanna is passionate about supporting health equity initiatives in rural communities. She lives in Cumberland, KY, with her husband, Scott, and three children: Alyssa, Hutton, and Tate.

dleesherman@uky.edu

Judy van de Venne, PhD is a research program manager working with Dr. Shyanika Rose.  Her work has involved managing various aspects of several research protocols including: the Advancing Science & Practice in Retail Environments (ASPIRE) study, the Feasibility of Smoking Cessation Among Cancer Patient Relatives Who Smoke: Relative Smokers, Outreach Providers, and System Determinants (CARE-R) study, the Tobacco 21 study, and the Researching Equity-Advancing Counter Tobacco Policies on Flavors (REACT) study.   She holds an MS and PhD degrees in family studies from the University of Kentucky where she has previously served in cooperative extension specialist, lecturer, program evaluator and adjunct professor roles for the College of Human Environmental Science and College of Social Work. Alongside of her full time roles, she has also served as adjunct professor / guest lecturer for Eastern Kentucky, Asbury, and McNeese universities. Prior to coming to CHET she successfully managed the EKU Suicide Awareness and Focus on Education (EKU SAFE) grant at Eastern Kentucky University.  Her pivot to tobacco policy research is a meaningful way to build on her research interests which lie in tobacco / substance addiction and mental health arenas.

jgvalo2@uky.edu

Miana Wallace works with Dr. Erica Littlejohn as a lab technician. A graduate of Kentucky State University, she transitioned to the University of Kentucky through the NIH Neuroscience Post-Baccalaureate research program and joined Dr. Littlejohn's lab. In this role she seeks to expand her training and knowledge in neurological health equity, using translational neuroscience to elucidate neurophysiological mechanism(s) driving neuropathology linked to life stress and negative social determinants of health. Her current work is centered on understanding how early life trauma mediates risk and progression of cognitive impairment in models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). 

Apart from her research, Miana has a strong commitment to giving back to the community. She serves as a role model by coaching at a local volleyball club in the Lexington community, where she shares her knowledge with young ladies who share a passion for the sport. Through this shared love for volleyball, Miana is able to make meaningful connections and positively impact the lives of these girls. Looking ahead, Miana has aspirations to continue coaching, attend medical school, and ultimately become a primary care physician. 

mewa286@uky.edu

Nancy Wolff, BA works as a lab technician in Dr. Elizabeth Rhodus’ Engaged Aging Lab. She joined the lab in September 2024 as part of UK’s NIH-funded Neuroscience Post-baccalaureate Research Program. She’s thrilled to be involved in the lab’s community engagement efforts and learning about non-pharmacological interventions for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). 

Her current research revolves around studying how ADRD affects people’s communication abilities, and how they may be improved by behavioral interventions.  

Nancy graduated from Wheaton College, IL where she earned her BA in Psychology and a certificate in Neuroscience. As a post-baccalaureate student, she is pursuing a Health Communication certificate to learn about health system infrastructure and how to improve outreach. After the completion of this program, she plans to earn a degree in clinical neuropsychology, specializing in working with people with ADRD and memory disorders.  

Nancy.Wolff@uky.edu