Headshot of Dr. Na'Tasha Evans

Naโ€™Tasha Evans, PhD, MEd, is a researcher, published author, champion for female empowerment, and our new vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Learn more about her goals, her past work, and more in the following Q&A.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in research? 

Photo of Sanders-Brown Clinic

On July 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi, for the treatment of Alzheimerโ€™s disease.

Jim Jackson of Morehead participates in a clinical trial at the University of Kentucky
 ๐‘‡โ„Ž๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘๐‘™๐‘’ ๐‘๐‘’๐‘™๐‘œ๐‘ค ๐‘ค๐‘Ž๐‘  ๐‘“๐‘–๐‘Ÿ๐‘ ๐‘ก ๐‘๐‘ข๐‘๐‘™๐‘–๐‘ โ„Ž๐‘’๐‘‘ ๐‘๐‘ฆ ๐‘‡โ„Ž๐‘’ ๐พ๐‘’๐‘›๐‘ก๐‘ข๐‘๐‘˜๐‘ฆ ๐ฟ๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘› ๐‘๐‘œ๐‘ข๐‘Ÿ๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘ ๐‘ฆ ๐‘œ๐‘“ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘›๐‘” ๐‘œ๐‘“ ๐‘†๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘Žโ„Ž ๐ฟ๐‘Ž๐‘‘๐‘‘.

 

Faculty at the promotion ceremony

Congratulations to the following basic science and clinical faculty at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine! These individuals were honored with promotions and tenure in fiscal year 2023.

Names are organized alphabetically by department.

Anesthesiology

Sarah Jean Hall, MD, PhD
Associate Professor

Close up of a brain scan

A researcher at the University of Kentucky will work to better understand the connection between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dementia.

Woman drinking a green smoothie

Healthy brain aging is a concern for all of us. June is recognized as Brain and Alzheimerโ€™s Awareness Month. Itโ€™s normal to struggle with small things such as recalling names โ€” and we all experience some slowing of the thought processes with advanced age โ€” but everyone hopes to avoid serious cognitive impairment.

David Fardo, PhD

โ€œA lot of people who have dementia do not have Alzheimerโ€™s disease.โ€ That is a statement that guides researchers at the University of Kentuckyโ€™s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging as they aim to better define other causes of dementia.

Older man with a headache talking to a young man

Multi-college, collaborative effort explores the underpinnings of cognitive decline

WKYT: Off the Beaten Path

WKYT interviewed a participant in a clinical trial at UKโ€™s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. For two years, Carol Borkowski took an experimental drug called Lecanemab, a drug for patients with mild symptoms of Alzheimerโ€™s Disease. Her husband, Ron, says during that time Carol stabilized and her symptoms did not get worse.

Dr. Na'Tasha Evans

Following an extensive national search and interviews with highly qualified individuals, the College of Medicine is excited to welcome Naโ€™Tasha Evans, PhD, MEd, as the new vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and associate professor in the department of behavioral science.

Samantha Ford

Samantha Ford had always wanted to go to medical school, but after training in a clinical laboratory setting at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, she gained a new perspective on how research can play a role in her future career as a physician.

Sanders-Brown conference

On Monday, May 8, The 15th Annual Mind Matters Health Fair: Stronger Together drew over 350 attendees. Focusing on brain health, speakers included T. Shawn Caudill, MD, MSPH; Gregory Jicha, MD, PhD;  Sheliza Ali, PhD; Karen Bryla McNees, EdD, RD; and Elizabeth Rhodus, PhD, OTR/L.  

Chris Norris, PhD

Chris Norris, PhD, professor of pharmacology and nutritional sciences in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, is one of 16 University Research Professors for 2023-24. The University Research Professorships honor faculty members who have demonstrated excellence that addresses scientific, social, cultural and economic challenges in our region and around the world. 

Savannah Thurton and Sam Padgett in the lab

My name is Savannah (Sav) Turton, and I am a member of Dr. Paul Murphyโ€™s lab. When I first joined Dr. Murphyโ€™s lab about a year and a half ago, I was an undergraduate student studying biology with a focus in genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, but I have since graduated with my degree.

A picture of all but two faculty being rewarded as University Research Professor. (Full list in News Caption)

On Friday, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved 16 University Research Professors for the 2023-24 academic year. Established by the Board of Trustees in 1976, the professorships program recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of research at UK.

Diana Zajac, PhD in front of her presentation.

Since April 4, 2023 I can now say my name is Dr. Diana Zajac; Iโ€™m still getting used to saying it. I joined Dr. Steve Estusโ€™ lab in March of 2019 and have focused my research on Alzheimerโ€™s Disease (AD) genetics and the gut microbiome. Alzheimerโ€™s Disease is an aging-related disease that has greatly increased in prevalence correlating with increased lifespans.

Just for Him: A Sensory Experience with Free Healthy Aging Resources

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging will host a "Just for Him" event, a spa day for African American men. The men in attendance can expect facials, grooming, and manicures. There will be swag bags and a $50 gift card upon completion of a research survey.

UK Student Center at dusk

Meet the nominees for the 16th annual Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award. Each of this year's 37 nominees were nominated by one or more of their undergraduate research students.

Close up of SBCoA materials: "Understanding Memory Loss" on a spotlight video by WKYT: "Lack of Diversity in Alzheimer's Research Trials at UK

Keisha Jones is the head of recruitment of clinical trials for Sanders-Brown, and sheโ€™s trying reach more people of color.

Sanders-Brown researchers

The first published work coming from a multi-million-dollar grant received last year by a team from the University of Kentucky recently made the cover of the Journal of Neuroscience.