AARTS Program
Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
The Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) at the University of Kentucky established the SCoBIRC AARTS Program to provide students with funded research training in neurotrauma. Many students encounter obstacles when attempting to enter the field of neuroscience, and the AARTS program was established to enhance the pipeline for underrepresented communities. The All Access Research Training Scholars program honors this commitment by improving access to valuable training and enhancing this pipeline for all. The current award is a $6000 summer stipend.
Applications for 2024 were due on March 1st, 2024.
Applications for 2025 will be due in Spring 2025, Due date TBD
For application requirements and other information please contact Zelneva Madison
Photos from the 2024 AARTS Symposium
SCoBIRC celebrates the AARTS class of 2024 at annual student symposium
Pictured from left to right.
Back Row: Josh Moses (Peer Mentor), Adam Bachstetter, Samir Patel, Patrick Sullivan, Amar Hamad (Mentored by Partick Sullivan), Lauren Hill (Mentored by Drs. Kirby Mayer and Esther Dupont-Versteegden), Alydia Flowers (Mentored by Samir Patel), Jourie Wilson (Mentored by Amanda Trout), Amanda Trout, Brad Hubbard, John Gensel, Steven Estus, Kirby Mayer
Front Row: Wang-Xia Wang, Connor Stuart (Mentored by Ann Stowe), Dylan Nguyen (Mentored by John Gensel), Jayla Franklin (Mentored by Wang-Xia Wang), Alayna Mack (Mentored by Adam Bachstetter), Soleil Uwimana (Mentored by Steven Estus), Adreonna Rainey (Mentored by Michael Bardo), Olivia Wireman (Peer Mentor), Jalika Bojang (Mentored by Drs. Brad Hubbard and Daniel Lee), Esther Dupont-Versteegden
SCoBIRC celebrates its 2023 class of AARTS Scholars, their research projects, and SCoBIRC mentors
From Left:
Cortney Laye (Mentored by: Brad Hubbard, PhD)
Christopher Bosse-Joseph (Mentored by: Andrew Stewart, PhD)
Marissa Harris (Mentored by: Adam Bachstetter, PhD)
Kailey Cain (Mentored by: Steven Estus, PhD)
Cheyenne Chandler (Mentored by: Jamie Sturgill, PhD)
Krystal Steele (Mentored by: Michael Bardo, PhD and Warren Alilain, PhD)
Hopemarie Makumbi (Mentored by: Ann Stowe, PhD)
In front, from left:
Ejemen Unuakhalu (Mentored by: Patrick Sullivan, PhD)
JayLa Hudson (Mentored by: Amanda Trout, PhD)
The SCoBIRC AARTS Program Celebrates the second Class of Scholars as well as Their Research and Mentors
Sidney Brown - Mentor Warren Alilain
Jaida Garrett - Mentor Brad Hubbard
Jocelyn Martin - Mentor Michael Bardo
Hailey "Amira" McKee - Mentor Ann Stowe
Christopher Otieno - Mentor Rachel Hogg- Graham
Ashley Wright - Mentor Richard Ingram*
*Not Pictured: Janelle McKinney - Mentor Adam Bachstetter
SCoBIRC celebrates its first class of AARTS Scholars, their research projects, and SCoBIRC mentors
Nolan Abdelsayed – “Neuroinflammation as a Contributor to Secondary Brain Injury Following a Mild Closed Head Injury” (Mentor: Adam Bachstetter)
Jordon Burdette – “Cellular Regeneration in the Injured Spinal Cord” (Mentor: Warren Alilain)
Urim Geleta – “MicroRNA Regulation of Neuroinflammation Following TBI” (Mentor: Joe Springer)
Alexa Halliburton – “Age and Social Enrichment as Determining Factors in SCI Recovery” (Mentor: John Gensel)
Bisimwa “Jack” Nzerhumana – “Mitochondrial Uncoupling Promotes Energy Metabolism Following TBI” (Mentor: Pat Sullivan)
"The [inaugural] AARTS program more than exceeded our expectations, with regard to both the level of student interest in the program and the depth of relationships formed between faculty and trainees. The program was designed to provide immersive experiences in research, professional development, and mentoring. Our faculty and trainees demonstrated genuine commitments to each aspect of the program’s mission, and it is clear that long-lasting relationships, which will benefit the trainees for years to come, were formed."
- Mark Prendergast, PhD, professor of psychology and director of UK’s neuroscience bachelor’s degree program