Hubbard Lab Team
Brad Hubbard, PhD
Position: Assistant Professor
Bio: Dr. Brad Hubbard is currently an assistant professor at the UK College of Medicine Department of Physiology and Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, as well as a research physiologist in the Lexington VA Health System. He is an alumnus of UNC-Chapel Hill (2012) and Virginia Tech (2016). He enjoys hiking, racquetball, pickleball, and serving at his church. He is blessed with his wonderful wife, Alex, and three children, Ella, Rey, and Banner.
Sushant Prajapati
Position: BME PhD Candidate
Bio: Sushant Prajapati is currently pursuing a PhD in the Hubbard lab. He earned his Bachelor of Technology degree in Biotechnology from the National Institute of Technology in Rourkela, India. Alongside his academic pursuits, Sushant has a strong inclination towards the arts, always keeping a pencil and a blank sheet of paper on his table. Beyond his scholarly endeavors, he finds joy in writing, cooking, swimming, photography, and athletics. Additionally, he holds a deep commitment to values such as peace, empathy, and togetherness.
Cortney Laye
Position: PGY PhD Student
Bio: Cortney is a PhD graduate student in the department of physiology.
Madison Kilgore
Position: PGY PhD Student
Bio: Madison is in the MD/PhD program and is currently a PhD student in the department of physiology.
Shaojing Ye, PhD
Position: Scientist
Bio: Dr. Ye is a scientist in the Hubbard lab with a passion for research. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a PhD in biochemistry. She believes in kindness and peace, loves nature, and enjoys hiking and gardening.
Alaa Alareidi
Position: Lab Technician
Bio: A New Jersey native, Alaa transferred from Rutgers University to UK in 2022 and subsequently graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences. Alaa intends to start a Master’s program in Applied Statistics in the Fall of 2024. Aside from being a proud mother and wife, she enjoys cooking, baking, and painting in her spare time.
Esther Drinkard
Position: Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant
Bio: Esther graduated from WKU in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. She is currently a Lab Technician in the Hubbard Lab. She hopes to attend graduate school in the future in pursuit of drug research and design. Esther is from Nicholasville, KY, and enjoys drawing, dancing, and Ale 8 (and of course science). She also is a proud cat mom to Rigatoni.
Nathan Eapen
Position: Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant
Bio: Nathan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in human biology, health, and society with minors in human development and business from Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York. Nathan is a veteran of the United States Army, where he served as an Indirect Fire Infantryman and completed two rotations in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. In his free time, he enjoys running, lifting weights, reading, and cooking.
Sophia Dunn
Position: Undergraduate Research Student
Bio: Sophia is undergraduate neuroscience major and spanish minor at the University of Kentucky. She’s originally from Miamisburg, Ohio, and loves learning about the brain and how people think and behave. Outside of academics, she enjoys baking, being with the people she loves, and taking time to relax.
Henry Mentzel
Position: Undergraduate Research Student
Bio: Henry is an undergraduate majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med track. In his free time, he enjoys working out and playing golf.
Gavyn WIlbur
Position: Undergraduate Research Student
Bio: Gavyn is an undergraduate student in the Hubbard Lab majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Branden Stroede
Position: Undergraduate Research Student
Hubbard Lab Alumni - Where are they now?
Jaycie Gard
Jaycie is currently in medical school at the University of Cinncinati.
Hannah Miller
Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology major and Honors Program
Caleb Hunley
Caleb is a former BME undergraduate student in the Hubbard lab.
Sarah Tran
Sarah is now pursuing a degree with the UK Medical School.
Emily Brown
Emily is now an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Cumberlands
Cherokee Scruggs
Cherokee is currently enrolled in an MRI Tech Certification Program.
Frances Meredith
Frances is now a Lab Technician for the Sullivan Lab.