News

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 17. 2021) — For this "UK at the Half,"  Nathan Vanderford, Ph.D., assistant professor of toxicology and cancer biology in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and current UK freshman Kylie Compton discuss the UK Markey Cancer Center's recently launched Summer HealthCare Experience (SHE) in Oncology program, aimed at empowering high school girls throughout Kentucky to learn more about the field of cancer medicine and research.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine has received the 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2021) — A new study from the lab of University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Director Mark Evers, M.D., demonstrates the critical role of the hormone neurotensin in cell proliferation and stem cell function in the small intestine.

Congratulations to Dr. Martina Lin on successfully defending her PhD thesis this morning! We would also like to thank her mentor, Dr. Chengfeng Yang, and all of the other committee members.

The Department of Toxicology & Cancer Biology would like to congratulate all of our students that recently passed their qualifying exams! From left to right: Caitlin Miller (Mentor: Dr. Luksana Chaiswing) Kassie Naughton (Mentors: Dr. Christine Brainson and Dr. Haining Zhu) Hannah Daniels (Mentor: Dr. Eva Goellner) Kristen Miller (Mentor: Dr. Eva Goellner) Aziza Alshahrani (Mentor: Dr. Qiou Wei) Na Ding (Mentor: Dr. Qiou Wei) Xinyi Wang (Mentor: Dr. Xiaoqi Liu) Katelyn Jones (Mentor: Dr. Xiaoqi Liu) Courtney Kelson (Mentor: Dr. Kate Zaytseva)

The department would like to congratulate Dr. James Drury on his successful defense on his PhD dissertation this morning. We would also like to congratulate his mentor, Dr. Kate Zaytseva, and his committee members.

The department would like to congratulation Dr. Huan Jin, who successfully defended her PhD dissertation this morning. We would also like to congratulate her mentor, Dr. Hunter Moseley, and her committee members.

We are pleased to announce the graduation of Fan Chen, PhD. Congratulations to Dr. Chen and his mentor, Dr. Christine Brainson!

Congratulations to Dr. Luksana Chaiswing, who has been awarded the 2021 Markey Women Strong Distinguished Researcher Grant. The researchers, as chosen by the UK Markey Cancer Foundation’s Markey Women Strong members, each receive a $50,000 grant to fund their proposed cancer research. Dr. Luksana Chaiswing, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the UK College of Medicine Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology.

Congratulations to Fan Chen (Mentor: Dr. Christine Brainson) and James Drury (Mentor: Dr. Yekaterina Zaytseva) on being selected as recipients of Yulan Sun's Memorial Outstanding Graduate Student Award. The Yulan Sun's Memorial Outstanding Graduate Student Award recognizes graduate students for overall outstanding achievement in the graduate program. The Department of Toxicology & Cancer Biology is honored to award the Yulan Sun's Memorial Outstanding Graduate Student Award ($1,000) to Fan Cheng and James Drury.

Congratulations to Drs. Luksana Chaiswing and Yekaterina Zaytseva on their new R01s! PI: Dr. Luksana Chaiswing Title: Targeting Mitochondrial Redox Capacity to Overcome Cancer Subtype that Regrowth After Radiation Project Period: 4/1/2021 - 3/31/2026 Estimated Total Budget: $1,749,940 PI: Dr. Yekaterina Zaytseva Title: Targeting Lipid Metabolism in Colorectal Cancer Project Period: 4/1/2021 - 3/31/2026 Estimated Total Budget: $1,733,774

Congratulations to our first cohort of graduates from our Master's of Forensics Toxicology & Analytical Genetics!!! In the photo from left to right: Jonathan Gallup Isabel Snyder Cara Allen Moumita Dam Taylor Scannapieco (not pictured)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research recently awarded four faculty members for their exemplary commitment to undergraduate research mentoring.

We are pleased to announce that we are still accepting applications for our Master's of Forensics Toxicology & Analytical Genetics program. The Master’s in Forensic Toxicology & Analytical Genetics program is a professional degree program, which educates and prepares students to enter the workforce as working professionals. The program curriculum contains two internships, which provides our students with hand-on experiences necessary to exit the program and be competitive in the job market.

During a recent Virtual Visit with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director and the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, it was noted that Dr. Nathan Vanderford's "The Cancer Crisis in Appalachia" was prominently displayed on the NCI Director's desk. Congratulations to Dr. Vanderford and the contributing students! 

With the ongoing pandemic, we've had to transition some courses to online instruction so that our students continue to make progress toward their degrees. For the Master's of Forensic Toxicology & Analytical Genetics program, one such course is TOX 880: Ethics and Professional Practice in Forensics Science and Analytical DNA. This course trains students in professional practices as they relate to forensics scientists in a modern crime laboratory or DNA testing laboratory (public or private).

Jonathan Gallup is a second year Masters of Forensic Toxicology and Analytical Genetics student. Below is a little about Jonathan and why he chose our program: “My name is Jonathan Gallup and I’ve always had a passion for chemistry; however, my interest in toxicology wasn’t really present until my senior year of college at Clemson University. I took my first toxicology class as an elective that year and it opened a world of possibilities for me, which led me to come to the University of Kentucky for my Master's in Forensic Toxicology.

The Department of Toxicology & Cancer Biology is proud to have two of our Master's of Forensic Toxicology & Analytical Genetics students selected as recipients of the Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship. These fellowships are competitive fellowships awarded through the UK Graduate School, which includes stipend and tuition scholarships. Congratulations, Jordan and Kaleigh! Jordan Brown is a Brandywine, Maryland native and a first year Forensic Toxicology and Analytical Genetics Master’s candidate.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2020) – The University of Kentucky’s Nathan Vanderford received the 2020 Excellence in Science Education and Outreach Award from the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) last Friday.

Dr. Nathalia Vitoria Pereira Araujo has successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis on 11/4/20. Congratulations to her mentor, Dr. Vivek Rangnekar, and her committee members. Special thanks to our outside examiner, Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Latif.