News

To enable the University of Kentucky College of Medicine to succeed in its mission for a healthier Kentucky, leadership must prioritize the wellness and well-being of faculty, staff, and learners. Lisa Williams, MSSA, is serving in the college’s new leadership position, associate dean for wellness and well-being, to help us excel in this goal.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2022) — A new study published by University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center researchers suggests that the common steroid betamethasone could be used to reduce unwanted side effects of radiation treatments for prostate cancer.  

Early in her undergraduate years of college, Elena Shelepak had several career paths in mind. She was good at biology and curious about genetics. During freshman year, she took a few psychology courses. Criminal justice also piqued her interest.

Congratulations to Dr. Aria Byrd on the successful defense of her PhD thesis on April 27th! We would also like to thank and congratulate her mentor, Dr. Christine Brainson, and her other committee members: Drs. Tianyan Gao, John D'Orazio, and Hunter Moseley.

Housed in the UK College of Medicine Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology is a new professional master’s degree program that is the only one of its kind in the state of Kentucky, and the fifth of its kind in the country.

And due to its unique educational experience and strong curriculum, this new program is seeing a jump in its number of students.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2022) — A recent University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study gives more insight into how lung cancer differs in Kentucky compared to other U.S. populations.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 2, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Stuckert Career Center, housed in the Office for Student Success, is currently accepting nominations for UK Intern of the Year and UK Employer of the Year awards. The awards seeks to recognize and honor the achievements of student interns as well as acknowledge the deep investment employers make in our students every year. To honor both students and employers, UK plans to host a Spring Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 21, 2022, 5 to 6 p.m., at The Cornerstone. 

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.