The University of Kentucky Public Relations and Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media.

For many scientists, the research journey begins in a classroom or behind a microscope. For Ryan Shahidehpour, PhD, it began in a boxing ring. 

The UK College of Medicine Office of Research is advancing its FORWARRD initiative—Facilitating Opportunities for Research Workforce Advancement to Retain and Recruit Dynamic Teams—to enhance research workforce opportunities across the College of Medicine, Markey Cancer Center, and Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). 

A team of University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center researchers have found the mechanism that grants prostate cancer resistance to enzalutamide, a frequently used drug.

The University of Kentucky College of Nursing’s Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy (KCSP) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Tobacco

Ellen Van Norman, OD, FAAO, has a connection to the University of Kentucky that runs deep. 

Darlingtina K. Esiaka, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Science in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, has been awarded a fellowship by the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) to travel to Nigeria to work with the Research Center for Ageing Cognition and Psychological Health at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Centerresearchers presented promising results from an early-stage clinical trial investigating a unique coffee-based approach to ovarian cancer maintenance therapy at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology annual meeting in Seattle.

 Caroline Sumner, a proud University of Kentucky alumna, continues to draw inspiration from her love for the Lexington community, dedicating herself to making a difference through her ongoing contributions. 

Throughout her undergraduate studies, she served as DanceBlue’s overall chair while also studying in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Lewis Honors College.

On Tuesday, March 26, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine hosted the 19th annual Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Groves Memorial Student Research Symposium. 

Scientists have long recognized the brain’s need for energy, but groundbreaking research from the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has now illuminated how the brain’s energy utilization significantly influences our sleep patterns. 

For Mercer County High School basketball seniors Braylon Ellis and Andrew Tatum, success on the court isn’t just about skill, practice and teamwork — it’s also about careful preparation, constant monitoring and resilience in the face of a lifelong challenge. Both student-athletes have type 1 diabetes, a condition that requires meticulous blood sugar management.

Match Day is a defining moment for medical students, and this year, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 as those students took their next step toward becoming practicing physicians.

Match Day is a defining moment for medical students, and this year, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 as they took their next step toward becoming practicing physicians. 

Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being, and in recent years, there has been growing recognition of the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and young adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder each year.

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, recently designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute, is leading the way in bringing the latest cancer treatments to patients through clinical trials.

As March Madness sweeps the nation and college basketball takes center stage, a former coach’s journey off the court is proving just as inspiring as any Cinderella story on the hardwood. 

Down syndrome is the most commonly diagnosed chromosomal condition in the United States. Each year, approximately 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome, meaning it affects about one in every 700 births. This genetic condition results from the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, known as trisomy 21, which impacts physical and cognitive development to varying degrees.

When Sara Khandani arrived in Kentucky at the age of 10, she faced an unfamiliar world. She had left behind her homeland of Iran, spoke limited English, and was suddenly navigating a place that felt entirely foreign. Yet, despite these challenges, she excelled academically, driven by a deep-seated determination and the values instilled in her by her family.

Last Thursday, the UK College of Medicine MD+NBA Club clinched an impressive second-place finish in the University’s intramural basketball tournament. Showcasing remarkable teamwork and resilience, the team of medical students made it all the way to the championship game before falling short in a thrilling 36-39 finish.