The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce that William "Bill" Stoops, Ph.D., has been named chair of the Department of Behavioral Science effective July 1, 2026.
As chair, Stoops will lead efforts to advance research growth, support faculty and trainee development and strengthen the department’s education mission across the college and UK HealthCare.
“Dr. Stoops is an outstanding researcher and educator who has made significant contributions to UK, and to the field of behavioral science,” said Dean Chipper Griffith, M.D. “His deep understanding of the department’s strengths, combined with his commitment to collaboration and innovation, will help advance its mission and continue improving the health of Kentuckians.”
Stoops is a professor of behavioral science and holds the Dr. William R. Willard Professorship in Behavioral Science. Since joining the faculty in 2007, Stoops has taken on several leadership roles that have helped strengthen the University’s research enterprise.
He serves as associate director for clinical research within UK’s Substance Use Priority Research Area. He previously directed the Clinical Research Support Office, served as associate vice president for research integrity in the UK Office of the Vice President for Research and has led several regulatory and research infrastructure initiatives that support investigators across campus.
An internationally recognized expert in behavioral pharmacology and substance use disorders research, Stoops has sustained a record of NIH-funded research focused on understanding drug use and developing treatments to improve patient outcomes. His work has contributed to advancements in addiction science, public health and clinical care.
Stoops earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Kentucky and completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Behavioral Science.
As chair, he will build on the department’s longstanding legacy of innovation and partnership. Founded in 1959 as the first behavioral science department within a medical school in the nation, the department remains a leader in integrating behavioral science into medical education, research and clinical partnerships. Over more than six decades, it has grown through a commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration and improving the health of Kentuckians.
Stoops succeeds Tom Kelly, Ph.D., who has led the department since 2019, and helped guide its continued growth and reputation. The college thanks Kelly for his leadership and lasting contributions to behavioral science at UK, as well as to the search committee for their time and effort in this process.