On Jan. 21, a special presentation was held to recognize the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Thomas V. Getchell, PhD, Memorial Award for Excellence in Grant Writing.
This award honors the memory of Dr. Getchell, a beloved professor of physiology, a member of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, and associate dean for research and basic sciences for the UK College of Medicine (1989–1998), and reflects his lifelong commitment to advancing science and fostering the next generation of researchers.
The award provides a travel stipend for students participating in the Grant Writing Workshop, a program Dr. Getchell founded in 2005. His vision for the workshop was to offer hands-on, individualized mentoring to medical, doctoral, and post-doctoral trainees, equipping them with the skills necessary to excel in grantsmanship, secure fellowship grants, and build thriving research careers. Over the years, participants of the workshop have secured more than $2.4 million in fellowship funding.
The 2023 award recipient, Alex Pettey, is a graduate student in the department of physiology. Working in the labs of Alan Daugherty, PhD, and Hong Lu, MD, PhD, Pettey’s research focuses on how the fibrinolytic system regulates cardiac hemorrhage and fibrosis. His innovative approach to this critical area of study highlights the caliber of scholars who benefit from Dr. Getchell’s legacy.
The 2024 award recipient, Olivia Hage, is a graduate student in the MD/PhD program at the UK College of Medicine. Working in the lab of Scott Gordon, PhD, Hage’s research explores lipid trafficking, a vital field with implications for numerous health challenges.
Through their achievements, these two students exemplify the spirit of excellence and dedication that Dr. Getchell championed throughout his career. With this award, Dr. Getchell’s legacy continues to empower students to push the boundaries of discovery, ensuring his vision endures in the hands of future scientific leaders.
Below: Grant Writing Workshop leaders and award winners. From left: Chris Fry, PhD, John McCarthy, PhD, Olivia Hage, Alex Pettey, Kathryn Saatman, PhD, Warren Alilain, PhD (Photo by Embry Howell)
