‘UK at the Half’: Learn About the Markey STRONG Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 23, 2021) — For this “UK at the Half,” Kathleen O’Connor, Ph.D., researcher and associate director of cancer education and mentoring at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, and current UK senior and program participant, Daniela Nakinoja, discuss the value of the Markey STRONG Scholars program to foster diversity in cancer research.

The Markey STRONG Scholars program was created by the UK Markey Cancer Center in 2021. The 10-week program aims to provide career and professional development for college sophomores, juniors and seniors who are interested in cancer research and who come from historically underserved or underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds.

Program participants gain valuable experiences that will help them further their future medical careers, with personalized, one-on-one research experiences with cancer mentors and near-peer mentors, interactive cancer research lectures from Markey faculty and trainees, clinical shadowing experiences with Markey oncology specialists, and networking and career development activities with Markey faculty and trainees.

“UK at the Half” airs during halftime of each UK football and basketball game broadcast on the radio and is hosted by UK Public Relations and Marketing. To hear the “UK at the Half” interview, click here.