Chi Peng is a graduate student in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) program at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine seeking a PhD in pharmacology. She shares her path to graduate school and how her work in IBS will prepare her for her future career in research.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Early into her research career at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Tianyan Gao, PhD, says mentorship was vital to her success. Now, as a professor and co-principal investigator of a team supported by the college’s Alliance Research Initiative, she is able to mentor the next generation of researchers who are working to find solutions for one of Kentucky’s major health issues.

Happy Women’s History Month from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion!

In celebration of the accomplishments of women in medicine and science and recognizing the work that still needs to be done, ODEI is collaborating with Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) and the Office of Biomedical Education to host a virtual screening of "Picture a Scientist."

As a new course director for MD 828: Gastrointestinal System and Nutrition, April Hatcher, PhD, knew she wanted to put a creative spin on how she taught these subjects to her second-year students.

Capitalizing on the expansion of virtual platforms, she and a team of faculty and staff at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine established a unique opportunity for students to apply the knowledge gained from the course. 

The single greatest health behavior change that could improve health and decrease mortality is to assist tobacco users to quit smoking and using other tobacco products. This is particularly important to people living in Kentucky, where the rate of smoking is 1.5 times that of the general population of the United States.

Like most events that have taken place during the past several months, the University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center's annual Obesity and Diabetes Research Day went virtual for the first time and expanded from a research ‘day’ to a research ‘series.’ Organizers say they were pleasantly surprised by the attendance with as many as 120 participants in one session alone.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2021) — Jack Hillard of Lexington has dedicated his life to supporting cancer patients. When he became one, he didn’t let that stop him.

Hillard’s journey with cancer started in 1993, when he was diagnosed with large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia. Thankfully, he received an early diagnosis and has been able to keep the leukemia at bay with medication for over 25 years.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program is now accepting applications for scholars and associates interested in research to advance women's health.

Applications are being accepted through March 15, 2021, for two scholar positions and up to three associate positions available effective August 2021.

Thirty years ago, the University of Kentucky and its College of Medicine established the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health.

Since that time, CERH, which also serves as the federally designated Kentucky Office of Rural Health, has been supporting the health and well-being of rural Kentuckians by promoting access to health services and educational opportunities.

Dr. Gretchen Wells, director of UK HealthCare Women’s Heart Program at the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, will assume office as president of the Kentucky Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (KYACC), and will serve on the Board of Governors for ACC.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Department of Emergency Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Departments of Neurosurgery and Anesthesiology, is part of a national research study to determine if high-dose oxygen given under pressure (hyperbaric oxygen) will improve recovery following very severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

For Florin Despa, PhD, and Larry Goldstein, MD, the University of Kentucky’s Alliance Research Initiative provided an avenue to collaborate on research they had wanted to pursue together for years in order to help improve the health of Kentuckians.

Our residents and fellows put in the time and effort each and every day. The Gold Humanism Honor Society’s “Thank a Resident Day,” falls on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, providing an opportunity to showcase some of their great work.

Our Office of Graduate Medical Education continuously receives nominations for “Resident of the Month.” For Thank a Resident Day, the office is spotlighting the exceptional work of some of our nominated residents at the UK College of Medicine. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2021) — An ongoing study led by University of Kentucky researchers is giving school staff, including teachers, a needed outlet to voice their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 10,000 school staff across Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio have responded to a survey that aims to understand not only what COVID-19 mitigation strategies are being implemented but also how these measures impact staff wellbeing.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2021) — Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are not only life-threatening at the time of the event, but they can also lead to secondary complications and loss of function in sensory and motor systems. Researchers at the University of Kentucky recently published a unique study focusing on SCIs in eNeuro.

With the goal of improving wellness and reducing burnout during surgical training, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Surgery has adopted a General Surgery Resident Wellness Program. The wellness program curriculum is modeled on pioneering wellness programs around the country, and it addresses the mental, physical, professional, and social well-being of UK’s surgery residents.

Brain metabolism is the process by which the brain converts nutrients into energy and small molecule signals. When there are breakdowns in brain metabolism, this can lead to serious neurological diseases including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. These breakdowns even have been linked to diabetes.  

The UK College of Medicine chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is commemorating Black History Month by curating educational information about the Black community's impact in medicine.

This week, SNMA conducted a Q&A with Black physician-leaders who either currently work or have worked at the UK College of Medicine to learn their perspectives on medicine and how we can continue to improve.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb.