The University of Kentucky is tackling many of Kentucky’s toughest health issues through research aimed at making documented, measured progress.

Among the many ongoing examples of UK’s faculty researchers focusing their skills to combat a major health challenge is Jennifer Havens, professor of behavioral science in the UK College of Medicine and a faculty member in the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research.

At the University of Kentucky, multiple innovative biospecimen resources are available to assist research. A video produced by the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) highlights the biospecimen resources offered by the CCTS, the UK Markey Cancer Center, the UK Gill Heart Institute, and the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will require a mastectomy. For those patients, breast reconstruction surgery is a valuable part of comprehensive breast cancer care as studies show it improves quality of life, self-esteem and sexuality.

Despite the benefits of breast reconstruction, women from Appalachia are less likely to have the surgery than non-Appalachian Kentuckians, according to a new study by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.

University of Kentucky Professor of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Nancy Webb, Ph.D., has been honored by the American Heart Association with the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (ATVB) Distinguished Achievement Award.

The ATVB Council engages scientists and clinicians working to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. This annual accolade recognizes a member who has made major contributions to the council and substantial professional contributions to the field.

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center’s Department of Radiation Medicine recently completed a major renovation, including the installation of new cutting-edge technology.

The renovation includes a new Halcyon treatment system (the latest Varian linear accelerator platform), computerized tomography scanning on rails integrated into a new centrally located brachytherapy suite, expanded conference room, and an expansion/redesign of the reception area.

Students face challenges today that generations before them couldn’t even dream of. From using technology in the classroom to the pressures they feel from social media, the college experience today is monumentally different than it used to be.

Students come to college to express themselves in a way that they may have always wanted to, but never thought they could. With open hearts and minds, they leave their routine they’ve always known, ready to find themselves – whatever that means to them.