News

Congratulations to the following basic science and clinical faculty at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine! These individuals were honored with promotions and tenure in fiscal year 2023.

Names are organized alphabetically by department.

Sarah Jean Hall, MD, PhD
Associate Professor

The University of Kentucky STEM Through Authentic Research and Training (START) program recently closed out its summer session, with START Apprentices gaining tremendous insight into research careers and higher education.

Omar Al-Janabi, MBChB, PhD, MS, initially arrived in Lexington, Ky., for a master’s program and an affordable place to live with his family. Nearly a decade later, he has completed not one but three graduate training programs at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He also has engaged with mentors who will have a lasting impact on his career in medicine and research.

Christine Kuhn is a Lexington-based artist who created “Interconnectivity,” a mixed-media art piece that displays in the Medical Center Library. The artwork was created with support from the Herman Lee and Nell Stuart Donovan Memorial Trust.

Following an extensive national search and interviews with highly qualified individuals, the College of Medicine is excited to welcome Na’Tasha Evans, PhD, MEd, as the new vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and associate professor in the department of behavioral science.

At times, learners need specific mentoring to face particular challenges—maybe help with a dissertation, a research project, or studying for an exam. But a more general approach to mentoring, one that focuses on the whole person, can also make a crucial difference in student success.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to announce that it has named John Gensel, PhD, the director of the UK Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC).

The College of Medicine’s clinical and basic science departments, centers, and educational offices are all working to develop more inclusive and equitable practices. Our Diversity and Inclusion Ambassadors are charged with leading these efforts.

In 2020, the University of Kentucky joined 22 other academic institutions and organizations as inaugural members of The National Center for Pre-Faculty Development, working together to focus on pre-faculty development as a means to diversifying academia.

Samantha Ford had always wanted to go to medical school, but after training in a clinical laboratory setting at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, she gained a new perspective on how research can play a role in her future career as a physician.

Zaki Udin Hassan, MBBS, MBA, professor and chair of anesthesiology, launched an engagement and alignment program called FAIRE within his department.

Our interview with Dr. Hassan highlights the program’s details and how he is promoting wellness and well-being for his department's faculty, staff, and learners. 

Q: What is the FAIRE program?

In 2021, researchers and educators from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Markey Cancer Center developed an idea for a program to diversify the health care workforce, particularly in cancer research.

Nearly three years ago, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine launched the Alliance Research Initiative to promote collaboration and mentorship through interdisciplinary research teams. With members spanning across UK departments and colleges, these teams were established to address Kentucky’s most urgent health needs.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce the faculty, staff, and learners who were winners of the annual Mission, Vision, Pillar, and Enabler Awards.

After taking an undergraduate course in circadian rhythms, Marilyn Duncan, PhD, became fascinated with how internal rhythms regulate daily sleep-wake rhythms and many aspects of health and disease.  She said that at the time, courses centered on circadian rhythms and sleep were relatively uncommon, but as knowledge in this field has expanded, many more courses are now available, including

Matt Devalaraja, PhD, is a scientist and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He is also a UK College of Medicine alumnus with plentiful knowledge on the wide span of career possibilities that can stem from a biomedical education.

Kristin Miller, a UK College of Medicine graduate student in toxicology and cancer biology, is leading the effort to expand mentorship opportunities for women through Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS).

Laura Krueger and Aaron Silverstein share the same career aspiration. They want to become physician-scientists, which will allow them to fulfill both of their passions – medicine and research. While they are both on the same trajectory, they didn’t quite get to this career path the same way.

Cheavar Blair, PhD, completed his doctorate at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 2015. During his graduate training, he was impressed by UK’s supportive environment and attentive faculty – qualities that enticed him to return when a faculty position recently became available.

The UK College of Medicine is excited to welcome Gurpreet Dhaliwal, MD, as the visiting professor delivering this year’s Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Humanities Lecture.