Our alumni make us proud every day. Their accomplishments, achievements, and commitment to the highest quality of patient care demonstrate the not only the quality of student that this program attracts, but also the quality of physician-scientist it produces. The UK MD/PhD Program has graduated 60+ students since its inception in 1988, boasting a 98% completion rate and an over 80% long-term retention rate in academic medicine. Graduates match at top tier medical institutions in a wide range of medical specialties (see below). For many of our alumni, their education at UK made a difference in their life and is now making a difference in the lives of others. 

2025

Lincoln Shade, MD, PhD

Lincoln Shade, MD, PhD

Ethan Glaser, MD, PhD

Ethan Glaser, MD, PhD

2024

Laura Krueger, MD, PhD

Laura Krueger, MD, PhD

Zachary Winder, MD, PhD

Zachary Winder, MD, PhD

Anna Hansen, MD, PhD

Anna Hansen, MD, PhD

Leon Su, MD, PhD

Leon Su, MD, PhD

Tyler Hammond, MD, PhD

Tyler Hammond, MD, PhD

2023

Ryan Cloyd, MD, PhD

Ryan Cloyd, MD, PhD

Charles Coomer, MD, DPhil

Charles Coomer, MD, DPhil

David Henson, MD, PhD

David Henson, MD, PhD

2022

Jeremy A. Johnson, MD, PhD

Jeremy A. Johnson, MD, PhD

Meghan Haney, MD, PhD

Meghan Haney, MD, PhD

Jeff Chen, MD, PhD

Jeff Chen, MD, PhD

Brandon Farmer, MD, PhD

Brandon Farmer, MD, PhD

2021

Luke Heil, MD, PhD

Luke Heil, MD, PhD

Andrew S. Welleford, MD, PhD

Andrew S. Welleford, MD, PhD

Jacqueline Kulbe, MD, PhD

Jacqueline Kulbe, MD, PhD

Scott Thalman, MD, PhD

Scott Thalman, MD, PhD

Joshua M. Mitchell, MD, PhD

Joshua M. Mitchell, MD, PhD

2020

Evan Lynch, MD, PhD

Evan Lynch, MD, PhD

2019

Kristin B. Linscott, MD, PhD

Kristin B. Linscott, MD, PhD

Gregory J. Wehner, MD, PhD

Gregory J. Wehner, MD, PhD

Christopher Brown, MD, PhD

Christopher Brown, MD, PhD

Eseosa Ighodaro, MD, PhD

Eseosa Ighodaro, MD, PhD

2018

Erin M. Wolf Horrell, MD, PhD

Erin M. Wolf Horrell, MD, PhD

Edita M. Klimyte, MD, PhD

Edita M. Klimyte, MD, PhD

2017

Lucas S. Broster, MD, PhD

Lucas S. Broster, MD, PhD

2016

Dustin B. Stephens, MD, PhD

Dustin B. Stephens, MD, PhD

Dustin P. Brown, MD, PhD

Dustin P. Brown, MD, PhD

2014

Andres Chang, MD, PhD

Andres Chang, MD, PhD

Mellani Lefta, MD, PhD

Mellani Lefta, MD, PhD

Abdelghaffar Salous, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Mechanism of rapid elimination of lysophosphatidic acid and related lipids from the circulation of mice"
    • Department of Pharmacology, Mentorship by Susan S. Smyth, MD, PhD
  • Residency: General Surgery - Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
  • Current Position: Orthopedic Hand Surgeon, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
Abdelghaffar Salous, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Mechanism of rapid elimination of lysophosphatidic acid and related lipids from the circulation of mice"
    • Department of Pharmacology, Mentorship by Susan S. Smyth, MD, PhD
  • Residency: General Surgery - Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
  • Current Position: Orthopedic Hand Surgeon, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, FL

2013

Zachary Fulkerson, MD, PhD

Zachary Fulkerson, MD, PhD

Carmen Kiper, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Strain-specific cardiomyocyte composition regulates cardiac growth potential"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Jonathan Satin, PhD
  • Residency: Pediatrics - University of Louisville, Kosair Children's Hospital, Louisville, KY
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Cardiology and Pediatrics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Carmen Kiper, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Strain-specific cardiomyocyte composition regulates cardiac growth potential"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Jonathan Satin, PhD
  • Residency: Pediatrics - University of Louisville, Kosair Children's Hospital, Louisville, KY
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Cardiology and Pediatrics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

Caitlin Latimer, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation
    • Department of Pharmacology, Mentorship by Nada Porter, PhD 
  • Residency: Anatomic Pathology - University of Washington, Seattle, WA
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Caitlin Latimer, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation
    • Department of Pharmacology, Mentorship by Nada Porter, PhD 
  • Residency: Anatomic Pathology - University of Washington, Seattle, WA
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Scott Silva, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "A novel role for VEGF signalling in carcinoid tumors"
    • Department of Biochemistry, Mentorship by B. Mark Evers, MD, FACS
  • Residency: General Surgery Internship - Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN | Radiation Oncology Residency - Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Louisville; Director of Brachytherapy, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Scott Silva, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "A novel role for VEGF signalling in carcinoid tumors"
    • Department of Biochemistry, Mentorship by B. Mark Evers, MD, FACS
  • Residency: General Surgery Internship - Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN | Radiation Oncology Residency - Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Louisville; Director of Brachytherapy, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Christopher R. Simmons, MD, PhD

Christopher R. Simmons, MD, PhD

2012

Natalie Wallis Harper, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation
    • Department of Pharmacology, Mentorship by Michael W. Kilgore, PhD
  • Residency: Pediatrics - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor in Cancer Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Natalie Wallis Harper, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation
    • Department of Pharmacology, Mentorship by Michael W. Kilgore, PhD
  • Residency: Pediatrics - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor in Cancer Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

2011

Romulo Albuquerque, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2: an endogenous inhibitor of lymphangiogenesis"
    • Department of Physiology/Ophthalmology, Mentorship by Jayakrishna Ambati, MD
  • Residency: Surgery Internship - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY | Ophthalmology - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Ophthalmologist, Vistar Eye Center, Blacksburg, VA
Romulo Albuquerque, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2: an endogenous inhibitor of lymphangiogenesis"
    • Department of Physiology/Ophthalmology, Mentorship by Jayakrishna Ambati, MD
  • Residency: Surgery Internship - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY | Ophthalmology - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Ophthalmologist, Vistar Eye Center, Blacksburg, VA

James Butler, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Mechanisms governing the zonal activity of alpha-fetoprotein enhancer EIII"
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Brett Spear, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
  • Current Position: Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
James Butler, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Mechanisms governing the zonal activity of alpha-fetoprotein enhancer EIII"
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Brett Spear, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
  • Current Position: Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Willie Craft Jr., MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Investigation of the proteolytic processing of the hendra virus fusion protein"
    • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Mentorship by Rebecca E. Dutch, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - Internal Medicine - Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA
  • Current Position: Hospitalist, Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy, OH
Willie Craft Jr., MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Investigation of the proteolytic processing of the hendra virus fusion protein"
    • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Mentorship by Rebecca E. Dutch, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - Internal Medicine - Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA
  • Current Position: Hospitalist, Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy, OH

Michelle Stephens-Humeidan, MD, PhD

Michelle Stephens-Humeidan, MD, PhD

Nirmal Ravi, MD, PhD

Nirmal Ravi, MD, PhD

2010

Karrie Grear, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Uncoupling protein-2 splicing efficiency and human disease"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Steven Estus, PhD
  • Residency: Neurology - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Current Position: Neurologist, Novant Health, Wilmington, NC
Karrie Grear, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Uncoupling protein-2 splicing efficiency and human disease"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Steven Estus, PhD
  • Residency: Neurology - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Current Position: Neurologist, Novant Health, Wilmington, NC

Jeff Yates, MD, PhD

Jeff Yates, MD, PhD

2009

Janelle Reed, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Alterations in proteasome subunit expression and influences on the inflammatory response"
    • Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Mentorship by Annadora J. Bruce-Keller, PhD
  • Residency: Emergency Medicine - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Emergency Medicine Physician, Christus Health, Lafayette, LA
Janelle Reed, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Alterations in proteasome subunit expression and influences on the inflammatory response"
    • Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Mentorship by Annadora J. Bruce-Keller, PhD
  • Residency: Emergency Medicine - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Emergency Medicine Physician, Christus Health, Lafayette, LA

2008

Mark A. Wurth, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Role of actin dynamics in paramyxovirus F mediated membrane fusion events"
    • Department of Biochemistry, Mentorship by Rebecca E. Dutch, PhD
  • Residency: Internal Medicine & Pediatrics - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Mark A. Wurth, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Role of actin dynamics in paramyxovirus F mediated membrane fusion events"
    • Department of Biochemistry, Mentorship by Rebecca E. Dutch, PhD
  • Residency: Internal Medicine & Pediatrics - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Kristine S. Ziemba, MD, PhD

Kristine S. Ziemba, MD, PhD

2007

Brian K. Day, MD, PhD

Brian K. Day, MD, PhD

2006

Michael W. Manning, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Differential effects of doxycycline, a broad spectrum inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Alan Daugherty, PhD, DSc, FAHA
  • Residency: Surgery Internship - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY | Anesthesiology - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, NC
Michael W. Manning, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Differential effects of doxycycline, a broad spectrum inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Alan Daugherty, PhD, DSc, FAHA
  • Residency: Surgery Internship - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY | Anesthesiology - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, NC

Erin L. Manning, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Regulation of telomere length in murine hematopoietic cells"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Gary Van Zant, PhD
  • Residency: Anesthesiology - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, NC
Erin L. Manning, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Regulation of telomere length in murine hematopoietic cells"
    • Department of Physiology, Mentorship by Gary Van Zant, PhD
  • Residency: Anesthesiology - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, NC

Xuan Nguyen, MD, PhD

Xuan Nguyen, MD, PhD

2005

Christina S. Hines, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "X-ray crystallographic and functional studies on the neuropeptidase neurolysin"
    • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Mentorship by David W. Rodgers, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  • Current Position: Program Manager of Mental Health Critical Care, Veterans Association Pacific Islands Healthcare Systems, Honolulu, HI
Christina S. Hines, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "X-ray crystallographic and functional studies on the neuropeptidase neurolysin"
    • Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Mentorship by David W. Rodgers, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  • Current Position: Program Manager of Mental Health Critical Care, Veterans Association Pacific Islands Healthcare Systems, Honolulu, HI

2004

Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "The association of calpain and its regulatory proteins with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus"
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Thomas L. Roszman, PhD
  • Residency: Clinical Pathology - Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • Current Position: Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "The association of calpain and its regulatory proteins with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus"
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Thomas L. Roszman, PhD
  • Residency: Clinical Pathology - Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • Current Position: Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Shane W. Rau, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "Mechanisms of estradiol-mediated protection against stroke-like injury"
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Phyllis M. Wise, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA
  • Current Position: Medical Director of Outpatient Care, Array Behavioral Care, Williamsburg, VA
Shane W. Rau, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "Mechanisms of estradiol-mediated protection against stroke-like injury"
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Phyllis M. Wise, PhD
  • Residency: Psychiatry - University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA
  • Current Position: Medical Director of Outpatient Care, Array Behavioral Care, Williamsburg, VA

2003

Dena Dubal, MD, PhD

Dena Dubal, MD, PhD

1999

Mathew A. Nicholls, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation: "MR studies of the acute response of the rhesus CNS to the neurotoxin MPTP"
    • Department of Biochemistry, Mentorship by Thomas C. Vanaman, PhD
  • Residency: Orthopedic Surgery - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Mathew A. Nicholls, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation: "MR studies of the acute response of the rhesus CNS to the neurotoxin MPTP"
    • Department of Biochemistry, Mentorship by Thomas C. Vanaman, PhD
  • Residency: Orthopedic Surgery - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Melisa W. Mullins, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation 
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Charles Snow, PhD
  • Residency: Pediatrics - William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
  • Current Position: Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Nationwide Children's Hospital Toledo, Toledo, OH
Melisa W. Mullins, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation 
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Mentorship by Charles Snow, PhD
  • Residency: Pediatrics - William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
  • Current Position: Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Nationwide Children's Hospital Toledo, Toledo, OH

1994

Gregory E. Cooper, MD, PhD

  • Dissertation
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology
  • Residency: Neurology - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA
  • Current Position: Chief of Adult Neurology, Norton Healthcare; Director of Memory Center, Norton Neuroscience Institute, Louisville, KY
Gregory E. Cooper, MD, PhD
  • Dissertation
    • Department of Microbiology & Immunology
  • Residency: Neurology - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA
  • Current Position: Chief of Adult Neurology, Norton Healthcare; Director of Memory Center, Norton Neuroscience Institute, Louisville, KY

1992

Gregory N. Barnes, MD, PhD

Gregory N. Barnes, MD, PhD