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Now Registering: Essential Bioinformatics Workshop 2025, July 14-17, Hybrid (UK, UofL, Online). Space is limited!!!
Students researching at University of Kentucky
May 27- Aug 1
DeAnna Burns, Asbury College.
Tyann Dotson, Eastern KY University
Karly (Karsner) Fetter, Asbury College
Maria Hayes, Transylvania University.
Joy (Joyce) Lefevers, Bellarmine University
Norah Luong, Centre College
Kaycee Moore, Transylvania University
Andrew Spalding, Bellarmine University
Students researching at University of Louisville
May 19 -July 25
Brandon Brion, Western KY University.
Katie Garret, KY State University
Chichi (Chinyere) Okeke, University of Cincinnati
Caroline Olds, Centre College
Christopher Powell, Murray State University
Ethan Schuff, Murray State University
Aliyah Shivel, Eastern KY University
KY INBRE funds up to 20 undergraduate students annually to participate in biomedical research under the supervision of faculty mentors who are actively engaged in biomedical research at the University of Louisville or the University of Kentucky. Learn more about the application criteria and process.
Click links at left or images below to learn more about the 2025 SURP students
Brandon Brion
Home institution: Western Kentucky University
Year: Rising Senior
Major(s)/Minor: Major: Biology, Chinese, and Asian Religion & Culture; Minor: Chemistry (Concentration: Pre-Med)
Research Site: University of Louisville
What will I be researching this summer: I will be in Dr. Hetman's lab at the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center. I am researching whether mitochondrial impairment triggers the integrated stress response in oligodendrocytes.
Future goals: My goal is to attend medical school and become a physician. One day, I hope to give back by serving the community that shaped me into who I am today.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I hold several leadership and service roles on campus, including President of the Microbiology Club, Vice President of the Asian American Association, and tutor for the university. I’ve also had the honor of serving as an ambassador for both the Biology Department and the Ogden College of Science. When I have time to relax, I enjoy bowling and eating.
DeAnna Burns
Home institution: Asbury University
Year: Rising Junior
Major: Biochemistry/Pre-dental
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: I am doing research in the Kikani lab and will be using an AI-based computational modeling approach for discovering different disease relevant functional motifs in the human proteome.
Future goals: In the future I want to attend dental school and do a dual DMD/PhD program and work part time as an oral surgeon while also doing research.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy hanging out with my friends and being outside. I also serve on my school’s student government as my class chaplain, and I am also the vice president of my school’s Sigma Zeta (math and science honors society). I also really enjoy traveling and my favorite place I’ve traveled are the Galápagos Islands!
Tyann Dotson
Home institution: Eastern Kentucky University
Year: Senior
Major/Minor: Major: Biomedical sciences (Pre-med concentration); Minor: Chemistry and Psychology
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: I’m researching the molecular mechanisms of avian fat storage and inflammation, with a focus on how these biological processes may inform our understanding of obesity-related diseases in humans.
Future goals: I plan to become psychiatrist, returning to serve Appalachian communities and helping to address mental health stigmas and access barriers in rural regions.
Outside of the lab/classroom: Outside of research and academics, I love styling using clothing as my creative outlet, I often help my friends and family style outfits for events. I also enjoy watching reality TV (especially 90 Day Fiancé) and spending time with my cat.
Karly Fetter
Home institution: Asbury University
Year: Senior
Major/Minor: Biology major, Psychology minor, Pre-med
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: In the Morris Lab this summer, I will be studying gene expression in the zebrafish retina! Specifically, we are looking at the behavioral effects on eye movement that occur when the CHD7 gene is mutated in zebrafish. This gene is also mutated in humans diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome. Studying the effects of this gene in zebrafish is translational to understanding CHARGE syndrome in humans.
Future goals: After I graduate, I am planning to attend medical school and work as a physician. Currently, I am interested in pediatrics, psychiatry, and family medicine as a potential specialty!
Outside of the lab/classroom: love to be creative, including watercolor painting and writing! I love watching the Reds, the Bengals, and the Cats with my friends and family, and I can never spend enough time with my chocolate lab Kate.
Maria Hayes
Home institution: Transylvania University
Year: Rising Senior
Major(s)/Minor: Major: Biology on the Molecular and Cellular Track; Minor: Psychology and Chemistry
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: This summer I’m researching the role of MLL1/2 in regulating genes involved in tissue regeneration in planarians!
Future goals: After graduation, I hope to pursue a graduate degree in molecular genetics.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I play on the tennis team at Transy, and I also enjoy reading, pickleball, hiking, and crafting!
Joy Lefevers
Home institution: Bellarmine University
Year: Rising Senior
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: I will be in the Famulski Lab researching Prom1b, a gene in Zebrafish that is involved in photoreceptor development in the retina.
Future goals: Continue to explore my passion for social justice and humanitarian work.
Outside of the lab/classroom: On campus I am the President of our Asian and Asian American Student Union and President of our chapter of the Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students. I also serve as Vice President of Belonging and Accountable Leadership of our Student Government Association. In my free time, I love to read memoirs, do crosswords, and visit Kentucky State Parks.
Norah Luong
Home institution: Centre College
Year: Rising Senior
Major: Biochemistry-Molecular Biology
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: I am study the epigenetic crosstalk between TP53 and H3K27M mutations in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) to elucidate mechanisms of radioresistance in pediatric brain cancer.
Future goals: I want to pursue MD degree, and oncology surgeon at the end.
Outside of the lab/classroom: People travel for scenery, I travel for food. My dream is to try different cuisines around the world. In my free time, I usually play badminton and do rock climbing to boost my energy and build my physical strength, willpower and determination.
Kaycee Moore
Home institution: Transylvania University
Year: Rising Senior
Major/Minor: Biology Major; Chemistry and History Minors
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: This summer, I will be in Dr. Santollo's lab, examining how ingestive behaviors affect circadian rhythms differently in male and female rats.
Future goals: After graduation, I plan to attend optometry school and practice in a rural area.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I'm on the track and cross country teams at Transy, and in my free time, I enjoy hiking, baking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
Chichi Okeke
Home institution: University of Cincinnati
Year: Senior
Major/Minor: Health Science (Pre-Med Track) with a Minor in Public Health
Research Site: University of Louisville
What will I be researching this summer: This summer, I will be performing genomic DNA extraction and qPCR to quantify telomere length in bird samples as part of a study examining how environmental factors impact avian health — and how these findings may relate to human health.
Future goals: After I graduate, I plan to attend medical school. My ultimate goal is to be a practicing physician who advocates for and serves underrepresented communities.
Outside of the lab/classroom: Outside of academics and research, I enjoy reading, doing Zumba, and spending time with friends. I’m actively involved in several student organizations including the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) and African Student Union. I also tutor elementary school children!
Caroline Olds
Home institution: Centre College
Year: Rising Senior
Major: Chemistry
Research Site: University of Louisville
What will I be researching this summer: Maternal effects of vaping
Future goals: Medical school
Outside of the lab/classroom: I like to crochet and knit, play sports with friends, and travel.
Christopher Powell
Home institution: Murray State University
Year: Junior
Major(s)/Minor: Majors: Biochemistry and Biology; Minor: Music
Research Site: University of Louisville, Perlin Lab
What will I be researching this summer: I will be working in Dr. Perlin's lab, researching mitochondrial inheritance in the smut fungus Ustilago Maydis.
Future goals: I hope to continue my education towards a PhD.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy cooking and music. I love being able to make different dishes and whenever summer rolls around you best believe I'll be barbequing something. I also love playing music; I play the drums for my church when I am able, and I enjoy participating in the university's ensembles.
Ethan Schuff
Home institution: Murray State University
Year: Senior
Major: Pre-Medical Biology
Research Site: University of Louisville
What will I be researching this summer: The undergraduate project in my lab centers around alcohol metabolism in embryonic zebrafish. In humans, alcohol consumption during gestation manifests as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), although the mode of action is unclear. Researchers are still testing if ethanol or toxic metabolite acetaldehyde is the basis of FAS. By developing zebrafish in different small-chain alcohols, we are hoping to elucidate and give insight into mechanisms of alcohol-induced developmental defects. The hope is that this research will clue us into key mechanisms involved in FAS.
Future goals: I am taking a gap year from medical school, and I will be applying in the spring.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy being active, spending time with friends and family, playing my guitar(s), and I’m currently trying to pick up golf. During the winter months, I watch lots of Murray State and Kentucky basketball. I am an Honors Student and Ambassador at Murray, part of Medlife, part of Pre-Health Professionals, and I enjoy serving at First Baptist Church of Murray. I am very grateful for the opportunity KY INBRE has given me this summer!
Aliyah Shivel
Home institution: Eastern Kentucky University
Year: Senior
Major: Chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry
Research Site: University of Louisville
What will I be researching this summer: Using machine learning for early detection of AMD
Future goals: Go to grad school
Outside of the lab/classroom: I like to read and play music.
Andrew Spalding
Home institution: Bellarmine University
Year: Rising Senior
Major/Minor: Neuroscience/Biochemistry
Research Site: University of Kentucky
What will I be researching this summer: I will be conducting research in the Monje Lab, using human tissues/human Schwann cell cultures to characterize human peripheral nerve tissue.
Future goals: I want to be a physician.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I love to play basketball, read, and spend time with my cat and girlfriend.
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