The University of Kentucky Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES) celebrated environmental health research last week at its State of the Science annual meeting at the Healthy Kentucky Research Building.
The event showcased environmental health science research conducted by pilot project awardees from 2024 and '25. These included scientists from across the university and community members representing organizations in Kentucky and Ohio Appalachian communities.
2025 Pilot and Career Development Awardees:
- Yasir Alsiraj and Cetewayo Rashid (Innovation & High Impact)
- Tianjun Lu (Early Stage Investigator)
- Maggie Murphy and Yeon Jin Choi (Career Development)
2025 Community-engaged Research Awardees:
- Misti Allison and Erin Haynes
- Justin Branham, Jason Unrine and Emily Byers
- Desi Jarrell and Minjae Kim
- Craig Wilmhoff and Tianjun Lu
The 2024 award recipients - Kevin Pearson, Ph.D.; Zach Hilt, Ph.D.; Minjae Kim, Ph.D.; Ketrell McWhorter, Ph.D.; Brittany Givens, Ph.D.; and Tianjun Lu, Ph.D. - shared critical progress updates on their ongoing research.
The event also launched the 2026 Pilot Project Grants. Letters of intent are due Feb. 13. Apply for the Pilot Project program here. Available categories include:
- Innovation and High Impact Award (up to $50,000)
- Early Stage/New to Environmental Health Sciences Award (up to $25,000)
- Community-Engaged Research Award (up to $10,000 shared)
A major highlight was the announcement of the UK-CARES Paper of the Year Awards, recognizing outstanding publications advancing environmental health sciences.
2023 Paper of the Year
- Cochran JP et al. (UK-CARES Member: Jason Unrine), "Multiple stressor effects on a model soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans: combined effects of the pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae and zinc oxide nanoparticles" published in Science of the Total Environment.
- Martin KV et al. (UK-CARES Members: Timothy Hilbert, Jay Christian, Anna Hoover, Kelly Pennell, Erin Haynes), "PFAS soil concentrations surrounding a hazardous waste incinerator in East Liverpool, Ohio, an environmental justice community," published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research International.
2024 Paper of the Year Winners
- Kohler K et al. (UK-CARES Member: Jason Unrine), "Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water Causes Cognitive Impairment via an Alzheimer's Disease Gene-Dependent Mechanism in Adult Mice" published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
- Unrine JM et al. (UK-CARES Members: Jason Unrine, Jay Christian, Wayne Sanderson, Kelly Pennell, Anna Hoover), "Spatial and seasonal variation in disinfection byproducts concentrations in a rural public drinking water system: A case study of Martin County, Kentucky, USA," published in PLOS Water.
"UK-CARES is honored to have such high-caliber scientists working on environmental health issues for our region," said Erin Haynes, Ph.D., UK-CARES director.
