By Jenny Wells-Hosley and Kayla Coffee 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2026) — Four graduating students have been selected by University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto to represent the Class of 2026 as speakers at UK’s May Commencement Ceremonies Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

Together, they reflect the breadth of the UK experience — leaders, scholars and innovators whose paths have been shaped by discovery, service and a strong sense of community.

The students are Mostafa Mubarak, Carolina Burn, Siena Pilati and Fatimah Alomar.

By Alicia Gregory 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 27, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees recently approved 17 University Research Professors for the 2026-27 academic year. Established by the Board of Trustees in 1976, the professorships program recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of research at UK.

Among those selected are Ashley W. Seifert, professor of biology, and Nathaniel Stapleton, associate professor of mathematics, in UK's College of Arts and

How long have you been with the department? What motivated you to come to our department? Where did you live before starting at UK?

It has been three years and four months since I joined the Biology Department.

The faculty members conducting research in diverse areas, from ecology and evolution to cell and molecular biology, were a great motivation to pursue biology. Another attraction was Clock researchers’ niche developing within the department and across different colleges at UK. 

Before moving to Lexington, I lived in Bloomington, Indiana, for almost 4.5 years. 

Describe your time with the department so far. What are you most proud or excited about? 
Being able to start my

When do you graduate?
I expect to complete my Ph.D. next year (2027).  
What motivated you to come to UK’s Department of Biology?
I was drawn to the diversity of science being performed in the department. I knew I ultimately wanted to do research on microbes in a biology department because of the broad expertise available. 

Where are you from?

I am from Kentucky. Specifically, I am from Hart County. 

Do you have any mentors or professors who significantly impacted your life in biology?

I have had several mentors who influenced my journey in biology. I was encouraged to

What is your major?
Biology

Minors?
Dance

What year do you graduate?
Spring 2026

Where are you from?
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Are you a first generation student?
No

What motivated you to come to UK?
I decided to come to UK for many reasons. I did not want to stay in-state for college because I wanted to experience living in a different state and push myself out of my comfort zone. Along with this goal, I was not really sure where I wanted to go to college, and when I toured UK I instantly knew I belonged here. While it is a cliché answer, I just got a feeling. Lastly, one of the main reasons I chose UK was because of the vibrant horse community here and

What is your connection to the Department of Biology?
I am an alumna of the University of Kentucky’s Department of Biology, where I developed a strong foundation in both research and practical applications of the life sciences. My time in the department sparked a lifelong curiosity about human and environmental biology.

What was your overall experience with the department? UK?
My overall experience with the Department of Biology and the University of Kentucky was incredibly formative. The faculty cultivated an environment of intellectual curiosity and provided mentorship that extended far beyond the classroom. UK combined rigorous academic training with a supportive community, helping shape my approach to problem-solving, collaboration and

By Tom Musgrave 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2026) — When she was a child, Jaesylin Stephens, a senior biology major in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, saw nature documentaries on Madagascar. She never imagined that she would one day visit the east African county.

“I never dreamed I’d get to see it with my own eyes,” Stephens said. “I’ll never forget finding bamboo lemurs on my first day in the field. I couldn’t believe I was just a few feet below such a unique, rare and endangered

By Meredith Weber 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 18, 2026) — Six educators were honored Feb. 17 as the 2026 Great Teacher Award recipients. They are: 

The two College of Arts and Sciences faculty members are:

Donna L. Geuser, MS, CIH (retired), is certified in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

Her background includes a B.S. in biology from the University of Kentucky (1980). She graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 1982 with a Master of Science in industrial hygiene. During her career, she worked in industry and insurance, where she provided occupational environmental safety and health consultation. Her work took her to a variety of workplaces from agriculture to medical device manufacturing and rare earth mining.

Newly retired, she enjoys hiking; helping in several areas at her church; volunteering at the Bushnell theater in Hartford, Connecticut, for the symphony and Broadway shows; and exploring the Farmington Valley in Connecticut and Massachusetts. As a former

Amy Wilson has a passionate belief in the power of education to allow one to achieve their dreams. Her love of science has driven her educational and career choices throughout her life. She grew up in a small town in Kentucky and went to the University of Kentucky, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree (1988) in the Biology Department and a Ph.D. in molecular biology (1994).  Following a post-doctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Wilson was a scientist for a biotechnology company and then went to Brooklyn Law School. She became a patent attorney, initially working at a law firm, and then in the pharmaceutical industry. She uses her biology degree every day as she works to protect the intellectual property rights related to novel biologic drugs that can positively influence patients' lives. 

Wilson has served on

Meredith Giglia van der Velden, M.D, M.B.A, is a pediatric critical care medicine physician at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a native of Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

She received her B.S. in biology from University of Kentucky (1998) and her M.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (2002). She completed her pediatric residency and pediatric xritical care fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital and has remained there ever since. In addition to care of the critically ill pediatric patient, her academic interests include the business and operations of healthcare delivery.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her kids/family particularly playing outside (skiing) and cooking. 

Jaliya Slaton is a native of Madisonville, Kentucky. She earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Kentucky and later completed her Master of Business Administration at the University of Louisville. With over eight years of experience in clinical research, Jaliya has developed a strong foundation in advancing healthcare through innovative studies and patient-focused initiatives. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys content creation, hiking, caring for house plants and spending quality time with friends and family.

Marie Setser is currently retired after a career in healthcare research and finance. 

She earned her B.S. in zoology at UK in 1965 and her MA T in biology at The Citadel in 1979. She worked at UK in the Department of Community Medicine Tuberculosis Research, the Medical University of South Carolina in renal and pulmonary physiology research and as a research assistant in electron microscopy and cystic fibrosis research. She spent 10 years in the finance industry in sales and management.

She also taught biology as adjunct faculty at Olympic College and City Colleges of Chicago. In addition, she served as the president of the South Carolina American Association of University Women. 

She and her husband have been married for 60 years and have two sons, three grandsons and one granddaughter. She has been active in

Michael Rossi retired in June 2025 after more than three decades in higher education, research and academic leadership. Most recently, he served as an associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New Haven, where he was also a professor in the Department of Biology and Environmental Science.

He earned a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Kentucky in 1990, followed by postdoctoral research in the Department of Obstetrics and Genecology at the University of Florida. Rossi moved to Connecticut to join the Department of Biology & Environmental Science at the University of New Haven as an associate professor in 1992. Over the years, he focused on cellular and molecular biology, reproductive endocrinology and cancer biology: fields that shaped his research and his approach to mentoring students.

He created the

Peggy Richey recently retired as a professor of biology and biochemistry/molecular biology from Centre College after teaching there for 36 years.

She earned a B.S. in botany from the University of Kentucky (1983) and an M.S. and Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of Kentucky (1985, 1989). She taught a wide range of courses at Centre College with specialties in microbiology, molecular biology and genetic engineering.

Richey lives in Lexington and enjoys gardening, hiking, reading and traveling to new places.

Steven Pass, Pharm.D., is a professor and regional Ddn at the Dallas campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy.  

Pass is a native of Louisville and completed a B.S. in biology from the University of Kentucky in 1992. After undergrad, he graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in 1996 and completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and a PGY2 critical care pharmacy residency at University Hospital in Cincinnati.

Interests and hobbies include bicycling, movies and all UK athletics.

Riya Paranthan, O.D., is a licensed optometric physician with advanced clinical expertise in ocular disease, surgical co-management, dry eye therapy and neuro-ophthalmic conditions.

Her background includes a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Kentucky (2009), where she graduated magna cum laude with high honors and was an Honors Program scholar. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree with clinical honors from Salus University in 2014.

Paranthan serves as vice chair of the Washington State Board of Optometry, following gubernatorial appointments in 2022 and 2025. Nationally, she is chairperson of the Review Committee for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (2023–2026).

Her professional leadership includes service as president of the Salus University Alumni Board, Advisory Panel Member for Women in

Scott G. Lynn is currently a scientist working for the Environmental Protection Agency  on the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program.  

His background includes a B.S. in environmental science from Pennsylvania State University and a M.S .in environmental toxicology from Drexel University. He graduated from the University of Kentucky Department of Biology with a Ph.D. in 2006. His research focused on molecular endocrinology. He then received a National Institute of Environmental Health Science post-doctoral fellowship at Michigan State University and U.S. Fulbright post-doctoral fellowship in Norway. In 2011 he took a position at the EPA to support the development and implementation of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. His EPA position requires him to represent the program to both national and international audiences and stakeholders

Will Coots brings executive leadership within project management and over 30 years of customer-focused service in the clinical research and biopharmaceutical industry to the Alumni Board. He is a highly seasoned senior leader, known for his ability to expertly navigate complex, multi-phase clinical trials (phases I through IV) with global oversight across North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Coots has served as a quality assurance auditor, statistical programmer and biostatistician. He has contributed to both project management and business development. His specialized project management expertise includes leading teams in critical areas like protocol development, patient enrollment strategy, regulatory affairs, clinical monitoring and overall clinical trial oversight. His core passion and focus have always been bringing new medicines,

By Richard LeComte 

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A University of Kentucky doctoral student dug deeply into the Tapichalaca reserve in Ecuador and uncovered a magnolia tree variety that’s different enough from other types to be called its own species: Magnolia tapichalacaensis.  

The tree’s big flowers attracted the attention of Edison Rea-Sancho, a doctoral student in biology in UK’s College of Arts and Sciences. He recently co-wrote a paper for the journal Phytotaxa. 

“Plants are awesome," Rea-Sancho said. “I am from Ecuador, and I grew up surrounded by plants. Being in the tropical rain forest made me curious about plants and trees. Among