Below you will our Spring 2024 Newsletter Spotlights for our Undergraduate Students!
Kailey Cain
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
a. What is your major?
I am a Biology major.
b. Minors?
I am a Psychology minor.
c. What year do you graduate?
I plan to graduate in May of 2025.
d. Where are you from?
I'm from St. Louis, MO.
2. What motivated you to come to UK?
Going into the college application process I knew I wanted to force myself to grow
by going to an out-of-state school. Once I visited UK, I just knew I could see myself
here, the resources, the size, the community, everything seemed like it was the fit for me- and it has been!
a. To major in biology?
I felt very welcomed from UK Biology, even when I was just a prospective student and that always stuck with me.
3. Have you had any mentors or professors who have significantly impacted you?
Dr. Mirabito has been both a mentor and professor to me for the past couple of years. He cares deeply about his students' learning and success and is committed to working with us toward these common goals. Dr. Estus is my research mentor, and he trained and has guided me along my research journey. He has supported me in various programs, taught me a lot about the world of research, and been an amazing mentor.
4. Are you involved in research?
Yes! I do Alzheimer's Disease research in Dr. Steven Estus' lab. I have contributed to multiple projects centered around genetic mutations within specific genes identified to be associated with Alzheimer’s Disease to experimentally determine their associated risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. I have a person interest in this research and I hope to learn and hopefully make some kind of impact, no matter how small.
5. What could you have benefitted from in the department of biology, that you feel you were missing? For example, If the department of biology could provide you with an additional resource toward your training, what would it be?
I don't really think anything is missing if you put yourself out there, you'll get pretty
much everything you need.
6. Describe your journey so far at UK.
a. What are you most proud or excited about?
b. How did you overcome challenges that you may have faced?
I definitely achieved my goal of growth in my time so far at UK. I've been in the
Interprofessional Healthcare Residential College as a resident and peer mentor,
I've found my community in both Hues in Medicine and Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. I've delved more into my passion for medicine through shadowing.
I'm most proud of the community I've found at UK, and they are how I get through the hard times.
7. Describe any highlights or memorable moments here at UK.
A highlight of mine at UK was presenting at the end of my summer with the A.A.R.T.S. program. This program really solidified my enjoyment of research and was another source of community for me; this presentation represented the culmination of my experience.
8. Who do you look up to and why?
I really look up to my family; without their guidance, example, and support I wouldn't be where I am today.
9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy reading, cooking, and baking, although I don't get to do any of them as much as I'd like. I also enjoy rewatching and binging shows and movies when I'm feeling unproductive. And I LOVE live music, I'll find any excuse to go to a concert.
10. What are your plans after graduation? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
My plans after graduating is medical school! Right now the big dream is pediatric
surgery, but only time will tell. In five years I hope to be finishing up medical school and in ten years I hope to be finishing up and doing well in residency.
11. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Potatoes. Definitely potatoes, there's just so many options.
12. If you could meet one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I really would want to meet Beyonce or Rihanna, mainly for a free concert of my favorites by them.
13. If you could share one statement about your experience as a UK Biology major so far, what would it be?
I would say putting yourself out there is the single most important part, whether it's
classmates or faculty, everyone in UK Biology is helpful, they just have to know you need it.
14. Is there another question we could be asking in an interview like this?
I can't think of any!
Madison Lapid
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
a. What is your major?
b. Minors?
c. What year do you graduate?
d. Where are you from?
I am a biology major and a business minor, and I am planning on graduating in Fall 2024. I am
from Columbus, Ohio.
2. What motivated you to come to UK?
a. To major in biology?
When I came to tour UK, the first thing I noticed was how welcoming and friendly everyone was. It was such a nice atmosphere, and I really felt like I could already fit in here. I also knew I wanted to attend a larger university, and UK definitely felt like the perfect size. I have always loved biology because I am fascinated with how every system fits perfectly together to form the world we live in today. I am interested in fully understanding how each level of life functions, from cells to population ecology, and I love how it feels like each field of biology builds upon the others.
3. Have you had any mentors or professors who have significantly impacted you?
I took Dr. Krupa’s class as a freshman, and it was really impactful to me because his enthusiasm
for the class and excitement for his research perfectly exemplified why I chose to study biology.
I love being around other students and professors who share the same excitement and curiosity,
and Dr. Krupa’s genuine interest and care for the subject mirrored my own.
4. Are you involved in research?
a. If so, what does your research entail?
b. What do you hope to gain from it?
I am involved in research in Dr. Bachstetter’s lab in the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research
Center. My lab is researching intracellular signaling pathways in the brain’s immune system and
changes in expression after traumatic brain injuries or Alzheimer’s disease. I am also working on
a project researching the expression of cytokine receptors in the meninges and how alterations in
expression impact immune cell diversity and composition.
Being involved in research has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. It is exciting to
be part of a team whose contributions could have great effects on the way we view
neurodegenerative diseases. I have also learned about how collaborative scientific research is,
and it is exciting to be contributing to this community. I will definitely be prioritizing research
throughout my career because of my experiences in my lab.
5) What could you have benefitted from in the department of biology, that you feel you were missing? For example, If the department of biology could provide you with an additional resource toward your training, what would it be?
I think I could have benefitted from more mentorship as an underclassman, specifically from
older students. It can be difficult to navigate the major as a freshman or sophomore, and I think it
would have helped to have advice from an older student. I think a peer mentor program would be really helpful to freshmen starting at UK.
6. Describe your journey so far at UK.
a. What are you most proud or excited about?
b. How did you overcome challenges that you may have faced?
I am proud of my work in my research lab. I am starting to work in my lab full time this summer,
and I am excited to finally be able to see every aspect of the lab.
Throughout college, I have struggled with dealing with stress and time management, but I
learned to deal with these challenges by relying on my friends and community at UK. I know I
can always turn to my friends to give me a pep talk and find the motivation to keep working hard
during exam seasons.
7. Describe any highlights or memorable moments here at UK.
I went to the Citrus Bowl my freshman year and watched UK football win a bowl game!
I helped move freshmen in as a peer mentor in the Lewis Honors College, and it was so exciting
to see their first day as a college student.
8. Who do you look up to and why?
I look up to my older sister because she has always been true to her own goals, and once she sets
a goal, she perseveres until she achieves it. I admire how hard she works, and she is always the
first person I turn to when I need advice.
9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to read, work out, and bake in my free time. I also enjoy hiking and traveling.
10. What are your plans after graduation? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
I am currently applying to medical school, so hopefully after graduation I will be attending
medical school. In 5 years, I see myself attending a neurology residency. In 10 years, I see
myself practicing - hopefully anywhere that is warm!
11. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would eat sushi as my only food for the rest of my life.
12. If you could meet one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet John Krasinski because The Office is my favorite show, and Jim has always
been my favorite character.
13. If you could share one statement about your experience as a UK Biology major so far, what would it be?
From being a part of BUSA, to tutoring in the Biology Learning Center and taking classes in the
T.H. Morgan building, UK Biology has been integral to every part of my college experience, and
I am so lucky to have this community of supportive and encouraging people around me.
14. Is there another question we could be asking in an interview like this?
I think you should ask about what beneficial programs and experiences UK Biology has offered
in addition to the question about additional resources.
William aka "Grant" Kelley
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
a. What is your major?
Biology
b. Minors?
I did not have a minor but I completed the Lewis Honors Program and achieved a certificate in Distillation, Wine and Brewing studies.
c. What year do you graduate?
May 2024
d. Where are you from?
Ashland, Kentucky
2. What motivated you to come to UK?
I was motivated to come to the University of Kentucky because Kentucky has always been my home and that’s where I wanted to stay. Between UK being one of the top schools in the state, being in the beautiful city of Lexington, and offering incredible opportunities to move into their College of Medicine and subsequently UK Healthcare, my decision was easy.
a. To major in biology?
I decided to major in biology for two reasons. First and foremost was my interest in the sciences and second was the majors large overlap with the pre-medical requirements.
3. Have you had any mentors or professors who have significantly impacted you?
Several individuals from various areas of UK’s campus have greatly impacted me and my journey, but the one that stands out from them all is my research mentor, Dr. Yosra Helmy. Dr. Helmy has built me up and guided me as a scientist, a researcher, and a person. She has grown my passion for science and has helped me along every step of my professional development since I started in her lab.
a. Are you involved in research?
I was involved in research at UK for 2 years.
b. If so, what does your research entail?
During those two years I worked along side Dr. Yosra Helmy and the other individuals in her lab. Our work focused on antimicrobial resistance and new-age probiotics as antibiotic alternatives for the control of bacterial pathogens.
c. What do you hope to gain from it?
When I first started in the lab I only hoped to complete my experiential credits and thesis for the honors college, but very soon I fell in love with the work I was doing and with the incredible minds of the people I was doing it with. I gained more than Iever could have hoped for from that team. I gained a love for research and scientific inquiry. I gained an understanding of the hard work it takes to push the boundaries of our knowledge. And I gained team of incredible friends and mentors.
4. What could you have benefitted from in the department of biology, that you feel you were missing? For example, If the department of biology could provide you with an additional resource toward your training, what would it be?
I wish the department had more resources for pre-medical students and possibly even course sections specifically catering to those aspiring for medical school. These courses would specifically focus on the information important for medical school and a medical career as well as any other content tested on the medical school entrance exams.
5. Describe your journey so far at UK.
a. What are you most proud or excited about?
I am most proud of my work in the research lab and my work within the Department of Residence Life. I serve as a Resident Advisor for 3 years including one year as the Senior Resident Advisor in Lewis Hall.
b. How did you overcome challenges that you may have faced?
Many of the challenges I faced dealt with the time constraints of all of the work I was doing in addition to my classes. I overcame these challenges with the help of friends and mentors closest to me who helped me find new ways of getting organized and specifically delegating my time in a way that allowed me to achieve all that I set out to and still have time for myself.
6. Describe any highlights or memorable moments here at UK.
I have so many happy memories from my time in undergrad at UK, and nearly every one of them are of the amazing friends I made throughout my four years.
7. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I genuinely and honestly love going to work. I love spending time with my friends and hanging out and doing all of the things that we do. But for the past year I’ve been working the Kidz Club. The Kidz Club is a prescribed pediatric extended care center that provides care to children with medical complexities. I love going to work because I feel like I get paid to play with kids. I love that I have the opportunity to love and care for them and they have truly inspired my next steps. Because of them, I plan to go into pediatrics after I graduate from medical school.
8. What are your plans after graduation? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
This fall I will be studying at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. In 5 years, I hope to have graduated from the college and be beginning my years of residency, and in 10, I hope to have completed my residencies and moving into the next steps of my career.
9. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Easy. Cheesy chicken quesadillas with Valentina hot sauce. Quick, simple but so so delicious.
10. If you could meet one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Robert Downey Jr. The face of Iron Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he also has an incredible car collection and I’d imagine a novel’s worth of great stories.
11. If you could share one statement about your experience as a UK Biology major so far, what would it be?
No one ever has called it easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding and so much fun.
12. Is there another question we could be asking in an interview like this?
Not that I can think of.