2025-2026 University Research Professors

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved 18 University Research Professorships for the 2025-26 academic year. Established by the Board of Trustees in 1976, the professorships program recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of research at UK.

“It is our privilege each year to recognize distinguished experts who have made significant contributions across the breadth of research fields at the University of Kentucky,” said Ilhem Messaoudi, UK’s acting vice president for research. “Our next cohort of University Research Professors have demonstrated excellence in fields that addresses scientific, social, cultural and economic challenges in our region and around the world.”

College leadership developed criteria for excellence within their area of expertise and then nominated faculty who excelled at these criteria. Each University Research Professor receives a one-year award of $10,000 and participates in other events planned around the program.

2025-2026 University Research Professors

• Daniel K. Howe, Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
• Chris Richards, Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
• Scott Hutson, Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences
• William Gerken, Finance and Quantitative Methods, Gatton College of Business and Economics
• Kimberly A. Parker, Integrated Strategic Communication, College of Communication and Information
• Mauro P. Santamaria, Oral Health Practice, College of Dentistry
• Daniel Vivian, Historic Preservation, College of Design
• Neal H. Hutchens, Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, College of Education
• Zach Agioutantis, Mining Engineering, Pigman College of Engineering
• Donna Lee Kwon, School of Music, College of Fine Arts
• Nicholas Heebner, Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition, College of Health Sciences
• Michael D. Murray, Rosenberg College of Law
• Kenneth S. Campbell, Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
• M. Paul Murphy, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine
• Ty Borders, College of Nursing
• David J. Feola, Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy
• Krystle A. Lang Kuhs, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, College of Public Health

About the Program

The University Research Professorships were established by the UK Board of Trustees in 1976 to recognize outstanding research achievements. 

The University Research Professors Program recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of research endeavors at the University of Kentucky.

• Colleges with less than 275 tenure-track faculty may nominate one University Research Professor per year; colleges with more than 275 tenure-track faculty (currently Arts and Sciences and Medicine) may nominate two per year.
• Each college will establish (1) a process for soliciting and choosing nominations, and (2) criteria for excellence in research, scholarship and creative endeavors. College-specific criteria will be reviewed by and kept on file within the Offices of Research. As a minimum criteria, be performing well above benchmarks in their research, scholarship and creative activities and be in good standing within the academy.
• The award amount will be $10,000 for one year, to be used to further the research, scholarship and creative endeavors of the awardee. A faculty member may only be recognized once; those who have been named a University Research Professor under the previous program are not eligible. Faculty receiving this award may use the title “University Research Professor” for as long as they remain faculty at the University of Kentucky.
• Nominee(s) packets submitted to the Office of Research should contain a full updated CV and a nomination letter from either the Associate Dean for Research or a Department Chair summarizing how the qualifications of the nominee meet the college-specific criteria for excellence.
• The Office of Research reserves the right for final approval of nominees. It is likely, depending on the number of faculty within a unit and other factors, that some Colleges may not have a nominee who meets the criteria for excellence within a given year. 

A reception honoring award recipients will take place annually. In addition, awardees will be announced at an annual Board of Trustees meeting. Finally, awardees may be given the opportunity to present a short description of their research endeavors to the BOT once over the course of the award year, as well as through other vehicles intended to highlight their research accomplishments.

Contact individual college dean's office for college-level-specific program details.

Conditions of Appointment

• The appointee must not be on leave status for the year of the award.
• It is expected that the Research Professor will contribute to the research atmosphere on the University campus.
• It is expected that part of the major research activity will be conducted at the University.
• The awardee must agree to remain at the University for the year following the award.