Mauro Santamaria studies diseases affecting the gums — known as periodontology — with a focus on problems with the gums and tissue around the teeth, wound healing and treatment of receding gums.
Outstanding Teaching Award winner, Diana M. Byrne, has played a key role in advancing the civil engineering curriculum at UK, particularly in sustainability-focused education.
A prominent cardiovascular health researcher at UK whose work is internationally recognized in the field of vascular biology, has been honored for her groundbreaking work by the American Heart Association.
Kimberly A. Parker, professor in the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication in the UK College of Communication and Information, has been honored as a 2025-26 University Research Professor.
This year’s 26 SURA recipients represent a wide array of academic disciplines and will engage in immersive, faculty-mentored research across UK's campus.
William Gerken, Real Estate Endowed Professor of Finance and director of the certificate in financial planning in the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics, has been honored as a 2025-26 University Research Professor.
Scott Hutson, chair and professor in the Department of Anthropology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, has been honored as a 2025-26 University Research Professor.
Recent University of Kentucky graduates Lucas Gastineau and Asa O’Neal have been awarded U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.
