The University of Kentucky’s Students Participating as Ambassadors for Research in Kentucky (SPARK) Program has named its 2025 cohort.

Now in its sixth year, the SPARK program trains undergraduate students from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and communities to conduct impactful research to improve health disparities early in their college experience.

Students interested in the joining the program go through a rigorous application process. Accepted students, called SPARKlers, then complete a semester-long health disparities research course.

SPARK has supported 23 students since its inception. The 2025 cohort includes six SPARKlers: 

• Thelma Owiredu (Ho, Ghana), junior, public health and business management major with a minor in business and economics

• Amy Moctezuma Perez (Elsmere, Kentucky), sophomore, political science major with a minor in law and justice

• Mariam Younis (Alexandria, Egypt), sophomore, preprofessional biology major with a certificate in medical behavioral science

• Akua Asamoah (Accra, Ghana), sophomore, public health major with a minor in economics

• Ainsley Byers (Murray, Kentucky), junior, kinesiology-exercise science major on a pre-dental track

• Madeline Barrie (Chicago), junior, agricultural and medical biotechnology with a minor in biology and a certificate in medical behavioral science

Students identify a research topic, program leaders assist in identifying mentors and students work with their mentors to develop a project. Students receive funding to support their summer research project.

After implementing the project, students meet with their mentors, undertake data analysis and write-up, and present and publish their research in professional settings.

SPARKlers learn how to develop and implement a health disparities research study, operate a budget, adhere to human subjects protection requirements and research integrity standards, and collaborate with community members.

In addition to research training, students receive professional development opportunities to support their futures in health-related careers and graduate studies. These activities include a health disparities book club, seminars on mentor-mentee relationships, academic belonging, physician-scientist careers and experiential research exposures to sites across Kentucky.

SPARKlers complete the program by presenting their research findings annually at the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Spring Conference. 

SPARK is a collaboration between CHET, CCTS and Kentucky State University, and is supported by Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, and UK’s Diabetes & Obesity, Neuroscience and UNITE Research Priority Areas.