The University of Kentucky is hosting its fifth annual Substance Use Research Event (SURE) April 24 in the UK Gatton Student Center. This free event showcases translational research conducted at UK focusing on substance use and substance use disorder.

Cannabis research is a focus of this year’s event, which will include an update on the new UK Cannabis Center, a breakout session on emerging cannabis research, and a keynote from a national cannabis expert.

“This annual event was created five years ago to highlight the depth and breadth of substance use and related research happening all over campus, and it provides an opportunity to bring together experts from many different backgrounds to build networks and continue to spur future collaborations,” said William Stoops, Ph.D., UK College of Medicine professor and organizing committee chair for the event.

Plenary speakers this year are:

• Alan J. Budney, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and biomedical data science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; “Cannabis and the Public Health: Knowns, Unknowns and Nonsense”

• Kathleen A. Grant, Ph.D., professor and chief of the Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center; “Integrating behavioral, brain imaging, and synaptic function data to assess risk for excessive alcohol intake”

The following symposia will be led by UK faculty:

• "Understanding the roles of biological sex and gonadal hormones on motivated behavior: implications for substance use disorder research"

  • Jess Santollo, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, UK College of Arts & Sciences

  • Jill Turner, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, UK College of Pharmacy

• "Cannabis and cannabinoid research: data from new and emerging investigators"

  • Shanna Babalonis, Ph.D., assistant professor of behavioral science, UK College of Medicine - UK Cannabis Center

  • Josh Lile, Ph.D., professor of behavioral science, UK College of Medicine

• "The future of substance use disorder surveillance in Kentucky and beyond"

  • Svetla Slavova, Ph.D., associate professor of biostatistics and interim associate dean for research, UK College of Public Health - Kentucky Injury Prevention & Research Center

  • Chris Delcher, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice and science, UK College of Pharmacy

• "Implementing overdose prevention in the community: successes and opportunities"

  • Katie Marks, Ph.D., assistant professor of behavioral science, UK College of Medicine

  • April Young, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology, UK College of Public Health

The free event is open to all members of UK and the greater Lexington community who are interested in the field. Attendees must register in advance here.

The UK Substance Use Research Day is sponsored by the UK Office of the Vice President for Research. For more information, visit UK Research.