The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in ONcology (ACTION) has expanded its impact – this year including students from five previously unrepresented Appalachian counties.

Launched in 2016, ACTION is aimed at addressing the cancer burden in Appalachian Kentucky by preparing and inspiring high school and college students from the region to pursue careers in cancer research and clinical care.

With 30 more students to begin the program this fall; ACTION has now engaged 155 students from 40 of the 54 Appalachian Kentucky counties. The 2024 cohorts include first-time representation from Breathitt, Estill, Edmonson, Martin and Menifee counties.

"We’re excited to see ACTION’s reach growing,” said ACTION Director Nathan Vanderford, Ph.D., a Markey researcher and associate professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology. “Engaging students from more Appalachian communities is crucial to developing a new generation of cancer fighters who understand the unique challenges their region faces.”

During the two-year program, students develop cancer research knowledge and skills through cross-disciplinary faculty-mentored research experiences, shadow clinicians, participate in career development activities and conduct outreach in their communities.

The program’s success is evident in its alumni outcomes. A majority of ACTION’s undergraduate alumni advance to graduate or professional programs, with more than half enrolling in medical school. Many choose to remain at UK, driven by a commitment to serve central and Appalachian Kentucky.

ACTION is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Youth Enjoy Science R25 program, which is intended to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.

Markey, Kentucky’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of just 57 nationwide, has held NCI designation since 2013. This status has been crucial in securing funding for programs like ACTION.

Students in the 2024-25 ACTION cohorts are listed below. ACTION recruits high school students every other year and undergraduate students every year. For more information about ACTION, please visit the program’s webpage.

High school

• Frankie Adams, Garrard County

• Cambria Bowen, Estill County

• Emma Ray, Edmonson County

• Chase Kendrick, Lawrence County

• Lincoln Calico, Whitney County

• Emily Ledford, Carter County

• Kasey Burke, Carter County

• Abigail Jordan, Montgomery County

• Megan Sexton, Carter County

• David Pace, Leslie County

• Tucker Lawson, Knox County

• Ava Carver, Rowan County

• Om Patel, Johnson County

• Ryleigh Riddle, Elliott County

• Sophie Harless, Martin County

• Abagail Miller, Carter County

• Hayley Workman, Menifee County

• Delilah Combs, Carter County

• Zarah Martin, Menifee County

• Sophia Jiang, Breathitt County

Undergraduates

• Jeffery Brock (College of Arts & Sciences, Lewis Honors College), Leslie County

• Eryka Criswell (College of Arts & Sciences), Wayne County 

• Isabella Dunn (College of Arts & Sciences, Lewis Honors College), Magoffin County

• Tessa Goble (College of Arts & Sciences, Lewis Honors College), Carter County

• Haley Griebel (College of Arts & Sciences, Lewis Honors College), Laurel County

• Tyler Guffey (Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Lewis Honors College), Clinton County

• Kennedy Lamb (College of Health Sciences, Lewis Honors College), Laurel County

• Ashton Long (College of Arts & Sciences, Lewis Honors College), Magoffin County

• Maddi Mastin (College of Arts & Sciences, Lewis Honors College), Laurel County

• Dalton Pennington (Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Lewis Honors College), Johnson County

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R25CA221765. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.