2025 UNITE Research Showcase

The 2025 UNITE Research Showcase took place on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Gatton Student Center. The UNITE Research Priority Area brings together groups of investigators, trainees, colleges, and research groups with a focus on research. Since its inception, UNITE has centered its efforts on promoting impactful research. Through the support of the University of Kentucky Research Foundation, the RPA hosts a dynamic research showcase to elevate research vital to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The 2025 UNITE Research Showcase included keynote addresses from national leaders in their fields, conducted breakout sessions presented by local researchers and community partners, and highlighted the impactful work of our faculty and students through a poster session.

VIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Keynote Speakers

Irma Sarett Rosenstein Lecture John Quiñones ABC News Veteran

Creator & Host, What Would You Do?

John Quiñones is an ABC News Veteran and the Creator & Host of What Would You Do? His odds-defying journey from migrant farm work and poverty led him to more than 30 years at ABC News, the anchor desk at 20/20 and Primetime and 7 national Emmy awards for his reporting over the years. As host and creator of What Would You Do?, the highly-rated, hidden camera ethical dilemma news magazine now on its 17th season, Quiñones has become “the face of doing the right thing” to millions of fans.

Sponsored by: University of Kentucky College of Social Work

Afternoon Keynote Address Maia Hightower, MD, MPH, MBA Former Executive VP and CDTO, University of Chicago Medicine

CEO and co-Founder, Equality AI

Dr. Maia Hightower is an expert and nationally sought speaker, the former Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Technology Officer (CDTO) of the University of Chicago Medicine, and the CEO and co-Founder of Equality AI. She is a champion for responsible AI, ensuring that the digital future of healthcare empowers digitally enabled care teams to achieve health goals through the development of algorithms that address bias, fairness, and performance.

Education Breakout Session Chezare A. Warren, PhD Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University

Dr. Chezare A. Warren is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Warren presented the TED Talk, "The difference between false empathy and true support" and is author of the award-winning Urban Preparation: Young Black Men Moving from Chicago’s South Side to Success in Higher Education and Centering Possibility in Black Education. He has published in top peer-reviewed journals including Educational Researcher and Journal of Teacher Education, and is a widely sought after teacher, clinician, and speaker.

Sponsored by: University of Kentucky College of Education

Breakout Sessions

10:00 - 11:15 am | Senate Chamber

10:00 - 11:15 am | Room 330AB

11:30 am - 12:45 pm | Senate Chamber

11:30 am - 12:45 pm | Room 330AB

UNITE Listens

2:00 - 2:45 PM | Ballroom AB

UNITE offered an opportunity to learn about ongoing research projects and engage in collaborative conversations between researchers and the following community organizations:

Building a United Interfaith Lexington through Direct Action (BUILD)
Operation Making A Change (OMAC)
Project Ricochet
SisterSong
Step by Step Lexington

Poster Session

University of Kentucky faculty, trainees, and students presented posters under topics including Arts and Humanities, Economics and Law, Education, and Health Disparities.

Prizes were awarded in the undergraduate and postdoctoral/graduate categories.

AWARDEES

UNDERGRADUATE COMPETITION

1st Place - Marissa Zeccola

2nd Place (tie) - Jessie Bryant and Clarissa Payton

POSTDOCTORAL/GRADUATE COMPETITION

1st Place - Hannah Cardona

2nd Place - Maame Abena Afrifa

3rd Place - Felipe Gonzalez Seguel

Acknowledgments

The UNITE Research Priority Area is profoundly grateful for the generous contributions of the following colleges and centers at the University of Kentucky:

College of Social Work
College of Education