Gatton Foundation Professorships announced, supporting innovative research in advancing Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 26, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) recognizes faculty members with the Gatton Foundation Professorship, funded through The Bill Gatton Foundation’s historic $100 million gift. 

Through the generosity of The Bill Gatton Foundation, these awards provide faculty with resources to pursue innovative research, extension and instructional programs — addressing contemporary challenges related to agriculture and communities.

Gatton Foundation professorships are awarded to tenured professors, associate professors or current/recruited faculty. Martin-Gatton CAFE faculty recipients must have demonstrated a successful record in research, extension instruction and/or service, including an emphasis on transdisciplinary efforts.

“We are very thankful for the generosity of The Bill Gatton Foundation, helping our most talented early-career and prominent researchers be successful,” said Nancy Cox, vice president of land-grant engagement and dean of Martin-Gatton CAFE. "The Gatton Foundation Endowed Professorships make this continuing impactful research possible, so it can advance Kentucky and improve people's lives."

The following Martin-Gatton CAFE faculty have been recognized as Gatton Foundation Distinguished Professors, along with their applicable research proposals:

• Reddy Palli, chair of the Department of Entomology, is focusing on developing extension materials, undergraduate and online graduate courses, and activities to promote One Health. Furthermore, he is developing study abroad opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in tropical and densely populated countries.

• Clare Rittschof, associate professor in the Department of Entomology, is focusing on evaluating climate change impacts on bees, a vulnerable group of critical pollinators, including population dynamics in degraded environments, bee-plant co-dependency and neuroscience in changing environments.

• Carlos Rodriguez Lopez, associate professor in the Department of Horticulture, is focusing on biomarkers to assess and predict the outcomes of biologically normal or pathological process, including the creation of the Cross-Campus Centre on Epigenetic Biomarkers (C3EB) and development of undergraduate research experiences focused on biomarkers.

• Michael Sama, associate professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, is focusing on transdisciplinary undergraduate experiences in digital agriculture, targeting mentorship in course selection and professional development opportunities. In addition, implementing summer research experiences on drone-based remote sensing for high-throughput phenotyping to optimize crop productivity.

• Youling Xiong, professor in the Department of Animal and Food Science, will develop innovative structure modification technologies to modulate the conformation and surface properties of plant proteins to improve health, nutrition and flavor.

The following Martin-Gatton CAFE faculty are now recognized as Gatton Foundation Early-Career Professors, along with their applicable research proposals:

• Liz Combs, senior lecturer in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, is focusing on the effect of undergraduate students’ education abroad experiences on mental health, emotional and physical well-being and workforce readiness.

• Zachary DeVries, assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, is exploring novel pest control strategies for German cockroaches and bed bugs as a means of mitigating pest-associated human health risks, along with the development of extension training materials for pest control technicians.

• David Gonthier, assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, is focusing on the development of a Transdisciplinary Food Systems Research Center and Food Systems Graduate Certificate.

• Lou Hirsch, assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, is developing faculty pedagogy training program that combines evidence-based pedagogical innovations with the land-grant transdisciplinary philosophy. In addition, develop a suite of outreach educational activities for middle and high school students with a focus on workforce development and careers within the agricultural sector.

• Shuoli Zhao, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, is investigating the effectiveness of food assistance programs and consumer preferences towards sustainable and healthy food options; study decision-making mechanisms underlying scarcity, risk and uncertainty, habit formation and discrimination to promote healthy food consumption in K-12; promote innovations in local food systems to support local communities; and improve curricular offerings to undergraduate and graduate students in data analytics.

Those interested in supporting the Martin-Gatton CAFE in its mission to improve lives and build a sustainable future can learn more at https://alumni.ca.uky.edu/philanthropy, or by contacting the philanthropy office at CAFEphilanthropy@uky.edu or 859-257-7200.