UK health promotion doctoral student receives 21st Century Student Scholarship
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 7, 2025) — University of Kentucky doctoral student Raphael Adesiyan has been recognized by the Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE) for his commitment to advancing health.
Adesiyan, a health promotion doctoral candidate in the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, is one of two recipients of the 21st Century Student Scholarship. The award provided support for him to attend the society’s annual conference in Long Beach, California, last month.
“I am truly honored to be a recipient of this prestigious SOPHE 21st Century Student Scholarship,” Adesiyan said. “This award embodies the core values that drive my work: a commitment to evidence-based research, a passion for health education and a dedication to empowering youth.”
His research focuses on tobacco and e-cigarette prevention among youth. He has conducted comprehensive literature reviews, presented at esteemed research conferences and developed evaluation tools for innovative media-based prevention campaigns.
Adesiyan uses his research background to make an impact in communities. He is an active member of the UK PREVENT Alliance, helping coordinate events to impact the Kentuckians’ health using a community-engaged, evidence informed approach.
"My mission is to equip youth with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions,” Adesiyan said. “Being part of this initiative is both inspiring and humbling, as it reflects a shared commitment to addressing public health challenges through education and research.”
The Society of Public Health Education’s awards and scholarships recognize significant advancements in the profession of health education and health promotion and outstanding contributions of well-established and rising stars to improving the public’s health.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous milestone in my personal and professional career,” Adesiyan said. “It inspires me to continue striving for excellence in improving the health and well-being of populations through preventive measures and health education.”
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.