11 students awarded CURE Fellowships
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14, 2026) —The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) has announced the 11 students selected for the 2026 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship program.
Sponsored by OUR and the Office of the Vice President for Research, the CURE Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to engage in impactful, faculty-mentored research within four of UK’s eight Research Priority Areas (RPAs): cancer, cardiovascular health, neuroscience and substance use disorder.
“Participating in the CURE Fellowship program will allow for further development of my research-related knowledge and skill sets to adequately prepare myself for conducting independent research in graduate school,” said Christine Rivet, a junior psychology major. Rivet is working with mentor Martha Tillson, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UK College of Medicine. “I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in school psychology, and learning the processes necessary to carry out research that will be useful throughout the continuum of my education and research career.”
Each CURE Fellow receives a $5,000 stipend to support their research during the Summer 2026 term. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor affiliated with one of the RPAs, fellows will pursue individual research projects and take part in a collaborative cohort experience. The fellowship culminates in the Summer Research Symposium, where students will present their findings to the campus community Aug. 25.
The CURE Fellowship program reflects UK’s ongoing commitment to fostering undergraduate research and cultivating the next generation of scholars and community leaders.
2026 CURE Fellowship recipients:
Cancer Research Priority Area
- Marlee Harris, biology and Lewis Honors College sophomore; mentor: Eunus Ali, College of Medicine
- Mariam Yaacoub, agricultural and medical biotechnology junior; mentor: Jessica Blackburn, College of Medicine
Cardiovascular Health Research Priority Area
- Jasmine Juarez, nursing and Lewis Honors College sophomore; mentor: Martha Biddle, College of Nursing
- Susma Sah, biochemistry and neuroscience sophomore; mentor: Kenneth Campbell, College of Medicine
Neuroscience Research Priority Area
- Anthony Hana, biology and Lewis Honors College sophomore; mentor: Robin Cooper, College of Arts and Sciences
- Toby Morris, biology, neuroscience and Lewis Honors College sophomore; mentor: Salvatore Cherra, College of Medicine
- Brayden Warren, biology and Lewis Honors College sophomore; mentor: Bjoern Baur, College of Pharmacy
Substance Use Priority Research Area
- Joseph Estelita III, psychology, finance and Lewis Honors College sophomore; mentor: Peggy Keller, College of Arts and Sciences
- Kayla Lathouris, neuroscience junior; mentor: Christal Badour, College of Arts and Sciences
- Christine Rivet, psychology junior; mentor: Martha Tillson, College of Medicine
- Kailen Lucas Teodorescu, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology and Lewis Honors junior; mentor: Peggy Keller, College of Arts and Sciences
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 healthcare. 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 $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.