Ann L. Coker: 2026-27 University Research Professor Q&A

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 18, 2026) — Ann Coker, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Medicine and acting executive director of the Center for Research on Violence Prevention in the UK College of Public Health, has been honored as a 2026-27 University Research Professor.

Coker received her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health where she trained in cancer epidemiology under Barbara Hulka, M.D. Together, they received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to fund dissertation work on human papillomavirus and cervical neoplasia (1987), and Coker’s path toward a federally funded research career began.

At the Center for Research on Violence Prevention, Coker began research on violence prevention using an engaged-bystander program, Green Dot. This Kentucky-wide violence prevention program was successful in reducing sexual violence victimization and perpetration.

Most recently with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with Ginny Sprang, Ph.D., she has addressed child sex trafficking. Coker has co-led the NIH BIRCWH (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health) program at UK since 2000.

On sabbatical in 2016, Coker explored violence prevention research and practice at the federal level at the CDC National Injury Prevention Research Center and at the international level at the World Health Organization.

She spoke with UKNow about her latest honor as a University Research Professor in this Q&A.

UKNow: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a University Research Professor?

Coker: I am honored that my UK colleagues see the value of the work our research team has been doing to improve the health and wellness of women and girls who have experienced sexual or partner violence. Most importantly, our team works to prevent violence. Thus, much of our work is developing, testing, and, if the training is found to be effective, disseminating this prevention training widely.

UKNow: How will the professorships program advance your research?

Coker: For many years, violence was not recognized as having health consequences. Only with the advocacy and funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did research on violence intervention and prevention gain acceptance, and, more recently, become an essential task for public health researchers and practitioners.

UKNow: What inspired your focus on this area of research?

Coker: In 1982, I worked at the Houston Area Women’s Center. The experience of working with women who were seeking safety and security for themselves and their children was stunning. By stunning, I mean the impact of violence on the physical, sexual, psychological and emotional levels for mothers, children and, often, for the partner using violence.

This work opportunity and my new M.P.H. degree helped me to understand that violence is not inevitable. Much of my career has focused on documenting the health effects of violence. Since coming to UK, my research team has worked diligently to find or create approaches to violence prevention and test the effectiveness of these programmatic strategies.

UKNow: What continues to motivate your work?

Coker: This one is easy. Public health is essential to our collective well-being. More funding for public health research and practice results in a safer and healthier world.

UKNow: How does your research impact Kentucky?

Coker: Kentucky is my home. My job is to improve our health and wellness. My training and practice in violence prevention helps me to give back to Kentucky. I get to help train our next generation of women’s health professionals and violence prevention researchers.

About the University Research Professors

Each year, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approves a cohort of faculty as University Research Professors. The distinction recognizes excellence in work that addresses scientific, social, cultural and economic challenges in Kentucky and the world.

College leadership developed criteria for excellence within their area of expertise and then nominated faculty who excelled at these criteria. Each University Research Professor receives a one-year award of $10,000.