UK to Host Infectious Disease Research Day 2026 March 19
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2026) — CURE-KY, a consortium dedicated to expanding the impact of infectious disease research across Kentucky, will host its annual Infectious Disease Research Day March 19, bringing together scientists from across the university to share breakthroughs that directly protect the health and economy of the Commonwealth.
The event, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gatton Student Center, highlights a multidisciplinary effort to address critical issues ranging from the state’s equine industry to the rising threat of multidrug-resistant pathogens.
“By sharing ideas across colleges and disciplines, ID Day helps accelerate discoveries that can directly improve infectious disease prevention, diagnostics and treatment,” said Ilhem Messaoudi, Ph.D., acting vice president for research, professor and chair in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics in the College of Medicine.
After registration, breakfast and Messaoudi’s opening remarks, researchers will present three key areas of impact for the Commonwealth.
Infection during pregnancy
This early morning session will begin with a keynote by Tom Stout, Ph.D., the Albert G. Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at UK’s Gluck Equine Research Center in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Stout will focus on how maternal aging affects early embryonic development in horses — research vital to the state’s multibillion dollar equine industry. His talk will be followed by Jonathan Pasternak, Ph.D., who will present on fetal porcine respiratory virus infection and Samantha Zambuto, Ph.D., who will discuss novel engineering tools to study reproductive biology.
Pathogen surveillance
To stay ahead of outbreaks, UK researchers are advancing how the state monitors pathogens. Rebecca Wilkes, D.V.M., Ph.D., the director of the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the Martin-Gatton CAFE, will present the late morning keynote on new testing panels for enhanced disease surveillance. Takaaki Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D., and Ishanu Chattopadhyay, Ph.D., will follow Wilkes with presentations, respectively, on surveillance strategies for multidrug-resistant pathogens and on how AI can help us predict zoonotic diseases.
Interventions and treatments
Vince Venditto, Ph.D., an associate professor in the UK College of Pharmacy will anchor the afternoon session, presenting a keynote on a new platform for efficient vaccine development. His presentation will be followed by Patrick M. Grace, M.D., who will discuss innovative interventions to eradicate hepatitis C from the Commonwealth, and Siva K. Gandhapudi, Ph.D., who will share his research findings on enhancing vaccine efficacy.
After lunch, there will be a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) showcase for six trainees who will be recognized as winners of this year’s 3MT. The event will conclude with a business meeting for CURE-KY and closing remarks by Messaoudi.
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.