ACADEMIC RESOURCES
Research at the University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is the major graduate and research institution
of the Commonwealth, and the major land-grant university in the state.
As such, it offers substantial programs in both basic and applied research.
These research efforts are the life blood of graduate education programs
that prepare new researchers who will continue to expand the boundaries
of human knowledge and to seek answers to pressing problems of our complex
society. Applied research programs in areas such as agricultural sciences,
arts and sciences, business and economics, engineering sciences, mathematical
sciences and physics, medicine, and mining and minerals serve the Commonwealth
and the nation by addressing critical issues influencing the quality of
life and economic well-being of our citizenry.
University faculty and research staff have expertise in many areas especially
in the basic biological, medical, physical, and social sciences; the creative
arts and the humanities; and engineering. These individuals conduct research
that ranges from the investigation of philosophical and ethical dilemmas
raised by advances in science and technology to the practical application
of basic knowledge in agriculture, energy, rehabilitation, and information
retrieval, as well as in the economic development of the Appalachian region.
A significant aspect of research conducted at the University is the
concern for its practical application for the betterment of society. Many
of the techniques developed and ideas conceived in the laboratory and in
advanced study evolve into technological developments of major significance.
Most research programs at the University are supported through federal,
state and private sources. Application for such support and the fiscal
administration of the monies received are overseen by the Office of Sponsored
Projects Administration (OSPA). Programmatic organization and administration
of research is provided by the various research institutes and multi-disciplinary
centers and, in the case of individual faculty projects, by the regular
departmental, school, and college structures.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Postdoctoral fellowships are available in many research programs. Information
concerning the terms of the fellowships is available in the department.
Postdoctoral fellows are required to register with the Graduate School
through their departments.
Research and Teaching Assistantships
Most departments have support for teaching and research assistants. The
stipends vary by department. Information concerning assistantships may
be obtained from the various departments.
Graduate and Professional Student
Association
The Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) was formed in
the spring of 1969 to provide a permanent channel for communication between
the administration and the graduate and professional students.
Teaching and Learning Center
The University of Kentucky has several dynamic professional development
programs for graduate students seeking academic careers. The Teaching and
Learning Center assists faculty and graduate students in enhancing their
teaching and other professional skills through a variety of innovative
program offerings, as well as individual consultations and technological
assistance.
The national Preparing Future Faculty program is a career development
program targeted to graduate students planning to enter the professoriate.
UK is one of 10 research universities in the nation to receive three or
more awards for its PFF programs.
Visiting Scholars and Advanced Study
When appropriate resources are available, the appropriate Chancellor or
the Vice President for Research, upon the recommendation
of the Dean of the Graduate School and the department affected, welcomes
visiting scholars as guests of the University, and grants the privilege
of auditing seminars and research courses and of conducting research. Normally
there will be no charge except for laboratory expenses. Negotiations for
such arrangements should be made in advance through the Office of the Dean
of the Graduate School.
University of Kentucky Libraries
University of Kentucky Libraries, a member of the Association of Research
Libraries, is a system that includes a main library, 13 branch and associate
libraries and two information centers. With a book endowment of $24 million
and growing, the UK Libraries rank 14th among all U.S. public and private
institutions. UK's collection consists of more than 2.7 million books,
more than 28,000 periodicals, five million microfiche, and 1.1 million
government publications.
The central library is the William T. Young Library, a state-of-the-art
facility that opened in April 1998. It houses the social sciences, humanities,
and life sciences collections. With over 361,000 square feet of space,
the William T. Young Library seats 4,000 patrons, houses 1.2 million volumes,
and is open 24 hours a day during the fall and spring semesters. It has
one of the most advanced internal networking systems of any library in
the world; there are approximately 3,600 network ports and 600 personal
computers available for patrons and staff, all interconnected by a high-speed
ATM network. Seventy laptop computers are available for student use in
the library, as well as a large student computing lab, an audiovisual lab,
and distance-learning facilities. The library provides 57 group study and
conference rooms, many equipped with multimedia network capabilities, for
use by students, faculty and staff.
Computing Services
The University of Kentucky Computing Center provides state-of-the-art computing
services to all faculty, students, and staff as well as to members of the
National Computational Science Alliance, a cooperative partnership of academic,
government, and industry researchers engaged in developing and deploying
cutting-edge high performance computing technologies. One of the major
efforts of the Alliance involves the creation of the Access Grid, a collection
of high performance and high throughput resources and services that will
support both formal and informal intergroup communication and interaction
between Alliance users. UK is one of the initial sites on the national
Access Grid.
The principle large-scale scientific computational facility at UK includes
an HP 9000/K460 Technical Server and a cluster of twelve HP N-4000 servers
interconnected by a high speed, low latency "hyperfabric" network. Each
of the twelve NCX nodes in the cluster has eight PA-8500 processors (running
at 440 MHz), 8 gigabytes of main memory, and 108 gigabytes of disk space
(plus an additional 72 gigabytes of user disk space on the "login node")
giving a total of 96 gigabytes of main memory and over 1.3 terabytes of
disk space for the entire cluster. The NCX cluster is rated at 169 GFLOPs.
Following benchmarking of the NCX cluster, University of Kentucky has
been ranked 10th out of 17 high performance academic computing centers
in the US, and 200th out of the top 500 supercomputer sites world-wide.
The University of Kentucky is a founding member of Internet2, the national
research network currently under development and has installed a 45 Mb/s
Internet2 connection, which provides access to major research universities
and a number of government and private laboratories around the world.
Current projects by UK researchers utilizing the NCX cluster include
computational chemistry, computational fluid dynamics, ocean modeling,
particle physics, protein structure, and as well as projects in agricultural
science, astrophysics, engineering, mathematics, pharmacy, and, nanotechnology.
Multidisciplinary Graduate Programs
Graduate Center for Biomedical Engineering
The Graduate Center for Biomedical Engineering provides multidisciplinary
programs of education, research, and service in the application of engineering
principles to the areas of medicine and biology. The Center brings together
engineers, life scientists, and physicians to conduct original research
on a variety of medical-related problems. Areas of research include cardiopulmonary
mechanics and controls, neuromuscular function, musculoskeletal mechanics,
rehabilitation engineering, computational neuroscience, motor control,
orthopedic biomaterials, orthopedic biomechanics and electromagnetic tissue
stimulation. Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Biomedical
Engineering are offered. The Center is located in the Wenner-Gren Research
Laboratory that provides the framework for multidisciplinary research.
Faculty and staff of the Center collaborate with investigators from other
units of the University including the Departments of Physiology, Anatomy
and Neurobiology, Cardiology, Medicine, Surgery, Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Kinesiology and Health
Promotion, as well as the Departments of Agricultural, Chemical and Materials,
Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, the College of Pharmacy, and the
Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems. Center faculty and staff
provide opportunities and support for graduate students, medical residents,
and selected undergraduates. Graduates of the program enter careers in
research institutes, academia, hospitals and industry.
The Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce
The Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce offers an
interdisciplinary master's degree which can be tailored to meet the career
needs of individual students. The program is especially useful for students
desiring careers in any of the non-academic fields in foreign affairs such
as international banking, commerce and journalism, or service with governmental
agencies or international organizations in foreign affairs. To assure the
interdisciplinary character of the degree, students may concentrate their
work in a specific geographical area or focus on certain aspects of international
affairs.
In addition, the Patterson School serves in an advisory capacity to
Ph.D. programs in departments offering internationally-oriented doctoral
degrees in various colleges on campus.
Graduate Program in Gerontology
The Ph.D. program in Gerontology provides opportunity for advanced multidisciplinary
study of aging and the aged with particular emphasis on issues of health
and well-being. This doctoral program is the recipient of a multi-year
NIH training grant (1998-2003), coordinated through the Sanders-Brown Center
on Aging, a Commonwealth Center of Excellence. The Center is a nationally
designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, a Center of Excellence
in Stroke, and the site of a Geriatric Education Center. The graduate faculty
includes representation from Anatomy and Neurobiology, Anthropology, Behavioral
Science, Civil Engineering, Dentistry, Family Studies, Geography, Internal
Medicine, Management, Neurology, Nursing, Nutrition and Food Science, Philosophy,
Physiology, Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, Psychology, Social
Work, and Sociology. Areas of particular expertise and emphasis include
rural aging, long-term care, cognitive and sensory change, public policy,
ethical issues, and the etiology and treatment of Alzheimer's disease,
stroke, and other diseases prevalent among the elderly. Center facilities
include 34 biomedical research laboratories, a library, conference rooms,
and research and office space. Affiliated facilities for training and research
include the University of Kentucky Hospital, Christian Health Center(a
University-affiliated nursing home), The Breckinridge (an Alzheimer's assisted
living facility), the Center for Rural Health, the Helping Hand Alzheimer's
Day Care Program, University of Kentucky Geriatric Support Services, Cardinal
Hill Hospital, Northeast Area Health Education Center, and the Veteran's
Affairs Medical Center.
Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences
The M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Nutritional Sciences provide opportunity
for advanced multidisciplinary study in Nutritional Sciences. Educational
opportunities exist in agricultural, biological, clinical, community, medical,
social, biochemical, and molecular nutritional sciences. The graduate faculty
consists of a core faculty and more than 30 jointly-appointed faculty members
representing various academic units of the University including Agronomy,
Animal Sciences, Anthropology, Behavioral Science, Biochemistry, Clinical
Sciences, Horticulture, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Nutrition and Food
Science, Oral Health Science, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Toxicology. Faculty
have modern research laboratory facilities for conducting cell culture,
human, and animal studies using state of the art equipment. These include
trace mineral, vitamin, lipid, amino acid, enzyme, hormone, cytokine, stable
and radioactive isotope, microcirculatory, and energy assessment analyses.
Clinical facilities for training and research include the University of
Kentucky Hospital, the Veteran's Administration Hospital, Sanders-Brown
Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Medical Center Outpatient Clinics,
and the Markey Cancer Center. Opportunities for community-based research
exist locally, throughout the state, and in international settings.
Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
The Martin School offers three multidisciplinary degree programs—the Master
of Public Administration, the Master of Health Administration, and the
Ph.D. in Public Administration—and engages in research and public service
activities. The disciplines represented by the School's faculty are management,
finance, economics, industrial engineering, political science, and health
administration. The research and public service components of the Martin
School offer the School's faculty, staff, and graduate students the opportunity
to engage in interdisciplinary research on public policy issues.
Graduate Center for Toxicology
The Graduate Center for Toxicology (GCT) educates scientists at the M.S.,
Ph.D. and postdoctoral levels to deal with toxic substances and their effects
on humans and the environment. The GCT has a core faculty based in the
Health Sciences Research Building and an interdisciplinary faculty of about
fifty jointly-appointed faculty members, all of whom are active in teaching
and research in toxicology, drawn from the major departments and colleges
on campus. The GCT has over 100 graduates among whom are numerous faculty
members and government and corporate toxicologists.
Student support comes from Graduate School fellowships, minority fellowships,
special fellowships, research assistantships, and NIEHS pre- and postdoctoral
fellowships for Research Training in Environmental Toxicology.
Areas of research strength include environmental toxicology, immunotoxicology,
molecular mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis, molecular biology, toxicology,
and neurotoxicology. Students in the GCT are organized through the Toxicology
Student Forum, which is represented on all GCT committees and functions
as the students' voice and representative during their time at the University
of Kentucky.
Research Centers, Institutes and Support Units
Appalachian Center
The Appalachian Center coordinates and supports research, instruction,
extended service, and archival activities relating to the Appalachian region,
and administers interdisciplinary research programs such as the Common Knowledge Network and the Rockefeller Humanities Fellowship project. The Center offers graduate assistantships and provides
assistance and a focal point for graduate students from a range of disciplines
who are interested in the study of Appalachia.
Students interested in graduate study with an emphasis in the Appalachian region
may contact the director of the Center.
Center for Business and Economic Research
The Center for Business and Economic Research provides a focal point for research
in the Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics. It provides information
and staff support for research projects, assists faculty in efforts to secure
external funding for research, and coordinates multidisciplinary team approaches
to research. The Center also monitors and analyzes the economy of Kentucky and
provides quarterly economic forecasts for the state.
Center for Computational Sciences
The Center for Computational Sciences is a center for research and education with
primary emphasis on developing and using computer models to analyze chemical,
physical, and biological systems. Faculty from Mathematics, Computer Science,
Statistics, Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and other departments use
a multidisciplinary approach to study such systems, utilizing the full range of
computational resources—micro, mini, mainframe, and supercomputers. This includes
algorithm development and evaluation for vector and parallel, as well as for scalar
machines. Courses in applied mathematics, numerical analysis, and computer modeling
are available for students interested in this approach to analyzing and understanding
these systems.
Center for Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
The Center for Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (CPST) is a fully integrated
analytical and formulation development and FDA-registered pharmaceutical manufacturing
facility utilizing current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). The CPST has the capacity
to develop and manufacture solid, semi-solid (topical) and aseptic injectable formulations,
and has completed well over 200 projects/grants with academic institutions, biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies as well as with the NIH. These partnerships involved the analytical
and formulation development and cGMP manufacture of existing drugs and novel chemical entities.
The Center's missions are to enrich the education of the University's students through
specialized educational and training programs related to pharmaceutical technologies, to
provide expertise to students and faculty involved in translational research requiring the
manufacture of pharmaceutical products, to support the extensive infrastructure required to
manufacture drug products for clinical trials and to enhance economic development in the
Commonwealth.
Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems
The Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems is dedicated to the advancement
of manufacturing through education, research, and technology transfer.
The Center supports active programs in the areas of manufacturing processes,
engineered materials and processes, automation systems, and integrated
manufacturing systems.
State-of-the-art laboratories are utilized by faculty, staff and students
to develop processes for new materials, modeling and simulation, and automation
and systems integration. Major areas of research include aspects of metal
cutting such as control of machining chatter, methods and theory of chip
formation and control, finite element modeling of the machining process,
and metrology. The monitoring and control of machine systems also is an
important area. Current research also encompasses activities on methodologies
for modeling, sensing, and control. Intelligent systems, communication
networks particularly adapted to manufacturing systems, and improved distributed
computer architectures are being studied. In addition, non-traditional
processes such as painting technology, stereolithography, electrodischarge
compaction of powdered metal, and injection molding are addressed.
Technology transfer activities help manufacturing companies keep pace with
increasing globalization. Specialized areas of assistance offered by the CRMS
engineering and technical staff include computer-aided technologies, electronic
assembly, product/process optimization, and rapid prototyping. Technology advancements
are disseminated to manufacturers by presentations, seminars, workshops, demonstrations
and exhibitions, as well as through one-on-one industrial extension activities.
Center of Membrane Sciences
The Center of Membrane Sciences affords a unique approach to promote multidisciplinary research and education in both
natural biological membranes and artificial synthetic membranes. UK faculty from the Departments of Animal Sciences,
Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science,
Pharmacy, Physiology and Biophysics, and Psychology are active in the programs of the Center. This collaboration between
experts in biological membranes with experts in synthetic membranes constitutes the major strength of the Center and it puts
the University and the Commonwealth at the forefront of this vital area of science and technology. No other such Center of
Membrane Sciences exists in the United States. The sciences of membranes encompasses broad areas: a) the structure and
chemistry of biological membranes and their constituents, transport processes, and information transfer (transmembrane
signaling) in living systems; b) the synthesis, structure, and chemistry of synthetic membranes; separation of solutes ranging in
size from smaller molecules and ions to large proteins by reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration with biotechnology and
pharmaceutical applications; separation of gaseous mixtures by synthetic membranes; c) separation of organic and
biomolecules by synthetic membranes containing chemical and biofunctional groups; d) membrane-based catalysis, analysis,
and separation combining molecular biology with chemistry and chemical engineering to produce new fundamental and
applied studies of biofunctional membranes. Opportunities are available for graduate students in each of the above-listed
disciplines as well as in agriculture, allied health, dentistry, medicine, and other areas.
Gluck Equine Research Center
The Gluck Equine Research Center is part of the Department of Veterinary Science.
Research in the Center is supported, in part, by an endowment established by the
University of Kentucky Equine Research Foundation. The Center provides state-of-the-art
facilities and equipment for the study of a wide variety of diseases of the horse.
Research in the areas of infectious diseases, reproductive physiology, parasitology,
pharmacology, immunogenetics, growth and development, pathology, blood typing,
and toxicology and experimental therapeutics are conducted within the 69,505 square
foot building located in front of Commonwealth Stadium.
The Gluck Center offers postgraduate and postdoctoral training in a variety
of disciplines. The Center is well-positioned in one of the most concentrated
horse breeding areas in the world. Both basic biomedical and problem-oriented
research are included in the Center's program.
Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute
The Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute (IHDI) is a research,
training, service and technical assistance program working at local, state,
regional, national and international levels to improve services to persons
with disabilities and their families. These activities are developed in
cooperation with a broad range of both University of Kentucky units and
public or private organizations and agencies. These cooperative relationships
include education, social services, medicine, allied health, rehabilitation
and other related disciplines. Its activities include life span involvements
with programs ranging from prevention of disabilities to aging and gerontology.
It is a member of the American Association of University Affiliated Programs
(AAUAP).
Kentucky Geological Survey
As the official State geologic research organization, the mission of the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) is to increase knowledge and understanding of the mineral, energy, and water resources, geologic hazards, and geology of Kentucky. Applied and basic research is conducted to address issues related to environmental protection, energy production, planning, and hazard mitigation. KGS is a national leader in geologic mapping and in the conversion of geologic maps for computer applications. Research results, publications, and maps are available on the KGS Web site at . Geologic data (oil and gas well records, coal borehole records, water well records) and a catalog of publications and maps are available in a searchable database on the KGS Web site. Technology-transfer workshops are offered throughout the year on diverse topics (for example, groundwater protection, GPS and GIS technology, digital geologic mapping).
Numerous researchers at KGS serve as adjunct faculty in the Department of Geological Sciences and the Department of Agricultural Engineering, teach courses, and serve on advisory committees of graduate students at UK. Many graduate students are employed in KGS research programs, and graduate students from UK and other universities participate in a summer internship program provided by KGS.
Kentucky Transportation Center
The Kentucky Transportation Center serves as the focal point in the state for interdisciplinary
research in transportation. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has long recognized the important
contributions of transportation to the long-term prosperity and well being of its citizens.
This is demonstrated in the unique relationship between the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and
the University of Kentucky, whereby the Kentucky Transportation Center was created within the
College of Engineering. The Center’s mission is providing research expertise and transferring
technology for improving the state’s transportation system.
The Kentucky Transportation Center plays a key role in this effort by conducting transportation
research; developing solutions to transportation problems; and providing training/technical
assistance to the transportation community throughout Kentucky and the nation. A highly
experienced group of engineers and other professionals provide focused expertise in several
critical areas of transportation such as environmental analysis, geotechnology, intelligent
transportation systems, pavements and materials, structures, traffic and safety, policy and
systems analysis and construction management. The Center staff is enhanced by faculty,
undergraduate and graduate students from disciplines that include civil engineering, business
administration and economics, geography, mechanical engineering and public administration and
policy analysis.
Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute
The Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI) stimulates and supports
water resources research and education by identifying current and emerging water
resources issues for Kentucky and the nation. Faculty at all the universities
and colleges in Kentucky are encouraged to participate in the Institute's programs.
Programs of the Institute include the Environmental System Certificate, which
offers a multi-disciplinary perspective of environmental issues; the Environmental
Protection Scholarship Program, which supports both undergraduate and graduate
students with full scholarships in exchange for employment with the state upon
graduation; and the Federal Facilities Oversight Unit, which assists the state
Cabinet for Health Services with environmental oversight of federal facilities
located in Kentucky. The Water Resources Research Institute supports faculty
members, research staff and graduate students in a broad spectrum of research
topics. The Institute's technology transfer program includes short courses,
seminars and conferences, and the distribution of research results through newsletters,
web sites, and printed research reports.
Markey Cancer Center
The Markey Cancer Center is a multidisciplinary center for research, patient care, education
and community outreach. Research activities are broadly represented through designated program
areas, which include: tumor immunology, cellular and molecular biology, mechanisms of
carcinogenesis, behavioral/psychosocial studies, clinical investigations, developmental
therapeutics and cancer prevention and control. Core research resources available through
the center include: flow cytometry, macromolecular structure, nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy, transgenic mouse construction, the national Cancer Information Service, a
Prevention Research Center and the SEER-linked Kentucky Cancer Registry. These activities,
together with a wide range of individual investigator initiated projects, are supported by a
combination of funding sources, including research grants from the National Cancer Institute,
the American Cancer Society, and other extramural funding agencies. The Center provides pilot
project support for new investigators as well as for interactive/program project grant
initiatives.
Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
The Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is a multidisciplinary center for gerontological
teaching, research, and service, dedicated to improving the quality of life for
older adults. The Center is responsible for coordinating and integrating research,
education and service programs in aging throughout the University of Kentucky.
It administers interdisciplinary research programs, coordinates the offering of
gerontology courses, and assists in the training of graduate students. Over 150
faculty and staff from many areas and disciplines of the University are involved
in programs of the Center (See the Graduate Program
in Gerontology).
Students interested in graduate study with an emphasis in gerontology may work
toward the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology awarded by the Sanders-Brown
Center on Aging. The certificate requires 15 graduate credit hours in an approved,
multidisciplinary curriculum in gerontology and completion of graduate degree
requirements in a major academic discipline. For further information on the
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology contact the Certificate Director, Sanders-Brown
Center on Aging.
Statistics Consulting Laboratories
The Department of Statistics operates two consulting laboratories: the
Statistics Consulting Laboratory for the main campus and the Biostatistics
Consulting Unit for the Medical Center campus. These laboratories provide
advice to faculty and graduate students on proper study designs for projects
involving quantitative data as well as on appropriate strategies for analyzing
the data emanating from such projects. Laboratory services cover the entire
range of applied statistical methodology including biostatistics, epidemiology
and survey sampling. Statistical programming support for projects is also
available on a fee for services rendered basis. The staff occasionally
offers short courses on specialized topics.
Survey Research Center
The Survey Research Center designs, coordinates, and conducts survey research activities for
the University and public agencies and assists faculty and students with survey research
projects. The Center’s services range from research design and questionnaire development
through data analysis and report writing. The Center conducts national, statewide, and local
telephone surveys using a state-of-the-art computer-assisted telephone interview system (CATI),
mail surveys and face-to-face interviews. It conducts the Bi-Annual Kentucky Survey, which
probes the opinions and attitudes of Kentuckians. The Center serves as the Headquarters of the
National Network of State Polls and is an affiliate of the Kentucky State Data Center. Survey
data and data from other Center projects are available for faculty and graduate student
research.
Tobacco and Health Research Institute
This Institute conducts research in two distinct fields, namely the investigation
of animal physiology related to the use of tobacco products, and the application
of biotechnology to develop new crops based on the tobacco plant. In the
animal sciences field, THRI grants support projects that investigate the
action of tobacco smoke constituents on processes in the lung, the action
of nicotine on the central nervous system, and many other mechanisms relating
to the interaction of tobacco products with animal physiology. The Institute
also provides an unique service to tobacco researchers worldwide through
its production of research reference cigarettes, construction of equipment
for smoke-exposure studies, and provision of analytical services. Biotechnology
research aimed at the development of new crops based on tobacco is supported
both through competitive grants and by an in-house program. There is a
strong emphasis on collaborations with research groups in academia and
industry. The in-house group undertakes research into the types of products
best suited to production via crop agriculture, the development of advanced
systems for production of novel substances in the tobacco plant, and the
development of new tobacco plants making novel products such as antibiotics,
insecticides, enzymes etc. This research is designed to facilitate the
eventual development of entirely new crop opportunities for the Kentucky
tobacco grower. The Institute welcomes proposals for research support in
both the animal health and the tobacco biotechnology fields.
Inter-University Affiliations
Southeastern Universities Research Association
The Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) is a consortium
of 41 universities in 13 southeastern states and the District of Columbia
established in 1980 to serve as an entity through which colleges, universities,
and other organizations may cooperate with one another and with government
and other organizations in acquiring, developing, and using laboratories,
machines, and other research facilities and in furthering knowledge in
the physical, biological, and other natural sciences and engineering. The
University of Kentucky is a founding member of SURA. SURA's current research
efforts are focused in nuclear physics, information technology, and materials
science. SURA manages the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
(TJNAF) for the Department of Energy for research in nuclear science. The
SURA/TJNAF Graduate Fellowship Program offers awards to graduate students
at SURA institutions who plan to pursue TJNAF-related research.
Research Program at Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Since 1946, students and faculty of the University of Kentucky have benefited
from its membership in Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), a consortium
of colleges and universities and operating contractor for the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. ORAU works with its member institutions
to help their students and faculty gain access to federal research facilities
throughout the country; to keep its members informed about opportunities for fellowship,
scholarship, and research appointments; and to organize research alliances among
its members. Contact the Office of the Vice President for Research, University
of Kentucky, (859) 257-5294 for more information.
