UK Markey Cancer Center oncologist Susanne Arnold shows a lung scan to a patient. Photo by Shaun Ring.

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center announced today that it has earned a National Cancer Institute “Comprehensive” Cancer Center designation, the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI.

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Our Mission University of Kentucky Research

The University of Kentucky supports and empowers innovative research in all forms practiced across our diverse campus, varied disciplines and more than 70 centers and institutes. UK faculty, staff and student researchers create, discover and apply new knowledge, and explore the most complex problems facing Kentucky, the nation and the world. Our collaborative, cross-disciplinary research environment provides a rich training ground for the next generation of thinkers, creators and leaders. Research and development at UK has a direct economic impact on Kentucky. The $476.5 million UK spent on R&D in FY21 generated $873 million in economic activity across Kentucky. As a result, 4,636 jobs were supported throughout the state of Kentucky, with 2,227 (48%) of those jobs directly supported by research initiatives.

By the Numbers

$479.3 million

in external grants and contracts awarded in FY23

$252.6 million

federal agency awards in FY23

1 of 29 U.S. universities

with the trifecta of research designations in cancer, aging & translational science

182 patent applications

filed in FY 2023

$476.5 million

spent to carry out research & development in FY21

4,636 jobs

supported by FY21 research & development

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