Melinda Ickes, Ph.D., acting assistant dean of research at the University of Kentucky College of Education and professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, is one of 16 University Research Professors for 2023-24. The University Research Professorships honor faculty members who have demonstrated excellence that addresses scientific, social, cultural and economic challenges in our region and around the world. 

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

“I am honored to be recognized as making a meaningful contribution and to be included among such accomplished and inspiring individuals,” said Ickes. “I am beyond thankful for the support from UK leadership, my colleagues and mentors, and most importantly, the tremendous teams and community stakeholders I have the privilege to work alongside every day.”

Ickes has a joint appointment in the UK College of Nursing and is a faculty associate of the Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments (BREATHE) research team, serving as co-director of the Tobacco Policy and Research Program and director of Go Tobacco-Free.

Ickes has extensive experience in college and youth health promotion, including tobacco prevention, and has worked with university and community partners to reduce the prevalence of emerging tobacco products among at-risk youth and young adults. To date, Ickes’ #iCANendthetrend youth tobacco prevention program has reached over 16,000 Kentucky youth and has supported statewide policy advocacy efforts to improve funding for prevention and treatment in Kentucky.

Ickes also developed a new community-engaged research lab, PREVENT, to bring together community and university partners interested in engaging and empowering youth and young people to support health across the Commonwealth.