UK Biology

My name is Harsh Patel, and I'm from Lawrenceburg, KY. I am majoring in biology and neuroscience on a pre-medical track. In my free time, I enjoy working out, hanging out with friends, and playing video games!

~ Class of 2030: you should hear from your Lewis Launch Leader by the end of June! If not, please reach out to [email protected].

Hi, my name is Emalie Tackett! I am a dual major in biology and neuroscience on the pre-medical track from Pikeville, Kentucky. I joined the Lewis Honors College (LHC) my sophomore year after transferring from Asbury University. I’m passionate about supporting others, helping students get involved on campus, and making the most of the opportunities offered through the LHC. I love encouraging other students and helping them find their place at the University of Kentucky!

~ Class of 2030: you should hear from your Lewis Launch Leader by the end of June! If not, please reach out to [email protected].

⭐ 2026 CURE Fellow Spotlight

MEET TOBY MORRIS

Toby is a biology, neuroscience and Lewis Honors sophomore. As one of 11 UK undergraduates selected for the 2026 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship, Toby will be spending the summer conducting research under Salvatore Cherra in the College of Medicine's Department of Neuroscience.

Project Title: "Defining Non-Neuronal Regulation of Synapse Formation: Intercellular Control of MAPK Signaling"

Supported by the Neuroscience Research Priority Area

UK College of Medicine UK College of Arts and Sciences Lewis Honors College

⭐ 2026 CURE Fellow Spotlight

MEET BRAYDEN WARREN

Brayden is a biology and Lewis Honors sophomore. As one of 11 UK undergraduates selected for the 2026 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship, Brayden will be spending the summer conducting research under Bjoern Bauer in the College of Pharmacy's Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Project Title: "The Role of Cysteinyl-Leukotrienes in Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Epilepsy"

Supported by the Neuroscience Research Priority Area

Lewis Honors College

👏👏👏

♻️ 2026 Sustainability Summer Research Fellow Spotlight

MEET SOPHIA BOWDEN

Sophia is a Junior in Biology. As one of six UK undergraduates selected for the 2026 Sustainability Summer Research Fellowship, Sophia will be spending the summer conducting research under Robbie Burger in the College of Arts & Sciences' Department of Biology.

Project Title: "Scaling Mammalian Organ Sizes and their Connection to Functional Roles in Ecology"

👏🎉

⭐ 2026 CURE Fellow Spotlight

MEET SUSMA SAH

Susma is a biology and neuroscience sophomore. As one of 11 UK undergraduates selected for the 2026 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship, Susma will be spending the summer conducting research under Kenneth Campbell in the College of Medicine's Department of Physiology.

Project Title: "Patients With Diastolic Dysfunction Exhibit Increased Myocardial Collagen Content"

Supported by the Cardiovascular Health Research Priority Area

UK College of Medicine UK College of Arts and Sciences

🎉👏

⭐ 2026 CURE Fellow Spotlight

MEET ANTHONY HANA

Anthony is a biology and Lewis Honors sophomore. As one of 11 UK undergraduates selected for the 2026 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship, Anthony will be spending the summer conducting research under Robin Cooper in the College of Arts & Sciences' Department of Biology.

Project Title: "Pharmacologically classifying the Drosophila dORK1 K+ channel: A K2P channel subtype"

Supported by the Neuroscience Research Priority Area

UK College of Arts and Sciences Lewis Honors College

👏🎉

Sofia Gomez Gallo, a double major in neuroscience and biology with a minor in pharmacology from Bogotá, Colombia, found a strong sense of community through the Lewis Honors College (LHC). She joined the LHC hoping to find like-minded people, and says it became a place where she made some of her best friends and found people who consistently supported her throughout college.

For her Honors thesis, Sofia focused on the research project she had been working on in her lab. After spending so much time dedicated to the project, she was excited to finally put her work into writing. Although the process was long and stressful at times, she says it helped her gain confidence and confirmed how much she truly loves research.

Sofia fulfilled her experiential education credits through research at UK, further strengthening her passion for science and medicine. She also credits the LHC with helping her think more deeply and improve her critical thinking skills through interesting Honors courses that made core requirements feel more meaningful and engaging.

One of the highlights of Sofia’s experience in the LHC was the sense of community. She says the friendships and support system she found at the college had a lasting impact on her experience, and she especially valued being part of a community where people always showed up for one another. She also loved being a Lewis Launch Leader and wishes she had gotten involved even earlier in her time at UK.

After graduation, Sofia plans to continue working in a research lab before applying to medical school!

Her advice to future LHC students is to fully enjoy their time in the LHC and take advantage of opportunities to get involved early, because those experiences often become some of the most rewarding parts of college.


Written by Addie Blais