For children with hearing loss or deafness, health interventions often focus on immediate issues related to the ear and language development, sometimes overlooking important psychosocial dynamics such as behavior and parenting patterns. But for University of Kentucky social worker and public health researcher Christina Studts and otolaryngologist Dr. Matt Bush, the critical interplay between children’s hearing loss, children’s behavior, and parenting is at the center of an ongoing collaboration that aims to improve the lives of Kentucky kids and families. 

When Brian Noehren, PT, PhD, FACSM, first began practicing as a physical therapist he had zero intention of pursuing a career in research. “I didn’t think I would step foot back on a college campus except to watch sports,” he quipped. But, after spending 4.5 years as a clinician, he grew dissatisfied with the lack of scientific evidence that supported the methods he used as a practitioner. 

Geetanjali Gera, PhD, PT, Assistant Professor in Physical Therapy, and Peter Meulenbroek, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders, were both selected through a highly competitive process to attend this year's Training in Grantsmanship for Rehabilitation Research in South Carolina in January.

When Brian Noehren, PT, PhD, FACSM, first began practicing as a physical therapist he had zero intention of pursuing a career in research. “I didn’t think I would step foot back on a college campus except to watch sports,” he quipped. But, after spending 4.5 years as a clinician, he grew dissatisfied with the lack of scientific evidence that supported the methods he used as a practitioner.

While working as a physical therapist, Brian Noehren was frustrated by the lack of robust clinical evidence to support the interventions used in the clinic. He had ideas about what could be done differently, but he didn't have the research training to explore them.

"I wanted to come up with better strategies to address injuries that are so vexing and challenging to treat," he said.

Congratulations to Brandi White, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in health sciences, education, and research, who was named a 2018 Disparities Researchers Equalizing Access for Minorities (DREAM) Associate. The program launches this month and will support the training of exceptional underrepresented minority pre-docs, postdocs and junior faculty who are committed to health equity research. White is one of five scholars and five associates selected from the competitive application process.

The University of Kentucky Sports Medicine Research Institute (SMRI) received a $4 million research contract from the United States Department of Defense (DOD) and Office of Naval Research to expand research focused on determining optimal physical and mental fitness among elite U.S. military members.

For the last three years, the SMRI has worked with the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) human performance program at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to study injury prevention and create new ways to optimize physical performance in its personnel.

Dr. Charlotte Peterson, Joseph Hamburg Endowed Professor, received the prestigious Glenn Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging from the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research.

Kirby Mayer, from Somerset, Kentucky, says the first time he saw a physical therapist was when one treated his grandmother. That’s when he decided to pursue PT, but he admits research wasn't at the top of his mind when he graduated from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health in 2014. 

While working as a physical therapist, Brian Noehren was frustrated by the lack of robust clinical evidence to support the interventions used in the clinic. He had ideas about what could be done differently, but he didn't have the research training to explore them.

"I wanted to come up with better strategies to address injuries that are so vexing and challenging to treat," he said.