Current Trainees
As of 2018 – 2019 a total of 90 trainees to date have enrolled, distributed across the cores including 8.8% under-represented minority.
Occupational & Environmental Health Nursing

Kim Bourne
PhD

Arica Brandford
PhD

Kacy Allen Bryant
PhD

Jacqueline Shukla
PhD

Cheryl Witt
PhD

Elizabeth Metz
PhD

Ashley Ziegler
PhD
Robin Ray
PhD

Stacy Stanifer
PhD

Heather Russell
PhD
Occupational Safety

Benjamin Purcell
MS

Jillian Roberts
MS

James Summers
MS

John Swiger
MS

Courtney Wright
MS
Intelligence Analyst at Kentucky FUSION Center

William Farris
MS

Kelly Sowders
MS
Assistant Safety Director at Packers Sanitation Services

Melanie Leece
MA
EHS Coordinator at Richmond Auto Parts Technology

Stephanie Moore
MS
Waste Engineer at Bluegrass Chemical Activity Depot

Amanda Sheffel
MS

Jeff Canady
MS
Environmental Compliance Specialist at Bechtel Parsons Bluegrass

Ashley King
MS
Waste Engineer at Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass JV

Justin Meier
MS

Tabetha Pryor
MS
Occupational Safety Intern at Berry Global

Craig Ward
MS
Occupational Safety Intern at Grey Construction

Allan Fugate
MS
Tiffany Preston
MS

Destiny Shumake
MS
Occupational Epidemiology

Robin Thompson
DrPH

John Flunker
PhD

Courtney Walker
PhD
2020 UK Appalachian Center Eller & Billings Student Research Award

Courtney Marshall
MPH

Jason Eric Wilson
DrPH
Agriculture Safety & Health

Beverly May
DrPH - Epidemiology

Kristen Van Buren
DrPH - Epidemiology

Paul Bellamy
MPH - Environmental Health

Paul Norrod
DrPH - Epidemiology

Quantez Crowe
MPH - Environmental Health

Brooke Spillman
MPH - Environmental Health
Mining Health & Safety

Kayla Mayfield
MS
PHD Student in Mining Engineering University of Kentucky

Harvey Kornblum
MS

John Meuth
MS
Trainees’ research projects are diverse with capstone topics including
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Automating Fan Ventilation and Measurement as a Means of Ensuring Proper Air Flow in Coal Mining Operations
-
Biomechanics of Back Injuries in Nursing
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Effects of obesity on the work and safety of farmers
-
Intimate Partner Violence in long-haul truck driving teams
-
Occupational Dust Exposure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
-
Reported Injuries and Fatalities in the Kentucky Master Loggers Training Program
-
Undiagnosed COPD and Restrictive Lung Disease Among Rural Workers
-
Central nervous system effects of occupational exposures in agricultural workers
-
Risk Factors Associated with Severe Injuries in Inland Aquaculture Farms
At the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University, CARERC trainees interact daily with nationally recognized faculty in nursing, epidemiology, mining, occupational safety and public health, among other disciplines. Trainees also have opportunity to participate in a variety of work site visits, scientific and trade conferences, and visiting lectures and workshops.