Nathan Vanderford

Dr. Nathan Vanderford joined the University of Kentucky (UK) faculty in 2014. He is a first-generation college graduate from Appalachia and a proud two-time graduate of UK, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology and a PhD in Biochemistry. He completed postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University and later earned an MBA from Midway University.

Dr. Vanderford is an Associate Professor of Toxicology and Cancer Biology in the College of Medicine. He directs multiple NIH-funded cancer education programs, including the Youth Enjoy Science R25 program titled the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program, which serves high school and undergraduate students. He is also the Director of Administration for the NIH-funded Center for Cancer and Metabolism and the Assistant Director for Pathway Programs and Student Success at the Markey Cancer Center, an NIH-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. In these roles, he facilitates cancer research and education initiatives across the university.

Dr. Vanderford's research focuses on understanding cancer disparities in Appalachian Kentucky through investigations that integrate epidemiology, education, and workforce development. He studies the behavioral and social factors that contribute to Appalachia's cancer burden while developing and evaluating innovative educational interventions designed to increase cancer knowledge and expand the biomedical workforce in underserved communities.

Dr. Vanderford teaches and mentors high school, undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and medical students at UK. He is a Chellgren Endowed Professor and has received numerous teaching and mentoring awards, including the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award in 2017 and the UK Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in 2021.

Dr. Vanderford and his wife live in Lexington with their two children.