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From the Chair
Dear Biology alumni and friends,
Spring in Kentucky can be tumultuous: some days are beautiful and sunny, whereas others are windy, dark, and stormy. It’s a fitting backdrop for what we are currently experiencing in higher education and the sciences – uncertainty in federal funding for research, the rapid rise of AI technologies, an ever-shifting job market for our graduates -- all of these factors converge to make this a tumultuous yet exciting time for Biology. Through it all, we continue to stay focused on our mission to create new knowledge in the life sciences, and to bring a passion for learning and critical thinking to our undergraduate and graduate students. This May, we will celebrate the graduation of approximately 230 Biology and Neuroscience majors, one of the largest cohorts in the College of Arts and Sciences. Our students are passionate, resilient, and engaged – as they move into the next phase of their careers, I am confident their future is bright.
In this edition of our newsletter, we highlight faculty member Dr. Devraj Singh, introduce you to some of our graduate and undergraduate students, and share some of the exciting new research coming out of our department. We also feature an interview with Alumni Board member Dr. Raia Paranthan, and share photos from recent Biology events. We hope you will enjoy reading about all that we’re doing. If you would like to support our work and our students, I encourage you to make a donation to Biology on One Day for UK – the University’s annual giving day, which takes place April 23, 2026. You can direct your gift to one of two funds that support Biology: the Biology Development Fund, and the Biology Student Success Fund. Please use the links to contribute. We are very grateful for your support!
Sincerely,
Ann Morris
Professor and Chair of Biology
| | Alumni Spotlight and Events | | |
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Meet Dr. Riya Paranthan who earned her BS in our department in 2009.
Any overall advice for current students?
"Seek out mentorship, pursue hands-on experiences, and remain curious. Building a strong professional network and developing both technical and soft skills will be invaluable."
To learn more about Dr. Paranthan, click here!
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Save the Date
Annual UK Biology Alumni Reception & Events
Thursday, October 1st: 17th Annual Thomas Hunt Morgan (THM) Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Sarah "Sally" Otto of University of British Columbia, will provide a scientific lecture at 2:00PM in the Thomas Hunt Morgan (THM) building, room 116.
Friday, October 2nd: Thomas Hunt Morgan Alumni Reception, Thomas Hunt Morgan House, 210 North Broadway, Lexington, KY 40507 from 6:00PM-9:00PM. Drinks and food with fellow Alumni and members of the Department at the historic Thomas Hunt Morgan House in downtown Lexington. Check out the fun we had in previous years here!
Saturday, October 3rd: Keeneland Fall Meet, 4201 Versailles Rd., Lexington, KY 40510. Time and additional details to come.
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Are you Ready for One Day for UK?!
One Day for UK will be held on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026. This is a 24-hour online event.
Our department will be accepting donations for our Biology Development Fund or the Biology Student Success Fund which will help provide new opportunities for Biology students and faculty to engage in research, academic, and networking experiences outside of the classroom! These experiences are integral to achieving our goals of academic and research excellence in Biology.
| | | Undergraduate Student Spotlights & Achievements | | To learn more about our undergraduate student spotlights, click here! | | |
Meet undergraduate student Emalie Mullane in Dr. Jessica Santollo's lab.
Describe any highlights or memorable moments here at UK.
"Some of my most memorable moments are during reading days. Every semester, my friends and I will hangout all day and it is a nice way to be a responsible student, while also spending time with friends before the break. We always plan to get to the library early in the morning to secure a table. And then we will all go eat together and study together until the evening hours. I look forward to reading days the most each semester."
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Meet undergraduate student Kianna Ginez, a biology major.
Have you had any mentors or professors who have significantly impacted you?
"Dr. Seifert and Dr. Osterhage. I've known both for quite a while. Dr. Seifert through research and Dr. Osterhage through the S-STEM program. It feels encouraging having people believe in you and want to see you grow."
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Congrats to Jaesylin Stephens!
Jaesylin Stephens received the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Award.
When she was a child, Jaesylin Stephens, a senior biology major in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, saw nature documentaries on Madagascar. She never imagined, though, that she would one day visit the east African county.
Click here to read more!
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The UK GenetiCATS club is one of the newest STEM clubs on campus. Launching in 2025, the goal of the GenetiCATS is "To promote the scientific study of genetics, to provide education on campus to those interested in careers in the genetics field, and to educate about genetic diseases and disorders."
Biology Chair, Dr. Ann Morris, was a recent guest speaker at a GenetiCATS meeting, where she talked about her lab's research on how the genetic disorder CHARGE syndrome affects the retina, and exploring whether spiny mice are capable of retinal regeneration.
| | Graduate Student Spotlights & Achievements | | To learn more about our graduate student spotlights, click here! | | |
Meet Sarah Stasel, a biology Ph.D student, in Dr. Vincent Cassone's lab.
Sarah's research interests include microbiology, circadian rhythms, bacterial pathogenesis, molecular biology, and gut microbiome.
What are you most proud or excited about?
"I'm excited to finish my first manuscript and share my work with the world."
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Meet Meet Patel, a biology Ph.D student, in Dr. Jakub Famulski's lab.
Describe any highlights or memorable moments in the biology department.
"My favorite departmental highlights are the summer BGSA BBQ's and the football tailgating events."
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Meet Brianda López Aviña, a biology Ph.D student, in Dr. Ashley Seifert's lab.
Brianda's research interests include cell biology, developmental biology and regenerative medicine, and animal regeneration.
What are you currently researching?
"Currently, I am conducting my project on the role of retinoic acid on cellular behavior during limb regeneration in Dr. Ashley Seifert's laboratory."
| | Faculty Achievements & Spotlights | | |
Meet faculty member, Dr. Devraj Singh!
Dr. Singh has been with our department since 2022!
What motivated you to come to our department?
"The faculty conducting research in diverse areas, from Ecology and Evolution to Cell & Molecular Biology, was a great motivation to pursue Biology. Another attraction was Clock researcher's niche developing within the department and across different colleges at UK."
If you could meet one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
"Mahatma Gandhi, who is also known as the father of the nation (India). It mesmerizes me to read about how a single man’s thoughts of revolting through peace and non-violence could reach the masses, leading to a country's independence."
To learn more about Dr. Singh, click here!
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Congratulations to Dr. Robin Cooper on Receiving the 2026 Great Teacher Award!
Click here to learn more about the 2026 Great Teacher Awards!
| | | Department of Biology | 101 T.H. Morgan Bldg., 195 Huguelet Dr. l | 859-257-4711 | biology@uky.edu |
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