Weekly News and Events | August 24, 2025

Heartfelt Thanks for the Amazing Summer Cookouts!

A huge thank you to the Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA) for all the hard work put into organizing the summer cookouts! These events provided a fantastic opportunity to relax, connect, and build community. Your dedication to making them enjoyable for everyone is truly appreciated. Thanks for fostering such a great atmosphere for all of us!

Create Your A&S Profile

Please create an online profile by following the tutorial that outlines the steps for creating your profile. You can access the tutorial https://www.as.uky.edu/tutorials/edit-your-profile

Once you have created or updated your profile, please send me the URL associated with your profile to jjburk3@uky.edu This will enable me to complete the administrative part of the process (step 4).

The new Teacher Course Evaluations website and updated dashboard are now live, featuring a modern, interactive interface that gives instructors more control over their data. For more information, visit here.

Reservations for Lab Fall Meetings

Please check room availability first at https://bio.as.uky.edu/room-reservations before contacting biology@uky.edu to reserve a space.

🔬 Research Spotlight – Share Your Work

Faculty and graduate students - are you working on something exciting? We’d love to feature your lab in the Research Spotlight section of our weekly Biology newsletter.

This is a great opportunity to highlight your current research, recent discoveries, or lab accomplishments. To be featured, just send a brief paragraph about your work and a photo. This could be of your team, your workspace, or something that represents your project.

Let’s showcase the outstanding research happening across our department!

Send submissions to: jacqueline.burke@uky.edu

Leadership Week 2025

When: September 8–12, 2025

Where: Online & in person

Who should attend: Team leads, supervisors, aspiring leaders, and anyone committed to growth.

A week of growth, connection, and leadership development. With both in-person and virtual sessions, you’ll have the flexibility to learn at your own pace.

Sessions include:

• AI Now and Later: What Leaders Need to Know
• Emotional Intelligence
• Leading with Your CliftonStrengths

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to sharpen your leadership skills and connect with peers.

Exploring Career Paths for GRADUATE STUDENTS

Doctoral Candidate Notification of Intent Deadline

September 19, 2025

Last day doctoral candidates for a December 2025 degree can submit a Notification of Intent to schedule a final examination in the Graduate School.

Key Dates for Graduate Students

BGSA Social – This Friday!

Join us for the first BGSA Social of the semester this Friday, August 29th, at Kentucky Native Café! 417 E Maxwell St Unit B, Lexington, KY 40508

We’ll start at 5:30 PM, and you’re welcome to drop by for as long as you can. We’d love to see you there!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jakeb Watts - BGSA Social Affairs Chair

🧪 BGSA News: Coming soon!

🧬BGSA Meeting Schedule: Coming Soon!

Fellowship and Funding Opportunities: 

Apply for KAS Research Grants

The Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) is accepting applications for 2026 Research Grants, due November 15, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST.

• Grant Period: 12 months, beginning February 2026
• Details & Terms: Please review the guidelines and grant categories before applying
• Apply Here: Kentucky Academy of Science – Research Grants

Application Links:

• Full fellowship descriptions: Fellowship Descriptions
• Application portal: Apply Here

External Funding: Explore and apply for current external funding Opportunities here.

Kuehne Fellowship: The main purpose of the Biology Department's Kuehne Fund is to provide support for the field work of a graduate student in biology.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for awards up to $1,000.

Please contact Dr. Jakub Famulski, Biology DGS, if you have any questions.

UK Teaching Excellence Symposium, Friday, October 10, 2025

Proposals are now being accepted for the second Teaching Excellence Symposium, which will be held on Friday, October 10, in the Gatton Student Center.

Proposal submissions are due by 5 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025. Submit your proposal here or find more information available on the CELT website. 

Now Accepting Applications: DOYEN T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Grant Positions

The newly funded Diabetes and ObesitY research training in kENtucky (DOYEN) T32 program is recruiting two post-qualifying PhD students for Year 1.

Key Requirements:

1. Mentors must be listed on the T32 and have funding for trainee support. Mentor list updates are possible.
2. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (NIH requirement).
3. Departments or Centers must guarantee non-NIH funds for stipend and tuition.

This is a great opportunity to enhance your training in diabetes and obesity research while contributing to the growing UK research community.

• Application Deadline: September 5, 2025
• Earliest Start Date: October 1, 2025

2025 T32 Call for Proposals

Have a job opportunity to share?

Send job announcements to Jacqueline Burke at jacqueline.burke@uky.edu to be included in next week’s newsletter!

Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) - Upcoming Faculty & Graduate Student Workshops – Fall 2025

Digital Accessibility Open Lab

Thursday, Aug 28, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Zoom

One-on-one support to make course materials and Canvas content accessible. Drop in as needed. Register here

Graduate Students: Experienced TA Panel

Friday, Aug 29, 1:00–2:00 PM | Zoom

Hear advice from experienced TAs on classroom management, engagement, grading, and building community. Counts toward CELT’s ETL Badge. Register here

Workshop Series: Supporting First-Gen Students

Register for this special five-session series, hosted by CELT and the Office of Student Success, focused on the experiences of first-generation college students and strategies to support their learning and success.

• Fridays, Sept 5 – Oct 3, 12:00–1:00 PM
• King Library (in person)
• Lunch provided

Read more and register here

🧸🐾Need a Break? Big Blue Family Care Can Help! 💙

Whether you need a babysitter for the kids 🧒 or a pet sitter for your furry friends 🐶🐱, Big Blue Family Care connects UK employees with reliable UK students for occasional care.

All sitters have passed a UK employee background check ✅. Most are available afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Full-day emergency care may be possible but is limited due to student schedules. Complete the online form to request support

♻️ Sip, Recycle, Repeat

UK Recycling and UK Dining are launching a campaign to reduce coffee cup waste. Look for stickers and banners—coffee cups are now recyclable in any blue bin on campus!

Big Blue Pantry The Food Pantry is an emergency relief program that is designed to meet the short-term food security needs of all current UK students. Email: bigbluepantry@uky.edu

Resources for Students List

The CaTS team is providing free Professional Headshots for all Arts and Sciences faculty and Staff. Walk-in sessions on the first Wednesday of each month from 11 AM - 1 PM in POT 918 (student work room). You can also book a 15-minute appointment on select Thursday's with Sophie Morgan for as-needed headshots.

Feedback and Weekly Newsletter Submissions

The weekly newsletter, along with future updates, will be posted on the Biology website under the Departmental Newsletter and Weekly News tab. Any edits or updates will be reflected on this page.

If you notice anything that needs editing or if you have information to share in the next newsletter, please email Jacqueline Burke at jacqueline.burke@uky.edu.