Weekly News and Events | December 3, 2024

Department News and Events

Graduate Corner

Graduate Student Important Dates and Deadlines:

• December 5: Last day candidates for a December 2024 degree can sit for a final examination. All scheduling requests must be submitted at least two weeks before the proposed examination date.
• December 13: Last day candidates for a December 2024 degree can submit their thesis/dissertation for formation review to the Graduate School via UKnowledge.
• December 20: December 2024 Commencement at 3:00 PM in Rupp Arena.
• December 20: Last day for December 2024 degree candidates to submit final revised thesis/dissertation (ETD) to the Graduate School for students who first submitted December 13th.

Fellowship and Funding Opportunities: 

Graduate School Fellowships: Discover and apply for current fellowship openings 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.

The criteria used for the selection of the recipients of the awards includes: 

• The recipients are enrolled in the Biology Graduate Program and in good standing with the Graduate School. - The recipients are doing meritorious work for a thesis.
• The recipients are doing field work in biology. 

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

Application materials are to include:

• A one-page project description
• A detailed budget.

Recipients of the award are required to provide a report of the results of the fieldwork to the GAC. Please contact Dr. Jessica Santollo, Biology DGS, if you have any questions.

Talent Development and Innovation in Sciences (TDIS) 2025 Summer Internship Program

This unique opportunity allows students to work closely with NSF Program Directors on funded projects, explore various STEM career paths, and gain firsthand experience in science policy. Students can access the online application via this link.

Eligibility Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship or national status
• Completion of at least the sophomore year in a STEM major at an accredited college or university
• Graduating seniors must be entering graduate school in the fall



Fall 2024 Career Workshop Series: Navigating Careers Beyond Academia



All workshops will be held via Zoom. Join here.

• December 3, 1-2 PM | Job Searching & Application Materials

Resources for Students

Undergraduate News

Posters-at-the-Capitol (P@C) is a one-day, annual event held to educate Kentucky State Legislators about the importance of undergraduate research and scholarly work.

Abstract deadline: Dec. 9, 2024Event date: Thursday, March 6, 2025

NCUR: National Conference on Undergraduate Research will be hosted by Duquesne University at Pittsburgh, PA.



Abstract deadline: Dec. 8, 2024

Event Date: April 7-9, 2025

Professional Development

CELT Events

• December 10, 11am-noon: Designing Slides to Reduce Cognitive Load & Support Memory
• December 12, 3-3:30pm: Ignite Learning: Impact of Instructor Mindset on Learning Info Session

View schedule of upcoming CELT Events here.

Research Events: Lunch and Learn Series

All Lunch and Learn workshops are held via Zoom on Wednesdays from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. View the complete Fall 2024 schedule here.

• Resources and Opportunities at the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCYTS)
• Wednesday, December 4, 2024
• Presenter: Katherine Hartmann (Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science)

College of A&S Concur Open Lab Schedule:

• Friday, December 6, POT 245, 10 AM - 11 AM 
• Tuesday, December 10, CP 303, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM 
• Friday, December 13, JSB 361M 10 AM - 11 AM
• Friday, December 20, POT 245, 10 AM - 11 AM

Scientific Meetings



Upcoming conferences and symposiums: 

The Ninth Cold Spring Harbor: Brain Barriers Conference:

April 8-12, 2025 | 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 8th | concluding on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Abstract Deadline: January 24, 2025

For more details and to register, please visit the Brain Barriers meeting website.

Job Opportunities

Biology Teaching Professor - University of Notre Dame

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame is seeking a broadly trained and innovative teaching professor to contribute to our Introductory Biology sequence. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in evolution, organismal biology, or plant biology, as these areas will complement our existing team.

This is a renewable, 12-month, non-tenure track position, starting in Fall 2025, with the potential for long-term continuation and opportunities for promotion.

The successful candidate will play a key role in our Introductory Biology sequence, leading a semester-long, course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) laboratory. Additionally, they will join a team of instructors for either: 1) an integrative biology lecture course, or 2) a laboratory course focused on training students in field and laboratory techniques essential for research experimentation.

Candidates must hold a graduate degree in the life sciences and be broadly trained in biology. A strong commitment to teaching first-year biology students is essential, along with experience using student-centered, active learning strategies at the collegiate level.

Review of applications will begin on January 5, 2025.

For inquiries, please contact Dr. Ryan Sensenig at rsenseni@nd.edu.

To apply, please visit the Interfolio advertisement: https://apply.interfolio.com/159088

Tufts IRACDA (Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards Program)

• Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (for fall 2024 start)
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with no more than 2 years of postdoctoral experience
• Inquiries: Tufts IRACDA website

Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Sex Chromosome Evolution

• Eligibility: US citizens only
• Start Date: Flexible, pending background clearance
• Inquiries: sheina.sim@usda.gov | Full Job Ad

Campus and Lexington Area Events

Whether you're looking to expand your academic knowledge, connect with peers, or simply unwind with some fun activities, the University of Kentucky Campus has something for everyone!

The Bluegrass region of Kentucky offers a rich blend of natural beauty, history, and culture. Whether you're hiking, touring distilleries, or discovering local art, the Bluegrass area has something for everyone.

Beyond Biology: Community Awareness 

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

LGBTQ+ Resources

LGBTQ* Resources is the University of Kentucky's central hub for accessing information, groups, and services related to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Housed in the Office for Student Success, we are a campus-wide office that works to make sure that our community is a welcoming, safe, and supportive place for all students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Email: LGBTQ@uky.edu

Starting in December, the CaTS team will be 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.



COVID, Flu Vaccines now available at UK Retail Pharmacies. For additional information regarding the vaccinations available at UK click here.

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.