College: UK College of Arts and Sciences

Major: Psychology and ABT (Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology)

Year: Sophomore

Botshelo is a sophomore student at the University of Kentucky from Johannesburg, South Africa, studying psychology and agricultural and biomedical technology. Fascinated by the intersection between psychology and medicine, he currently pursues research interests in the psychological and neurological expression of trauma. He aims to gain a holistic understanding of the social determinants of health through his interest in health equity research and healthcare. He supports his fellow students as a calculus tutor and peer mentor. He also enjoys music and filmmaking in his spare time.

College: UK College of Arts and Sciences and Lewis Honors College

Major: Biology (Pre-med track)

Year: Sophomore

Eduardo is an immigrant from Peru, majoring in biology at the University of Kentucky. He aspires to become a physician-scientist and conduct research in the bioinformatics field. His goal is to revolutionize drug development methodologies, to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, thereby broadening medical accessibility for vulnerable populations and expanding the supply of treatments for neglected diseases. He is especially passionate about the Hispanic population in Appalachia and addressing their unique health needs. Eduardo is a lab assistant in the Moseley Bioinformatics Lab, as well as a Lunsford Scholar, for which he receives funding for engaging in high-impact learning experiences. In addition to English, he is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. In his free time, he enjoys playing the drums, swimming, and cooking for friends.

College: College of Public Health

Major: Public Health

Year: Junior

Mandy is a junior from Birmingham, Alabama majoring in public health with aspirations to go to law school. She is also a signature programs intern at the UK Martin Luther King Center. Growing up in Birmingham sparked Mandy's interest in studying the impacts of environmental racism in low-income and communities of color. Her goal with research through SPARK and her aspirations of becoming an attorney are to leave a positive impact on her community and invoke positive change.

College: UK College of Health Sciences

Major: Human Health Sciences (Pre-Med)

Year: Junior

Lily-Kate is a junior at the University of Kentucky's College of Health Sciences and Lewis Honors College. She is pursuing a degree in human health sciences. At UK, Lily-Kate is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, DanceBlue, the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program, the Early Assurance Program at UK'S College of Medicine, and is a research assistant in Dr. Jean Edward's lab. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatric hematology/oncology.

College: Kentucky State University (KSU)

Major: Nursing

Year: Junior

Darnell is a junior at KSU from St. Louis, Missouri, currently dedicated to earning his bachelor's degree in nursing with a minor in psychology. His hobbies include weightlifting and spending time with friends. Looking ahead, he aspires to continue his education in graduate school, focusing on pursuing a master's in public health with a specialization in epidemiology. His research interests center around social determinants of health and their effects on metabolic syndrome, particularly within the community of Louisville, Kentucky.

College: Kentucky State University (KSU)

Major: Psychology, minor in Sociology

Year: Junior

Keyoncee is a 3rd year Psychology major with a minor in Sociology from Chicago, Illinois. After she's graduated, her plan is to attend graduate school for communication disorders to be a speech pathologist. On campus she works as a tutor, and liaison for the student success center and the Behavioral Sciences department.