The following research centers and institutes are under the organizational structure of the Office of the Vice President for Research. They are non-degree granting and multidisciplinary in scope.
Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER)
Staffed by more than 100 chemists, geologists and engineers, CAER is internationally recognized for research in fields including algae for CO2 clean up, ash management, automotive catalysis, biodiesel, biomass, carbon materials (including nanotube synthesis and applications), catalysis (including Fischer-Tropsch), coal cleaning, concrete and cement (low energy), emissions control in utilities, energy policy, fuels research, hydrogen, materials characterization, petroleum processing and plant optimization. The center is funded by state, industry and federal agencies.
Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS)
The CCTS brings together clinicians, researchers, and communities to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries to tangible improvements in health. With support from a Clinical and Translational Science Award from NIH, the CCTS fosters innovative team science across multiple campuses and states. The center provides infrastructure, funding and research support services, and trains the next generation of clinical and translational researchers. The CCTS focuses on addressing chronic health disparities in rural and underserved populations throughout the Central Appalachian region.
Center for Computational Sciences
The center works to enhance the success of UK researchers and collaborators whose work will benefit from research computing solutions. Its goals are to increase publications and research funding linked to research computing and increase access to specialized computational resources (hardware, software applications, computational methodologies, collaborative relationships, and people/expertise). Major research projects, funded by NSF, include ParaChem and the Kentucky Virtual Observatory and Ecological Informatics System.
Center for Health Services Research (CHSR)
The Center for Health Services Research (CHSR) serves as a focal point for health services research across the University of Kentucky campus. By bringing together faculty, staff, and students across disciplines and colleges, we facilitate research on effective ways to organize, finance, and deliver high-quality health care.
Center for Structural Biology
The Center for Structural Biology was established to promote and facilitate the development, research and instruction in structural biology at the University of Kentucky.
Center for the Environment
The UK Center for Environment is a multidisciplinary research center and institution-wide educational unit. The center recognizes that the environmental challenges faced by the Commonwealth, our nation and the world are complex and require multidisciplinary collaboration from across academic, government, and private sectors. As a land-grant institution, UK was built on the premise that the environment is integral to civilization and critical in our three-fold mission of teaching, research, and community partnerships.
Center of Membrane Sciences
The center fosters research on biological and synthetic membranes and their interface, provides scientific and technological leadership and facilities to develop basic research and to promote partnerships fundamental to knowledge and technology transfer. State-of-the-art equipment for membrane research includes hollow-fiber spinning and continuous sheet casting facilities, high-field NMR, ESR, and fluorescence spectrometers, gamma camera, neutron sources, ATR-FTIR, TRIM, micropipette aspiration, adhesion measurements, fluorescence microscopes, computer-controlled HPLCs, pore-volume analyzers, computer-controlled fermenter, polymer dielectric relaxation and dynamics equipment.
Human Development Institute (HDI)
With federal and state funding, HDI focuses on interdisciplinary education, research and development, information sharing, advocacy and outreach. HDI conducts research, development, and model demonstration efforts to continually improve state-of-the-art best practices. HDI staff provide outreach services and consultation to agency staff to identify and resolve the challenges involved in promoting and achieving independence, productivity and inclusion of persons with disabilities throughout life.
Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI)
The Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI) facilitates data-intensive, multidisciplinary team science to improve the health of patients and populations, in Kentucky and beyond. IBI provides services through the Center for Clinical and Translational Science's Biomedical Informatics Core.
Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS)
As the official geologic research organization for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, KGS is focused on research in earth resources and processes, public service, and the dissemination of data, knowledge, and experience to stakeholders in industry, government, educational institutions, and the general public. With 48 full-time staff, KGS is increasing knowledge and understanding of the mineral, energy and water resources, geologic hazards, and geology of Kentucky for the benefit of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the nation.
Kentucky Water Research Institute (KWRI)
The institute focuses on water resources and water-related environmental issues important to the state of Kentucky. In keeping with its statewide mission, the KWRI works to foster research collaborations between faculty and research staff at UK, as well as faculty and research staff affiliated with the various regional universities across the state. With a mission that encompasses research, education, training and technology transfer, the institute works with federal and state agencies.
Markey Cancer Center
In July 2013, Markey was designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to receive research funding and many other opportunities available only to the nation’s best cancer centers. Markey is organized into four thematic research programs (Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling; Cancer Prevention and Control; Drug Discovery, Delivery and Translational Therapeutics; and Redox Injury and Repair) and has five established shared resource facilities (Biospecimen and Tissue Procurement; Biostatistics and Bioinformatics; Cancer Research Informatics; Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting; and Free Radical Biology in Cancer).
Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment (ISE)
The institute’s mission is to enhance the health and well being of Kentuckians and the global community by improving built, managed and natural environments. This involves promoting sustainable development, sound energy policies, and effective environmental stewardship through an integrated transdisciplinary program of fundamental and applied research in the physical, life, economic, and social sciences through education, as well as public service and stakeholder engagement. The research agenda of the institute is supported, developed and implemented by a group of 150 faculty representing 14 colleges.