Welcome to our Newest MD/PhD Students
Our entering class for the 2017-2018 school year. From left to right: Lincoln Shade, Andrew Woodrich, Maddie Dunfee, Drew Farr, and Loius Rodgers.
The UK College of Medicine hosted the Class of 2021 White Coat Ceremony on Friday, July 28, 2017 at the Otis A. Singletary Center for the Arts.
We wish our incoming MD/PhD students and the whole University of Kentucky Class of 2021 the best as they embark on on this stage of of their medical training.
More about our incoming students:
Lincoln Shade
I am from Richmond, KY and studied Biochemistry at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. I spent the year following graduation working in Dr. Elizabeth Phillips' lab at Vanderbilt University using bioinformatical methods to study the genetic basis of rare drug allergies. After seeing firsthand how useful the implementation of large data sets can be for research, I became interested in pursuing my graduate studies in biostatistics. I applied to UK both because of its proximity to home and because it was one of only a few schools that would consider an MD/PhD candidate in biostatistics. Outside of school, I enjoy playing ultimate frisbee, biking, playing board games, and being with friends and family.
Andrew Woodrich
I am from Clarkston, MI, and I come to the University of Kentucky from Miami, FL where I graduated with a BS in Neuroscience and History and a minor in Chemistry. Early in my undergraduate years, I had the opportunity to join a lab studying the therapeutic potential of epigenetic regulators in Alzheimer’s disease. I immediately caught the proverbial “research bug”, and I knew I wanted to continue to explore the world of research. After spending a summer at the University of Pittsburgh researching the regulation of a specific protein degradation pathway, my mind was set on pursuing both my passion for caring for others through medicine and my passion of discovery through biomedical research. Currently, I am interested in understanding and developing therapeutic strategies to treat the underlying neurological causes of pre-dementia states. Although I am not a Kentucky native, my experiences on my interview and second-look visits to Lexington made me decide to pursue my MD/PhD training here. I was particularly drawn to the welcoming environment, the wealth of research options in my area of interest, and the superb medical training opportunities. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, off-road biking, playing sports, and working out, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Maddie Dunfee
I am from Middletown, OH. Before joining the MD/PhD program at the University of Kentucky, I earned a degree in Biology from Cornell University and a Masters of Education from the University of Dayton. Then taught middle school science in Dayton, OH through the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship Program, and began researching students’ food choice with faculty at the University of Dayton. After finishing my teaching commitment, I earned an MPH from the University of Cincinnati during which I focused on understanding the impact of school based clinics on multiple stakeholder groups in the school and wider community. I am interested in designing and testing community-based interventions to decrease health disparities and am completing research in Eastern Kentucky with Dr. Nancy Schoenberg from the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Dr. Mark Swanson from the College of Public Health. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and gardening. My first few months in Lexington have been fantastic; I excited to continue developing as a medical scientist here at the University of Kentucky.
Drew Farr
I grew up in East Tennessee and completed my BA in Economics at the University of Georgia. As an undergraduate, I worked in a behavioral neuropharmacology lab studying the cognitive effects of the chemical contraceptives ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. I also tested glycosaminoglycan hydrogel and stem cell therapies for neurotrauma. I have volunteered in hospice care, for Remote Area Medical and Habitat for Humanity. As an advocate for—and patient of—the University of Georgia Health Services, I organized outreach to address student issues of mental health and wellness. I chose the University of Kentucky because of its outstanding institutional and administrative support of clinical, translational science and because Kentucky neighbors the places, people, and patient population that I call home. Aside from my work in the college of medicine, I intend to contribute to the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. I enjoy backpacking, cycling, traveling, and cooking with family and friends.
Louis Rodgers
I am from Florence, Kentucky, and I graduated from Centre College with a BS in Chemistry with emphasis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At Centre, I discovered a love for scientific research while focusing on the synthesis and characterization of peptide-linked metal chelators as possible treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, and I also completed a summer internship at the Johns Hopkins University, studying novel substrates of the enzymes p300/CBP acetyltransferase. Unable to decide between a career in clinical and scientific medicine, I spent two years as a postbaccalaureate CRTA fellow at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Under the guidance of Dr. William Figg and Dr. Katherine Warren, I conducted pharmacokinetic studies in an effort to develop new therapeutic strategies for children with tumors of the central nervous system. From my experiences, I knew I wanted to continue and practice translational research and pursue a career as a physician-scientist. The University of Kentucky’s strengths in neurology and oncology, emphasis on precision medicine, warm sense of community, and patient population, make the University of Kentucky the perfect place to pursue a career as a physician-scientist in the field of neuro-oncology! I have loved my time on campus so far and am looking forward to the rest of my journey at UK. Outside of the classroom, I am also looking forward to continuing my passion for running, biking, swimming, and cooking.
From the UKCOM Press: