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Cheavar Blair, PhD

Assistant Professor, Physiology, College of Medicine

Dr. Cheavar Blair is a Research assistant professor of physiology at the University of Kentucky, where his work focuses on cardiovascular research and bioengineering. With a PhD in physiology from the University of Kentucky and postdoctoral fellowships at Stanford University and UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Blair has contributed extensively to advancing cardiac health, particularly through his research on sarcomere-targeting therapies. Dr. Blair's commitment to excellence in research is apparent as a recipient of numerous awards, including the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award, 2023 DREAM Scholar, and 2024 Research Scholar.  

As co-director of the Undergraduate Summer Training in Cardiovascular Research program at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Blair is dedicated to mentoring and actively serving in leadership roles to support minority and early-career scientists.  

Research Focus: 

The use of human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes to study the impact of cancer drugs, inherited mutations, and altered circadian rhythms on the mechanical function of the heart. â€‹

Aubrey Jones, PhD

Assistant Professor, Social Work, College of Social Work

Dr. Aubrey Jones is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky. She holds an affiliate faculty position in the appalachian studies program at the University of Kentucky. Her research addresses the health and well-being of reproductive-age women and factors affecting access to healthcare and mental health. She is primarily interested in maternal mental health. Jones also researches to better understand the needs of rural communities and social work’s role in rural communities.

Prior to joining the University of Kentucky, Aubrey worked in crisis intervention for youth and families. She also has experience working in a skilled nursing facility and working with youth residing in juvenile detention and residential programs.

Research Focus:

Health equity for women and families, focusing on access to mental & physical healthcare for new mothers and rural families. Improving social worker outcomes in rural communities.​​

Erica Littlejohn, PhD

Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science, College of Medicine

Dr. Erica Littlejohn is an assistant professor in the department of behavioral science, Center for Health Equity Transformation, and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. Her research focuses on childhood maltreatment’s impact on the risk and progression of cognitive impairment and dementia across the lifespan, as well as the mechanism(s) driving its neuropathology. Her population research centers on investigating how adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute to negative neurological outcomes amongst diverse populations. Dr. Littlejohn was a part of the team of renowned experts that recently authored the SDOH Research Framework, Determinants of Inequities in Neurologic Disease, Health, and Well-being for the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). As a result of her neurologic research focus on SDOH and Adverse Childhood Experience screening, she serves as an external science representative on the NINDS General Common Data Elements Steering Committee. In addition to her research amongst special populations, her expertise in neurological disease health inequities and strong pre-clinical research background has uniquely positioned her translational research program to advance treatment and interventions to eliminate health disparities.

Research Focus:

Childhood maltreatment’s impact on the risk and progression of cognitive impairment and dementia across the lifespan, as well as the mechanism(s) driving its neuropathology.​

Hend Mansoor, Pharm.D, PhD

Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice & Science, College of Pharmacy

Dr. Hend Mansoor is an assistant professor in the pharmacy practice and science department. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) from Qatar University. She holds a Master’s degree (MS) in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy from the College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, and a Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Informatics from the College of Medicine, University of Florida. She was awarded a PhD in Health Services Research, Management, and Policy from the College of Public Health at the University of Florida.

She is an author of more than 25 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in prestigious journals and presented her research at national meetings such as the American Managed Care Pharmacy and the American Heart Association. She serves as an associate editor for American Heart Journal: Cardiology Research and Practice as well as Frontiers in Medicine: Family Medicine and Primary Care, and an editorial board member for several other journals.

Research Focus: 

Identifying factors and disparities associated with poor medication adherence and risk factor control among patients with cardiovascular disease and stroke. Designing targeted interventions and prediction tools to improve clinical outcomes among these high-risk individuals.​

Radmila Choate, PhD, MPH

Assistant Research Professor, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, College of Public Health

Dr. Radmila Choate is an assistant research professor in the department of epidemiology and environmental health at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. She earned a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Kentucky, as well as an MD-equivalent degree from Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia.

Her research focuses on the epidemiology of chronic conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated COPD, as well as bronchiectasis, chronic pancreatitis, cognitive impairment, and multimorbidity. Dr. Choate’s work examines health-related quality of life and disease burden in older adults with chronic conditions. Her current research explores the impact of multimorbidity and financial burden on health outcomes in individuals with chronic diseases.

Dr. Choate is a long-standing collaborator with AlphaNet, COPD Foundation, and the US Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry. A strong advocate for interdisciplinary research, she collaborates closely with colleagues in internal medicine and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. Dr. Choate has an extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences.

Research Focus: 

Financial toxicity associated with treatment of chronic conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis; patient- and disease-related determinants of financial burden and health outcomes; patient- and community-engaged research.
 

Darlingtina K. Esiaka, PhD, CPG, CPH

Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science, College of Medicine

Darlingtina Esiaka, PhD, CPG, CPH, is an assistant professor at the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation, and the department of behavioral science. She is also affiliated with the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and the Markey Cancer Center. Her research interests revolve around two major themes. One focuses on the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the aging Black population. She examines how to detect progression and conversion to ADRD, long before the presentation of behavioral symptoms. The second focuses on the early detection of cancer in the older Black population. She investigates psychosocial factors that predict fatal-stage cancer diagnosis and survivorship. She has received over 20 awards and recognitions, including the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity – Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett Woman Mentoring Women award and the Gerontological Society of America's Career Development and Junior Investigator Diversity Fellow Award. Her work has been supported by federal and private funders such as NIA, the New Jersey Health Foundation, and Alzheimer’s Association. Dr. Esiaka is currently a BRAINS Affiliate, Carnegie Diaspora Fellowship Program Scholar, and the founder of Black in Gerontology and Geriatrics Network. She is a certified Public Health professional and credentialed by the National Association of Professional Gerontologists. She is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues, where she co-chairs the internationalization committee.

Research focus

Link between trauma and dementia risk among African refugees from the Congo War and Rwandan Genocide resettled in the U.S., focusing on how trauma, physiological risks, and social factors influence cognitive decline.​

Abigail Latimer, PhD, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C

Assistant Professor, College of Social Work

Abigail Latimer, PhD, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C is an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky Colleges of Social Work and Medicine. She is a ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú College of Social Work graduate and has post-doctoral training with the University of Kentucky College of Nursing on research interventions for cardiovascular health. Dr. Latimer specializes in adapting and implementing serious illness communication interventions, with a focus on older adults with heart failure and those who are unhoused or housing vulnerable. Dr. Latimer has 15 years of clinical experience, with the majority in hospice and palliative care, and includes counseling for adults with severe opioid use disorder.

Research Focus:

Adapting the Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) for delivery in temporary shelters for unhoused older adults, emphasizing cultural relevance, accessibility, and feasibility. The research aims to improve serious illness care for this population and inform broader applications in similar contexts.
 

Meagan Scott, PhD

Assistant Professor, College of Education

Dr. Scott received her PhD in School Psychology from the University of Cincinnati in 2023. She completed her predoctoral internship at the Nebraska Internship Consortium of Professional Psychology at Munroe Meyer Institute with a focus on comprehensive school-based mental health services. Dr. Scott also is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). Her primary research interests include culturally responsive SEL and behavioral interventions for minoritized youth in school settings.

Research Focus:

Intersecting racial and gender inequities in education that impact the mental and behavioral health of Black high school girls, who face disproportionately high rates of suicide attempts. Using a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach, it aims to amplify Black girls' voices through focus groups, photovoice narratives, and stakeholder engagement.​