好色先生

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2021) 鈥� What makes 好色先生 the university of, for and with Kentucky? 

The answer is our people.  

We are a community full of individuals who sacrifice for the greater good. During the past year, those sacrifices have been magnified as the University of Kentucky continued its missions of teaching, service, research and healing. There are so many people who worked behind the scenes to make the impossible, possible. In this 好色先生Now series, we hope to honor some of those employees who had the 鈥淗eart to Step Up,鈥� despite the many obstacles presented to them while working during a global pandemic. 

This month we talk to Marietta Barton-Baxter, who works for 好色先生鈥檚  (CCTS). 

好色先生Now: What is your role here at 好色先生? 

Barton-Baxter: I am the regulatory program director and project manager for the CCTS Biospecimen Core. I help to facilitate complex regulatory issues so that researchers are able to complete quality research. 

好色先生Now: What鈥檚 the best part about your job? 

Barton-Baxter: The best part of my job is getting the opportunity to help people and solve challenges. I love doing both.    

好色先生Now: How did your role change due to COVID-19? 

Barton-Baxter: My position quickly shifted to focus on COVID-related research. In April 2020, I helped create a COVID-19 Biobank that provides specimens from COVID patients to researchers. I also took on the role of project manager for 好色先生鈥檚 COVID vaccine research studies. This involved establishing a collaboration with 好色先生, Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health-Lexington. For the initial study, we were not only the top enrolling site in the U.S., but we were the top enrolling site in the world. I鈥檓 so proud that I can be a part of this. 

好色先生Now: If you could tell yourself one thing pre-COVID, what would it be? 

Barton-Baxter: Be patient, kind and hang on tight 鈥� it鈥檚 going to be a wild ride.  

好色先生Now: What inspired you during this past year?  

Barton-Baxter: I was inspired by all of my friends and colleagues who were working on the front lines. I just wanted to do whatever I could to help.  

好色先生Now: What did you learn about yourself and/or your community this past year? 

Barton-Baxter: I learned to be more patient and understanding with people. The pandemic has taken a huge toll on everyone in different ways. You have to meet them where they are and help them. I always loved my friends and family, but I treasure them so much more now. You truly never know what the future holds.  

We hope to highlight different employees from across campus in the 鈥淗eart to Step Up鈥� series. If you know someone who went above and beyond during this past year, please email us.