Eight Women Scholars Named University Research Professors at the University of Kentucky

Susan Gardner has been named a University Research Professor of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research lies at the interface of nuclear and particle physics. She is also interested in establishing the means by which terrestrial experiments can probe the nature of dark matter. This interest has led to various data mining projects aimed at investigating the structure of the Milky Way and concomitant astrophysical constraints on dark matter.

Dr. Gardner is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology where she double majored in physics and chemistry. She holds a master’s degree in chemical physics from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Anne Filson has been named a University Research Professor of Architecture in the College of Design. She first joined the University of Kentucky faculty in 2009 after serving in the professional architecture industry for 15 years. She teaches courses that examine design entrepreneurship and resilient architectural practice. She has also conducted extensive research on the economics of architecture.

Professor Filson is a graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she majored in art history. She holds a master of architecture degree from Columbia University.

Beth Rous has been named a University Research Professor of Educational Leadership in the College of Education. Her research focuses on education policy, leadership and practices to support the design, implementation and large-scale implementation of programs. She has been a University of Kentucky faculty member since 1996.

Dr. Rous is a magna cum laude graduate of Morehead State University in Kentucky, where she majored in learning disabilities, moderate disabilities, and elementary education. She holds a master of education degree in special education: interdisciplinary early childhood education and an educational doctorate in instruction and administration both from the University of Kentucky.

Donna Wilcock has been named a University Research Professor of Physiology in the College of Medicine. Her research focuses on dementia and vascular cognitive impairment, the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Wilcock is a graduate of Cardiff University in Wales where she majored in pharmacology. She hold a Ph.D. in medical sciences (pharmacology) from the University of South Florida.

Misook Chung has been named a University Research Professor in the College of Nursing. Her research focuses on the dynamic interdependent relationship between patients with chronic cardiovascular disease and family caregivers and the behavioral, physiological, and psychological outcomes of both participating members. She also conducts research on developing effective family-based interventions to improve outcomes in both patients and caregivers. She has been a member of the University of Kentucky community since 1992.

Dr. Chung holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree both in nursing from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. She holds a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Kentucky.

Patricia Rippetoe Freeman has been named a University Research Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science in the College of Pharmacy. She also serves as director of the University of Kentucky’s Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Practice and as an affiliated faculty member in the Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy. She is also a part-time pharmacist at the Frankfort Regional Medical Center in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her most recent publication examines the trend and patterns of opioid analgesic prescriptions in Kentucky.

Dr. Freeman holds a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. both in pharmacy from the University of Kentucky.

Svetla Slavova has been named a University Research Professor of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health. Her research focuses on improving drug overdose surveillance, drug overdose prevention, analytical enhancements of prescription drug monitoring programs, and health outcomes associated with substance use and misuse.

Dr. Slavova holds a master’s degree in computer science from Sofia University in Bulgaria and a master’s degree and Ph.D. both in statistics from the University of Kentucky.

Julie Cerel has been named a University Research Professor in the College of Social Work. Her research focuses on suicide bereavement and exposure, suicide prevention and suicide attempt survivors. She has been a University of Kentucky faculty member since 2005. Currently, she also serves as president of the American Association of Suicidology.

Dr. Cerel is a graduate of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. She holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Ohio State University.