Our Research

Multidisciplinary Science Building 
(859) 257-4664 

Director: Fan Gao, PhD 

Kinesiology and Health Promotions 

The Biodynamics Laboratory is a research and education facility that is shared by the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, College of Health Sciences, and the Center for Biomedical Engineering. The lab contains state-of-the-art equipment for the purpose of conducting biomechanical analyses. The mission of the lab is to further our understanding of the relationship between biomechanics and human health and performance, and to disseminate this new information to UK students, the local community, and the scientific community worldwide.

Visit the Biodynamics Laboratory webpage

Seaton Center 
(859) 257-8055  

Director: Jody Clasey, PhD 

Kinesiology and Health Promotions 

The University of Kentucky Body Composition Core Laboratory (BCCL) located in the Seaton Center building (Director: Jody L. Clasey, Ph.D., FACSM; Medical Director: Ralph Miller, MD, ScD) is a human-based laboratory facility specifically designed to provide state-of-the-art body composition analysis for research and clinical investigations. The BCCL is an estimated 1020 square feet laboratory space (including a separate 180 square feet Bone Densitometry room, a separate 180 square feet Air Displacement Plethysmography and Anthropometric room, and 360 square feet sample storage and processing analysis rooms) housed in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. The BCCL contains the necessary equipment to perform total body density (hydrostatic weighing and air displacement plethysmography), total body and intra/extra-cellular water, single and multiple frequency bioelectric impedance analyses, and total body and regional bone mineral content and density measurements, thus allowing determination of in vivo body composition analysis using multi-compartment modeling techniques. 

Visit the Body Composition Core Laboratory webpage

E-Mail: eric.t.weber@uky.edu 

Address: 145B Taylor Education Building 

Phone: 859-257-1849

The Democracy, Ethics, and Educational Philosophy (DEEP) research group founded in the University of Kentucky’s College of Education is committed to fostering a deep understanding of democratic principles, ethical practices, and educational philosophies that empower individuals and communities to engage thoughtfully and responsibly in dialogue and action in schools, colleges, and society.

Visit the Deep lab

(859) 257-6389 

Director: Beth Rous, EdD 

Educational Leadership Studies 

A multi-university consortium established in 2007 to advance early childhood education through collaborative research. We focus on improving programs and services for young children and families by generating evidence that informs policy, leadership, and practice. Our work results in tools and resources for educators, administrators, and policymakers to support children's learning and development. 

Visit the Early Childhood Research and Development Initiative online

621 S. Limestone 
(859) 257-7732 

Director: Collin Shepley, PhD, BCBA-D 

Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education 

The Early Childhood Laboratory (ECL) is a university-based center within the College of Education’s Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education. The ECL operates as a licensed child care facility in compliance with the Division of Regulated Child Care in the state of Kentucky. The ECL is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and maintains a 5 Star Rating through Kentucky All STARS. The ECL acts as a community-inclusive center, serving families with and without affiliation to the University of Kentucky. 

Visit the Early Childhood Laboratory webpage

Seaton Center  
(859) 257-9632 

Director: Haley Bergstrom, PhD 

Kinesiology and Health Promotions 

The Exercise Physiology Lab at the University of Kentucky has the facilities and equipment for a wide variety of physiological and performance testing. 

Visit the Exercise Physiology Laboratory webpage

170 Taylor Education Building 
(859) 257-6697 

Director: Kathleen Aspiranti, PhD 

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology 

The KASPIR lab, led by Dr. Kathleen Aspiranti, focuses on developing, implementing, and validating academic and behavioral interventions. Our studies are usually conducted within the public school system with students either at risk for academic or behavioral problems, English Language Learners, or students with disabilities. We primarily use single-case design research methodologies within our analyses.  

The KASPIR lab meets weekly to discuss current research projects, brainstorm study ideas, troubleshoot methodology questions, and coordinate tasks for lab members. Upper-level doctoral students are principal investigators on several research projects at any given time, while also serving as co-investigators on the projects of other students. First and second-year doctoral students serve as co-investigators to several projects as they determine the trajectory they wish to lead their own personal research.  

EdS/masters level students serve as co-investigators to projects and are encouraged to identify areas of interest, particularly those that lead to knowledge of evidence-based practices while working as a professional. Undergraduate students are assigned to a specific project and are mentored by a doctoral student throughout the research process. Undergraduate lab members may complete tasks such as literature searches and reviews, data collection, or spreadsheet/data organization and cleaning. 

Members in the KASPIR lab are encouraged to present at state and national conferences such as the Kentucky Psychological Association, National Association of School Psychologists, Trainers of School Psychologists, and American Psychological Association. 

Visit the KASPIR Laboratory webpage

243 Dickey Hall 
(859) 257-4158 

Director: Joseph H. Hammer, PhD, LP 

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology 

We study mental health help-seeking (e.g., “What factors stop people from seeking professional healthcare when they need it?”) and culturally-sensitive measurement (e.g., “How can we measure psychological constructs in a valid and consistent manner?”). 

(859) 257-4996 

Director: Neal Hutchens, JD, PhD 

Associate Director: Zitsi Mirakhur, PhD 

(College-wide program) 

The HELPP Initiative promotes scholarship and activities to enhance scholarship and practice-focused excellence in the overlapping areas of education policy, law, and professional practice in schools, colleges, and universities. HELPP strives to serve students, families, communities, and educational institutions in Kentucky, while also engaging in work of national relevance. 

Seaton Center 
(859) 257-4091 

Director: Mark Abel, PhD, CSCS*D, TSAC-F*D 

Kinesiology and Health Promotions 

The objective of the First Responder Research Laboratory is to enhance the health, safety, and occupational readiness of firefighters and law enforcement officers through scientific inquiry. 

Visit the First Responder Research Laboratory webpage

134A Taylor Education Building 
(859) 257-8666 

Director: Kayla M. Johnson, PhD 

Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation 

The JOHNson Lab advances understanding in comparative, international, and higher education by emphasizing inclusive and globally engaged research practices. Its core work centers on culturally grounded curriculum, community collaboration, and study abroad programming and learning outcomes, all explored through qualitative methods across diverse global settings. By weaving these elements together, the lab fosters more equitable and culturally grounded approaches to education and inquiry worldwide. 

Visit the Johnson Lab

(859) 257-7845 

Director: John Nash, PhD 

Educational Leadership Studies 

Solve real problems with solutions that last 
We’re here to help you tackle the tough problems—together. From improving patient care to reimagining education, our work empowers leaders to create solutions that don’t just work for today but continue to make a difference tomorrow. 
 
Our Mission: Hands-On Partnerships for Lasting Change 
At the dLab, we don’t just analyze problems—we roll up our sleeves and work side by side with you. Together, we design solutions that reflect your community’s unique strengths and needs, making Kentucky and beyond a better place, one challenge at a time. 

Visit the dLab webpage

(859) 257-0251 

Director: Tshepang Tshube, PhD 

Kinesiology and Health Promotions 

Our research focuses on the use of sport to teach life skills and other important assets for youth, including STEM subjects, mental health, and wellbeing. We recently concluded a life skills and STEM intervention in Botswana. Dr. Tshepang Tshube is part of a team of experts selected to write the International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement on mental health in elite athletes and Youth Athletes Screening. 

Seaton Center  
(859) 257-9632 

Director: Jody Clasey, PhD 

Kinesiology and Health Promotions 

The University of Kentucky Pediatric Exercise Physiology Lab (PEP-Lab) will help to provide research and training resources specifically designed to assist in hypothesis-driven research in pediatric populations. The primary mission of the PEP-Lab will include (but is not limited to) investigating the role of physical activity, alone or in combination with additional intervention strategies, in the prevention of adverse physiological changes or the favorable alteration in metabolic, endocrine, and body composition parameters. As a direct result of decreasing physical activity, childhood and adolescent obesity, Type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, early maturation and orthopedic problems have significantly increased. The PEP- Lab will provide a state of the art facility and resources for testing, physical training, and analysis of pediatric populations for research and clinical investigations. 

Visit the Pediatric Exercise Physiology Laboratory webpage

29 Dickey Hall 
(859) 257-1625 

Director: Melinda Ickes, PhD 

Kinesiology and Health Promotions 

The UK PREVENT Community-Engaged Alliance is a collaborative, interdisciplinary group of researchers, educators, clinicians, students, professionals, and community members that aims to improve the health and well-being of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. PREVENT is driven by and for the community. 

Aims 

• Support health for all through prevention, education, empowerment, and influence 
• Deepen community relationships, partnerships, and collaboration 
• Develop and implement high-quality, adaptive universal education and research 
• Provide hands-on training opportunities for community members, faculty, staff, and students 

Visit the UK Prevent website

145A 134A Taylor Education Building 

(859) 257-2795 

Director: Dr. Megan J. Pifer 

Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation 

The PIFER Lab conducts research about the professoriate, the institutional contexts of academic work, and the preparation for and progression of academic careers across individual and institutional characteristics. We employ a variety of research methods, with a predominant focus on qualitative inquiry. We explore faculty identity, experiences, success, and satisfaction at the individual level. At the institutional level, we advance research about institutional characteristics, policies, cultures, leadership, and other factors that contribute to the context of academic work and faculty careers. 

Visit the PIFER Lab

144A Taylor Education Building 

Director:  Ty C. McNamee, EdD 

Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation 

The McNamee Lab conducts research about rural higher education issues in order to advance postsecondary policy and practice tailored to and relevant to rural populations. Through both small and large-scale projects, we explore multiple topics at the nexus of rural America and the U.S. higher education system. These topics include college access, success, and equity for rural students across a spectrum of identities; faculty development and experiences at rural postsecondary institutions; rural college teaching and learning; how colleges and universities can support rural populations' postsecondary trajectories; and the role rural-located and rural-serving institutions of higher education play in empowering rural students and communities. 

237A & C Taylor Education Building 
(859) 257-7927 

Director: Kera Ackerman, PhD 

Manager: Linda Gassaway 

Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education 

Supporting teaching and learning in Kentucky Educator Preparation Programs through mixed reality simulations. Faculty state-wide conduct research focusing on changing teacher behavior through embedded practice-based opportunities.