Research Integration
The Research Integration Team catalyzes bidirectional engagement in research that responds to community-driven needs. To accomplish this, the team collaborates with partners to assess community needs and opportunities, relays needs and priorities back to Markey Cancer Center researchers and community partners, disseminates data to inform research and cancer control activities, connects researchers and community partners and shares Markey research findings with community audiences.
Consultation is available to Markey principal investigators and leadership for input on potential community research collaborators; engagement strategies for reaching specific populations; incorporating into research and outreach efforts the values of caring for underserved populations; culturally-appropriate health education materials; and guidance on using existing Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment data resources.
To request a consultation with please complete the Consultation Form.
Community Outreach and Engagement established two new funding opportunities in 2022. High priority is placed on projects that involve racial/ethnic minority populations or basic science.
COE Pilot Grant ($50,000 for 12 months) funds research that responds to the needs and priorities identified in the most recent Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment and/or interactions with community partners. Download the RFA.
COE Partnership Planning Grant (up to $10,000 for 12 months) provides seed money to develop or strengthen partnerships that lead to developing subsequent research grants, which either respond to a need from the Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment or propose a joint planning effort with partners to identify community-driven needs. Community partners may be community organizations, research advocates or MCCAN hospitals. Download the RFA.
2021 Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment: Get the latest data on cancer rates, cancer risk factors, social determinants of health, and cancer health disparities in Kentucky, as well as community input on prioritizing Kentucky’s many cancer needs.
Cancer InFocus is a new online mapping application developed by the Research Integration team to complement the Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment. This interactive application combines a wealth of available cancer rate, demographic, risk factor, and social determinants of health data with geospatial imaging software to give users control over creating customized maps related to Kentucky's cancer burden.
The software necessary to build Cancer InFocus for other geographic regions is being made available to any interested cancer center through a no-cost licensing agreement with the University of Kentucky. Initial access can be requested by filing out this form.
Markey’s Community Advisory Board (CAB), advises the Markey Cancer Center Director Dr. Mark Evers on overall center activities and ensures that Markey serves the needs of each community throughout the state.
Community Impact Ambassadors are comprised of two members from each of Markey's Research Programs. These liaisons meet monthly with Dr. Hull and the Research Integration staff to relay information and updates, needs, and interests and to provide input on strategies to engage with investigators. In turn, the ambassadors learn about community engagement and relay COE updates back to their respective programs.
Research Integration Team
Caree McAfee, MA, CHES
Team Leader, Administrative Director of Operations and Evaluation
caree.mcafee@uky.edu
Christine Stroebel, MPH
Quality Improvement Research Director
christine.stroebel@uky.edu
Todd Burus, MAS
Data Visualization Specialist
tburus@uky.edu
Natalie Wilhite, MA
Health Communications Manager
natalie.riney@uky.edu
Jane Morgan
Administrative Support Associate
jane.morgan@uky.edu