GERONTOLOGY
PHD IN
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
GRADUATE CENTER FOR GERONTOLOGY The PhD program in Gerontology
at the University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, emphasizes an understanding of the older person as an individual and as part of society. The program is a campus-wide, interdisciplinary research program. The program is designed to help students develop strong analytical, integrative, and transdisciplinary thinking about the physiological and psychological effects of aging on individuals, as well as the influence of environment and society.
Our students
come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, including laboratory sciences, health care, social sciences, government, and non-profit work; they go on to careers in teaching, service, and as national and international leaders in research on aging.
Individualized course of study
is encouraged so each student, with the input of faculty mentors, tailor their course of study to their interests and needs. Core faculty come from backgrounds in geography, occupational therapy, and psychology. Affiliate faculty are drawn from 20 academic departments in seven UK colleges; their interests span fields including social work, health sciences, nursing, engineering, behavioral science, and beyond. With the Graduate Center for Gerontology as a home base, students can expand their scholarly networks across the sixteen colleges located on the UK campus.
Financial support
(tuition, health insurance, and stipend) is guaranteed for the first year of the program (for full-time students). Up to four years of funding may be available depending on progress and productivity.
Lexington, Kentucky
is a hub of education, culture, and health care. With a thriving local arts scene, a growing local food movement, and access to world-class outdoor recreation, Lexington offers something for everyone. Home to several high-tech and academic employers, and easily accessible via the interstate or Bluegrass Airport, Lexington is a crossroads of innovation. Ranked a Top-30 Place to Live by U.S. News and World Report, the Lexington metro area also boasts an affordable cost of living combined with excellent public services.
CORE FACULTY Beth Hunter, PhD, OTR/L
• Background: occupational therapy • Physical function/participation • Intersection of cancer survivorship and physical rehabilitation • Appalachian and rural health • Clinical translation of evidence based practice
Caitlin Pope, PhD
• Background: psychology • Cognitive aging and everyday functioning • Aging with HIV • Transportation-related injury prevention across the lifespan • Cognitive interventions to promote successful aging
AFFILIATE FACULTY John Watkins, PhD • • • •
Background: geography Later life health behaviors Population growth Demographics
Graham Rowles, PhD
(Emeritus) • Background: geography • Meaning of place to older adults and its relationship to health and well-being • Aging/environment theory • Long-term care (especially assisted living and nursing facility environments) • Gerontology education
36 AFFILIATE FACULTY MEMBERS
7 COLLEGES
20 ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS
CONTACT INFORMATION John Watkins, Director
Graduate Center for Gerontology University of Kentucky 725 Rose Street, Suite 401 Lexington, KY 40536-0082 859.218.0240 John.watkins@uky.edu
cph.uky.edu/GRN
Our affiliate faculty work in many disciplines across campus such as: social work, neurology civil engineering, music therapy, geriatrics, psychology, & rehabilitation sciences