For the past four years, the University of Kentucky Children at Risk Research Group has held an interdisciplinary graduate student conference. The research group engages faculty and graduate students with interests in cognitive development, emotional development, social development, educational development, substance abuse, and mental and physical health. The annual conference provides an opportunity for graduate students to share their research across disciplines, departments and colleges, and facilitates cross-disciplinary discussions about future research and collaborations.

Students from the Department of Family Sciences participate in the conference and share their research. Three student posters are selected each year for recognition, and students in Family Sciences received awards in 2013 and 2014.

Jakub Mikuska

In 2014, Jakub Mikuska, a doctoral student in Family Sciences, received third place recognition and a $100 cash prize. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Trnava University in Slovakia and a M.S. in Psychology from Masaryk University in the Czech Republic. Jakub’s hometown is Bratislava, Slovakia.

Charlene Harris

In 2013, Charlene Harris, a doctoral student in Family Sciences, received third place recognition and a $100 cash prize. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Berea College and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. Charlene’s hometown is Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Alexander Vazsonyi, John I. and Patricia Buster Endowed Professor in the Department of Family Sciences, shared, "The success of our Family Sciences Ph.D. students when competing across social and behavioral science units on-campus attests to the rigor of our training, the skills of our students, as well as how excellence defines and guides their work. I am very pleased with this outcome and look forward to the continued success of our students at this venue."

Congratulations to both Charlene and Jakub for earning these honors.

Posted 5/6/14