2025 Markey Women Strong Distinguished Researchers

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation’s Markey Women Strong program awarded its annual Distinguished Researcher grates to UK Markey Cancer Center researchers Mautin Barry-Hundeyin, MD and Kathleen O’Connor, PhD.  This year recognizes 8 years of funding female-led cancer research teams at the Markey Cancer Center and over $800,000 in grants awarded.

The researchers were selected, through a voting process, by the members of Markey Women Strong and each awarded a $50,000 grant to further their research projects. Dr. Barry-Hundeyin’s work is focused on how macrophages regulate stomach cancer and Dr. O’Connor’s work explores whether chemotherapy can be better used to cure Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Started in the summer of 2016, Markey Women Strong is comprised of philanthropic women and men who aim to make a meaningful difference in cancer research by funding female researchers focused on advancing the fight against cancer at the University of Kentucky.

The Markey Women Strong program is one of the most hands-on opportunities donors have to support the Markey Cancer Foundation, thus making Markey the place where Kentucky comes to beat cancer.  Each member of Markey Women Strong contributes an annual donation of $1,000.  Together, the members of Markey Women Strong read grant applications, hear from the researchers, and then vote to decide which UK Markey Cancer Center grant applicants receive the research support.

To learn more about Markey Women Strong, please click here.