LEXINGTON, Ky. — Ann L. Coker, a professor of medicine and acting executive director of the Center for Research on Violence Prevention at the University of Kentucky, has been named a 2026-27 University Research Professor for her groundbreaking work in violence prevention research and training.

The distinction, which recognizes excellence in work addressing scientific, social, cultural and economic challenges, comes with a one-year award of $10,000 as part of a program established by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees in 1976.

Coker earned her Ph.D. in cancer epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987 and has spent her career documenting the health effects of violence and developing prevention strategies. Her career trajectory shifted in 1982 when she worked at the Houston Area Women's Center, an experience she described as transformative.

"The impact of violence on the physical, sexual, psychological and emotional levels for mothers, children and, often, for the partner using violence was stunning," Coker said in remarks accompanying her honor.

At UK since joining the College of Medicine and College of Public Health, Coker has become a leading researcher in bystander-based violence prevention, most notably through her work with the Green Dot program. A five-year study she led evaluating the program in 26 Kentucky high schools found that sexual violence victimization rates were significantly lower in schools implementing Green Dot, with some measures showing 12-13% reductions.

Green Dot is an evidence-based primary prevention program designed to teach participants safe ways to intervene in situations of dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment and assault, and child abuse. The program has expanded statewide and now operates across Lexington and other Kentucky communities.

Coker has also led the National Institutes of Health's Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health program at UK since 2000, and has secured funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address child sex trafficking prevention.

"Public health is essential to our collective well-being. More funding for public health research and practice results in a safer and healthier world," Coker said when asked about her continued motivation for the work.

Seventeen faculty members were named University Research Professors for 2026-27, with the university recognizing excellence across the full spectrum of research fields.