'Don't be afraid to reach out': How the UK CCTS propelled one professor’s research career
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2026) — With applications now open for the UK CCTS K12 Career Development Program, one former scholar is encouraging early-career faculty across campus not to let misconceptions keep them from applying.
Michael Samaan, an associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion in the UK College of Education and co-director of the UK Biodynamics Lab, holds a Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering. While clinical research awards are often perceived as strictly for physicians, the CCTS-run, NIH-funded K12 program served as a launchpad for his cross-campus path.
"Reach out to the CCTS staff and leadership and say, 'Hey, I'm interested in the K12. Would my work be a good fit?' You may not realize that your work can directly integrate into a clinical capacity without having that conversation."
— Michael Samaan
For Samaan, two of the program’s greatest assets were dedicated research time and a collaborative community.
"Having that protected time from the K12 allowed me to focus on building up my research program, my lab personnel, and my team without carrying a heavy teaching load," Samaan said.
That dedicated focus resulted in long-term funding success: Samaan leveraged his training to secure an independent NIH Career Development Award.
Equally important was the cross-campus mentorship network. "The mentors you connect with aren't just colleagues — they can end up being your friends," Samaan shared, emphasizing the value of having seasoned faculty to turn to for guidance on navigating promotion, tenure and academic life.
Samaan’s advice for prospective applicants in non-clinical units — including education, engineering, agriculture, or social sciences — is simple: don't count yourself out.
"Don't be scared of just asking questions and reaching out," Samaan said. "Establishing that connection early on is helpful... you never know what kind of path it will set up for you."
Ready to apply?
To review program eligibility, key dates and application guidelines, visit the UK CCTS K12 application announcement. Applications for the current cycle are due Oct. 7.
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 1K12TR006378-01. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Media Contact: Megan Moloney, megan.moloney@uky.edu
