Lab Updates & Achievements
Helmy Lab hosted a two-day workshop for the 2025 4-H Teen Conference at the University of Kentucky. Students explored zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance through hands-on activities, including bacterial streaking and an interactive case study. The event highlighted the importance of microbiology in animal and public health, inspiring future scientists in the process.
We are excited to welcome Alexis and Meghan, two students from Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), who have joined our lab for the summer. They will gain hands-on experience in infectious disease research and contribute to ongoing projects in antimicrobial resistance. We’re thrilled to have them on board!
Bibek and Ajran presented their research at the 2025 NIAMRRE Conference in North Carolina! Their work highlighted innovative approaches to tackling antimicrobial resistance, and they represented the Helmy Lab with excellence and professionalism.
Rosbelly graduated with a B.A. in Biology, with a minor in Microbiology, and we couldn’t be prouder!
A huge congratulations to Bibek for successfully passing his qualifying exam—he is now officially a Ph.D. candidate! We are proud of his hard work. We can’t wait to see the impact of his upcoming research.
All Helmy Lab members recently attended the ASM Kentucky Conference hosted at the University of Louisville, where they presented their cutting-edge research on infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. It was a great opportunity for networking and sharing our latest findings with the scientific community.
For the third consecutive year, Dr. Yosra Helmy has been nominated for the Undergraduate Research Mentor Award at the University of Kentucky. Although the Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award is a lifetime honor that can only be received once, Dr. Helmy proudly earned it in 2023, and this continued recognition reflects her ongoing commitment to mentoring and empowering undergraduate researchers.
Dr. Yosra Helmy joined fellow researchers at the Kentucky State Capitol as part of Translational Science 2025 (TS25) to meet with legislators and advocate for the vital role of clinical and translational science in our communities. Discussions focused on the impact of research on public health and the importance of sustained state and federal funding to support innovation and scientific advancement in Kentucky and beyond.
Congratulations to Ajran for earning the Best 3-Minute Presentation Award at the Infectious Disease Day Conference at the University of Kentucky! His concise and impactful delivery stood out among many excellent talks.
Dr. Yosra Helmy was honored to serve as the invited keynote speaker at Lincoln Memorial University’s Research Day, addressing an audience of over 450 attendees. The event celebrated innovation and collaboration across disciplines, and Dr. Helmy’s talk focused on the critical role of One Health research and combating antimicrobial resistance through interdisciplinary approaches.
We are proud to share that Rosbelly Rios was selected to present her research at the Posters-at-the-Capitol event in Frankfort, KY—a competitive opportunity to showcase undergraduate research to Kentucky legislators.
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Saleh as a new postdoctoral scholar in the Helmy Lab. With his extensive expertise in molecular microbiology, Dr. Saleh will contribute to ongoing projects and more.
We’re excited to announce that Bibek Lamichhane received the David Francis Student Award – Second Place Oral Presentation at the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD), held in Chicago, USA.
Dr. Yosra Helmy was recently featured in a University of Kentucky spotlight article: “University of Kentucky Researcher Explores Natural Products to Shield Foals from Life-Threatening Infections.” The article highlights the Helmy Lab’s innovative work using natural compounds and antibiotic alternatives—such as probiotics and small molecules—to combat antimicrobial-resistant infections in foals, with a focus on Rhodococcus equi.
We’re proud to share that Dr. Yosra Helmy has been elected President of the Kentucky-Tennessee Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). This national-level recognition highlights her leadership and continued contributions to advancing microbiology and infectious disease research.
Dr. Yosra Helmy has been honored with the Women in Medicine and Science Mentorship Award from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. This recognition reflects her ongoing dedication to fostering the growth of future scientists and promoting a collaborative, inclusive research environment.
Congratulations to Bibek Lamichhane, a graduate student in the Helmy Lab, who presented our research at the International Equine Infectious Diseases Conference (IEIDC) last week in Deauville, France.
We are thrilled to share that Dr. Yosra Helmy has been named to the Stanford University “Top 2% Scientists” list, a global ranking of the most influential scientists across all fields. This recognition, based on a data update released in September 2024 and published by Elsevier, highlights the top 2% of scientists worldwide for career-long impact in their respective disciplines
Congratulations to Bibek Lamichhane for winning First Place in the Poster Competition at the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education (NIAMRRE) Conference, held this week in Ohio.
We are proud to announce that Dr. Yosra Helmy has received the Faculty Research Mentorship Award from the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky. This marks her second mentorship award from the university, recognizing her outstanding dedication to guiding the next generation of researchers.
Congratulations to Dr. Helmy for being awarded a grant from the American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF). The project is entitled “Novel therapeutics for the control of multidrug-resistant Rhodococcus equi in foals”.
In April 2024, Dr. Yosra Helmy was honored to be nominated once again for the Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award at the University of Kentucky. This prestigious lifetime award, which Dr. Helmy received in 2023, recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers.
We’re excited to share that Dr. Yosra Helmy was recently featured in a University of Kentucky spotlight article titled: “University of Kentucky Researcher Spearheads Efforts Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance.” The article highlights Dr. Helmy’s work in leading cutting-edge research on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a focus on One Health, small molecule therapeutics, and the surveillance of zoonotic pathogens.
Two undergraduate students from the Helmy Lab, Rami Musa (ABT 201) and Grant Kelly (BIO 398), presented their research at the 17th Annual Undergraduate Research Showcase at the University of Kentucky. Their projects focus on developing novel antibiotic alternatives, such as probiotics and small molecules, to help control antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella infections in young foals.
We’re proud to share that Dr. Yosra Helmy has been selected as one of the 2023 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors at the University of Kentucky. This award recognizes her dedication to guiding and supporting undergraduate students in their research journeys.
Helmy Lab students proudly represented the lab at the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Conference, showcasing their work on combating antimicrobial resistance. Their participation underscores the importance of teamwork and mentorship in addressing one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
Students from the Helmy Lab participated in the TODD Symposium at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, where they shared their research through poster presentations. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with peers and professionals, discuss their findings, and gain experience communicating their work in the field of antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease research.
