Health and Wellness
UT’s Peninsula Innovation District has received the 2026 Emerging Community of Innovation award from the Association of University Research Parks. The award honors research parks and innovation districts that have been operational for less than 10 years and are building sustainable ecosystems that move technology from early-stage ideas toward market-ready solutions.
UT is raising the bar in research excellence with the addition of eight exceptional researchers. Three of these researchers are advancing Americans’ well-being as they advance radiopharmaceutical therapies, apply precision health for aging populations, and optimize digital health technologies. Together, these preeminent hires showcase UT’s commitment to attracting top-tier faculty who tackle society’s pressing challenges.
Carolyn Anderson, an internationally recognized radiopharmaceutical researcher, has been named the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Nuclear Medicine: Radiopharmaceutical Therapies. In this role, Anderson will research the potential of ORNL-produced radioisotopes for cancer treatment and translate new knowledge and discoveries into solutions. She brings expertise in targeted alpha-emitting radioisotopes, which can precisely kill cancer cells.
A professor and cultural historian in the School of Journalism and Media in UT’s College of Communication and Information, Roessner studies the intersection of journalism, public relations, and advertising to better understand how political images are constructed and how they endure.
From learning instruments to mastering sports, the brain constantly adapts in response to experience through an ability known as plasticity. UT neuroscientist Keerthi Krishnan studies what happens when this process goes awry, aiming to uncover insights that could inform treatments for neurological disorders.
Five faculty-led teams advancing innovations across disciplines, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, have won this year’s awards. One team, Madhu Dhar and Steven Newby, will prove the viability of their novel bioink, a 3D printable replacement for standard steel and titanium surgical implants.
