Melinda Ickes

Melinda Ickes is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky, with a joint appointment in the College of Nursing. She serves as Assistant Dean of Research for the College of Education and Co-Director of the Tobacco Policy Research Program under the BREATHE research team. Her roles also include Director of the AppalTRuST Career Enhancement Core, focusing on tobacco regulatory science. Dr. Ickes holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati (2010) and chairs the Health Promotion Program while directing the Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching. She has taught courses on health promotion, program planning, and community organizing.

Her research focuses on tobacco prevention, community-engaged initiatives, youth empowerment, and health equity. Key projects include the #iCANendthetrend initiative, reaching 20,000 Kentucky youth to reduce tobacco use, and the PREVENT Lab, addressing youth health behaviors. She has led studies on tobacco marketing’s impact on youth, policy advocacy in Appalachian communities, and interventions targeting smoking cessation and HPV vaccination among Black populations.

Dr. Ickes’ work emphasizes translating research into actionable policies and programs. Her collaborations with universities and community partners highlight her commitment to health equity, particularly in rural and marginalized populations. Recent articles analyze tobacco use disparities, pandemic effects on chronic disease management, and the effectiveness of virtual health advocacy training for youth.

Her professional contributions span policy development, program evaluation, and interdisciplinary education. She leads efforts to bridge research and practice through platforms like BREATHE and the AppalTRuST Core, fostering collaboration across academic and community sectors.