Kimberly I. Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH is a transdisciplinary scholar whose work spans occupational health, community-engaged research, and human-animal interaction. At the University of Kentucky Sports Medicine Research Institute, she directs the Equestrian Athlete Program, advancing injury recovery and workforce development for athletic trainers in equestrian sport. She is also Founding Director of the Equine-Assisted Collaborative for Health (EACH©), which provides infrastructure and decision support for equine-assisted service organizations worldwide.

• Resilient and Sustainable Systems of Care
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Human-Animal Bond
• Sport Performance and Access to Care

One Health in Action

This course explores the One Health concept, emphasizing the interconnected and interdependent nature of human, animal, and ecosystem health. Students will engage with a comprehensive conceptual framework that integrates diverse disciplines, including human and veterinary medicine, agricultural sciences, food safety, public health, epidemiology, environmental health, toxicology, wildlife ecology, and conservation. Through interdisciplinary case studies, students will examine emerging health threats, such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and food security, while evaluating strategies for collaborative problem-solving and sustainable health solutions. The course fosters a systems-thinking approach, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to contribute to research, policy, and real-world interventions in One Health.

Successful transdisciplinary mentor for professional, doctoral, masters, and undergraduate degree-seeking students within the University. Within 2 years (2023-2025) mentored five undergraduate students, and one doctoral student who were recognized with research dissemination awards. One doctoral student from the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment was mentored to an international award for research presentation. Also completed research mentorship of four Osteopathic Medicine students attending the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Within 2 years, a total of 15 student-authored abstracts, and 4 student-authored refereed journal articles were completed. Mentees have come from programs in pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, exercise psychology, rehabilitation sciences, biosystems engineering, public health, human health, animal sciences, biomedical engineering, computer engineering, kinesiology, and osteopathic medicine.