Lexington, KY (February 14, 2018)- Congratulations to UK Superfund Research Center trainee Brittany Rice! Brittany was the Essence Honoree for the UK Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives’ FIERCE Award. The award was presented at the 2nd Annual Sister Circle Forum: The Magic is in Me on February 9, 2018. The Sister Circle Forum is a half day conference for undergraduate, graduate, and professional women of color from the University of Kentucky and the Lexington community. Through interactive workshops, presentations, activities, and a dynamic keynote address, conference attendees engage in critical conversations surrounding women of color in today’s world. Five women were honored with Fierce Awards for their contributions to the community. Brittany was honored for mentoring women in fields where underrepresented student participation is limited and for her promotion of diversity across UK’s campus and community. Brittany is a SREB Doctoral Scholars Program Fellowship Recipient and is currently pursuing her PhD in Nutritional Sciences. She works in Dr. Kevin Pearson’s lab on Project # 2: Postnatal Complications of Perinatal Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure.