Dr. Bruno Carvalho Menarim 2026 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year
Dr. Bruno Carvalho Menarim is an Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Sciences in Veterinary Sciences in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Bruno attended Midwest State University in Parana, Brazil, for his DVM and completed his large-animal surgery residency at Sao Paulo State University in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His education also includes an MS in Veterinary Radiology from São Paulo State University and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. He then moved to Lexington to complete his Postdoc in Rheumatology at the Gluck Equine Research Center, where he still conducts research today.
Dr. Carvalho Menarim’s research focuses on orthopedic immunology, primarily on mechanisms of synovial inflammation, with emphasis on endogenous mechanisms of inflammation resolution. In the past year, he has mentored eight students. “Every year, one or two undergrad students join my lab for the research performed using in vitro and in vivo models of joint inflammation, for hands-on research experience,” said Dr. Carvalho Menarim on how undergraduate students have been involved in his research.
“Dr. Carvalho Menarim makes a clear effort to understand where I am in my learning and meets me at that level,” recalled Luke Russell, one of his mentees. “At the same time, he continually encourages me to push myself and improve, but in a way that never feels overwhelming. I always feel supported rather than pressured, which has made a huge difference in my willingness to take on new challenges.”
Dr. Carvalho Menarim had an undergraduate research experience that inspired his own education and career. He said that he “had a huge amount of people that committed themselves to provide me a great research foundation. That feeling is still vivid even after 25 years.”
Initiative, motivation, grit, and discipline are the characteristics he looks for in potential research mentees. Dr. Carvalho Menarim shared this advice for students looking to get involved: “Just dive in. Even if you choose not to become a scientist, it will be a significantly eye-opening and vision-broadening experience.”
Thank you, Dr. Carvalho Menarim, for your continued support of undergraduate research at the University of Kentucky. We are pleased to recognize your commitment and dedication as one of the 2026 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors of the Year.
Learn more about Dr. Carvalho Menarim and his research: https://personnel.mgcafe.uky.edu/directory/Carvalho-Menarim-Bruno