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James E. Funk, Ph.D., former Dean and Professor Emeritus, Department of Mechanical Engineering for the College of Engineering passed away over the weekend.  

Dean Funk served from 1972 to 1980 and was the individual most responsible for launching the University’s energy research enterprise.  It was under his direction that the Center for Applied Energy Research was started and quickly grew to become one of the foremost centers for fossil fuel research in the United States.

Final funeral arrangements are not yet complete.

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Just as gifted inside the classroom as outside of it, Mark was chosen by Dean Thomas Lester to participate in his Engineering Leadership Class—an experience that exposed him to industry leaders, renowned alumni and culminated in a trip to Washington D.C. Given Mark’s potential, it was a testament to UK’s ability to attract high-quality graduate students when Mark chose to enroll in a graduate program directed by assistant professor Sean Bailey after graduating in May, 2011.

Recently, Mark was notified that he will receive a NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship. The NSTRF is a national award given to a select group of future technological leaders, and the goal of the NSTRF program is “to provide the nation with a pipeline of highly skilled engineers and technologists to improve America’s technological competitiveness.” Through such programs, NASA hopes to gain access to students like Mark, who are interested in creating new technologies that will benefit aerospace research. One aspect of the fellowship is that Mark will have the opportunity to work with NASA scientists at a NASA facility.

“I have been very excited to see the progression of this work, and the amazing field of dedicated researchers that further the state of the art every day,” Mark declares. ““This NSTR Fellowship will provide the opportunity to take this research to new levels that I could not have imagined when submitting the first proposal.” 

Mark is currently working on a NASA EPSCoR funded project conducting experimental investigation of blowing effects on turbulent flow over a rough surface. Using a wind tunnel, Mark is examining the fundamentals of how flow transpiration through a surface modifies the turbulence flowing over it. His research has applications for modeling adverse effects upon the exterior of spacecraft returning to the earth’s atmosphere.

Bailey, who has known Mark since he was a student in his fluid dynamics class almost three years ago, says Mark is more than deserving of the prestigious award.

“Mark continues to impress me with his maturity and knowledge of engineering fundamentals, and even in this early stage of his graduate studies I am able rely on him to conduct quality experiments that I can trust. He has proven himself to be an excellent experimentalist with a good instinct for performing research.”

Mark cites Bailey, as well as assistant professor Alexandre Martin, as influences that made the award possible. “I could never have made it this far without the support of my advisers and funding through NASA. It is incredible to me what is possible when you dedicate your time and are provided tons of great assistance from co-workers and advisers.”

In addition to displaying a poster at the 5th Ablation Conference earlier this year, Mark will be presenting his research at the American Physical Society’s Division of Fluid Dynamics annual meeting this fall and will exhibit a poster at the 17^th annual Kentucky EPSCoR conference.

Dhir is regarded as one of the world’s foremost authorities on heat transfer, as well as engineering education. A recipient of numerous awards, Dhir was inducted into the University of Kentucky’s Engineering Hall of Distinction in 2004.

Cheung, along with autism, communications and psychology experts at UK, are currently seeking a $726,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a “virtual mirror” that will help autistic children learn daily tasks. According to the Chronicle article, an estimated one in 88 American children is autistic.

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This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising of students or outstanding academic advising administration. The Faculty Academic Advising category includes those individuals whose primary responsibility is teaching, yet devote a portion of their time providing academic advising services to students.

Since 1983, NACADA has honored individuals and institutions making significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising. The goal of NACADA is to promote quality academic advising and professional development of its membership to enhance the educational development of students.

NACADA’s membership has grown to over 10,000 faculty, professional advisors, administrators, counselors, and others in academic and student affairs concerned with the intellectual, personal, and vocational needs of students. In addition, NACADA is the representative and advocate of academic advising and those providing that service to higher education.

Bryson received a Ken Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award in February and will be honored and presented with the Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit award in Nashville, TN during the NACADA Annual Conference this fall.