University of Kentucky chemical engineering students and the student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) were again prominent at this year’s AIChE Southern Regional Conference. Twenty-nine students from Lexington participated in the conference that was held April 9-11 in Raleigh, N.C. Kevin Baldridge, Chelsie Bottom, Eric Coker, Lisa He, Alex Heilman, and Jenna Shapiro made oral presentations of their research, and Joseph Amundson, Justin Byarski, Juan Carlos Cordova and Craig Needham presented posters of their research. In addition, a team of seven students led by Juan Carlos Cordova entered the Chem-E-Car Competition.

Eight students from the UK Paducah student chapter also attended the conference. Paducah chapter president Luke Richardson competed in the research poster session, and National Executive Student Committee member Rachel Brashear addressed a session of chapter presidents from across the southeast.

For the oral paper competitions, 20 papers were presented by students from the southern region. UK’s Kevin Baldridge won the first place award from his section and the overall second place award. Jenna Shapiro won the first place award from her section and the overall third place award. Chelsie Bottom won the second place award for her section, and Eric Coker won the third place award for his section. For the poster competition, 25 posters were presented with UK again having multiple students recognized for their outstanding research. Specifically, Justin Byarski won the third place award, and Juan Carlos Cordova won the fifth place award.

Kevin Baldridge, Jenna Shapiro, Eric Coker, and Juan Carlos Cordova were all participants in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) at UK. This ten-week program, funded by the National Science Foundation, provides rising juniors and seniors with the opportunity to work on multidisciplinary research focusing on Engineered Bioactive Interfaces and Devices.

A team of seven chemical engineering students entered their car “Calipari Powered” in the Chem-E-Car competition. They designed a car powered by a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In addition to team leader Juan Carlos Cordova, members were Kevin Baldridge, Ben Carpenter, Tuan Ho, Brandon Murray, Christina Russell and Hamzah Saiyed.

UK AIChE student Chapter officers are: Isaac Bennett, President; Juan Carlos Cordova, Vice-President; Alex Heilman, Secretary; Laura Wallace, Treasurer. Dr. J. Zach Hilt is the chapter adviser.

Oral Presentation Details:

• Kevin Baldridge, “Development of oxidant-active polymeric nanoparticles for the regulation of doxorubicin mediated chemotoxicity.” Faculty advisers: Tom Dziubla and Kim Anderson.
• Chelsie Bottom, “RC materials based on nanocomposite sol-gel systems.” Faculty adviser: J. Zach Hilt.
• Eric Coker, “Synthesizing iron and iron oxide nanoparticles in the membrane domain.” Faculty advisers: D.B. Bhattacharyya and J. Zach Hilt.
• Lisa He, “Development of nanocomposite shape memory polymers.” Faculty adviser: J. Zach Hilt
• Alex Heilman, “Investigation of dynamic relaxation properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposites.” Faculty adviser: Doug Kalika.
• Jenna Shapiro, “Characterization of PEG-iron oxide hydrogel nanocomposites for combined hyperthermia and chemotherapy treatment of cancer.” Faculty adviser: Kim Anderson and J. Zach Hilt.

Poster Presentation Details:

• Joseph Amundson, “Selectivity among calcium, ferrous, and ferric ions in a polyvinylidene fluoride membrane with polyacrylic acid functionalization.” Faculty adviser: D.B. Bhattacharyya.
• Justin Byarski, “Catalase loaded biodegradable hydrogels for the prevention of bacteria diversification.” Faculty advisers: Tom Dziubla and J. Zach Hilt.
• Juan Carlos Cordova, “Biodegradable poly(beta-amino ester) hydrogels as tissue engineering scaffolds for growth plate regeneration.” Faculty advisers: J. Zach Hilt and Dave Puleo.
• Craig Needham, “Adsorption of simple sugars onto molecularly imprinted silica films.” Faculty adviser: Stephen Rankin.
• Luke Richardson, “Catalyst Optimization for Glycerol Dehydration Chemistry Using Systems Engineering Tools.” Faculty adviser: Jeffrey Seay.