University of Kentucky - College of Engineering - News

The University of Kentucky recently hosted 12 undergraduate students from across the country as part of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program this summer. 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.

The students had the opportunity to work with faculty and graduate students in chemical, materials, mechanical, and biomedical engineering as well as pharmaceutical sciences.

• View Slideshow of poster competition

In addition to research, the students participated in educational activities including weekly seminars, journal club discussions, weekly mentoring lunches with IGERT graduate students, and a field trip to Alltech. Social events such as trips to Mammoth Cave, Cedar Point, Kings Island and a Legends Baseball game were also part of the program.

The program ended on July 30, 2009 with a poster competition and awards ceremony. Awards included Best Blog - Danielle Frechette from the University of Arkansas, Best Journal Club Discussion - Elizabeth Conklin from the University of Louisville and Poster Awards (1st place – Kimberly Doan from San Jose University, 2nd Place- Elizabeth Conklin, 3rd Place-Kevin Baldridge from the University of Kentucky.

Other participants included Kala Bean (Tuskegee University), Eric Coker (University of Kentucky), Juan Carlos Cordova (University of Kentucky), Patrick Hoblitzell (University of Louisville), Amber Jerke (South Dakota School of Mines), Daniel Lindsay (University of Arkansas), Halle Senger (University of Akron) and Jenna Shapiro (University of Kentucky).

Faculty advisors this year included Drs. Tom Dziubla, Kimberly Anderson, Steve Rankin, Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Zach Hilt , and Barbara Knutson from Chemical Engineering, Bruce Hinds from Materials Engineering, Christine Trinkle from Mechanical Engineering, David Puleo and Hainsworth Shin from Biomedical Engineering, and Brad Anderson, Heidi Mansour, and Younsoo Bae from Pharmaceutical Sciences. The program is directed by Drs. Kimberly Anderson and Zach Hilt, both professors in the Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Ms. Erin Pyrek (Program Coordinator) was also instrumental in the success of the program. For more information on the REU program, please visit http://nsfreu.engr.uky.edu