Hi everyone, my name is Ariel Robinson and I'm a PhD student here in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering.
Specifically, I'm an environmental engineer and my research focuses on emerging contaminants and wastewater and water systems here in Kentucky and also around beside of states. My situation is a little unique. I've been a Wildcat since 2015 and ever since I came here and stepped foot on campus for orientation, I felt like home.
Our department is honestly amazing. All of our ten teachers are so genuine and there's tons of activities and clubs to get involved in.
During my time here at UK, I have been heavily involved in the National Society of Black Engineers or NSBE, similar to some of the other student organizations we have in the department.We do professional development, social events. We do a lot of career development, so we have different conferences that we can go to and they're usually all around the country that these conferences you can get internships or co-ops or full time opportunities while also getting some network with other engineers around the United States.
My research lab specifically focuses not only on environmental contaminants but their fate and transport through different systems such as sewer systems. So, while I focus on the water side, some of my other lab mates also focus on the fate and transport of volatile chemicals throughout sewer systems. And our goal is to use stakeholder engagement to talk to members of the community and see what kind of engineering solutions that they have.
Because through my time through UK, I've learned that you should talk to community members when you're making an engineering solutions, otherwise they won't adapt them as easily. So that's always our goal within my research lab, but we're also a part of the Super Cut Research Center, which is comprised of four different projects from all across the university. And so there's a lot of opportunity for multidisciplinary research between engineers and chemists and biologists.
And it's honestly an amazing program, and if you're looking for a place to come, UK is the best!
