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The Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award recognizes UK faculty members who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers, provide exceptional undergraduate research experiences, as well as supporting and promoting the undergraduate research initiatives on campus.  

 

Each year, outstanding faculty mentors are recognized at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars for their outstanding leadership and support of students. 

 

Nominations open March 1, 2025

Deadline: April 1, 2025

Winners announced: April 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. in Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom

 



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2024 Mentor of the Year award winners

2024 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award Winners

Research Mentor of the Year Award Nominations

Each year, outstanding faculty mentors are recognized at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars for their outstanding leadership and support of students. 

NOMINATE YOUR MENTOR

2024 Excellent Research Mentor Award Nominees

2024 was another RECORD-BREAKING year with 53 nominations submitted by their undergraduate research mentees -- including 6 mentors that previously won the award. The diverse nominees represent 30 disciplines and 8 Colleges!

View 2024 Mentor Nominees

PREVIOUS FACULTY MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

2024 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Theodore Kalbfleisch, Associate Professor of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Martin Nielsen, Professor of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Pavel Ortinski, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, College of Medicine

Jessica Santollo, Associate Professor of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences

Ann Stowe, Professor of Neuroscience, College of Medicine

2023 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Martha Grady, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering

Yosra Helmy, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Carlos Rodriguez-Lopez, Associate Professor of Horticulture; Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Kathryn Saatman, Professor of Physiology and Neurosurgery; College of Medicine

2022 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Tayo Adedokun, Associate Professor of Nutrition; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Kendall Corbin, Assistant Professor of Horticulture; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

David Weisrock, Professor of Biology; College of Arts and Sciences

Michael Wesley, Director of the Department of Behavioral Science; College of Medicine

2021 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Melinda Ickes - Associate Professor of Health Promotion; College of Education

Patrick Hannon - Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology; College of Medicine

Nathan Vanderford - Associate Professor of Toxicology and Cancer Biology; College of Medicine

Sherali Zeadally - Associate Professor and University Research Professor in the School of Information Science; College of Communication and Information

 

2020 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Catherine Linnen, Associate Professor of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences

Jeramiah Smith, Associate Professor of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences

Sarah D’Orazio Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine 

Julie Pendergast, Assistant Professor of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences (Honorable Mention)

 

View UKNow article

 

2019 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Marilyn Campbell - Lecturer of Kinesiology and Health Promotion; College of Education

Suzanne Segerstrom - Professor of Psychology; College of Arts and Sciences

2018 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Luke Bradley - Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry; College of Medicine

Janice Fernheimer - Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies; College of Arts and Sciences

Greg Luhan - Endowed Professor of Architecture; College of Design

 

2017 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Joshua Beckmann - Associate Professor of Psychology; College of Arts and Sciences

Susan Odom - Associate Professor of Chemistry; College of Arts and Sciences

2016 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Jonathan Golding - Professor of Psychology; College of Arts and Sciences

Jeffrey L. Osborn - Professor of Biology; College of Arts and Sciences

2015 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Kristin Ashford - Professor of Nursing; College of Nursing

Robin Cooper - Professor of Biology and Neuroscience; College of Arts and Sciences

2014 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Event not held due to hosting the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) at UK 

2013 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Zach Hilt - Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering; College of Engineering

Richard Smith - Professor of Psychology; College of Arts and Sciences

2012 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Kimberly Anderson - Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering; College of Engineering

Nadine Kabengi - Assistant Research Professor of Plant & Soil Sciences; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

David Atwood - Professor of Chemistry and Environment and Sustainability Studies; College of Arts and Sciences

2011 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Trevor Creamer - Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry; College of Medicine

A. Gwynn Henderson - Assistant Professor of Anthropology; College of Arts and Sciences

2010 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

David Rogers - Associate Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry; College of Medicine

Chana Akins - Professor of Psychology; College of Arts and Sciences

2009 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Diane Snow - Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology; College of Medicine

Elzbieta Wala - Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences; College of Pharmacy

Honorable Mention: Tammy Stephenson - Associate Professor of Dietetics and Human Nutrition; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

2008 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentors

Patricia Burkhart - Associate Dean; College of Nursing

Nicholas McLetchie - Associate Professor of Biology; College of Arts and Sciences

FAQ for Mentoring Awards

 

Professor X has been nominated before, but has not won yet. Can I nominate him/her again?

Yes (and please do!).

 

Professor X has already won this award. Can I nominate him/her again?

Unfortunately, no. The Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award can be won only once in a lifetime.

 

Professor X has previously received an Honorable Mention award. Can I nominate him/her again?

Yes, a faculty that has received an Honorable Mention award is still eligible for this award and can be nominated. 

 

Professor X is retired. Can I still nominate him/her?

Retired faculty are not eligible for this award, unfortunately.

 

Who is on the Selection Committee?

The selection committee is comprised of 10-15 upper-division undergraduate research students with the Office of Undergraduate Research administrators serving as advisors for the process.