Faculty Mentor of the Year Award
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. View the 2023 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award Nominees HERE.
Nominations open March 1, 2024
Deadline: April 1, 2024
Winners announced: April 24, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom
2023 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.
2023 Excellent Research Mentor Award Nominees
This year was another RECORD-BREAKING YEAR with 42 nominations submitted by their undergraduate research mentees -- including 5 mentors that previously won the award. The diverse nominees represent 30 disciplines and 8 Colleges!
PREVIOUS FACULTY MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
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)
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.
