Faculty Mentor of the Month

Mentors make a difference.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) officially launched the Research Faculty Mentor of the Month recognition program in August 2017 and have since recognized 82 faculty mentors.

Each month the OUR office will highlight one of UK's outstanding and very much appreciated research faculty mentors who offer leadership and support to undergraduate student researchers.

Research Mentor of the Year Award Nominations

Mar 1, 2025, 1:00 AM – Apr 1, 2025, 11:55 PM

The Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award recognizes UK faculty members who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers, providing 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.

Julia Costich

By Brett Wilson Mar 6, 2024

August Research Faculty Mentor of the Month Dr. Julia Costich is the Peter P. Bosomworth professor of Health Services Research and Acting Chair in the Department of Health Management & Policy, College of Public Health. Julia attended Duke University for undergrad before completing her JD, PhD, MPA at the University of Kentucky. Not only does she serve in the College of Public Health, she also teaches at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law at the University of Kentucky.

Christopher Pool

By Brett Wilson Mar 6, 2024

July Research Faculty Mentor of the Month Dr. Christopher A. Pool is a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Anthropology. He completed his PhD in 1990 at Tulane University. He currently mentors five undergraduate and five graduate students at the University of Kentucky.

Gosia Chwatko

By Brett Wilson Mar 6, 2024

June Faculty Mentor of the Month Dr. Gosia Chwatko is an assistant professor in the College of Engineering Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Before ending up at UK, she studied undergrad at the University of Connecticut and then earned both her masters and PhD in chemical engineering from University of Texas Austin.

M. Paul Murphy

By Brett Wilson Mar 6, 2024

May Research Faculty Mentor of the Month Dr. M. Paul Murphy is a professor in the College of Medicine Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry. Dr. Murphy started his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto studying biochemistry. Post-graduation, he would go on to earn his Masters in psychology and then earn his PhD in neuroscience, both from the University of Toronto. Dr. Murphy also holds the title of program co-director at the SuRE Resource Center.

Jessica Santollo

By Brett Wilson Mar 6, 2024

April Research Faculty Mentor of the Month Dr. Jessica Santollo is an associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky. She started her undergraduate education journey at Rutgers University before heading to Florida State University to earn her Masters in Biological Psychology. Santollo would then also graduate in 2010 from FSU with a PhD in Neuroscience.

Christopher Fry

By Brett Wilson Mar 4, 2024

March Research Faculty Mentor of the Month Dr. Christopher Fry is an associate professor in the College of Health Sciences Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition. Dr. Fry completed an undergraduate Biology degree at Baylor University in 2006. He would then go on to gain his PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch before finding his way to the University of Kentucky in 2019.

Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby

By Haven L Patrick Jan 31, 2024

Dr. Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby is a Professor of Russian, Folklore and Linguistics, Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures & Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences. She has worked at the University of Kentucky since 1994 and mentored many undergraduates.

Research Mentor of the Year Award Nominations

Mar 1, 2023, 1:00 AM – Apr 1, 2023, 11:55 PM

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.

Kevin Yeager

Week 9 Oct 26, 2020

Faculty Mentor of the Week Fall 2020 | Week 9 --- Dr. Kevin Yeager is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. Thank you Dr. Yeager for your unwavering support of undergraduate research at the University of Kentucky. We are pleased to recognize your dedication this week as our Research Faculty Mentor of the Week.

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Email	ugresearch@uky.edu
Phone	859-257-0049
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