Department News

Robinson wins UK’s 6th Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award

Ariel Robinson, a Ph.D. candidate in civil engineering in the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, has been named the recipient of the 28th annual Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award.

Dr. Bhattacharyya gives webinar on Multifunctional Membranes Towards PFAS Remediation

Halogenated organic compounds, such as PFAS, PCB,TCE, etc. continue to pose both remediation/detoxification challenges and human health risks from water and other industrial sources. Current technologies used in water and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are incapable of removing and/or destroying PFAS, resulting in the disposal of PFAS-laden wastes in landfills, gravely impacting groundwater and thus contaminating the drinking water system.

Bhattacharyya named 2024 National Academy of Inventors Fellow

One University of Kentucky scientist, renowned for his research on membranes for filtering and producing clean water has been named a Fellow of the 

Cultivating research partnerships for environment and health innovations at East European Conference on Health and the Environment (CEECHE)

University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center (UKSRC) study links ‘forever chemical’ PFOS with colorectal cancer

A UKSRC team of researchers led by Dr. Yekaterina Zaytseva is studying perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure on gastrointestinal (GI) pathology. The GI tract is directly exposed to environmental pollutants via contaminated drinking water, food and other sources. PFOS is one of the most detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals’, in both surface water and groundwater in Kentucky. UKSRC Director Dr.

David Lu, Ph.D candidate and US Department of Energy Scholar brings internship experience to Paducah, Ky.

Read the story at Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management's website:

Dr. Rollie G. Mills, co-founder of Funky Rooster Coffee, gave a seminar taking audience members beyond the basics of coffee roasting and brewing

Dr. Rollie G. Mills, co-founder of Funky Rooster Coffee, gave a seminar taking audience members beyond the basics of coffee roasting and brewing. Dr. Mills, an expert in water filtration and avid coffee enthusiast, explored how scientific and engineering principles are key to making the perfect cup. From understanding the impact of ion concentration in water to highlighting innovative scientific projects in the coffee industry, this session deepened appreciation for the science behind every sip.

What Are Leaking Underground Storage Tanks and How Are They Being Cleaned Up?

Dr. Kelly Pennell, UKSRC Director, was interviewed for a story in U.S. News and World Report, "What Are Leaking Underground Storage Tanks and How Are They Being Cleaned Up?"  Read the full story on US News and World Report.

UK ASCEND to propel community-engaged health equity research

Dr. Kevin Pearson, professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, RSP co-director, and Deputy Director of UKSRC, is a member of UK ASCEND, a new project at the University of Kentucky expanding new avenues to develop community-engaged health equity research expertise among early-stage investigators. Read the full story on UKNOW.

Rollie Mills wins 2023 Wetterhahn Award

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) selected Rollie Mills, from the University of Kentucky SRP Center, as the 26th recipient of the Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award. The announcement was made Dec. 5 at the SRP Annual Grant Recipient Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Read coverage in NIEHS's Environmental Factor: https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2024/1/awards-recognition/srp-wetterhahn