Department News

Swaying Tower: Ariel Robinson’s Path to Civil Engineering

When she was thirteen, Ariel Robinson took a class field trip to the Willis Tower in her hometown of Chicago. Looking up she noticed that the tower swayed, which she found both frightening and interesting. A worker on the site explained to her that this movement was a deliberate structural aspect of the building. “I was hooked,” said Robinson. “I wanted to learn more about how things were built.” When she got home, she spent some time online and learned that she was interested in civil engineering.

UK researchers, community partners tackle health threats from 'forever chemicals'

Nearly every person in the United States has been exposed to per- and polyfluorinated alky substances (PFAS) at some point in their life. These “forever chemicals” are the focus of a targeted investigation by University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center (UKSRC) researchers who are working collaboratively with community partners to protect Kentuckians.

Stakeholder driven science to address infrastructure needs

UK at the Half: Researchers develop antiviral face mask

For this "UK at the Half," University of Kentucky College of Engineering Professor Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., and doctoral student Rollie Mills, discuss the medical face mask membrane they have developed. The membrane can capture and deactivate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on contact. 

Researchers Attended the 42nd International Symposium Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants

Kelly Pennell, Professor and Director of the University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center (UKSRC) and a team of researchers from the Department of Civil Engineering traveled to New Orleans to participate in the 42nd International Symposium Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants.

High School Student Uses AROMA-VOC in Research with the University of Kentucky

Engtanglement Technology Inc. (5/22) Over the last two years, Benjamin Bratten, a high school senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, has been working to study sewer pipe leakage and cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) emissions. He has had a “secret weapon” on his side: AROMA-VOC.

Women Making History Series Kicks Off with Isabel Escobar on ‘Behind the Blue’

Throughout March for Women’s History Month, the University of Kentucky is spotlighting Women Making History. These women are leading their fields of research, crossing traditional academic boundaries and impacting Kentucky’s most pressing challenges including opioid use disorder treatment, aging and Alzheimer’s, water and air filtration, environmental impacts on health and suicide prevention.

Molly Frazar was interviewed by WEKU on her research and recent Karen Wetterhahn memorial award

Tune in on Thursday, February 17 11am EST and 8pm EST on 88.9 WEKU. Listen to a preview of the interview on Eastern Standard.

Superfund Research Featured in SRP e-Posted Notes

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2/4/2022)With funding from the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP), researchers at the University of Kentucky (UK) SRP Center follow a multidisciplinary scientific approach to understand how environmental contaminants harm the body and explore effective interventions to protect the health of communities.

Molly Frazar received the Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award

National Institute of Environmental Health (12/18) Molly Frazar is the 24th recipient of the Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award. The award, which recognizes one outstanding graduate student or postdoctoral researcher who exemplifies qualities of scientific excellence, was presented on December 16 at the virtual portion of the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) Annual Meeting.