COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING TEACHING ASSISTANT
MIHIR MALLADIDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mihir Malladi has served as a teaching assistant in both the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the First Year Engineering (FYE) program since 2022, showcasing exceptional dedication and skill. His performance in the department’s high-enrollment second-year undergraduate labs has been exemplary, consistently earning top ratings on teaching evaluations and attracting specific requests from multiple faculty members for TA assignments. Additionally, Mihir’s commitment to the FYE program, where he engages with a significant number of students each semester, reflects his commendable dedication, as does his proactive approach to curriculum development, evidenced by his creation of innovative teaching content.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING MASTER’S STUDENT
CAMERON E. BREWERDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Cameron Brewer is a highly accomplished scholar and researcher. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from UK, he completed a dual major in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with a perfect 4.0 GPA, while also participating in the University Scholars Program and as a Chellgren Research Fellow. Cameron’s research focuses on the imaging of materials for analysis, where he has become an expert in 3D x-ray computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy. His contributions to the field have resulted in coauthorship on multiple journal papers and numerous presentations at prestigious conferences, including recognition for the Best Technical Presentation in Image Diagnostics at the Dayton- Cincinnati Aerospace Sciences Symposium. Cameron is an intern at NASA Ames Research Center, a volunteer on his church’s Tech Team, and was recently honored as the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s Outstanding Master’s Student.
EIRINI STAVROPOULOUDepartment of Civil Engineering
Eirini Stavropoulou is an accomplished engineer with a stellar academic record and a passion for impactful research. Graduating with distinction from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece, where she completed her integrated master/ diploma in rural, surveying and geoinformatics with an outstanding GPA. Eirini’s research endeavors focus on the development of a process to identify Complete Streets projects and evaluate their benefits and impacts. Her work has the potential for significant, real-world impact, with implications for transportation agencies both locally and nationally. Eirini’s contributions extend beyond the classroom and laboratory, where she has excelled as a teaching assistant for various courses, earning praise from both students and supervisors. Notably, she has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Grant to pursue her master’s degree at UK, underscoring her academic excellence and promise as a researcher. Eirini’s recent accomplishments include maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA and making steady progress toward completing her thesis by December 2024.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING PH.D. STUDENT
DONOVIN D. LEWISDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Donovin Lewis is a distinguished scholar in the field of engineering, recognized for his outstanding achievements and contributions to cutting-edge research. He is a recipient of the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Otis A. Singletary Graduate Fellowship at UK. His research encompasses revolutionary concepts in renewable energy integration, specialty electric motor topologies, and wireless charging systems for electric vehicles. Collaborating with institutions such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Oxford, Donovin has made significant strides in advancing renewable energy technologies. His work has resulted in numerous publications, including 15 conference papers and five journal papers, and has earned him two best paper awards from esteemed organizations like the IEEE Industry Applications Society Electric Machines Committee. Notably, Donovin’s primary research focuses on developing innovative wireless charging methods for electric vehicles, aiming to overcome conventional charging limitations and enhance grid support. Donovin is a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students alike, and leads the UK Solar Car Team as the chief electrical engineer.
TYLER D. STOFFELDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Tyler Stoffel embodies scholarly excellence and research innovation. Graduating with distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Paducah campus, he earned impressive GPAs of 3.95 and 3.8 for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, respectively. Tyler went on to complete a graduate certificate in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to further his expertise. At the forefront of his research is the development of a revolutionary numerical framework for capturing multiphase flows in hypersonic applications, showcasing innovative approaches to enhance computational efficiency and accuracy. His scholarly pursuits have resulted in multiple publications, including four journal papers and five conference proceedings, earning prestigious accolades such as the Best Technical Presentation in CFD at the Dayton-Cincinnati Aerospace Sciences Symposium. Tyler’s holds an internship at NASA Langley Research Center, contributing to cutting-edge aerothermal prediction algorithms for NASA’s Mars 2020 capsule. He is also a visiting instructor at Murray State University, where he shares his knowledge and expertise with students, including teaching senior design classes.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARD
SAVIO POOVATHINGALAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Savio Poovathingal is an accomplished researcher in heat shield materials for hypersonic vehicles, renowned for his expertise in chemical reactions and material microstructure. Since joining the University of Kentucky in 2020, he has secured over $4.6 million in research funding, including prestigious awards from NASA and the Office of Naval Research, showcasing his adeptness in garnering support for cutting-edge research initiatives. Dr. Poovathingal’s leadership has fostered the growth of a robust research group, comprising 12 Ph.D. students, one master’s student, seven undergraduate researchers, and one postdoc, despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. His impactful research has yielded 11 high-quality journal articles and 19 conference papers, highlighting his commitment to advancing knowledge in hypersonics and related fields. Dr. Poovathingal’s pioneering work integrates real material architectures into computational solvers, revolutionizing the simulation of carbon composites and earning recognition from NASA’s ACCESS program. His dedication to advancing research reliability is evident through his leadership in spearheading novel experiments and advocating for state-of-the-art testing facilities. Dr. Poovathingal’s multifaceted contributions underscore his significant impact as a leading researcher in aerospace engineering, preparing the next generation of scholars for excellence in the field.
SCOTT BERRYAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Scott Berry, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky since 2019, is a distinguished researcher in translational microfluidics, with a background as a postdoctoral fellow and associate scientist at the University of Wisconsin. His swift response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the development of innovative technologies for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, benefiting not only UK residence halls, but also nursing homes, Appalachian communities, and international regions like sub- Saharan Africa and Alaska. Beyond COVID-19, Dr. Berry’s NSFsupported lab now addresses a spectrum of diseases, showcasing his commitment to global healthcare challenges. With $5 million in extramural awards and collaborative efforts across seven UK colleges, Dr. Berry fosters a multidisciplinary research environment. As a mentor, he guides Ph.D. students, postdocs, and undergraduates, shaping the future of microfluidic research. Dr. Berry’s influence extends outside academia, providing critical insights for UK leadership and spearheading educational initiatives like the environmental science curriculum, highlighting his important contributions to science and healthcare.
W. BRENT SEALESProfessorDepartment of Computer Science
Dr. Brent Seales is a distinguished figure in the field of computer science, renowned for his revolutionary work in digitally restoring damaged artifacts. With over two decades of dedicated research, Dr. Seales has pushed the boundaries of computer science by applying fundamental approaches to the restoration of ancient manuscripts and artifacts. His groundbreaking technique of “virtual unwrapping,” detailed in his seminal publication “From Damage to Discovery via Virtual Unwrapping: Reading the Scroll from En-Gedi,” has earned widespread recognition and acclaim, with an Altmetric score placing it among the top research outputs in Science Advances history. Dr. Seales’ expertise extends beyond traditional restoration methods, encompassing the innovative integration of artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques into cultural heritage preservation. His collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary approach have fostered numerous partnerships across disciplinary and institutional boundaries, leading to breakthroughs in heritage science. Dr. Seales’ research has not only made significant contributions to academia but has also captured the attention of global audiences through features on platforms such as 60 Minutes, NOVA, and prominent publications like The New York Times and National Geographic. His remarkable track record in securing substantial funding, including prestigious grants from organizations like the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the United Kingdom’s Arts & Humanities Research Council, speaks volumes about the impact and importance of his work. As a visionary leader and innovator in the field, Dr. Seales continues to shape the future of heritage science and digital restoration.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE AWARD
JIANGBIAO HEAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. JiangBiao He, an associate professor and the Pigman Faculty Fellow since 2019, is highly regarded for his exceptional contributions spanning UK, regional, and global professional communities, particularly in electric power. Dr. He serves as the faculty advisor for the highly successful UK Solar Car program, guiding the team to numerous triumphs in national competitions. He played a key role in the department’s attainment of full accreditation in 2023 as a subcommittee leader for the ABET curricular evaluation. His impact reverberates globally through active involvement in various Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) activities, where he serves as a core member of organizing committees for flagship conferences, editorial boards for prestigious journals, and technical committees. Notably, his tenures as vice chair and chair of IEEE Lexington from 2020 to 2022, spurred the organization of educational seminars and industry visits, significantly enhancing regional engineering education in Lexington. Dr. He’s commitment to advancing engineering education and technology development transcends borders, evident in his leadership roles in IEEE initiatives such as serving as a lead technical program chair for the 2025 International Electric Machines and Drives Conference and vice chair for the Transportation Systems Committee under IEEE Industry Applications Society.
AARON CRAMERProfessorDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. Aaron Cramer’s service activities have been instrumental to the success of both the college and university. Over the past five years, he has served the University of Kentucky in various capacities, with notable contributions in two key roles: as a member of UK’s Board of Trustees and as chair of the University Senate Council. As a trustee, Dr. Cramer provided expertise in higher education and deep knowledge of UK’s structure, governance, and culture, enhancing the Board’s ability to govern effectively. His efforts focused on improving institutional stability, advocating for inclusive representation of research strengths, and ensuring a balanced and dependable presidential evaluation process. During his tenure as chair of the University Senate Council from summer 2020 to summer 2022, Dr. Cramer demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He guided the Senate through challenging times by streamlining curricular processes, strengthening academic policies, and fostering faculty governance amidst unprecedented circumstances. Dr. Cramer’s commitment to soliciting the opinions of the university community and prioritizing faculty and student needs contributed to the Senate’s effective response to pandemic-related changes. In addition to these roles, Dr. Cramer has served both the institution and his profession in various capacities, including chairing committees, outreach initiatives, associate editorships, and serving as an officer for conferences.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING HENRY MASON LUTES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION
ALICIA MODENBACHLecturerDepartment of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Dr. Alicia Modenbach joined the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) faculty in September 2016, quickly becoming an integral part of the department’s success. Her impact on undergraduate education spans various domains, with a focus on excellence in teaching, advising, course creation, program implementation, and service. Dr. Modenbach’s commitment to student success is evident through high teaching evaluations she receives for courses like Principles of Biosystems Engineering and Senior Capstone Design. These high ratings from BAE students also reflect her effectiveness as an educator. Beyond scores, her genuine interest in students and willingness to provide support beyond the classroom distinguish Dr. Modenbach. As the central advisor for BAE, she serves as a steady and approachable guide for a significant portion of the department’s undergraduate population, ensuring they navigate their academic journey with confidence. Dr. Modenbach’s contributions also extend to course creation and program implementation. She developed BAE 200 to facilitate students’ transition from the First Year Engineering program to major courses within BAE, showcasing her ability to teach across the curriculum. Her involvement in senior design and the sophomore design sequence demonstrates her adaptability and commitment to enhancing the curriculum to meet student needs effectively. In terms of service, Dr. Modenbach’s dedication is exemplary. She has served in leadership roles at the national level, including secretary and chair for the American Society for Engineering Education BAE division, receiving recognition for her early achievements in engineering education. Her active involvement in American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, including receiving the A.W. Farrall Young Educator Award, highlights her contributions to the profession. At the university level, she actively participates in departmental committees, contributing her insights to recruitment, curriculum development, and research initiatives. Dr. Modenbach’s passion for teaching and mentoring is infectious and inspires students and colleagues alike. As a beacon within the biosystems engineering community, Dr. Modenbach’s contributions continue to shape the future of engineering education and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
