MATTHEW WHITWERDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering
Matthew Whitwer is a Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering whose commitment to undergraduate education has made a significant impact across both the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and the First-Year Engineering program. Since 2021, he has served as a teaching assistant and recitation instructor in several foundational courses. He currently leads his own section of EGR 103, the college’s engineering design course for first-year students.
Recognized by faculty for his preparedness, responsiveness, and care for student well-being, Whitwer supports learning through clear instruction, timely feedback and a student-first approach. His research—focused on mental health and help-seeking in engineering students—and extensive mentorship of undergraduate researchers further reflects his deep commitment to student success.
JADEN KIMDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Jaden Kim is a graduate student in mechanical engineering whose academic and research achievements exemplify excellence. After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UK, Kim has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in his graduate studies. His research spans multiple domains, including hypersonic re-entry systems, lithium-ion battery thermal modeling and microscale fluid diffusion studies in oak wood—work that has resulted in two journal publications and five conference presentations.
Kim’s innovative research on material permeability for thermal protection systems hascontributed to NASA-related activities and was instrumental in publishing a first-of-its-kindarticle in Scientific Reports. He currently applies his expertise as a battery energy storage system assistant engineer at Electri-tech Services in Los Angeles.
A dedicated mentor and collaborator, Kim has guided undergraduate students in computational and experimental methods and has helped foster an inclusive research environment. He was recently recognized by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering as its Outstanding Master’s Student.
MOHAMMAD DEHGHAN BANADAKIDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Mohammad Dehghan Banadaki completed his bachelor’s andmaster’s degrees in mechanical engineering at the University ofTehran, one of the premier universities in Iran, before continuing hisacademic journey at the University of Kentucky. His perfect 4.0 GPAin the Ph.D. program is a testament to his intellectual excellence anddedication to his field.
Banadaki ‘s research focuses on developing new technologies for environmental surveillance of infectious diseases, particularly in low-resource areas. His work was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he has published nine journal papers, including three as the first author. He has also filed a provisional patent and presented at several national conferences.
Banadaki is president of the UK Mechanical and Aerospace Graduate Student Association,worked with the Gates Foundation’s Global Health Labs on diagnostic projects, a Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Graduate Fellow and recipient of various entrepreneurship awards.
XU TAODepartment of Computer Science
Xu Tao, a Ph.D. candidate in computer science, is revolutionizing AI-driven agriculture through her research on Cyber-Physical Agriculture Systems. Supported by the National Science Foundation’s Smart and Connected Communities grant, she focuses on network optimization for rural, resource-limited environments to improve farming efficiency and sustainability. Her work on adaptive nitrogen optimization for soybean production was invited for journal extension in Computer Communications.
Tao has co-authored eight publications, including a notable paper in IEEE Transactions onNetwork Science and Engineering, and several conference papers at leading conferences like the International Conference on Computer Communications and Networks and the International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications. She was named a 2024 Cyber-Physical Systems Rising Star, recognizing her contributions to smart farming ecosystems
In addition to her research, Tao mentors undergraduate and graduate students and serves as vice president of the UK Graduate Student Association of Data and Computation, fostering collaboration and professional development.
XIN LIANGAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Computer Science
Xin Liang, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, is an emerging leader in high-performance computing (HPC) and scientific data management. Since joining UK in 2022, he has published over 50 papers in prestigious journals and conferences, earning more than 2,600 citations, and was the driving force behind UK’s HPC ranking rising to the top 35 nationally.
Liang has secured over $2.5 million in external funding, including a highly competitive National Science Foundation CAREER Award. His SZ compression framework, which won a 2021 R&D 100 Award, is used by more than 20 international institutions and is enabling major advances in fields like quantum computing and climate science. Recognized for his contributions to the field, Liang was honored with the 2024 Early Career Researchers Award for Excellence in High-Performance Computing from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society’s Technical Community on High Performance Computing.
YUAN LIAOBlazie Family Professor, Director of PEIK Graduate CertificateDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Yuan Liao, Blazie Family Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is an internationally recognized leader in electric power systems research. His work focuses on developing advanced algorithms to improve the monitoring, protection and optimization of power grids, with a strong emphasis on reliability, efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources. Over his career, he has secured over $7.5 million in external funding and authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications. He has also advised 15 Ph.D. and 36 M.S. students whose work continues to impact academia, industry and national labs.
Liao’s recent accomplishments include leading a $1 million Department of Energy project on utility asset optimization and securing a major Defense University Research Instrumentation Program grant to establish a real-time digital simulation system at UK. He has also led several Tennessee Valley Authority-sponsored projects focused on preparing the grid for increasing electric vehicle demand. His contributions extend beyond research through active service on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Power System Relaying Committee, where he has helped shape national standards in power system protection and control. Liao’s work exemplifies research excellence with significant societal and industrial impact.
HALA NASSEREDDINEAssociate Professor in Construction Engineering and Project ManagementDepartment of Civil Engineering
Hala Nassereddine, associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, is a nationally recognized scholar in construction engineering and management whose research tackles complex challenges facing the construction industry. Since joining the University of Kentucky in 2019, she has led 25 funded research projects totaling $7.3 million—nearly $5million as lead PI—across areas such as digital transformation, workforce development and organizational change. Through her Construction Innovation Lab, Nassereddine collaborates with industry, government agencies and academic partners to develop practical, forward-looking solutions that promote resilience and sustainability in construction.
Her impactful work has earned recognition from the National Electrical Contractors Association, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Academy of Sciences. Nassereddine has authored over 100 scholarly publications, delivered keynote talks nationally and internationally and leads major initiatives with the Construction Industry Institute and Transportation Research Board. Committed to research that translates to real-world impact, she produces accessible deliverables—from digital platforms to training programs—that are actively shaping the future of construction practice and policy.
SEBASTIAN BRYSONHardin-Drnevich-Huang Professor, Joint Appointment in Earth and Environmental Sciences; Department ChairDepartment of Civil Engineering
Sebastian Bryson, professor and chair in the Department of Civil Engineering, is a dedicated scholar, mentor and leader who has not only advanced critical research but has also prioritized service through mentorship, professional leadership and outreach initiatives.
Throughout his career, Bryson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student development, mentoring numerous undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in engineering and academia. His dedication to diversity and inclusion has been evident in his efforts to support and show up for underrepresented students, ensuring equitable opportunities in STEM fields.
Beyond academia, Bryson has provided invaluable service to professional organizations, serving in leadership roles within engineering societies and advisory boards, further exemplifying his dedication to service beyond the university setting.
Bryson has taken the extra step with community engagement, leading initiatives like the Summer Engineering Exploration Kamp, to promote STEM education among young students and foster an interest in engineering careers. His ability to bridge academic research with real-world application has made a lasting impact on both the profession and statewide community.
SARAH WILSONAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering
Sarah Wilson, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, is well-known for her outstanding commitment to student well-being and faculty support. Since joining the department in 2015, Wilson has led transformative initiatives at both the college and national levels, focused on mental health in engineering education.
Wilson has secured over $1 million in research funding as principal investigator, developed college-wide mental health training programs and co-led the creation of the Engineering Wellness Center. Her leadership during the COVID-19 transition, pivotal role in securing a college grant to help first generation students succeed, coordination of the 2021 College Climate Survey and contributions to bettering mental health across the university further highlight her far-reaching impact.Wilson’s service has not only enhanced student success and faculty development but also brought national recognition to the Pigman College of Engineering through her dedication, innovation and inclusive approaches.
ZACH AGIOUTANTISMining Engineering Foundation Professor; Department ChairDepartment of Mining Engineering
Zach Agioutantis has dedicated over 35 years advancing engineering education, both in the U.S. and internationally. Since joining the Department of Mining Engineering in 2014 as a professor and being selected chair in 2020, he has been an ambassador for excellence. Agioutantis is known for his dynamic and engaging teaching style, often employing a Socratic approach that challenges students to think critically, ask questions and participate deeply in their own learning. He has taught more than 30 different courses during his tenure at UK, spanning the full range of the curriculum—from first-year lab courses to advanced graduate-level topics in rock mechanics, mine ventilation and mine design.
His commitment to student success extends far beyond the classroom. He is known for his open-door policy, generous mentorship and dedication to students’ professional development. He has advised numerous student competition teams, including design and mine rescue teams, and is a tireless advocate for undergraduate research and career readiness.
His students regularly credit him as a major influence in their academic and professional journeys, and he has been named the department’s Outstanding Faculty Award recipient nine times in the last ten years. In addition to his teaching, Agioutantis has developed widely used educational materials and software tools that are freely available to students and instructors across the world. His innovative contributions to engineering education have been recognized with national honors including the 2021 Stephen McCann Award for Excellence in Education, the 2022 SME Rock Mechanics Award and the 2024 Howard N. Eavenson Award.
