Jeff Seay's research has resulted in a device capable of converting waste plastic into clean fuel oil.
The event marked the first time a Ph.D. student had made their defense at UK Paducah.
The program developed thanks to a partnership between the Office of the Vice President for Research, the College of Engineering and different departments and faculty research labs.
Led by professor Alexandre Martin, the UK team comprises faculty members in mechanical engineering and materials engineering.
Dr. McIntosh is director of the Office of Student Services at the Paducah Extended Campus Program.
The Community Environmental Luminary Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievements in education and outreach.
This award recognizes Seay for his applied research work around the deployment of various sustainable energy technologies to empower communities in developing economies.
Stephanie Mahan, business office manager at the College of Engineering Extended Campus at Paducah, was one of two recipients of 2020 College of Engineering Staff Excellence Awards.
Despite the cancellation of the annual UK College of Engineering Awards Banquet sponsored by Tau Beta Pi, each department and Tau Beta Pi have named awardees.
Four different area hospitals have already received the 3D-printed equipment.