Montre J. Glore, who is originally from Paducah, Kentucky, joined UK's Computer Science Engineering program in the fall of 2015. He received the William C. Parker Scholarship. Since the summer of 2016, he has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Christopher R. Swartz in the Electrochemical Power Sources Group at UK CAER, where his work has focused on developing a battery using material from bourbon stillage and hemp-based products. In addition, Montre has volunteered as tutor and during K-Week (UK’s fall welcome week for new students). His hobbies include reading and just enjoying some peace and quiet.
Sarah Hodges, who is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, enrolled in UK's Chemical Engineering program in the fall of 2015. Sarah is a Patterson Scholar and a student in the Lewis Honors College. Since the summer of 2016 Sarah has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Bob Jewell and Dr. Tristana Duvallet in the Cementitious Materials Group at UK CAER, where her work has focused on the piezoelectric effects of Ettringite in CSA cement and the effect on the formation of Ettringite in CSA cement of different pH solutions. In Summer 2016, Sarah received a Summer Research Grant from the University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research. Sarah is also a member of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), and SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers). She spent her spring semester at UK volunteering as a tutor for students ranging from elementary school aged to high school aged at the Lexington Public Library and NERD SQUAD and is a UK 101 Peer Instructor for Fall 2016. In addition to research and academics, Sarah spends her time reading, cooking, and participating in campus outreach ministries. Watch this UK CAER Highlight video of Sarah participating in STEM activities.
Asare Nkansah, who is originally from Naperville, Illinois, joined UK in the fall of 2015. He received a scholarship from the William C. Parker foundation. Since the summer of 2016 Asare has been doing research in the Nanoscience division at Argonne National Lab, where his work has focused on simulating light interactions with a dielectric lens using Lumerical, a finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation software. He presented his work at the National Lab to various executives and on-site officials. Asare is in Theta Chi fraternity and has spent a lot of time working at different philanthropies and helping organizations fundraise money to support their cause. He also enjoys playing basketball as well as spending late nights at the library.
Steven Roberts, who is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, joined UK Mining Engineering program in the fall of 2015. He received the William C. Parker scholarship. Since the summer of 2016, Steven has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Tristana Duvallet in the Cementitious Materials Group at UK CAER, where his work has focused on testing different molds of slant shearing. Steven has also been very active on campus, joining several organizations such as MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences), NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), and UGP (Underground Perspective). Some of his many hobbies include playing and watching football and basketball, dancing, and playing chess.
Chelsea Robinson, who is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, joined UK's Mechanical Engineering program in the fall of 2015. She has received the William C. Parker scholarship as well as the H. Dean Evans scholarship. Since the summer of 2016 Chelsea has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Matthew Weisenberger and Ruben Sarabia in the Carbon Materials Technologies Group of UK CAER. Her research consisted of working with thermoelectrics and improving the efficiency of these materials. She has also participated in outreach events helping to expose elementary school kids as well as high school students to STEM related fields. Chelsea's extracurricular activities include spending time with family and friends as well as photography. Watch this UKCAER Highlight video of Chelsea participating in STEM activities.
Charles Beasley, who is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, joined UK’s Chemical Engineering program in the fall of 2016. He received the See Blue and William C. Parker Diversity Scholarships. Since the summer of 2017, Charles has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Muthu Gnanamani in the Clean Fuels and Chemicals group at UK CAER, where his work has focused on the use of an iron-gallium catalyst in the Fischer-Tropsch process. He is a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and regularly participates in their polar plunge, a philanthropy event that directly benefits the Special Olympics. He also volunteers regularly at the Ronald McDonald House. Charles is an avid bodybuilder and loves to take his jeep off-road.
Kelcey Breckenridge, who is originally from Charleston, West Virginia, joined UK’s Materials Engineering program in the fall of 2016, as a recipient of the William C. Parker scholarship. Since the summer of 2017, Kelcey has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Matthew Weisenberger and Ruben Sarabia in the Carbon Materials Technologies group at UK CAER, where her work has focused on thermoelectric materials. While at UK, Kelcey has also participated in UK’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and Materials Advantage. Some of her favorite pastimes are spending time with family, fishing and cooking.
Vincent Clark, who is originally from Lexington, Kentucky, joined UK’s Chemical Engineering program in the fall of 2016. Vincent is a recipient of the William C. Parker Scholarship, the Provost Scholarship, and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Scholarship. Since the summer of 2017, Vincent has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Eduardo Santillan-Jimenez and Tonya Morgan in the Biofuels & Environmental Catalysis group of UK CAER, where his work has focused on improving the performance of catalysts used in the deoxygenation of lipids to hydrocarbon fuels. He is a member of UK’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. Vincent also enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and listening to music.
Victor Holness, who is originally from Palmetto, Georgia, joined UK’s Materials Engineering program in the fall of 2016. He received the Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship and the William C. Parker Scholarship. Since the summer of 2017, Victor has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Xin Gao in the Power Generation group, where his work was focused on developing and testing flow electrode deionization cells that will greatly increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the desalination process. Victor is also part of UK’s chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Aside from his involvement in UK clubs, he also enjoys playing ultimate frisbee with his friends, running, and reading.
Mustapha Muhammad, who is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, joined UK’s Computer Science Engineering program in the fall of 2016. He received the William C. Parker scholarship. Since the summer of 2017 Mustapha has been doing research under the mentorship of Dr. Bob Jewell in the Environmental and Coal Technologies group at UK CAER, where his work has focused on testing the strength of certain concrete mixes. A few of his hobbies are watching movies, making YouTube videos and making short films.
Thomas Nelson III, who is from Lexington, Kentucky, enrolled in UK’s Mechanical Engineering program in the fall of 2016. Thomas is a recipient of the William C. Parker scholarship. Starting in the summer of 2017, Thomas has done research within the Power Generation group at UK CAER, assisting Dr. James Landon in his desalination research with zeolite membranes. Thomas is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, and has participated in community outreach and mentoring programs supporting young minority males in local middle schools and high schools. He enjoys music, sports, and reading in his spare time.