Department News

‘Fulfilled by my time here’: UK honors grad blends engineering and management on path to Toyota

Ben Branscum and Jenny Wells-Hosley

Dec 16, 2025

As she prepares to cross the Commencement stage Dec. 19, Evelyn Hinz is reflecting on a University of Kentucky journey that brought together engineering, business and honors — and ultimately shaped the start of her career.

Sheltering Kentucky, Layer by Layer UK alum builds Kentucky’s 1st 3D-printed concrete home

Dan Knapp

Dec 8, 2025

UK alumnus Eric Wooldridge ‘01, ‘19 ENG uses a little concrete, a little technology and a lot of ingenuity as he constructs houses for Kentuckians that can take a real wallop.

The five-year project brings together a multidisciplinary team to provide decision makers and emergency responders with neighborhood-level weather insights to better prepare for and respond to extreme events.

UK researchers developing neighborhood-level weather technology

Nov 21, 2025

Researchers in the University of Kentucky Karen and Stanley Pigman College of Engineering were awarded $2 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a cutting-edge weather forecasting system with the NSF’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

UK students and faculty gather in Norway to prepare their payload for NASA’s GHOST mission. From left: Alexander Barrera, Eric Adams, Carson Brown, Cannon Shields, Savio Poovathingal and Alexandre Martin. UK students and faculty gather in Norway to prepare their payload for NASA’s GHOST mission. From left: Alexander Barrera, Eric Adams, Carson Brown, Cannon Shields, Savio Poovathingal and Alexandre Martin.

Kentucky dream takes flight: UK joins NASA on Arctic space mission

Jenny Wells-Hosley

Nov 13, 2025

A team of students and faculty from the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering will make history in Norway, launching a UK-developed payload as part of NASA’s GHOST spaceflight mission.

2026 Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholars announced

Nov 3, 2025

Thanks to the generous support of Stanley and Karen Pigman and Kentucky’s Research Challenge Trust Fund (RCTF), engineering researchers are receiving additional annual funding to enhance the research priorities and programs of the Pigman College of Engineering. Established in 2024, the Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Endowment supports faculty, research, graduate students, facilities and research infrastructure in the Pigman College of Engineering. This year, the endowment made $235,000 in funds available for distribution.

Bailey, Hoagg, Poovathingal and Renfro named UK 2026 AIAA Associate Fellows

Oct 16, 2025

UK is the institution with the largest number of faculty receiving this American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics distinction this year.

Several students standing around a race car

UK Engineering - Paducah Campus recognizes its largest class

Sep 30, 2025

This fall semester, the University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering - Paducah Campus welcomed 54 new students — its largest class in program history. The Paducah Campus, which offers bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and computer engineering technology, was established 27 years ago to develop and retain engineering talent in the Western Kentucky region.

Since its establishment in 1965, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni has celebrated graduates whose professional achievements and community service exemplify the impact of a UK education.

5 engineering alumni inducted into 2025 UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni

Sep 9, 2025

On Sept. 12, the University of Kentucky will induct 20 alumni into the 2025 Hall of Distinguished Alumni, including five Pigman College of Engineering alumni. The alumni will be honored for their meaningful contributions to the Commonwealth, nation and the world.

UK’s Alexandre Martin wins NASA medal for advancing space technology

Lindsey Piercy

Aug 27, 2025

Alexandre Martin, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky, has been awarded the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal — one of the highest honors given to individuals outside the agency.

From Louisville stargazer to NASA torchbearer, UK alum Tracy Drain turned sci-fi dreams into real-life missions across the cosmos.

Defying gravity: UK alum’s journey from Kentucky stargazer to NASA engineer

Dan Knapp

Aug 19, 2025

The article below is featured in the Summer 2025 edition of Kentucky Alumni magazine. ****