Department News

Jawahir honored with UK Sustainability award

Nov 12, 2025

Ibrahim Jawahir, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing, received the UK Sustainability Yanarella Levine Legacy Award at the 2025 Sustainability Showcase. The award recognizes members of the UK community who have contributed a tremendous body of work supporting a legacy of sustainability at the University of Kentucky and beyond.

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. ****

SEC engineering leadership comes to the Commonwealth

Eric Sanders

Jul 24, 2025

Engineering education leaders from across the Southeastern Conference (SEC) gathered at the University of Kentucky for the annual SEC Engineering Leadership Meeting. The meeting welcomed more than 100 participants, including engineering deans, associate deans, department chairs and other higher educational leaders.

‘Visualize the invisible’: How UK researchers use drones to explore the atmosphere

Quezia Arruda - Lexington Herald-Leader

Jul 21, 2025

What once started as a mission to test an aircraft on Mars has turned into research using drones at the University of Kentucky that now helps engineers predict tornadoes.

Image of researcher looking at heart on screen

UK engineering researcher leads NSF‑funded initiative to model heart fibrosis with machine learning

Jul 21, 2025

Researchers at the University of Kentucky are teaming up with researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) to develop cutting-edge simulations of heart disease progression.The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded UK and MSU a four-year, $1.2 million collaborative grant titled “SCH: Machine‑Learning Enhanced Computational Models of Cardiac Pathophysiology.”