26 students selected for Undergraduate Research Ambassador program

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at the University of Kentucky has selected 26 outstanding undergraduates for the 2023-24 Undergraduate Research Ambassador program.

The program’s mission is to increase awareness and create opportunities for students to actively engage in research. Ambassadors must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and be involved in mentored research. This year's ambassadors represent six colleges, 21 disciplines and 18 research areas.

The student leaders’ goal is to make undergraduate research more accessible. Ambassadors will promote undergraduate research involvement and opportunities through student outreach and program events, such as tabling, information sessions, student workshops, speaking engagements, class and student organization presentations, and OUR-sponsored events including the 5-Minute Fast Track Competition and Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars.

The 2023-2024 Undergraduate Research Ambassadors include:

• Abraham Alhamdani, Honors neuroscience major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Frankfort, Kentucky;

• Artin Asadipooya, Honors neuroscience major, biology and chemistry minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington;

• Kaitlyn Brock, Honors neuroscience and psychology major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington;

• McKenna Clinch, chemical engineering major, mathematics and biopharmaceutical engineering minor, Pigman College of Engineering, from Lexington;

• Lauren Depa, Honors neuroscience major, biology minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Georgetown, Kentucky;

• Sarah Fields, agricultural and medical biotechnology major, creative writing minor, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, from Lexington;

• Kenan Andre Flores, Honors chemistry major, mathematics and biology minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington;

• Ashley Glover, Honors neuroscience major, psychology minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Independence, Kentucky;

• Christine Haddad, Honors biology major, microbiology minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Danville, Kentucky;

• Danica Hak, interior design and dance major, College of Design and College of Fine Arts, from Bowling Green, Kentucky;

• Shria Holla, Honors mathematical economics major, political science and statistics minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Richmond, Kentucky;

• Megan Johnston, Honors agricultural and medical biotechnology major, plant and soil sciences and biology minor, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, from Danville, Kentucky;

• Sarisha Lohano, Honors biology major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Louisville;

• Keaton Looper, mechanical engineering major, Pigman College of Engineering, from Lexington;

• Chloe Lucido, biology major, neuroscience minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Long Grove, Illinois;

• James Overly, biology, neuroscience and anthropology major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Brentwood, Tennessee;

• Deep Patel, Honors biology and neuroscience major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington;

• Elizabeth Rice, agricultural and medical biotechnology major, pharmacology minor, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, from Lexington;

• Gretchen Ruschman, Honors agricultural and medical biotechnology major, microbiology minor, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, from Lexington;

• Diksha Satish, Honors biology and mathematics major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Frankfort;

• Erika Savage, biology and anthropology major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Louisville;

• Dahlia Siano, neuroscience and psychology major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington;

• Erin Stratton, Honors biology major, business statistics minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington;

• Connor Stuart, Honors neuroscience major, Spanish and biology minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Florence, Kentucky;

• Zachary Wasson, Honors physics major, mathematics minor, College of Arts and Sciences, from Glasgow, Kentucky; and

• Sairakshitha Yalla, mathematics and biology major, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington.

The Research Ambassadors are available by request for class and organization presentations, college and university research events, and campus outreach efforts. Requests must be submitted two to three weeks in advance and approved by UK Office of Undergraduate Research staff. If you would like to request a Research Ambassador presentation, please submit a request form.

To learn more about the Office of Undergraduate Research, please visit https://our.uky.edu.