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a photo of a young black man in graduation robes next to a large font caption that says "Becoming Great"

Becoming Great: A Journey of Contagious Curiosity

Kevin Puckett

Jun 9, 2025

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Academia is Great Umenweke’s safe place. It always has been. Great, fourth in a family of five, heard stories of his excitement as he was dropped off on his first day of school in Lagos, Nigeria. No nerves, no trepidation, just pure joy as he gave a stoic wave goodbye to his father. His reaction was far from typical—not just in the Umenweke household, but for most kids on their first day of school. Great’s three older sisters had each become emotional on their first day. But not Great. He was probably too curious to cry.

A young woman in lab gear smiles next to analytical instruments

From Horse Trails to Lab Trials: Laura Russell’s Path to Innovation

Collin Lewis

Jun 5, 2025

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Louisville native, self-described horse-girl, and current chemical engineering major at the University of Kentucky Laura Russell has always felt at home outdoors and within nature. Whether its roller skating or hiking on trails, rock climbing or riding horses. “I may be cliché this way, but I am a girl in her twenties who loves sustainability,” said Russell as she shrugged. “Horseback riding was something for me that fostered a love of the natural world.” That passion for sustainability led her to UK to pursue the sciences.

Image of Forrest Dills with text: "To have that level of trust in an undergraduate, it's kind of rare nowadays. The work we do here is genuinely beneficial to the industry and society as a whole."

Forrest Dills, CAER Undergrad, Forging His Path in Materials Science

Collin Lewis

Feb 10, 2025

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Interests are like a spark. When carefully stoked, a spark can ignite a flame, and just as molten iron becomes steel, an interest can be shaped into a passion. Forrest Dills, a Lexington native and a senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Material Science in Engineering, forged his way to UK CAER because of a passion for metalworking. “One of the things that got me into material science was that I’ve been doing blacksmithing since I was 15,” said Dills.

CAER’s Weisenberger Named Graffin Lecturer

Dave Melanson

Dec 20, 2024

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Matthew Weisenberger, Associate Director of the Carbon Materials Research Group at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, has been named the American Carbon Society’s 2024 Graffin Lecturer.

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KY Energy and Environment Cabinet and University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research Launch Sustainable Aviation Fuel Study

Dave Melanson

Dec 2, 2024

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The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) and the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) are seeking participation in a risk assessment questionnaire as part of a collaborative Biomass Feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Project funded through Kentucky’s State Energy Program. The goal of the study is to assess the risk associated with representative feedstocks that can be used to produce SAF in Kentucky.

University of Kentucky Beam Institute to experiment with hydrogen-powered spirit production

Grace Sowards

Nov 21, 2024

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Efforts to make a hydrogen-powered spirit have begun on the University of Kentucky campus in a research project led by James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits Director Seth DeBolt.

UK’s CAER empowers student researcher through experiential learning

Collin Lewis

Oct 31, 2024

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There is no substitute for hands-on experience. The best way to learn is by doing, and experiential learning opportunities allow just that.   This is something that North Carolina State University chemical engineering major, and Lexington native Kara Bracken, found at the University of Kentucky Center of Applied Energy Research over the summer of 2024.  Bracken has many ties to UK, researching previously in the UK Department of Horticulture as part of the Math Science Technology Center program from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School.  

A female researcher stands in an office - the desks are out of focus behind her. She is wearing a blue lab coat and her curly hair is in an updo.

Engineering Tomorrow: Dr. Morris’s Path in STEM and Passion for Mentoring the Next Generation

Julia Hill

Aug 26, 2024

Like many engineers, Ashley Morris was born inquisitive.

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