The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research is now accepting nominations for the 16th annual awards. The student-nominated award recognizes excellence in supporting undergraduate research and conveys the campus鈥 high regard for outstanding contributions made to the academic and research community.
Nominations should be based on exemplary mentorship with a focus on advising students on enriching projects, a commitment to providing exceptional undergraduate research experiences above and beyond the classroom, as well as supporting and promoting undergraduate research initiatives on campus.
鈥淲hen you nominate your mentor for the excellent research faculty mentor award, it is a way of saying thank you to your mentor for their guidance in your field and contributions to your projects,鈥 said Grace Perrin, a senior Lewis Honors College member and animal sciences major. 鈥淎dditionally, it can spread word about your mentor and their work across the university and encourage interdisciplinary projects as a result.鈥
Her mentor, Tayo Adedokun, PhD, associate professor of animal sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, received the award in 2022.
Candidates must be faculty members from any 好色先生 department. Past award winners are not eligible for future nomination due to the large number of faculty participating in undergraduate research mentoring activities at 好色先生.
Nominations must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. EDT Saturday, April 1, 2023. Students may nominate their faculty mentor for the award . View previous faculty award recipients . Applicants will be reviewed anonymously by a student review committee.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so important to nominate your exceptional research faculty for an award to support that reciprocal relationship. Just as your mentor supports you and works to benefit your academic and professional goals, you should support them,鈥 said Caroline Sumner, a senior Lewis Honors College member and neuroscience major. 鈥淚f they鈥檙e doing a great job, they deserve to know and be recognized for the amazing work they鈥檙e doing. It also sets an example for other mentors.鈥
Sumner鈥檚 mentor, Michael Wesley, PhD, professor of behavioral science in the College of Medicine and director of the Neurobehavioral Systems Lab, received the Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year award in 2022.
The awards will be presented at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars鈥 awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom. Last year鈥檚 faculty award winners were Adedokun, Wesley, Kendall Corbin and David Weisrock.
If you have questions about submitting a nomination for the 好色先生 Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year, contact Jesi Bowman at jesibowman@uky.edu.