Energy and Infrastructure focuses on building the reliable systems communities need to thrive. Research in power generation and resilient transportation infrastructure supports stronger energy resources and more durable transportation networks, helping prepare communities for growth, disruption and the demands of the future.
Alexandra F. Paterson, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky’s Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, has been named to the 2026 Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science shortlist in the Scientific Achievement category. She is one of only eight women selected worldwide in the category and the only woman based in the United States.
The University of Kentucky’s role in shaping the future of mining and energy innovation drew leaders from the U.S. Energy Department to campus this week. Assistant Energy Secretary Audrey Robertson visited UK as part of an initiative to partner with the country’s premier mining institutions to improve workforce development.
The UK Mining Engineering 125th Anniversary Gala brought together generations of UK mining engineers to share and reflect upon the legacy of mining engineering at UK, and to look toward the future of a field facing new demands for critical minerals, advanced technology and a larger engineering workforce.
Imagine a mining operation where workers, equipment and data are connected seamlessly — creating a safer, smarter and more efficient future for the industry. Now, researchers at the University of Kentucky will help advance that vision.
As the United States pushes to accelerate innovation, researchers from the University of Kentucky will play a leading role in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Transportation Center are collaborating to better understand the crash risks for teen drivers in the Commonwealth, with the goal of developing new strategies to improve driving safety. Working alongside state highway safety partners, the team is examining teen driver crash patterns to support Kentucky’s long-term safety goals. Fatal teen driver crashes are a complex, multi-layered problem, which requires expertise from an interdisciplinary team.
Mattie Brock, a chemical engineering doctoral student in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, won first place in the student research poster competition at the American Filtration and Separation Society (AFS) FILTON in Pittsburgh. AFS FILTON, held annually, is the leading conference for filtration and separations professionals and brings together experts from industry and academia to explore solutions and innovations that shape the future of the field.
Sophomore Mwajuma Alexandre is one of six University of Kentucky undergraduates selected for the Sustainability Summer Research Fellowship, a program that supports student-led projects that advance sustainable practices and community impact through research.
The cohort includes eight graduate students and four undergraduate students who will each receive a $6,000 fellowship to support their research, either during the summer or the 2026-27 academic year.
