Research

2nd annual Research Expo offers research connections for UK undergrads

With more than 35 programs participating, the Research + Creative Experience Expo offers students an important opportunity to network and connect with faculty and staff representing the wide diversity of research at UK. Photo provided by OUR.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2022) — The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research will host the second annual Research + Creative Experience Expo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the Gatton Student Center Social Staircase.

With more than 35 programs participating, the Research + Creative Experience Expo offers students an important opportunity to network and connect with faculty and staff representing the wide diversity of research conducted at UK and learn about volunteer and funded mentored research opportunities.

“The Research + Creative Experience Expo provides students with an opportunity to not only explore the fascinating aspects of research in general, but also come face-to-face with interesting, inspiring and engaging research that is happening right now at UK," said Riley Droppleman, a Lewis Honors biology major and current research ambassador. "There’s so much to see, from science and technology to art and music.”

Presented by the UK Office of Undergraduate Research, the event offers a variety of resources and information and brings research mentors and programs seeking applicants together with interested students to learn about available opportunities. By pursuing mentored research, UK undergraduates can immerse themselves in projects to gain experiential “hands-on” learning that is translatable to real-world skills.

“The expo is the perfect marketplace for students to try out internship ideas, meet future mentors and explore research opportunities available on campus," said Carol Street, director of UK Libraries Learning Lab. "I love being able to meet students to talk with them directly about our internships. Seeing students’ faces light up when they can see themselves in our internship program never fails to remind me how the right internship can change someone’s life.”

Students from all majors, backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to attend and talk with faculty, graduate students and undergraduate research ambassadors to learn about available research and creative work experiences. Students are encouraged to review the list of colleges, departments and research centers attending the expo here.

Learn more about the Research + Creative Experience Expo at http://our.uky.edu/expo.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.