4 UK undergraduates to present at Posters-at-the-Capitol
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Four University of Kentucky undergraduate researchers will present their work at the 24th annual Posters-at-the-Capitol on March 5.
Hosted collaboratively with UK, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University, Posters-at-the-Capitol highlights undergraduate students involved in research through polished poster displays at the state legislature. Thirty-six students across the state will showcase the results of their research at this year’s event.
Posters-at-the-Capitol provides an opportunity for Kentucky lawmakers to engage with and observe the impact of undergraduate research on student learning and academic development. Students learn more about the political process and how to advocate undergraduate research at local and state levels.
The UK students participating in Posters-at-the-Capitol this year include:
- Ainsley Byers, kinesiology senior and Lewis Honors College student; faculty mentor Ian Boggero; College of Dentistry. “Exploring Rural Kentuckians’ Knowledge, Perception and Behaviors Related to Oral Cancer Risk and Oral Cancer Screening.”
- Jacob Childress, chemical engineering senior and Lewis Honors College student; faculty mentor Isabel Escobar; Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering; “Investigating the Use of a Lignin-Derived Deep Eutectic Solvent for Nonsolvent-Induced Polymeric Membrane Fabrication.”
- Katelyn Straw, chemical engineering junior; faculty mentor Gosia Chwatko; Pigman College of Engineering; “Upcycling distillers spent grains into biodegradable nursery pots.”
- Emmerson Willhoite, natural resources and environmental science senior; faculty mentors Meredith Swallom and Hudson Koch; Kentucky Geological Survey and Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “Investigating Factors that Influence Bird Abundance and Distribution at Mundy’s Landing.”
View all 2026 Posters-at-the-Capitol projects online.
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.