The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) has selected 15 outstanding undergraduates for the 2024-25 Undergraduate Research Ambassador program.

The program’s mission is to increase awareness and create opportunities for students to actively engage in research. Ambassadors must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and be involved in mentored research. This year’s ambassadors represent four colleges, nine disciplines and 10 research areas.

The student leaders’ goal is to make undergraduate research more accessible. Ambassadors promote undergraduate research involvement through student outreach and program events, such as tabling, drop-in advising sessions, information sessions, student workshops, speaking engagements, class and student organization presentations, and OUR-sponsored events including the 5-Minute Fast Track Competition and Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars.

The 2024-25 Undergraduate Research Ambassadors include:

• Hannah Allen, biology and Lewis Honors College senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Greenup, Kentucky

• Kaitlyn Brock, neuroscience and psychology senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington, Kentucky

• Hena Kachroo, biochemistry and Lewis Honors College senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington, Kentucky

• Molly Lobel, animal sciences with equine specialization senior, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, from Lexington, Kentucky

• Sarisha Lohano, biology and Lewis Honors College senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Louisville, Kentucky

• Abbey McNely, environmental and sustainability studies senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington, Kentucky

• James Overly, biology, neuroscience and anthropology senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Brentwood, Tennessee

• Diksha Satish, biology, mathematics and Lewis Honors College senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Frankfort, Kentucky

• Dahlia Siano, neuroscience and psychology senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington, Kentucky

• Erin Stratton, biology and Lewis Honors College senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Lexington, Kentucky

• Connor Stuart, neuroscience and Lewis Honors College senior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Florence, Kentucky

• Austin Trotter, neuroscience and psychology junior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Liberty Township, Ohio

• Dexter Vilt, biology junior, College of Arts and Sciences, from Crestwood, Kentucky

• Caleb Weber, biology, music performance and Lewis Honors College senior, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Fine Arts, from West Lafayette, Indiana

• Madi Wilson, human health sciences senior, College of Health Sciences, Ona, West Virginia

The Research Ambassadors are available upon request for class and organization presentations, college and university research events and campus outreach efforts. Requests must be submitted two weeks in advance and approved by the UK Office of Undergraduate Research staff.

For more information on the Research Ambassadors and to request an ambassador for an event or presentation, visit https://our.uky.edu/ambassadors.

Learn more about the Office of Undergraduate Research here.