As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes nearly every sector — from health and agriculture to journalism and the arts — demand for graduates who understand its foundations and implications is rapidly growing. Yet, traditional AI coursework often requires advanced programming skills or a computer science background.
As self-driving vehicles and drones become more common, a University of Kentucky researcher is working to ensure these technologies can communicate and coordinate reliably in real time. Yang Xiao, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science in the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, received the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award with $534,264 over five years for his work.
B.S. in computer science, 2001 JoAnna Lio has established a distinguished career at the forefront of digital interactive entertainment, where her leadership, technical acumen and creative vision have helped shape some of the world’s most beloved and culturally impactful video games. Bio submitted by Lio:
B.S. in electrical engineering, 1981 Ramesh Singh is an internationally recognized semiconductor executive and technology entrepreneur whose four-decade career has helped shape mobile graphics, embedded imaging, data systems architecture and global semiconductor manufacturing collaboration. A native of Lexington and son of a University of Kentucky engineering faculty member, Singh earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UK in 1981 before completing his master’s degree in electrical engineering at Southern Methodist University.
B.S. in civil engineering, 1977 Ruth Coleman is a pioneering civil and structural engineer whose nearly five-decade career advanced infrastructure resilience across the nation and around the world — while breaking barriers for generations to follow.
B.S. in chemical engineering, 1981 Phil Foster is an industry-changing innovator whose career has shaped modern microelectronics manufacturing, advanced sensor technology and semiconductor processing across global markets. A native of Paducah, Foster earned his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1981. He went on to complete coursework at universities in California and Texas in finance, business and executive management.
B.S. in civil engineering, 1994 | M.S. in civil engineering, 1995 JoAnn Browning is a nationally recognized leader in civil engineering whose career reflects an unwavering commitment to resilient infrastructure, research excellence and transformative academic leadership.
B.S. in civil engineering, 1980 | M.S. in civil engineering, 1982 Greg Heitzman is a nationally respected civil and environmental engineering leader who has strengthened drinking water treatment, infrastructure renewal and utility management across Kentucky.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has elected Johné Parker, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and associate dean for access and community engagement, as an ASME Fellow in recognition of her exceptional engineering achievements and contributions to the engineering profession and to ASME.
