Inside... Burley Tobacco Research Contributors to BAE During 2016-2017 Montross Named Department Chair Improving Research Infrastructure for Harmful Algal Bloom Science Solar Arrays Log Effects of Solar Eclipse BMP Tour of Morgan County Extension Farm Student Spotlight: Makua Vin-Nnajiofor, Sam Day Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Hickman Staff Focus: Jeff Smith Grants, Publications, Professional Licensure
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Welcome from the BAE Connections Editorial Committee Greetings Alumni and Friends:
It has been an exciting summer and start to the academic year for BAE. First, we would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Michael Montross, who was named as the new department chair. At the same time, we’d like to acknowledge the great service of the outgoing chair Dr. Sue Nokes. The Fall 2017 edition of the BAE Connections highlights some of the great work done in the department by the faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Bill Ford, Ph.D., shares his collaborative project to improve research infrastructure for studying harmful algal blooms (HABs). The Ford team has focused on water quality sensors and samplers at the outlet of a mixed-use (forest, agricultural, and urban) watershed in Huntington, West Virginia. You will also read stories about burley tobacco research, the effects of the recent solar eclipse, and best management practices at the Morgan County extension farm. Also featured in the spotlights are our Photo: Matt Barton, College of current undergraduate students Makua Vin-Nnajiofor and Sam Day, Agriculture our research facilities manager Jeff Smith, and alumnus Amanda Hickman. Alpha Epsilon members have been a great help in preparing this newsletter. You will hear the Chapter’s plan for the new year, one in which Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., after a great run helping the chapter, hands over the advisory role to me. The BAE department is a family; we are all connected! We hope you discover ways in which you can become more involved with the department. We would love to have you visit to learn more about our programs, whether research, academic, or extension. Please contact us if you are willing to help with senior capstone projects, class tours, internships, and serve as guest speaker for classes or our student organizations. To stay up to date, please look at the latest BAE news by visiting www.uky.edu/bae and follow us on social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube). Sincerely, Jian Shi, Ph.D. Spring Meeting: TBD Fall 2017 Members BAE’s Alumni Advisory Board meets twice a year, in the spring and fall. The group offers valuable feedback on the department’s academic, extension, outreach, and research programs. 2
Doug Mynear Allen Patton Maridely Loyselle Brittany Adam
Laud Azu Nick Coleman Rachel Norton Ellie Hawes
Alpha Epsilon Plans for a New Year By Lauren Bell | Alpha Epsilon President As we start a new academic year, Alpha Epsilon would like to thank faculty advisor Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., for her excellent stewardship and continued support of the organization over the years. Under her leadership, Alpha Epsilon received two awards at the ASABE AIM conference—Most Outstanding Chapter and Most Improved Chapter. We’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our new advisor, Jian Shi, Ph.D. We (the new officers) are still discussing AE’s goals, but it is likely that we will continue the initiatives started by previous
In this issue... Pages 2-3
officers and Dr. Agouridis, such as holding a book drive to benefit the International Book Project, participating in holiday gift-giving for children in need through Pages 4-5 the university-supported initiative Circle of Love, and hosting a bake sale on campus to raise money for our chapter. Pages 6-7 Officers currently meet once a month to discuss our progress and goals and to make plans for the future. Everyone in the chapter has had class together since starting college, and a few of us even studied abroad in Germany together this past summer. These relationships have benefited the chapter and how we are able to work together as colleagues and friends. 2017-2018 Officers President: Lauren Bell Vice-President: Ulalo Chirwa Secretary: Robin Swoveland Treasurer: Clare Tyler
Pages 8-9
Pages 10-11 Pages 12-13 Pages 14-15
Welcome from the BAE Connections Editorial Committee; Alumni Advisory Board; Alpha Epsilon Plans for a New Year Burley Tobacco Research; Montross Named Chair of UK Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Improving Research Infrastructure for Harmful Algal Bloom Science
Solar Arrays Log Effects of Solar Eclipse; BMP Tour of Morgan County Extension Farm Student Spotlights: Makua Vin-Nnajiofor, Sam Day
Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Hickman; Contributors to BAE During 2016-2017
Staff Focus: Jeff Smith; Grants, Peer-Reviewed Publications; Professional Licensure; Departures, Arrivals, Retirements
BAE Connections is published twice a year by the University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, an Equal Opportunity Organization. The newsletter is produced by BAE in partnership with Alpha Epsilon. ©2017. BAE Connections Editorial Committee Director: Mike Montross, Ph.D., P.E. Advisor: Jian Shi, Ph.D. Editor, Designer: Karin Pekarchik Contributors: Lauren Bell, George Day, Ph.D., Bill Ford, Ph.D., Lee Moser, Britney Ragland, P.E., CEM, Katie Pratt, Jian Shi, Ph.D., Donnie Stamper, Clare Tyler Photography: Steve Patton, Matt Barton, UK College of Ag; BAE faculty/staff. Please submit story ideas, questions, or comments to j.shi@uky.edu or karin.pekarchik@ uky.edu.
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Burley Tobacco Research By George Day, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor, Agriculture Research Specialist
automatic baler and increase the processor cleaning efficiency in an effort to move the CP3S toward The Tobacco Mechanization commercialization. R.J. Group within BAE has received Reynolds has provided another award to continue over $320,000 in support development of the CP3S High since 2016 and continues Speed Market Prep System to promote the adoption for burley tobacco. Work on of segmented leaf in an this system began in 2011 with effort to provide significant funding provided by Philip Morris labor savings to Kentucky’s International Management over tobacco farmers. This system four years totaling approximately The Fully Automatic Harvesting System has been designed and $590,000. constructed entirely in-house developed at BAE circa 1993. at BAE and is indicative The system has been successfully companion system to the of the many talents and abilities demonstrated in Shelby and Automatic Harvester developed within our department. Henry counties to producers, in the 1980’s. It was felt that if the manufacturers, and industry Many have observed that the harvester could reduce the labor personnel and has been featured system is too large and too requirement by 75 to 80 percent, twice at the National Farm expensive to be practical for then it would be necessary to Machinery Show in Louisville today’s producers. This is simply achieve the same labor savings in addition to international not the case. It is beneficial to during market preparation or presentations in France and take a step back to see some of neither improvement would be Germany. More recently, we our departmental history and worth the potential investment. have begun a collaboration with realize this project was originally Data gathered over five years of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company envisioned over 30 years ago as a testing indicate the CP3S cuts on a project to develop an labor requirements by at least 75%, The CP3S High Speed Market Prep System developed at BAE thus achieving the design goals circa 2013. Photo courtesy of UK Ag Communications. and validating the economic model set forth in the original tobacco mechanization effort undertaken years ago. This level of labor reduction is even more significant when considering the (relatively) higher labor costs associated with modern tobacco production. Tobacco is no longer the major source of agricultural income for the state, however, it does account for over $300 million annually, and our producers are in need of mechanization perhaps now more than ever for the crop to remain a viable entity in Kentucky’s agricultural engine. 4
Montross Named Chair of UK Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering By Katie Pratt | UK Agricultural Communications A longtime University of Kentucky educator, researcher and farmer is the new chair of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Michael Montross assumed his new role July 1. Montross has been a member of the department since 1999, after he graduated with a doctorate from Purdue University. He also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University. Research and Extension While at UK, Montross has had experience in research, teaching and extension, and he is recognized for effective and relevant research activities. He has received many nationally competitive
grants and is engaged in a number of multidisciplinary projects. His research has focused on drying, storage and granular mechanics of grains and oilseeds as well as biomass collection, characterization and processing. While he has not had an official extension appointment, Montross’ research projects have often required him to cooperate with and reach out to Kentucky farmers. He is also an extension client, using extension knowledge and expertise to help make decisions for his cattle operation in Madison County. Land-grant Mission
licensed professional engineer, which is the highest standard of competence, achievement and quality for engineers.
“I want to thank Dr. Montross for his willingness to take on this “I am a firm believer in the landrole and guide the department grant mission,” he said. “Strong in the next six years,” said Nancy extension, research and teaching Cox, dean of the college. “Dr. Sue programs are all critical to the Nokes, the outgoing chair, has success of the department, college done a tremendous job in her six and state.” years in this position, and she has Montross is active in the American set the bar quite high. We thank Society of Agricultural and both Dr. Nokes and Dr. Montross Biological Engineers and is a for their leadership.”
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Improving Research Infrastructure for Harmful Algal Bloom Science By Bill Ford, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor Since August 2016, I have collaborated on a project with a group of researchers across Kentucky and West Virginia (photo, right) to improve research infrastructure for studying Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). The $4 million project, titled SENSE (Sensing and Educating the Nexus to Sustain Ecosystems), is funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF EPSCoR RII-T2) and includes collaboration between PIs at Murray State University, Marshall University, and the University of Kentucky. The primary objectives of the program are to establish state-of-the-art monitoring
platforms in watersheds that convey nutrients and receiving waterbodies that develop HABs. My role in the project is to establish water quality monitoring platforms in watersheds impacted by agricultural runoff in West Virginia, develop watershed models that leverage new data streams in both states, and to support workforce development through training of undergraduate and graduate students that are historically underrepresented in STEM. HABs as a common problem to Kentucky and West Virginia As agricultural food production and water demands escalate to meet projected human population
Fourpole creek floodwall station (top left), delineated fourpole creek watershed with landuse map (bottom left) and instrumentation (images on right hand side). BAE grad student Alex Jensen is shown working on preparing instrumentation for the field.
increases and as climate change continues to alter precipitation and temperature patterns, the proliferation of harmful algal blooms is growing worldwide. Although algal blooms are a natural cyclical component of water bodies, blooms primarily consisting of species within the taxonomic group, the “bluegreen” Cyanobacteria, have recently become a major threat to our nation’s aquatic ecosystem services affecting drinking water supplies, irrigation, and hydropower production. Excessive bluegreen algal blooms often are harmful because many species of cyanobacteria such as Microcystis aeruginosa are known producers of taste and odor problems and microcystin, a liver and neurotoxin affecting vertebrates and humans. Examples of extreme HABs have been reported across the United States, not only in Lake Erie in 2013, and again in 2014 and 2015, but also in smaller inland lakes in Washington State to the Ohio River bordering Kentucky and West Virginia in 2015 and to the Indian River in Florida. While the threat of HABs to US waterways is highly apparent, watershed level physical and biogeochemical thresholds that trigger proliferation of these blooms are uncertain and not well understood. Our research teams aim to use state of the art nutrient and water quality sensing technology to overcome these limitations and better understand nutrient controls leading to HABs. In Year 1 of the project, the
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Ford research team has focused on implementation of water quality sensors and samplers at the outlet of a mixed-use (forest, agricultural, and urban) watershed in Huntington, West Virginia, (see photos, opposite page). BAE graduate student Alex Jensen has led the way on developing the sensor platform which includes continuous 15-minute measurements of nitrate-N, turbidity, temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter. An in situ wet chemistry orthophosphate-P sensor is also collecting data at a bihourly interval. BAE undergrad Cory Radcliff set up an automated ISCO grab sampler with a flow monitor at the site to supplement the new sensors. The BAE Engineering Design Center (the “Shop”), led by Will Adams, fabricated and helped install an instrument cage that houses the monitoring equipment. The cage was developed to withstand extreme forces from logs
SENSE annual meeting in September 2016 during Year 1 of a four-year project at Hancock Biological Station. and other large debris. In Year 2 of the project our team will focus on quality control procedures that ensure data validity. Further, we will be instrumenting a second site later in the fall that monitors conditions upstream of a flowthrough wetland at the watershed outlet, allowing us to develop and validate models that quantify the fate and transport of contaminants within a stream-wetland complex at the watershed-scale. Workforce Development
REU students, including BAE’s Gina DeGraves and Kimberly Stehno, at Hancock Biological Station in Murray, Kentucky, in August 2017.
A concurrent goal to the scientific advancements of the project is to train a diverse workforce in Kentucky and West Virginia on the new sensor technology. Specifically, we are encouraging workforce
development of our next generation of scientific leaders through an Early Career Faculty Program (ECF), undergraduate and graduate research and training, and postdoctoral research opportunities. As an example of these efforts, this summer we had a two-week research experience for undergraduates (REU) program where students from Marshall and University of Kentucky traveled to monitoring locations in West Virginia and Kentucky watersheds, the Ohio River, and Hancock Biological Station in Murray, Kentucky (photo, bottom left). The REU students (including BAE’s own Gina DeGraves and Kimberly Stehno) learned about the new high-resolution sensing equipment, had an opportunity to engage scientists, and developed a research presentation that they presented to the entire group at the annual all-hands meeting for the project. Most REU students are continuing with undergraduate research opportunities in the 20172018 school year. We will continue the REU program in the next two years of the project. 7
Solar Arrays Log Effects of Solar Eclipse By Britney Ragland, P.E., CEM | Graduate Research Assistant and Energy Engineer On August 21, millions of Americans found themselves abuzz with excitement over the Great American Eclipse. Kentuckians were able to boast about Hopkinsville, where the “point of greatest eclipse” meant that totality would last for approximately 2 minutes 40 seconds. About 200 miles northeast of Hopkinsville, in Lexington, the University of Kentucky campus was also expecting an breathtaking show. Students and residents alike clamored to find last-minute eclipse-safe viewing glasses. Lexington was set to experience a partial eclipse between the hours of 1pm and 4pm, with the greatest eclipse of 95% at around 2:28pm. While all eyes were trained on the sky, two solar photovoltaic arrays on campus were quietly logging
away various data points to quantify the experience. The largest array on campus is on top of the Ralph G. Anderson Mechanical Engineering building. It features a 56 kW-rated system, which was constructed over two phases in 2015 and 2016. A second array, rated at 26kW, is located at the Davis Marksbury Building. One sensor at Mechanical Engineering measures solar irradiance, which is the power per unit area of the sun’s rays (in Watts per meters squared) and represents how much solar power is available to the solar panels. A peak irradiance value on a normal clear summer afternoon at this array can measure nearly 1,000 W/m2. Cloud cover is common in central Kentucky and can cause fluctuations in irradiance as the sun is concealed, but fortunately for viewers, this was not a huge issue during the eclipse. Screenshots of the irradiance values during the
eclipse show a dramatic descent to only 34 W/m2 at 2:28pm, followed by a remarkably smooth rebound until the moon completely cleared the sun around 4:00pm. These readings are similar to what is measured at the same array around 8:00am while the panels are still shaded. The power output of both the Mechanical Engineering and Davis Marksbury Building arrays followed a similar trend. As the irradiance available from the sun dipped, so did the AC power output of each system, to the point of nearly no production at the peak of the eclipse. The power produced from each of these systems is fed directly into their respective facilities to be consumed. The energy needs within the facility did not change considerably during the afternoon, so all of the power that was not produced by the solar array had to be provided through conventional electricity distribution. Kentucky’s power grid has a minimal amount of connected solar production, but this information illustrates why other locations where solar is more prevalent had to be prepared to cushion the power supply, or curtail consumption, in order to prevent shortages. Information about the solar arrays, including raw data found in the public online logging systems, can be found at the UK Utilities & Energy Management Renewables Page: http://www.uky.edu/facilities/uem/renewable-energy.
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BMP Tour of Morgan County Extension Farm By Lee Moser | Agriculture Extension Associate Steve Higgins, Ph.D., and I have partnered with the Kentucky Beef Network and Morgan County Extension to collaborate on renovations to the Morgan County Extension Farm. The renovations demonstrate and highlight the benefits of implementing best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations. A virtual tour of the Morgan County Extension Farm that highlights the BMP renovations is available at: http://arcg.is/2tltbna. The virtual tour was created by Ciara Pickering and Dan Barton, undergraduates employed in the department this summer.
to the environment. The renovations featured on the farm include Agriculture Water Quality Act BMPs such as: alternative water sources, rotational grazing, heavy traffic areas, traditional and electric fencing, structures for shade and shelter, stormwater management, and water harvesting.
With guidance from Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., Morgan County Extension Farm also recently Solar-powered electric fence is used to facilitate a rocompleted on-farm tational grazing plan (top). culvert re-sizing and Two 2,500 gallon tanks are used to harvest stormwareplacements that will The on-farm renovations provide ter captured from the roof of a barn. This water is then serve as an educational an opportunity for Extension gravity-fed to a tire waterer tank to provide water to professionals to conduct field days, opportunity for producers. cattle (bottom). Morgan County educational events, and training programs for agricultural producers Extension hopes to Farm, and Morehead State develop a fenceline winter feeding and natural resource professionals University’s Farm. Providing system in the next several months that emphasize the importance agricultural producers with to provide an opportunity for of best management practices for conveniently located, experiential producers to learn more about improving on-farm efficiency and education opportunities related the benefits of winter feeding production (by reducing inputs of to BMPs imparts first-hand water, time, fuel, purchased forages, structures for livestock. knowledge of techniques to etc.), while providing co-benefits address water quantity and The Morgan County The shade structure used on the farm was constructed by Farm renovations quality, soil conservation, nutrient the talented staff of our fabrication shop (below). management, soil health, forage are part of a larger and pasture preservation, and effort to establish BMP demonstration ultimately creates a better quality of life for producers and livestock. farms throughout the state. Additional This project was funded in part BMP tour sites that through the Kentucky Division of have been developed Water (a grant provided through § include: Eden Shale 319 of the Clean Water Act). For Farm, Loretto more information, visit Motherhouse Farm, www.uky.edu/bae/higgins. St. Catharine’s 9
Student Spotlight: Makua Vin-Nnajiofor By Alpha Epsilon President Lauren Bell Makua was recently selected by the Kentucky National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR to receive a Research Scholar Program awards worth $7500. She will work with Dr. Shi on producing high value carotenoids from biorefinery waste streams. The award will support the research project and her travel to the American Chemical Society national conference in New Orleans next March. What do you aspire to achieve with your degree in Biosystems Engineering and what are your interests in the field? Through my research experience, I have become greatly interested in bioprocessing and its applications. I would like to make use of my degree and work in research and development incorporating biological materials and processes to solve problems and improve sustainability. I would also like to go further to acquire a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. With this knowledge, I aim to go back to my country, Nigeria, which is a developing country, and improve the systems in the
biopharmaceutical and healthcare systems. What advice would you give to current and future students entering Biosystems Engineering? Biosystems engineering is an interesting and versatile major. I would advise anyone in this major to take advantage of all opportunities available, from developing good relationships with professors and students to getting involved with Student Branch, to going to the career events and conferences. Acquiring some form of experience while in college is also very important. Internships or research with a professor gives you a better idea of the field and helps build skills and relationships. What are your plans for the near and distant future? I’ll be graduating soon and I hope to get some experience before moving on to graduate school. In the
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future, I want to own a multidisciplinary engineering firm where I can come out with innovative technologies. I would also love to start a philanthropic foundation in my country to help the children get a better life. Please tell us something about yourself that we may not know. I love traveling, exploring, and meeting new people from different cultures. Nigeria has vastly different norms and values from the United States. Studying here has been a lot of fun, and it has exposed me to the way of life here. I am really looking forward to exploring other states besides Kentucky and the few others I have been to. My one regret is not creating the time to study abroad over the course of my undergraduate degree.
Student Spotlight: Sam Day By Alpha Epsilon President Lauren Bell What do you aspire to achieve with your degree in Biosystems Engineering and what are your interests in the field? I am in my senior year on the Pre-Biomedical track. Through opportunities in the BAE department I have been able to help build a sensor system that assists in analyzing the biomechanics of equestrian athletes. This has allowed me to combine my passion for sports with biomedicine. Other projects I’ve worked on, such as working on a hybrid battery for a forklift and observing alfalfa growth for biomass purposes, have increased my interest in other specialties within Biosystems Engineering. However, ultimately, I would like to research, design, and build robotic prosthetics. What advice would you give to cur-
rent and future students entering Biosystems Engineering? Keep an open mind and take advantage of every opportunity to build your experience and broaden your skillset. Figure out your strengths, develop them, and don’t be afraid to fail. No one ever learns anything from succeeding all the time. What are your plans for the near and distant future? Currently I am applying to the Engineering/MBA dual degree program. Upon completing this program and graduating, I plan to pursue a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering. Beyond that, I plan to begin working in the field of robotic prosthetics. How has the program benefitted you so far?
BAE has offered me a lot of opportunities to expand my horizons as a student, engineer, and citizen. This past summer, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Germany with a group of fifteen students and two instructors from the BAE department. This trip introduced me to a culture I had never experienced and helped me understand engineering from a more global perspective. The trip really helped make the world seem smaller, but made the the world of engineering seem so much larger. Please tell us something about yourself that we may not know. I absolutely love everything about water. Some of my favorite hobbies include water skiing, tubing, swimming laps, and even just floating. I also enjoy running and cycling long distances.
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Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Hickman By Alpha Epsilon Treasurer Clare Tyler Where are you in your career? I’m just starting! I have a new job with Cenergistic, which is here on campus at UK. After I finished my master’s program in BAE, I worked for a year as an engineer associate on the USDA Biofuel Development Initiative in the department. My background for the past seven years of school was dominated by biology and chemistry, so when I took this position as an Energy Specialist, it was a total change from my comfort zone. I wanted something new and exciting. I needed a challenge, and I got it. My current position is mechanically focused, but I have also had some great exposure to programming and control systems. Some days I’m in mechanical rooms around campus
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troubleshooting heating and cooling systems, high pressure steam systems, chilled water systems, etc., or programming for varying systems. Other days I get to walk around and make sure people are comfortable in their surroundings. This position has given me great people skills and troubleshooting skills I’ll be able to apply in any career, and I love that my position is making a positive impact on campus, both economically (saving money) and environmentally (lowering greenhouse gas emissions). How did your experience at UK prepare you for your career? Overall, the classes laid the foundation for everything I do currently. Although I have learned an incredible amount on the job, I would be lost if I had
not taken these courses. Also, giving presentations at ASABE was a great learning experience for me, allowing me to gain the confidence to present to larger, more diverse groups. That has helped tremendously in my current position. What advice would you give to current and future students as they prepare to join the workforce or go to graduate school? Take time to travel. Know what your strengths are. Don’t focus on the paycheck, focus on what you will enjoy doing. Wear your best clothes for an interview. Personalize every cover letter you write. Read in your spare time. Don’t panic, everything will fall into place.
Staff Focus: Jeff Smith By Donnie Stamper | Engineer Associate As a kid growing up in Huntington, West Virginia, Jeff spent much of his days in the woods behind his house, exploring and catching snakes, lizards, insects, and whatever else he could find. That interest in nature eventually led him to Marshall University, where he majored in zoology and minored in chemistry, psychology, and classical studies. He then went on to the graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee (back when they had a really good football team), although he left before finishing when his wife accepted a position at UK. In 1999, Jeff started working at UK in the College of Medicine. He spent ten years in the Department of Physiology and
the Center for Muscle Biology studying the mechanisms of muscle weakness caused by disuse and disease. He joined our department as a Research Facilities Manager in April of 2016. In this role, Jeff oversees the wet labs, making sure the equipment is running correctly and that the students know how to use it properly. Jeff and his wife have a son who is in high school and a daughter who is in middle school. Jeff doesn’t leave the chemistry at work, he also practices it at home…in the kitchen. Jeff enjoys making bread from scratch). Lately, Jeff has been trying his hand at photography. His kids enjoy this hobby, and it complements his love of the outdoors.
Need Continuing Professional Development Hours? BAE engineering and extension courses return this spring. More information: https://www.uky.edu/bae/cpd Contact: carmen.agouridis@uky.edu
All in all, Jeff sounds like a really good guy, until you learn of his “dark side.” Jeff “the lab ref ” Smith is a University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball fan! He claims that UK is his second favorite team, but I think the ancient Greeks say it best: “ὕστερον πρότερον.”
Upcoming Round Up—October 4-7 Fall Advisory Board—October 5-6, 2017 Graduate Student Recruitment Weekend—January 25-27, 2018 Southeastern Region ASABE Rally—BAE will host Rally in the spring of 2018. Dates TBD. Continuing Professional Development Program—Spring 2018. Date TBD.
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Contributors to BAE During 2016-2017 The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering would like to thank those who generously contributed during the past fiscal year. With these contributions, we award scholarships to deserving students; continue research projects; hire graduate and undergraduate students; and reach our stakeholders through extension efforts. If you’d like to contribute to the BAE enrichment fund or a scholarship fund, please contact Department Chair Dr. Mike Montross. BAE Enrichment Account Eric Jameson Noelia M. Elia Juan C. Valerdi Justin Ray Jackson Donald H. Hart James N. Birch Steve Young Michael Andrew Hagan Philip W. Westerman
George B. Day William E. Thomas Mary Florence Barber Scholarship Dr. Melinda Ann SuttonBarber Mid-America Equipment Retailers Services Scholarship Servicing Equipment Retailers Foundation Alpha Epsilon Scholarship
Ag Engineering Student Aid Fund Dr. Philip W. Westerman Robert D. Martin Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative Gift Fund National Center for Women and Information Technology Sutherland & Associates Lockheed Martin
Ray Bucklin
Coming up in the next issue of BAE Connections ... the tire waterer
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Grants Joe Dvorak is co-investigator on 2016 USDA-NIFA 1890 Capacity Building Program: Sustainable Aquaculture: Education, Research, and Outreach for Small Farms. $599,051. (PI: Ken Semmens at Kentucky State University; CoIs: Siddhartha Dasgupta, Karen Heavin, Robert Durborow, Ken Thompson, Forrest Wynne at Kentucky State University; Joseph Dvorak and Don Colliver at University of Kentucky).
absorption kinetics and structural changes of parfried potato. Journal of Food Engineering. Inprint. Dvorak, J., Zhang, N. (2017). Optimal design of velocity sensor for open channel flow using CFD. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. 2017; 10(3): 130–142. DOI: 10.3965/j. ijabe.20171003.2147.
Postharvest Biology and Technology, 129, 37 - 44. Seyyedhasani, H., Dvorak, J. (2017). Using the Vehicle Routing Problem to Reduce Field Completion Times with Multiple Machines. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 134. March 2017. 142-150. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2016.11.010
Ekramirad, N., Rady, A., Adedeji, A.A., and Alimardani, R. (2017). Application of hyperspectral imaging and acoustic emission techniques for apple quality prediction. Transactions of ASABE 60(3).
Vijayakumar, P. P and Adedeji, A.A. (2017). Measuring the pH of Food Products. Published by University of Kentucky – College Agriculture, Food and Environment Cooperative Extension Service. UK Extension Publication. ID- 246.
T. P. Mains, F.A. Payne, M. P. Sama. 2017. Monitoring Yogurt Culture Fermentation and Predicting Fermentation Endpoint with Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Trans. of ASABE, Vol. 59(6): 529-536
Zhu, L., Adedeji, A.A., and Alavi, S. (2017). Effect of germination and extrusion on physicochemical properties and nutritional qualities of extrudates and tortilla from wheat. Journal of Food Science. In-print.
Rady, A., Ekramirad, N., Adedeji, A.A., Li, M., and Alimardani, R. (2017). Hyperspectral Imaging for detection of codling moth infestation in GoldRush apples.
Professional Licensure
Departures
Arrivals
Retirements
Somsubhra Chattopadhyay Xiao Chin Hasan Seyyedhasani Megan Walz Katie Wolf Siquan Xu
Felix Akharume Meaghan Dunn Stacy McGill Saeid Nazari Michael Omodara Felipe Pampolini Austin Weiss
Fred Payne
Jian Shi received $50,000 from KSEF for “A Sweet BioAg Solution: Sweet Sorghum Bagasse Based Crop Yield Enhancer,” PI: Dr. Jian Shi; Co-PI: Dr. Hongyan Zhu, University of Kentucky. Zachary Tyler, a 2016 graduate of BAE, is the recipient of a Fulbright Research Grant to study the environment in Brazil.
Peer-Reviewed Publications Adedeji, A.A., and Ngadi, M. (2017). Impact of freezing method, frying and storage on fat
Alicia Modenbach, PhD, has earned her Professional Engineering license.
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University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering 128 C.E. Barnhart Building Lexington, KY 40546-0276 (859) 257-3000
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