Cincinnati, OH

What degrees you already have: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Miami University
What degree you are seeking: Master of Science in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management, Eastern Kentucky University
Your study interests: Occupational Health, Safety Leadership
Your thesis topic if you have it: I’m interested in studying the effects of AI-enhanced dash cameras on accident rates among CMV drivers in the waste industry.
And your goals for the future: I plan to graduate in May 2025. After graduation I would like to continue my educational journey in a PhD or JD program.

Amara is a recent graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she received her B.S in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate, she defended her thesis on resource accessibility and communication strategies of d/Deaf/Hoh children in KY/TN. Additionally, she completed study abroad programs in Chile and Japan, where she learned more about the wide field of public health on a global scale. She is now pursuing her MPH at the University of Kentucky in the CARERC Occupational Epidemiology core. Her research interests are centered around noise-induced hearing loss within high-risk industries in Kentucky. Looking to the future, Amara is interested in working as an epidemiologist to effectively improve the quality of life of workers in high-risk occupations with a focus on reducing-and hopefully eliminating-occupational hazards.

Cottontown, TN
Mason recently graduated with a B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Kentucky and is currently pursuing his M.S. in Biosystems Engineering. His main study interests are related to agricultural machine systems. Specifically, he is interested in machine control systems and machine safety systems. After he graduates with his Master’s, he plans to become a hydraulic systems or control systems engineer in either the agricultural equipment or construction equipment industry while working on gaining his P.E. license. In the long run, Mason would like to become a chief engineer in the agricultural/construction equipment industry or start a company that develops retrofit kits that allow outdated agricultural equipment to use modern precision agriculture features.

Her proposed capstone project seeks to combine infectious disease epidemiology with occupational health by synthesizing and analyzing data from diverse studies conducted across various occupational environments. The project aims to comprehensively assess the transmission dynamics of infectious agents within workplaces, leveraging existing datasets to explore incidence rates, transmission pathways, and risk factors associated with specific occupational groups. By synthesizing and rigorously analyzing this data, the study will identify patterns, correlations, and insights that can inform targeted interventions and tailored preventive strategies. Through this approach, the project aims to contribute nuanced understandings and evidence-based recommendations for enhancing workplace safety measures, reducing disease transmission, and promoting healthier occupational environments.

Ashley Wright is a first-generation graduate student at the University of Kentucky. She is in the accelerated Master of Public Health program, with a focus in environmental health. For her capstone, she has chosen to focus on the community of West Louisville, and conduct a health assessment, that would empower and inform the community of the potential risk of living in close proximity to hazardous sites.

Lexington, KY
What degrees you already have: BSN + Psychology minor
What degree you are seeking: DNP in Executive Leadership Track
Your study interests: Occupational/Environmental Mental Health
And your goals for the future: I hope to become a leader and champion for improved occupational mental health.

Ada, Oklahoma.
What degrees do you already have: I have a bachelor's of science in Entomology from Oklahoma State University.
What degree you are seeking: I'm seeking a Masters of science in Entomology
Your study interests: I'm interested in the surveillance of tickborne pathogens and the role of regulatory hormones in the reproduction and development of Ixodes scapularis.
Your thesis topic if you have it: I'm working on multiple projects currently, so I haven't yet decided which one will be my thesis topic.
Your goals for the future: I'd like to continue working with ticks in a PhD program.

Sioux Falls, SD
What degrees you already have: B.S. Water Science, B.S. Environmental Restoration Science, M.S. Natural Resources – Hydrologic Sciences
What degree you are seeking: Ph. D. Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Your study interests: Wetlands
Emerging contaminants: Ecological engineering, Environmental sustainability
Your thesis topic if you have it: Assessing the influence of various agrochemical mixtures in constructed treatment wetland systems.
And your goals for the future: My goals as a future professional are to facilitate the design and implementation of ecologically derived solutions to solve modern day engineering and natural resource problems.

Where you are from: New Orleans, LA (distance learner)
What degrees you already have: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing (focus in Education)
What degree you are seeking: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Your study interests: occupational health of healthcare workers
Your thesis topic if you have it: The effects of current regulatory and organizational policies on the hydration status of nurses working 12-hour shifts or longer
And your goals for the future: I have a passion for mentoring newer nurses - yet I am looking forward to exploring other career opportunities outside of the clinical environment.

Newcastle, OK
What degrees you already have: B.S. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Certificate in Equine Enterprise Management, Minor in Agribusiness/Agricultural Economics.
What degree you are seeking: M.S. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Your study topic: Water trucks being used at horse racetracks
Your thesis topic if you have it: Precision Application of Water to Equine Racing Surfaces
Your goals for the future: I hope to graduate in May of 2024, and pursue a career working with arena surfaces while returning to production agriculture. I may pursue a PhD in the future. I also hope to have my own bucking horse operation.

Lexington, KY,
Sky has an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Kentucky. He is currently pursuing the M.S. degree in Mining Engineering, researching shuttle car autonomous navigation concepts for application to underground coal mines. The research involves the use of depth cameras for object identification, localization, and path planning for the shuttle car to travel safely to the continuous miner. Sky’s plans after graduation are to use autonomous, or semi-autonomous, navigation methods to reduce miner exposure to health and safety hazards by removing miners from hazardous locations and relocating them to safer locations.

Buckner, Kentucky
Zachary is a master's student in the Mining Health and Safety Core. He completed his B.S. degree in mining engineering at the University of Kentucky in May 2022. After graduation, Zach decided to continue his education in mining at the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on rock mechanics and geomechanics, and his thesis topic covers the strength of irregularly shaped underground pillars. The stability of underground pillars is critical to the safety of miners. Zachary plans to enroll in the PhD program in mining engineering and continue his research in rock mechanics and geomechanics.

Lexington, KY,
Lauren completed her B.S. degree in mining engineering at the University of Kentucky in 2017. She is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in the CARERC Mining Health and Safety Core. Her research interests include explosives and blasting as well as mineral beneficiation. Her dissertation topic is modeling underground blast fragmentation for use in the mine-to-mill strategy, which aims to reduce blast hazards and allow for the optimization of both blast design and explosive load. Her goal is to complete her dissertation and pursue a career as a university professor teaching the next generation of mining engineers

I am originally from Smiths Station, Alabama where I lived until moving to Auburn for my undergraduate degree. I obtained my Bachelor of Biosystems Engineering from Auburn University where I first started researching within ecological engineering on algal turf scrubber systems as part of my undergraduate research fellowship. I moved to Kentucky to start my master’s degree and research with Dr. Tiffany Messer this year. My research focuses on the fate and persistence of nanopesticides in wetlands and agroecosystems. I plan to continue my education with doctoral degree in ecological engineering focusing on pollution treatment and water quality. Following that I plan to create a career as a professor where I can continue to do research and teach the next generations of scientists and engineers. In my free time I like to backcountry camping, cooking, and volunteering within the scouting program.

I’m a first generation college student working to achieve my MPH with EHOS. I’m working toward my last year in my masters program. Currently, interning at SEARHC in Sitka Alaska working to help the community in food, water inspection, and N-95 data collection. I still involved with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity INC. to promote and services the community in uplifting, empower, social action, education. My end goal is to love my job and be happy!

Louisville, KY
What degrees you already have: BS Fire Protection Engineering, BS Criminal Justice
What degree you are seeking: MS Safety, Security & Emergency Management Your study interests: Fire Protection, Emergency Management, Occupational Safety
Your thesis topic if you have it: Firefighting Foams for Industrial Hydrocarbons: Ensuring the Best Path Forward
And your goals for the future: Become a reliable source for fire protection and investigation information for the company I work for globally.

Williamsport, PA
What degrees you already have: BA Chemistry/Biology
What degree you are seeking: MS SSEM
Your study interests: Health, Safety and Environmental Leadership, HSE Planning & Strategy (Corporate)
Your thesis topic if you have it: Empowering leadership positively influences employee engagement in safety
And your goals for the future: HSE Director and/or Vice President focusing on strategic implementation of HSE Programs (Corporate), Professor at EKU or other University offering remote learning for HSE.

Henry County KY
I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Career and Technical Education in 2019. I taught agriculture at Anderson County High School for four years before deciding to come back to the University of Kentucky to pursue my Masters Degree in Community and Leadership Development. My current study interests involve anything that focuses on making agriculture a safer endeavor.

Georgetown, KY
What degree you already have: BA in Career and Technical Education
What Degree you are seeking: MS in Community, Leadership Development
Your study interests: Mental health within the agricultural industry
Your goals for the future: I would like to stay within agriculture health and safety. I am not sure what that looks like right now, but I am excited to see where I go next.

Mesa, Arizona
What degrees you already have: B.S. Agricultural Technology Management and Education
What degree you are seeking: M.S. Community and Leadership Development
Your study interests: During my past year at the University of Kentucky I have enjoyed blending my background in agricultural education with agricultural safety and health. One area that I have become quite involved in is farmer mental health and suicide. I look forward to expanding my research experience this next year as I finish my program.
Your thesis topic if you have it: the use of Caring Cards onI plan to study farming communities' mental health and sense of belongingness. Caring Cards have been utilized within veteran communities to increase contact between individuals and have shown to have positive outcomes on mental health and behaviors. If this project shows similar trends, Caring Cards might be a useful way for community members to intervene in areas with poor access to health care.
And your goals for the future: I hope to graduate May of 2024 and find a position where I can have a positive impact on my community. I hope to stay involved in research and may pursue a PhD in the future.

Estill County, KY
What degrees you already have: B.S. in Environmental Engineering
What degree you are seeking: M.S. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Your study interests: Water Quality and Natural Resource Management
Your thesis topic if you have it: Persistence, fate, and transport of nanopesticides in agricultural settings, as well as how those pesticides impact soil nutrients retention.
And your goals for the future: I hope to work for the sustainable management of agricultural and water resources in rural Kentucky.

Ms. Cipriani is a PhD student in the joint PhD Program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Kentucky and is a CARERC student in the Occupational Epidemiology program. Ms. Cipriani received her master’s degree in microbiology from the Wagner College in New York. She is also currently employed as an epidemiology technical assistant with the Kentucky Department of Public Health with a focus on vector borne diseases and outbreak investigations.

Her current research is focused on alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) --- an emerging, vector borne condition presenting as a hypersensitivity reaction following the bite of a lone-star tick. Research on alpha-gal syndrome is very much needed in Kentucky as the lone-star tick is one of biggest threats resulting in the transmission of vector-borne disease in the state. Her surveillance research is being undertaken to evaluate all patients within University of Kentucky Health Care system having been evaluated for the possibility of meeting the formal case definition of alpha-gal hypersensitivity. Reported diagnoses or positive alpha-gal IgE, eosinophil counts and tryptase laboratory tests are also being evaluated to aid in determination of current disease prevalence in the UKHC population. Patient characteristics and associated symptoms will be reviewed to further determine an association between symptom expression, severity of reactions, age, serum IgE levels, tick exposure, comorbidities, blood type and other known allergens.

Michael Long is a master’s student in the Mining Health and Safety Core. Michael is originally from Winchester, Kentucky and completed his B.S. degree in mining engineering at the University of Kentucky in May 2022. After graduating, Michael worked in the gypsum mining industry where he found his interest in mining technology. Specifically in the fields of safety and productivity. Wanting to be more involved in the research side of the mining industry, Michael has returned to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Kentucky. His research pertains to collision avoidance systems which utilize artificial intelligence for automated underground mining equipment. With the push for further automation in the mining industry, automated machines will need proper hazard detection equipment so they can operate safely alongside miners. Automation of the mining industry is a long sought after goal especially from the safety side as automated machines can reduce miner’s exposure to hazards. Additionally, Michael also has interests in mine ventilation and rock mechanics. Michael plans to take what he will learn as a master’s student into the mining industry and be a driving force for improved safety.

Dr. Jelmini received his PhD in Rehabilitation and Health Science from the University of Kentucky. He also holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science from California State University, Los Angeles and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Texas A&M University. He received a Bachelor's degree in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon where he also played collegiate baseball. He is a Licensed and Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Ryan is a Navy law enforcement veteran and is currently working in the field of industrial security for GE Aerospace. He is fascinated with the depth and intricacies of managing different EHS issues within industrial and healthcare environments, as well as the focus on engagement and problem solving inherent in the field. His dream career is to work within the safety and security field for Redbull Racing, Ford, Toyota, or Subaru.

Louisville KY
What degrees do you already have: I graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2019.
What degree you are seeking: I am working on a degree in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management with concentrations in Occupational Safety and Safety Management.
Your thesis topic if you have it: My thesis topic will address the issue of bridging the generational gap in a workplace where safety personnel are of a younger generation than those they are trying to protect. It seeks to propose ways to engage all employees of a company in the safety agenda.

I was born and raised in Murray, Kentucky where I also attended college at Murray State University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health. I decided to pursue another field so I returned to Murray State to work as a Residence Hall Director and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Post Secondary Education Administration. Upon graduating I chose to return to the safety field and worked for Fanatics in Louisville, Kentucky in 2021. In 2023, I accepted a position with Nordstrom in Portland, Oregon where I am currently located. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management at Eastern Kentucky University.

What degrees do you already have: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Morehead State University
What degree you are seeking: DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health
Your study interest: Occupational and Mental health in Nursing
Your goals for the future: To become a leader and advocate for the mental health of my patients and those working within the nursing field.