Mitchell T Dennis

The Stephen Diachun Award, named after the first director of the Honors Program, has been
presented since 1982 to a graduating senior who has “demonstrated outstanding research talent in
the form of her/his Independent Project and who holds high promise for further professional
development in graduate school.”

The Trunzo Scholarship seeks to support students seeking internships in areas of Government, Public Politics, Law, or Public Policy

The Office of Undergraduate Research annually awards a vast number of undergraduates the opportunity to try something new or take their experience to the next level during the summer term. This grant provides undergraduates with the opportunity to study in a wide variety of disciplines while doing intensive and self-directed research or creative work under the supervision of a faculty mentor. 

The goal of this program is to cultivate extraordinary academic achievement among a group of UK students. The program provides outstanding undergraduates with experiences that go beyond classroom instruction. One of the activities we focus on is helping students understand the process of research within their discipline and finding a research mentor to oversee a spring research project.

A primary goal of the Fellows Program is to create a learning community consisting of collaborative interactions among students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence.

Given to students who have completed exceptional undergraduate research with a faculty mentor.

A full-ride scholarship package for students named National Merit® or National Hispanic Recognition Scholar Finalists.

The Henry Clay Internship at NASA HQ offers an exceptional opportunity for a highly accomplished student from one of Kentucky’s colleges and universities to serve in the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist. Duties will range based on student experience and interest but will position the intern to have exposure to, and learn about, the most important work being done in space exploration.

An award given to high school seniors representing academic excellence within the top 1 percent of the nations graduating seniors.

C/C++/C#
Python
Fortran
Bash
MATLAB
Mathematica
SQL Database Language

NumPy
SciPy
Pandas
Keras
TensorFlow
Scikit-learn

Machine Learning
Neural Networks
Keras/Tensorflow
MCMC

Autodesk Inventor/Fusion 360/Eagle
Cura Slicer
Prusa Slicer

• Used Python package keras to build machine learning models (Deep Neural Networks) on large datasets to perform rare object classification which reclassified thousands of objects for follow up corrections for a total of 1%.

• Edited components of stellar modeling software in Fortran to create additional energy loss models and produced 100,000+ models for further analysis on a Linux based supercomputer.
• Used Python package Keras to build a machine learning regression model (Deep Neural Network) to emulate stellar modeling software.
• Used Python package Keras to build a machine learning model which classifies objects to clean unwanted objects out of a large dataset.
• Used a machine learning emulator to replace slower modeling software, facilitating statistical analysis of Red Giant Branch stars using Markov-Chain Monte Carlo methods.
• Designed a data pipeline in Bash and Python which transfers data from simulation inputs to data pre-processing /data cleaning through to analysis.

• Developed two models of a Data Analysis Server utilizing parallel processing methods including P-Threading and the Message Passing Interface programming complier
• Optimized binary data compression algorithms for the Nab collaboration resulting in a 70% reduction in data size
• This project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy

• Dennis, Mitchell (2022, March). Machine learning for stellar structure and dark matter detection with MCMC. Stellar Tests of Gravity Workshop at the McWilliams Center for Cosmology, Carnegie Mellon University.

• Dennis, Mitchell (2019, April). Data Analysis Server for the Nab Experiment. Poster session at the 2019 National Conference for Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University.ent. Poster session at the 2019 National Conference for Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University.
• Dennis, Mitchell (2018, April). Data Compression for the Nab Experiment. Poster session at the 2018 National Conference for Undergraduate Research at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Designed two different spring semester projects for the First-Year Engineering Program:

• A projectile launcher which automatically identifies stationary targets, calculating range and trajectory before firing
• A remotely controlled model crane which responded to visual hand signals given via webcam. The crane was designed to pick up objects and move them to predetermined positions.
• The Design of these curricula involved evaluating: programming experience, circuit design, overall design efficiency, overall project design, and teamwork

• Trained 600+ students in the use and maintenance of FDM and SLA 3D printers and their slicing software including Cura and PreForm.
• Trained 250+ students to use computer aided design (CAD) software including Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Fusion and Onshape and their application in 3D printing and CNC milling
• Trained 450+ students to use the Adobe suite to create images suitable for use on a Universal Laser System engraver

• Used natural language analysis software QUID to analyze patterns and relationships in the submissions for the Astro2020 Decadal Survey
• Presented findings and conclusions to the Co-chairs of the Astro2020 committee at the National Academies of the Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and members of the upcoming Planetary Decadal Survey
• Performed background research to be used in upcoming literary publications

• Communicated and collaborated with a staff of 17 students to create a positive academic environment to ensure students success
• Managed a wing of 42 residents and coordinated with 2 other Resident Advisors and their 84 residents to foster community engagement and inclusivity within our Residence Hall
• Coordinated with on-campus partners and the Residence Hall Association to plan community events for the Residence Hall serving 740 students
• Met monthly with each of my students and reported any concerns about student wellness to appropriate campus offices

• Tutored 40 students in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry (College Algebra, Calculus I and II, General Physics I and II, General Chemistry I and II)

• Prepared, proctored, and graded an exam for Division B: Solar System of the Hawai’i State Science Olympiad in 2022.

• Volunteered with NASA’s Solar System Ambassador Program visiting Morton Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky to share NASA science and discoveries with 600+ students to inspire the next generation of young scientists.

• Modelled and built new designs for new outreach projects, repaired damage to existing outreach materials, and gave outreach presentations.

• Founding member of the Curiosity Matters planning committee as he student representative helping coordinate an event with multiple sponsors, 30 unique booths, and 200 attendees for two years

• Dennis, Mitchell (2021, October). Students and their Campus Experiences panelist at the 5th Annual College Autism Summit

• Provided recommendations to the committee on educational initiatives undertaken by the University of Kentucky to support Neurodiverse students as they transition into, throughout, and out of college life.

• Dennis, Mitchell (2022, March). Implications of Tolkien’s Dwarves’ relationships with nature for modern humanity. Landscapes of the Imagination Panel at the Dimensions of Political Ecology 12^th Annual Meeting at the University of Kentucky.

• Coordinated a food drive to donate 20 Thanksgiving meals to underserved families in the Lexington Community
• Organized a fundraising effort to raise $5,000 and bring internationally recognized journalist Terry Anderson to the University of Kentucky campus for a Transformational Leadership Seminar
• Served as co-chair for the Local Arrangements and Hotels Committee for the first annual National Leadership Conference to be held in Lexington, KY in June 2020 (Cancelled due to Pandemic)
• Hosted an annual President’s Day Award’s Ceremony to present an outstanding faculty member, student, and community member with awards

Worked on a Tiny Titan Supercomputer project at the University of Kentucky built using 8 Raspberry Pi’s to create a parallel computing system usable by undergraduates on projects including:

• Estimation of the value of Pi using multiple different methods comparing their efficiency
• Running fluid dynamics software using various formats with parallel computing

This project was funded by a grant from the Society of Physics Students

• Designed and manufactured awards and placards presented to distinguished Tau Beta Pi faculty for their continued service to the University.