Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight Q&A with Krishna Vyas, Chellow Class of 2007
Celebrating 20 Years! Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Krishna Vyas, Chellow Class of 2007
The Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence is celebrating the 20th class of Chellgren Student Fellows by hosting an All-Class Reunion in October 2026 to celebrate! In honor of 20 years, we are highlighting alumni from the program by sharing where they are now and reflecting on their time as Chellgren Student Fellows.
Krishna Vyas, born and raised in Kentucky, majored in Biology, where he built a strong foundation in scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical problem-solving skills that shaped his path into medicine and surgery. He was a part of the first cohort class of 2007. The Chellgren Center not only challenged his way of learning but helped give him the confidence to contribute original ideas, which helped him achieve ambitious undergraduate goals. He is now a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon in New York City, specializing in aesthetic and breast surgery, with expertise in regenerative and sensation-preserving techniques. Alongside clinical practice, he remains actively involved in research, education, and mentorship.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Kentucky, and how did you first get connected with the Chellgren Center?
I chose the University of Kentucky because of its strong academic environment, close access to faculty mentorship, and institutional commitment to undergraduate scholarship. I was drawn early to research and scientific inquiry. I was part of the first Chellgren Fellowship cohort in 2007, which made the experience especially formative as the program itself was taking shape.
What was your involvement with the Chellgren Center during your time at UK?
As a Chellgren Fellow, I participated in an immersive, faculty-mentored scholarly experience that emphasized intellectual independence and rigor. The program fostered a close learning community through enrichment courses, cultural and intellectual events, and sustained mentorship. The cornerstone of my involvement was a faculty-supervised scholarly project, which required ownership from conceptualization through execution and presentation. The experience treated undergraduates as active scholars rather than passive learners, encouraging curiosity while holding us to high academic standards.
How did that experience enrich your undergraduate years?
The Chellgren experience fundamentally shaped how I approached learning. It taught me how to ask meaningful questions and persist through intellectual challenges. Just as importantly, it gave me confidence that I could contribute original ideas, engage with faculty as a colleague-in-training, and pursue ambitious academic goals. It transformed my undergraduate education from a series of courses into a cohesive intellectual journey grounded in inquiry, mentorship, and purpose.
What have you been up to since graduation, and how did that path unfold?
After graduating from college, I earned a master’s degree in immunology and microbiology at Johns Hopkins, followed by an MD and PhD at the University of Kentucky. I completed plastic and reconstructive surgery training at the Mayo Clinic, then pursued advanced aesthetic fellowships in Manhattan with The Aesthetic Society and at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I am now a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon in New York City, specializing in aesthetic and breast surgery, with expertise in regenerative and sensation-preserving techniques. Alongside clinical practice, I remain actively involved in research, education, and mentorship, with the greatest professional reward coming from translating rigorous scientific inquiry into thoughtful, patient-centered surgical care and outcomes.
In what ways did your Chellgren experience prepare you for where you are now?
The Chellgren Center taught me how to think like a scholar early in my career. It instilled intellectual discipline and a deep appreciation for mentorship qualities that continue to guide my work as a surgeon, researcher, and educator. Many of the skills I rely on today study design, critical appraisal of literature, academic writing, and mentoring trainees which trace directly back to my time as a Chellgren Fellow.
What advice would you give to an undergraduate student considering getting involved with the Chellgren Center?
Take full advantage of it. Seek mentors who challenge you, choose projects that genuinely spark your curiosity, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The Chellgren Center is more than a research program, it is a training ground for independent thinking, leadership, and lifelong intellectual growth.
About the Chellgren Center Student Fellows Program
The Chellgren Center Student Fellows Program is designed for second-year students. This program provides experiences that go beyond the classroom. Through the Chellgren Center programming, you will gain many experiences that will help you get a head start on your career and inspire your goals. You get to experience faculty-mentored research, career advising, professional development, and so much more. You will collaborate with students, mentors, faculty, and staff.
The Chellgren Center began in 2005 with a generous gift from Mr. Paul W. Chellgren and his family, which was matched by the state to create a $4.5 million endowment. The center aims to foster undergraduate excellence through programs like the Chellgren Student Fellows program and by inspiring innovation in teaching and learning, aligning with Chellgren’s vision to enrich the lives of students and faculty. The first class of Chellgren Student Fellows began in the fall of 2007 when Dr. Philip Harling became the director of the student program and the first endowed chair of the center. We have seen many changes over the years, including the growth of the student program, financial assistance to undergraduates traveling to conferences or performing research, annual trips for the Chellgren Student Fellows, and the restructuring of one of our faculty programs. For more information on the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence, visit our website: https://chellgren.uky.edu/.