Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight Q&A with Fox Thorpe, Chellow Class of 2015
Celebrating 20 Years! Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Fox Thorpe, Chellow Class of 2015
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.
Fox Thorpe, originally from Mount Sterling, Kentucky, majored in Chemical Engineering. He was also a Singletary Scholar. The Chellgren Center program helped him conduct research, and he was the first student to join the McCormack lab while doing his graduate research. Thorpe completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at UC Davis and is now the founding materials scientist at Calectra.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Kentucky, and how did you first get connected with the Chellgren Center?
I chose UK because it always had such a large impact and presence on my community. It was a cool school to be a part of and I was proud to be a wildcat. I also received the Singletary Scholarship. I was referred to the Chellgren Student Fellows program through my honors advisor and through my friend who was in the program.
How did that experience enrich your undergraduate years?
It guided me to undergraduate research. I joined Dr. DB's lab and did research all four years. I was a co-author on my paper my senior year. I learned a lot about how to conduct research independently and how to contribute in a lab.
What have you been up to since graduation, and how did that path unfold?
I completed my PhD in Chemical Engineering at UC Davis. I worked with Lawrence Livermore National Lab during part of my research. I joined a startup in Oakland, CA as it spun up out of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. I am currently the founding materials scientist.
In what ways did your Chellgren experience prepare you for where you are now?
I was the first student to join the McCormack lab when I did my graduate research. The fit with my PI was exceptionally productive. Part of the reason I had the confidence and ability to help start the lab was because I had so much experience from my undergraduate research. The Chellgren student fellows program helped me get into undergraduate research and that experience has shaped my entire career.
What advice would you give to an undergraduate student considering getting involved with the Chellgren Center?
The Chellgren center is an excellent resource if you're looking to enhance your academic experience. They will help you take control of your academic journey and give you the tools to reach your goals.
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/.