Lee Sims

Lee Sims has earned a Fulbright Study/Research Award to study infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom. He expects to employ statistics and math modeling to predict the spread of HIV as well as examine the impact of social environmental factors.

The U.S. Student Fulbright Program, a federally sponsored international, educational and cultural exchange, recognizes academic merit and leadership potential. The program promotes mutual understanding between U.S. residents and people in more than 155 countries worldwide. Fulbrights are among the most prestigious awards in higher education.

“I am honored and filled with exuberance at being selected as a recipient of the Fulbright Imperial College London Postgraduate Student Award. This is an unparalleled opportunity to study infectious disease epidemiology in one of the best programs in the world, and will cultivate my appreciation for multi-cultural collaboration.”

Collegiate experience

• Areas of Study:

  • Graduated May, 2018, from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering with a master’s degree in bioengineering.

• Additional Awards:

  • Speed School Bennett M. Brigman Award, 2018
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Knights Templar Eye Foundation (US) Travel Grant, 2018
  • Mickey R. Wilhelm Bioengineering Department Achievement Award, 2017
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) International Undergraduate Scholar Award, 2015
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Education Program Fellowship, 2014 and 2015

Inspired By

Dr. Jill Steinbach-Rankins has been my mentor since the second semester of my freshman year as an undergraduate. Working as a student in her lab throughout my undergraduate and graduate career has provided me with opportunities I would not have imagined at the beginning of my collegiate career. Dr. Steinbach-Rankins always gone above and beyond her duty as an academic mentor, encouraging me to pursue my intellectual passions and seek out opportunities that would help me grow both professionally and personally.

Dr. Patricia Condon, Bethany Smith, and everyone in affiliation with UofL’s International Scholarship office worked tirelessly to help me prepare the best application packet possible and without them, I would not have achieved this accomplishment.

Hometown information

• Hometown:

  Harrodsburg, Kentucky

• High school:

  Mercer County Senior High School (2013)

• Parents:

  Betty and Randy Simms of Harrodsburg