- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ghosh Named Interim Associate Dean of Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

John Hill — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 13:34:49 +0000

Dr. Anindya Ghosh, chair of the Department of Chemistry, has been named the interim associate dean for the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM) at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “I am pleased that Dr. Ghosh has agreed to serve in this important role in the college,” DCSTEM Dean Lawrence Whitman said. “We are fortunate to have a recognized scholar and an experienced leader in STEM as a new associate dean in DCSTEM. I look forward to working with him as the college moves forward.” In his new role, Ghosh will be valuable to DCSTEM’s overall mission and goals. His responsibilities include international agreements, pre-med student coordination, college curricular reviews, and graduation. He also serves as college safety coordinator, K12 STEM teaching coordinator, College Space/Lab coordinator, and STEM Hub supervisor. “In this position, I look forward to working with the College Dean Lawrence Whitman and all other leaders of the college and the university toward the shared mission and goal of supporting students, faculty, and staff,” Ghosh said. His research group at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock focuses on work surrounding green catalysis and synthesis. They use simple materials and renewable resources to develop various functional and smart materials and catalysts that can be used in applications such as small molecule activation, pollution remediation, renewable synthesis, sensor, biomedicine, fuel cell, and supercapacitors. His research has been supported by funding from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, private companies, the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. After joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as an assistant professor in 2007, Ghosh was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2012 and to professor in 2017. He has served as chair of the Department of Chemistry since 2019. Additionally, Ghosh has previously served as interim associate dean for research and graduate programs at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Kansas, and a senior research chemist at Halliburton Energy Services to develop oil-field chemicals. Ghosh obtained his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University, working in designing and synthesizing environmentally benign oxidation catalysts for remediation of hazardous pollutants. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from Calcutta University in Calcutta, India, and his master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India. Ghosh was the recipient of the university-wide Faculty Excellence Award in Research in 2014 and 2020 and was selected as the Professor of the Year by the Central Arkansas American Chemical Society in 2015. He is the recipient of the Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Award from the American Chemical Society and the Heinz Scholarship given by the Heinz Foundation. He is also a co-recipient of the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 1999 by the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, he serves as a member of the editorial board for the journal Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences: Molecular Diagnostics and a guest editor of Vacuum Technology & Coatings.

Shukla Named 2022 Whitbeck Memorial Award Winner at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Tue, 10 May 2022 13:34:31 +0000

Tripti Shukla, a double major from Little Rock, has been named the winner of the 2022 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Frank L. and Beverly Whitbeck established the award in memory of their son, Edward Lynn Whitbeck, who was a senior at Little Rock University, the predecessor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, at the time of his death in 1965. Each scholar receives a personalized plaque and a monetary award.

“I was blindsided by the news at first,” Shukla said. “It’s such an immense distinction, and I didn’t think I was worthy of such a big honor. Winning the Whitbeck Award made me realize I am capable of achieving great things in life.”

Shukla earned the Whitbeck Award while double majoring in chemistry and biology at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. After graduation, she will take a gap year to get more experience in research and medicine. She plans to continue biochemistry research with Dr. Shanzhi Wang, associate professor of chemistry, and her volunteer work at Harmony Health Clinic.

Shukla plans to attend medical school in 2023. She is deciding between earning a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or MD-Ph.D., which is a combination of a Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy that trains students in clinically oriented research.

“I wanted to become a doctor because of my interest in science,” Shukla said. “I started liking chemistry when I took advanced placement chemistry from Dr. Beth Maris at Central High School. Growing up, math and science were my favorite topics, but chemistry combined both of my passions. I further grew my appreciation for chemistry during a chemical engineering camp and decided to major in chemistry. I grew my love for biology once I started working in a biochemistry lab. The assimilation of chemistry and biology provided me with the backbone required for medicine.”

A native of India, Shukla moved to the U.S. when her father was transferred to work in Arkansas when she was 11. In her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she has shown a great dedication to service.

She has served as treasurer and vice president of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chapter of the American Chemical Society, a learning assistant with the Department of Chemistry, a senator for the Student Government Association, a member of Model Arab League, and a student representative for the Faculty Senate Student Research and Creative Works Committee.

“To make a change in the student body, I served as a senator for the Student Government Association,” Shukla said. “Not every student is privileged enough to afford the caps and gowns, but finance should not be the reason they are deprived of celebrating their graduation. One of the bills I co-sponsored was providing regalia packages to students with these financial restrictions hoping to provide everyone the equal opportunity to walk down the stage and get the degree they have so dedicatedly obtained.”

Dr. Wang, Shukla’s professor and research mentor, said that she helped many students in the Department of Chemistry through recruitment and tutoring. In her role as a learning assistant, Shukla led 12 students in a chemistry lesson every week for over four semesters.

The 2022 Whitbeck Award winner is Tripti Shukla who is graduating in May and majoring in biology and chemistry. Photos by Ben Krain.

“Tripti is not only a first-rate student but also an outstanding peer educator in her role as a learning assistant,” Wang said. “Over the course of my interactions with her, I noticed her innate ability to draw others and build a group that was successful in their class efforts. This natural leadership and developed communication skill is quite impressive, an accurate exemplification of an outstanding student.”

She has worked as a research assistant in Dr. Wang’s biochemistry lab for two years. Along with her research, she published an article, “Machine Learning Methods in Drug Delivery,” as the primary author in the journal, Molecules, in 2020. The article has already been viewed more than 15,000 times and cited 30 times.

“Ms. Shukla is a kind and amicable person who is always willing to help,” said Dr. Anindya Ghosh, chair of the Department of Chemistry. “She has portrayed great leadership by recruiting a number of students into our organizations. Additionally, she has been providing scientific demonstrations to different school students to entice them into STEM education for recruiting purposes. She has also offered free tutoring for multiple hours to our other students. She is an intelligent, creative, and hard-working person.”

In the community, Shukla has gained clinical experience by volunteering with the Kavanaugh COVID Clinic and Harmony Health Clinic. By indulging in service, she has allowed an enormous amount of personal growth and learned to be empathetic, and acquired valuable skills required to be a successful healthcare worker/provider.

“I helped distribute vaccines at the Kavanaugh COVID Clinic,” Shukla said. “It was a meaningful experience because it felt like I was working to save lives. Volunteering at Harmony Health Clinic has helped me put a perspective on what it will be like during the next 10 years as a medical doctor. It solidified my interest in medicine and helping others.”

For her academic and research contributions, Shukla has been awarded two Signature Experience Awards from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, the American Chemical Society Award in Inorganic Chemistry, the ACS Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, the Martha Couch Givens Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Biology, a 2021 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, second place in the physical science category at the 2021 Student Research and Creative Works Expo, and first place at the IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence conference.

“I was invited to present my research at the 2022 Capitol Rotunda in Little Rock and had asked my state representatives to come to hear the research,” she said. “In the past few years, my accomplishments and achievements have helped me strive for excellence and firm my interest in science and even more in the research field.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Follows in Family’s Footsteps��

John Hill — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 14:00:47 +0000

For Ruby Trotter, graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has become a family tradition. Because she’s a double major in chemistry and Spanish, she will likely walk across the stage twice on May 14 – during the morning ceremony and in the afternoon. Joint degrees have also become a family tradition. “My mother, Idonia Mitchell Trotter (now Gardner), attended the University of Little Rock for undergraduate studies from fall 2002 to fall 2004 completing a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice as a first-generation college student,” Trotter said.�� “She is the youngest of eight children whose mother had only a 10th grade education and father with a 6th grade education.” Her mother was later accepted into the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and concurrently accepted into the Master of Public Service program at the ��Vlog��ý Clinton School of Public Service. “In May 2009, she became the first ever joint JD/MPS degree recipient in the world,” Trotter said. “I am very proud of my mom and saw first-hand how ��Vlog��ý Little Rock positively impacted her career and our lives.” In addition, Trotter’s aunt Regatta Mitchell graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. As she reflected on her own time at the university, Trotter said she’s had an incredible college experience. “I am so very blessed to have gone to school here and met such amazing people and have opportunities that I’d never dreamed of when I was in high school,” she said, adding that she’s been involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, the Learning Assistant Program, the American Chemical Society, and many other campus groups. Trotter plans to apply to medical school in May and matriculate in 2023. “I would love to become a physician, specializing particularly in pediatrics, internal medicine, or emergency medicine,” she said. “During my gap year, I plan to move in with my husband in San Antonio, Texas, and will work either a research or public health position.” An accomplished violinist, Trotter (now Viera Corral) met her husband when they both played and made beautiful music together. “It’s been so cool to see my growth over the years, especially in high school where I was able to make Region Orchestra twice and play in the pit orchestra for two of our musicals,” she said. “This is actually where I met my husband, with him across from me playing viola. I love the violin and continue to use it as an outlet for the stress of my studies.” Trotter, whose other interests include nanomedicine, hiking, and learning new recipes, noted that she’s gotten a lot of help along the way to graduation. ”My motivations that have gotten me through these four years are my faith, my now-husband (as of March 2022), and support from incredible mentors, family, and friends,” she said. The Pine Bluff, Arkansas, native spent part of her childhood in Little Rock. She attended high school in Houston, Texas, before coming to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock through the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. The highly selective honors program enrolls 25 new scholars each year. “I actually came into college as a pre-medical biology major four years ago,” she said. “Dr. Mark Baillie was my General Chemistry I and II professor, and he made the course so interactive and interesting that I had a lot of fun in it.” During a conversation, Dr. Baillie pointed out that she was gifted in chemistry and asked why she wasn’t majoring in it. “I told him that I always saw chemistry as a hard subject and that I really liked biology in high school,” she explained. “He urged me to not run away from something that I love, no matter how hard it is. And, after a few days thinking about it, I decided to go and declare my chemistry major.” Trotter added a Spanish major after volunteering at and seeing the intense need for interpreters for the Spanish-speaking patients. The clinic is a free, non-profit medical and dental clinic in Little Rock. That experience and the support of university faculty were phenomenal, she said. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock truly has some of the best mentors that I could ask for,” Trotter said. “I want to thank Dr. Shawn Bourdo for all of his support over the years, for helping me to grow and giving me a home at the nano center, and for becoming like family to me. I’d also love to thank Dr. Mark Baillie, Dr. Michael Moore, Dr. Simon Hawkins, Dr. Jessica Scott, Ms. Ronia Kattoum, and Dr. Noureen Siraj for their encouragement, mentorship, and support over these four years.” Her time at Harmony Health Clinic “has been the most meaningful thing I’ve been able to do in my undergraduate experience. From medical receptionist work towards the beginning, to now being able to serve as an interpreter on the team, I’ve had such a meaningful experience helping so many patients receive free health care.” She is thankful for the clinic’s executive director, Angela Harris, and all of her fellow clinic volunteers. “Without coming to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I’m not sure if I would have been afforded the wealth of opportunities that I have been blessed to experience,” Trotter said. “The research done at our university is so engaging and interesting, and there is such an emphasis on getting undergraduate students involved in the laboratory,” she said, adding that her work at the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences on campus has been so rewarding. Trotter was published as a second author in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology last year. “This is something that I absolutely have not heard of at many other universities, so I am thrilled to have been able to research with these other scientists and to get to know them so well over the last three�� years,” she said. “There is truly a family environment at the Nano Center.” While attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Trotter has received several awards including the Service to the Chemistry Department Award for her efforts as a learning assistant and a Signature Experience Grant for her research at the Nano Center with Dr. Shawn Bourdo. She was also a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient, a very competitive and prestigious award for study abroad purposes, even though her travel plans were canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, Trotter was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society as one of the top graduating seniors. She also received another Signature Experience Grant, and won first place at the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) conference for a poster presentation for her research on graphene nanomaterials and polymer biomaterials. She recently won an American Chemical Society (ACS) Local Outstanding Student Award and was honored as BA Chemistry Student of the Year at the Chemistry Department Award Ceremony on April 21. This story was written by Bobbie Handcock.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Honors Weigel, Loftus, Willis with 2022 Staff Achievement Awards

John Hill — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 13:00:25 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate has honored three of the university’s outstanding staff members for excellence in the areas of service to the university, personal growth, and community service. “The three staff members who won these awards represent staff dedication and commitment to our institution and our community,” said Ross Bradley, president-elect of Staff Senate and web and provost office manager. “Their contributions have benefited faculty, students, fellow staff, and our community members in countless ways. Without staff contributions like the ones highlighted in these three staff members, it would be impossible for the institution to meet its goals.” Melody Weigel, admissions and records specialist for the William H. Bowen School of Law, has received the Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Award. The award recipient is described to be an individual who is distinctive in service through committees, special events, implementation of creative ideas or support and encouragement of others. Additionally, Ashi Loftus, user interface and user experience designer for the Office of Communications and Marketing, has received the Personal Growth Award. The award winner is described as an individual whose scholarship, research, or creative talent has been particularly outstanding. Jacqueline Willis, administrative specialist III for the Department of Chemistry, has received the Service to the Community Award. This award recipient is described as an individual who has been particularly successful in organizing community events or had major achievements in civic, service, or specialty organizations/events. The three winners will receive a $3,000 award distributed via payroll distributions. More information about the Staff Achievement Award winners:

Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Award

Ever since Weigel joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016, she has been dedicated to promoting and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since 2017, Weigel has served as advisor of the OutLaw Legal Society at the Bowen School of Law, whose mission includes promoting diversity, raising awareness of legal issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, and maintaining an open atmosphere of respect, equality, and justice for all. The OutLaw Legal Society has grown into an influential student organization that has helped attract students who support the local LGBTQ+ community. Since 2016, LGBTQ+ enrollment has increased nearly 60 percent at the Bowen School of Law. Last year, Weigel joined the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Safe Zone Committee, which is committed to improving the overall campus climate for LGBTQ+ individuals. She advocated for the inclusion of students to Safe Zone, and there are now two trained student members. “Melody looks to champion the success of each project large and small,” said Ashley Nipp, an accountant for the Office of Alumni and Development. “Managing the work of exceptional campus and community student leaders is a time commitment. Melody’s office is more than a safe zone for law school students. She is the default mentor to many law school students who use her office as a place to share their concerns, celebrate their victories, or learn of new campus resources.” An active staff leader, Weigel has also served for four years on the Staff Senate, including president-elect, president, and past president.

Staff Achievement Award for Personal Growth

While a dedicated member of the Communications and Marketing team, Loftus is also committed to completing her education and to learn new skills to excel at her career. During the fall 2021 semester, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Web Design and Development and a minor in information technology. In addition to her graduation, she also married Liz Loftus in November 2021. Her educational aspirations are far from over. Loftus also plans to graduate from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock a second time in 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, a minor in digital graphics, a minor in art history, and a graphic design technical certificate Once she has completed her undergraduate education, Loftus plans to enter a graduate program to earn either a Master of Arts in Art History or a Master of Fine Arts. Her ultimate goal is to become a college professor and give back to college students like the many professors who have inspired her at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She gets plenty of practice as a future professor by giving presentations every year to design and development classes at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and National Park College. In her professional role, Loftus is highly involved in the redesign and relaunch of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s website, a project that will last at least three years. She is currently using her user experience design skills to improve the overall usability and functionality of the website. “In the past few years, I’ve really seen Ashi grow both professionally and personally,” said Meaghan Milliorn, Loftus’ supervisor and director of digital strategy. “She recently completed her degree and is working on a second one. She has been able to successfully juggle her classes while working full-time as a UI/UX designer on the university web team. Ashi has created countless noteworthy designs that support our digital marketing efforts and her dedication to web accessibility and inclusion is essential as we work to create a better online experience. Ashi is an excellent example of how a degree can change your life and strengthen your career.” While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Ashi has been a member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Safe Zone Committee since 2017. She also served as a committee co-chair of the Safety, Equity, and Inclusion Committee as well as an accessibility coordinator for the Accessibility Summit Committee and the HighEdWeb Conference Committee.

Staff Achievement Award for Community Service

Jacqueline Willis is a longtime ��Vlog��ý Little Rock staff member who has worked at the university since 1995. She started off her career as an administrative assistant in the Department of Biology and has also worked as the higher educational institutional program coordinator for the former College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences (CALS). “Jackie joined the Chemistry department around two years ago,” said Dr. Anindya Ghosh, chair of the Department of Chemistry. “In a short period, with her vast experiences, caring attitude, and strong work ethic, she has become a vital part of the Chemistry family. Chemistry faculty and students are surely thankful to her.” Dr. Shanzhi Wang, assistant professor of chemistry, described Willis as someone who is always willing to help someone with any project. When both the biology and chemistry departments needed administrative assistance in 2019, Willis volunteered to help out both departments while she was already working in the CALS dean’s office. She also assisted the biology department with administrative work when the need arose again in 2021. “Ms. Willis’s service has significantly benefited the chemistry department and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in recruitment, faculty, and student success. Willis has also been highly involved in service to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Christway Missionary Baptist Church, and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Selects Silverstein, Siraj, Kirk as 2022 Faculty Excellence Award Winners

John Hill — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:19:22 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has chosen Joshua Silverstein, Noureen Siraj, and John Kirk as the 2022 winners of the Faculty Excellence Awards. Silverstein, a professor at the William H. Bowen School of Law, has won the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching. He has gained a reputation among students and colleagues as a stellar educator who goes to great lengths to ensure the success of his students. Siraj, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, has received the Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Endeavors. With her research being cited more than 700 times since 2016, Siraj is a well-respected researcher in the development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications and solar cell applications. Kirk, George W. Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History, has been awarded the Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service. Ever since Kirk arrived at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 11 years ago, his extensive service and research has been dedicated to unveiling the history of the Arkansas fight for civil rights against the brutality of racial injustice. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock annually celebrates the achievements of the top professors of the year who are making a difference in the community through their contributions in teaching, research and creative works, and public service. This is the highest honor ��Vlog��ý Little Rock awards its faculty members. “Our faculty excellence winners represent the university’s commitment to superb instruction, outstanding research, and community service,” Provost Ann Bain said. “Each of the winners has made immeasurable contributions to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community and to the lives of their students and colleagues. We thank them for their service.” Created in 1989, the Faculty Excellence Awards has provided a way to recognize the great work of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty for the past 33 years and is made possible through the valued contributions of the Office of the Chancellor, the Office of the Provost, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor’s Circle, and the Bailey Foundation. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Board of Visitors selected the university-wide winners from the 12 faculty members who were selected as the top faculty members for the 2021-22 academic year in each of the three categories in their respective colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law.

Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching

Silverstein’s students and colleagues describe him as a stellar educator with a wealth of knowledge and genuine interest in guiding students effectively throughout their studies. Tori Percifield, a former student, described Silverstein as “quite simply the best teacher I have ever had.” His strengths as a teacher include “immeasurable enthusiasm, meticulous organization, limitless knowledge, and genuine compassion for the students.” Those traits are repeated in former students’ letters of endorsement. They discuss Silverstein’s passion for teaching, his engaging presentation of complex topics, and his commitment to ensuring they fully comprehend the material, including his extensive use of visual aids. Michael Hunter Schwartz, former dean of the William H. Bowen School of Law, described Silverstein’s student evaluations as “the highest I have ever seen for any Bowen faculty member.” In 2021, Silverstein was chosen by Bowen students as the first law school recipient of the We HEART Faculty Award. This is the second time he has been recognized for excellence in teaching. Silverstein received a J.D. from the New York University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.

Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Endeavors

Siraj has developed a reputation as a prolific researcher in the development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications and solar cell applications. In the past five years, she has received more than $570,000 in funding from federal, state, and local agencies, including a nearly $190,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for the “Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of FRET based Ionic Materials.” Over the past five years, Siraj has published 34 peer-reviewed papers, given 59 conference presentations, mentored six Ph.D. students and 18 undergraduate students, and served on eight Ph.D. committees. Her research has been cited more than 700 times since 2016. In order to promote STEM education, Siraj begins mentoring students in middle school, at a time when some students, especially girls, begin to lose interest in the sciences. She has hosted 19 middle and high school students for their science fair projects. In 2018, Meghana Bollimpalli, one of Siraj’s mentees from Central High School, earned more than $58,000 in scholarships for her science fair project at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Meanwhile, Stuti Chaterjee, who worked in Siraj’s lab, won the 2021 Whitbeck Memorial Award, the highest award granted to a graduating student from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Dr. Siraj is an outstanding scientist and one of the best researchers on our campus,” said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. “Dr. Siraj has leveraged her expertise in frozen ionic liquids to develop a very active research group. The work of this group is nationally and internationally known. Out of all the faculty members that I have observed since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she is one of the most promising.” She earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. Siraj earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Graz University of Technology in Austria and completed postdoctoral research at Louisiana State University.

Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service

A scholar of the civil rights movement, Kirk has previously served five years as chair of the Department of History and four years as the director of the former Anderson Institute on Race and Ethnicity, where he helped develop the award-winning Arkansas Civil Rights Heritage Trail. Kirk helped a dedicated Arkansan, Leatrice Russ-Glenns, gain recognition for the life of her brother, Carnell Russ, who was killed by the police in Star City, Arkansas, in 1971. Kirk researched and wrote articles about Russ in the Arkansas Times and Arkansas Historic Quarterly and helped establish the Carnell Russ Day Community Unity Festival in Star City, which offers a series of events to bring together the Black and white residents of the community. Kirk has also hosted “Arkansas Moments,” a show on K��Vlog��ýR, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s National Public Radio affiliate, for 10 years. He has researched and written more than 100 radio segments that provide lessons on civil rights and Black history. Since 2004, Kirk has served on the editorial board of the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, the premier journal for historical studies in the state. “John has been one of the finest and most prolific scholars in the fields of Arkansas and U.S. civil rights history,” said Patrick Williams, editor of Arkansas Historical Quarterly. “Over the past quarter-century, he has been among the most frequently published authors in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, offering deeply researched and skillfully crafted studies on such topics as the desegregation of the state’s schools and public facilities, race and urban development in Little Rock, the Black Power movement, and policing and the African American community. His books and essays have repeatedly been honored for excellence, winning four of the Arkansas Historical Association’s top prizes.” Kirk’s newest book, “Winthrop Rockefeller: From New Yorker to Arkansawyer, 1912-1956,” examines the first 44 years of former Arkansas governor Winthrop Rockefeller’s life. It also looks into the history of Rockefeller’s work with civil rights and race relations. It began in New York, where he served on the executive board of the National Urban League, a leading organization in the civil rights movement. Rockefeller took an active and enthusiastic interest in its affairs and made a donation to pay for the Urban League’s new national headquarters just before he moved to Arkansas. Before joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Kirk earned the rank of a full professor at the University of London. He received a bachelor’s degree in American studies from the University of Nottingham and a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science

John Hill — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 21:59:25 +0000

In celebration of , ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is highlighting some of the women in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, their amazing research, and their journeys to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Dr. René A. Shroat-Lewis, Associate Professor of Earth Science

Tell us about yourself? I’m from San Diego, California, but spent my childhood in West Palm Beach, Florida. I did not start college until I was 35 years old, having served in the United States Navy as a weapons specialist and a variety of other jobs including elementary school secretary, deckhand on a fishing boat, and as a housing officer for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I earned my associate degree from Cape Fear Community College, my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and my Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. I started my career as a marine biology student, but took a geology class and was immediately hooked (thank you, Dr. Garwood). My specialty is invertebrate paleontology with a focus in echinoderm paleoecology and geoscience education. One of the highlights of my work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is that every two years I get to take students to San Salvador Island in the Bahamas to share my love for both the geology and the marine environment. I am incredibly lucky! I have two adult sons, William and Richard, who support my love for science every day. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, watching chick-flicks, riding roller coasters, and spoiling my 14-year-old dog, Honor Pookie. What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am an associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences. I’ve been at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since 2012. I teach a wide variety of topics from undergraduate introductory courses to upper level and graduate courses, such as Physical Geology, Paleobiology, Oceanography, Natural Disasters, and Geology and Ecology of the Bahamas. I also teach Science & Society I and II for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. I currently have two graduate students involved in research – one is studying landslide activity near Round Mountain in northern Arkansas, and the other is studying how to make introductory labs more relevant to the everyday lives of our students.

Dr. René A. Shroat-Lewis

What inspired you to pursue a degree in the sciences? I knew by the age of five that I wanted to be a scientist. My grandfather, who really inspired my love for all things marine, used to take me fishing on the weekends. When the fish weren’t biting, we would take a stroll through the tidepools, and he would share everything he knew about the critters with me. I also used to get both of my grandparents outside in the middle of the night to watch meteor showers and look at the stars. My grandmother found more bugs, worms, shells, and rocks in my pockets on laundry day than should ever be allowed. My favorite classes in school were always the science classes. I used to beg the teachers to let me do extra experiments and labs. As a parent, my favorite part of the year was when my sons had to do either invention days or science fairs. It was only natural that when I decided to go to college at the age of 35 that I would pursue a science career. Marine biology was my first love, but my work in geology allows me to use modern extant organisms to better understand how ancient extinct organisms fit into their ecosystems. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in the science fields?

Dr. René A. Shroat-Lewis during a research trip to the Bahamas.

We are a product of our upbringing, each with different experiences and perceptions that impacts our decision-making skills. It is this diversity that creates a well-rounded group of critical thinkers. I am especially interested in engaging more women of color in geosciences as their voices are underrepresented in this discipline. Currently, women represent about 28% of all geoscientists, and women of color represent less than 5%. We must increase these numbers if we want to remain at the forefront of discovery and innovation critical to understanding Earth and its interactions with human societies. To that end, I serve as the South Central Delegate for the Association for Women Geoscientists. Our mission is to enhance the quality and level of women in the geosciences and to introduce girls and young women to geoscience careers. What advice would you give to girls and women who want to pursue a career in the sciences? Don’t be afraid to ask to meet with other women in the sciences. We want to engage you in our research! We get so excited when someone wants to know more about what we do. There are so many different types of careers available to scientists including those in academia, industry, environmental remediation, medicine, museums, NASA, and other government positions. A degree in the sciences means you will be in demand for your critical thinking skills and knowledge.

Ronia Kattoum, Advanced Instructor of Chemistry and Ph.D. Student��

Tell us about yourself. My family moved to the Chicago area from Palestine when I was a child. After overcoming the language barrier, I began to prosper in all subject areas, but I was particularly drawn to the sciences because they were the most challenging. I was accepted in a selective STEM Program in high school which set the stage for my undergraduate college career at Loyola University Chicago, where I earned a B.S in Chemistry: Biochemistry.

Ronia Kattoum

Having been married at a younger age, I took a break from my studies to take care of my growing family after we relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas. Shortly after settling down in Arkansas, I set out on my journey into graduate school and earned two master’s degrees in chemistry and higher education, which helped me land a job as an instructor of chemistry at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. After eight years of teaching full-time, I am currently on the path to earn my Ph.D. in Applied Science: Chemistry. Although I miss Chicago and visit often, I enjoy exploring the many beautiful national parks in Arkansas with my four children. I also enjoy baking, cooking, painting, and playing sports with my kids. What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am currently a full-time advanced instructor of chemistry and on track to earn my Ph.D. in Applied Science: Chemistry. I teach General, Fundamentals, and Organic Chemistry and their respective labs. As the Freshman Program Coordinator in my department, I mentor and train graduate teaching assistants in evidence-based pedagogical practices to strengthen their teaching and prepare them for a career in academia. I have also helped launch the Learning Assistant Program in the Chemistry Department to help train more advanced undergraduate learning assistants to assist in facilitating group work alongside the instructor or in their own workshop sessions. The focus of my research is exploring the effect of evidence-based teaching practices and teaching reform on students’ sense of belonging and performance in high attrition courses from a lens of a diversity, equity, and inclusion standpoint. What inspired you to pursue a career in the sciences? As far as I can remember, I have always been curious and drawn to solving difficult problems. If I saw a puzzle, I wouldn’t rest until I figured out how to put it together. No matter how much I learned, I was always excited to learn more and explore further. I��found everything fascinating in school, but I gravitated toward studying the��sciences because I loved challenges and competitions. My high school chemistry��teacher really inspired me to study chemistry in college. The further I studied��the subject, the more fascinated I became by it. It helped explain so many��things that I observed in my everyday world. I still discover something new��every day! Why do you think diversity is important, especially in science fields? If you were to have asked me 15 years ago if I saw myself as a scientist, I would have seen it as highly unlikely. As a first-generation college student and woman of Middle Eastern descent, I didn’t see myself fitting in that role because I didn’t see many��scientists that looked like me. I thought it was reserved for those who were much more capable and creative than I was. But my professors saw something in me that I hadn’t seen in myself and encouraged me to find my calling. I realized how important those role models were in helping me shape my path and realizing my full potential. Now, I have the privilege of being that figure that will inspire others to pursue their dreams. By encouraging students from all backgrounds to pursue science, we bring fresh voices and unique ideas that will help us solve problems, catapulting discovery and innovation to the next level. We also lay down the groundwork for inspiring the next generation of scientists. What advice would you give to girls and women who want to pursue a career in the sciences? First, realize your own potential and capabilities and don’t underestimate what you can accomplish. There is no cookie-cutter version of what you should be. It is your unique��traits that will set you apart from the rest and help you reach milestones that��previously seemed unattainable to women. What you may have perceived as a��barriers will end up being your biggest strength. Second, don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers/mentors and build connections with them. They are your biggest champions and will help you reach those milestones that you have your heart and mind set on. Lastly, be proactive and seek equity and justice for all human beings. Just because something has been done a certain way for a long time doesn’t mean that it is necessarily the right way. We have made so many strides as women, but it is up to you to carry that torch and take it to the next level so future generations of women in science do not face the same barriers you have experienced.

Dr. Stefanie Leacock, Instructor and Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Biology

Tell us about yourself. I grew up in South Carolina and studied biology at Florida State University before attending Yale University for a Ph.D. in Genetics. I did post-doctoral research at UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, then transitioned into teaching at University of Texas-Austin for five years.

Dr. Stefanie Leacock

I moved to Little Rock in 2016 with my spouse and our three kids, the youngest was just two months old at the time! I was a consultant for biology higher education publishing for a couple of years before returning to teach and learn with undergraduate students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2018. What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am a biology instructor and coordinator of undergraduate studies for our department. I teach a lot of our biology majors in introductory courses and then get to teach them again in upper division courses. Seeing their growth as students uplifts me! I love being a member of a community of faculty here who are interested in improving teaching and learning. I have been a PALM Fellow (Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring), which is a national network devoted to learning as well as participated in developing a LibreText (open access textbook) for my genetics class to help students by reducing cost of courses and well as targeting the book to my teaching. What inspired you to pursue a career in the sciences? I was interested in biology starting in high school, but the idea of medical school wasn’t appealing to me. I started doing undergraduate research as a junior at FSU, and my research mentor there encouraged me to pursue a Ph.D. I didn’t even know where to apply – so she had to help me come up with a list of choices! Graduate school was difficult for me at first, but I credit my program at Yale with providing amazing support and guidance so that I could succeed. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in science fields? I love being an instructor here. Our diverse students have great experiences and ideas to bring to my understanding of biology and how to teach it. I recognize that one aspect of diversity is the privilege I had to focus on my schooling as an undergraduate. Broadening science has to include broadening when we can become scientists, allowing reaching, teaching, and learning for more than just full-time/first-time undergraduate students. What advice would you give to girls and women who want to pursue a career in the sciences? 1. Don’t believe the myths about scientists. Scientists don’t have to be lonely or introverted. We love collaboration and community! Sure there are times we have to concentrate, but that is true of many professions. 2. Mentors, mentors, mentors. I had amazing mentors as 1 – undergraduate, 2 – graduate work, 3 – postdoctoral fellow, and even now as a faculty member I have other faculty that are terrific at listening, helping, and giving advice. Two of my three research advisors were women, but the third was not and he was an excellent role model for the importance of work/life/family balance, so don’t assume that all good mentors have to be female either. 3. Don’t lose the sense of awe and wonder! Discovery feels amazing!

Mayor Inna Gurung, Graduate Student, Software Developer, and Research Assistant at COSMOS

Tell us about yourself? I am Mayor Inna Gurung from Nepal, a graduate student in the Department of Information Science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. I completed my undergraduate degree in computing in 2020 from Leeds Beckett University, and I have been working as a software developer for about three years now and planning to do my Ph.D. in information science after my graduation. Besides work and studies, I am a travel enthusiast. I love exploring new places and cultures. What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am working as a graduate research assistant in COSMOS as a part of YoutubeTracker. It is a tool that can track, monitor, and identify influential YouTube groups and content. What inspired you to pursue a career in the sciences?

Mayor Inna Gurung

Well, I don’t have a very specific reason. In part, it was a mere curiosity as a kid to understand how devices were working and how they made certain applications. But as I grew up, I understood there is way more to it. As a family with a business background, my parents were always hesitant for me to pursue a career in computer science. Eventually, I was able to convince them and started my undergraduate in computing. Being able to inspire many women in my community where computer science is still a big dream for women is what motivates me to do better every day. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in science fields? One of the hardest challenges that I had to face while working as a developer back in my home country is that I was the only woman developer. Sure, they were helpful but I always felt like I would have been more comfortable if I had the opportunity to discuss my confusions and ideas with diverse colleagues. I believe a diverse work and research environment brings new approaches and ideas to every problem. A monochromatic approach never brings out the best in anything. What advice would you give to girls and women who want to pursue a career in the sciences? Please do not get discouraged by the lack of women leadership. We need you and your ideas. Try making your first application, or a coding challenge, join a hackathon, explore your interests, and always remember your dreams are valid. In your path, you are never denied, you are only redirected.

Jne Banner, Nursing Major

Tell us about yourself? Born in Wilmington, Delaware, I was raised by a single mother which created some challenges. However, I learned to be kind, selfless, and my dreams were never far reaching. My family and I relocated to Little Rock in 2002 to be closer to my family. At the time, I was also preparing for motherhood. My only child is now a 19-year-old freshman attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When we moved to Arkansas, I gained a love for animals, hiking, fitness, and traveling. I also have a circle of friends I love to hang out with. What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?

Jne Banner

Women are innovators. Representing ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a woman in science is an honor. My goal is to inspire others, young and seasoned, to consider opportunities science has to offer. I strive to be more than a role model that others look to from afar. Being one who will walk beside other women sharing my own experiences but also learning from others through their journeys as well is what I hope to achieve. Although nursing is my passion, STEM stretches far beyond nursing. So many opportunities are open and await other women to walk into. What inspired you to pursue a career in the sciences? A nurse’s care is pivotal in the healthcare industry. Nurses are typically the first healthcare professional you come into contact with. Also, the person you communicate with most often. Unfortunately, my experience when being cared for after having a newborn that passed away was subpar. Processing the grief of losing a child and being treated in that manner is what motivated me to become a nurse. Relying on others to care for you requires vulnerability on some level. When caring for patients, my own experience is not lost to me. I do my best to ensure patients are comfortable and receive the highest quality of care. Continuing to educate and develop my skills beyond my current role as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to a Registered Nurse (RN) and beyond will afford me more opportunities to provide high-quality care and to teach others to do the same.

Jne Banner

Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? The ongoing narrative today is that women of color are not receiving the same level of healthcare as our counterparts. Being in a position to share lived experiences in healthcare and other STEM fields requires open eyes to address inequalities. Our vision cannot be tunnel based on our own culture. We have to push the needles to think outside of the box, educate ourselves and learn from others from different walks of life. What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? Women are needed and wanted in STEM programs. If you have a passion, there is a place for you. The opportunities are endless and yours for the taking.

Lucca Garcia, Nursing and Spanish Major

Tell us about yourself. I am a fourth year undergraduate Donaghey Scholar double majoring in Nursing and Spanish. I was born and raised in Arkansas, however, my family is from Chicago, Illinois. After I graduate with my bachelor’s degree and work to gain experience at the bedside as a nurse, I would like to commence travel nursing.

Lucca Garcia

Having studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, I would like to incorporate international health into my future plans in some form. I intend to continue my education with a master’s in business and/or by becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Some of my hobbies include yoga, hiking, and journaling. What inspired you to pursue a career in the sciences? My parents inspire me; they both have careers in science. My father has his bachelor’s degree in computer science and his master’s degree in computer science with an emphasis in network design and development. My mother has her bachelor’s in nursing, her master’s in nursing informatics, and over 26 years of experience as a nurse. Growing up, I saw how hard they worked to provide for our family, and it demonstrated to me that if you work hard enough for something it will pay off. Nothing worth having comes easy, but the work that you put into obtaining a goal makes you feel even more appreciative when you earn it. I think that feeling of accomplishment and sense of added value motivates me every day. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in science fields? I think diversity is important because it creates an atmosphere of inclusivity. An environment where anyone can feel welcome is important because it encourages change and fosters growth. Diversity, specifically in STEM, inspires creativity, critical thinking, and innovation. Lastly, it demonstrates that STEM can be for anyone that dedicates the time and effort to it. What advice would you give to girls and women who want to pursue a career in the sciences? Take one class at a time, and see adversity as a challenge to do better and work harder. Do not tell yourself that you cannot do something before you even try. If you have a goal you would like to achieve, do your research, find someone who is in the position you want to be in, and ask them questions about how they got there. Chances are they had the same negative thoughts or were in a similar position as you are when they were first starting out. If you want to read about more ��Vlog��ý Little Rock women in the sciences, please visit our feature on International Day of Women and Girls in Science from 2021.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chemistry Professors, Students Receive Honors

John Hill — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 14:52:27 +0000

Several professors and students from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Department of Chemistry have been honored by the Central Arkansas American Chemical Society.�� Dr. Brian Walker, assistant professor of chemistry at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, was named the Central Arkansas Professor of the Year.�� “I was excited just to be nominated for the award because the nominations came directly from the students,” Walker said. “They took the time to write and send in the nomination for me and wrote about what I meant to them as their professor. It was nice to hear their opinions, and I was grateful to win because there are so many deserving faculty members in both our department and in Central Arkansas.” Walker was nominated for the award by the American Chemical Society student chapter at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� “Dr. Walker is an inspiring professor that is as charismatic as he is knowledgeable about his respective field; the epitome of what all professors should strive to be,” said Kajal Desai, president of American Chemical Society student chapter at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “He goes above and beyond normal class and office hours to give his personal time to ensure that students are confident in their abilities.” After completing his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Walker joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a postdoctoral researcher in 2016, becoming an assistant professor in 2020. “Ever since Brian joined the department as an assistant professor, he has taken the leading role in teaching many organic chemistry courses,” said Dr. Anindya Ghosh, chair of the Department of Chemistry. “Brian is a sincere and hardworking individual who teaches organic chemistry, keeping student success in mind. The students recognized him as a great teacher, and the award is a testimony of Brian’s well-rounded teaching abilities. Brian is also doing some cutting-edge organic chemistry research. It is just the beginning for him, and a lot more success will come his way.” Walker said the secret to his teaching success is promoting inclusivity in the classroom.�� “I love the diverse student population we have at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock from traditional, non-traditional, first year, and underrepresented minority students,” Walker said. “At many universities, organic chemistry has a stigma of being a ‘weed out’ class that keeps students from achieving their goals. I try to make the material relatable and understandable for students from any background so they can be successful. It’s a challenging course and requires a lot of work, but it can also be a positive turning point for their academic careers as they transition to becoming truly university students. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the students succeed at something they didn’t think they could do so I’m willing to put in the time to help them reach their goals.” In addition to Walker, Marian Douglas, a senior instructor emeritus for the Department of Chemistry, received the Volunteer Service Award for her tremendous contributions and service to support the Central Arkansas American Chemical Society over the years.�� Six ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chemistry students were also recognized for their contributions to American Chemical Society chapter activities and their academic achievements. They include Anthony Aloi, Nabeel Alwan, Kajal Desai, Sadie Goss, Samantha Macchi, and Tripti Shukla.

Chatterjee named 2021 Whitbeck Memorial Award winner

John Hill — Thu, 13 May 2021 15:00:34 +0000

The impressive achievements of future doctor Stuti Chatterjee have earned her the honor of the 2021 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� Frank L. and Beverly Whitbeck established the award in memory of their son, Edward Lynn Whitbeck, who was a senior at Little Rock University, the predecessor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, at the time of his death in 1965. Each scholar receives a personalized plaque and a monetary award. “The Whitbeck Award is given to the outstanding graduating senior,” said Dr. Simon Hawkins, director of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. “Stuti is outstanding in so many ways, but more than that, she is inspirational. She represents the best of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Stuti’s education has changed her. It has given her so much, and she has given so much back to the university and the larger community.” Chatterjee, a Donaghey Scholar from Bryant, earned the Whitbeck Award while double majoring in chemistry and biology at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. After graduation, Chatterjee will be taking a gap year to work and to study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before going to medical school in the fall 2022 semester. “I think that medicine is one of those fields where you never stop learning,” she said. “It’s also one of the most giving fields. Showing empathy and compassion is something you don’t get to do at all jobs.” While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Chatterjee worked with Dr. Noureen Siraj, assistant professor of chemistry, to study the use of nanodrugs for effective cancer cell therapies. “I created a more non-invasive approach to treat cancer cells,” Chatterjee said. “Usually nanoparticles that are used to treat cancer are made out of gold. It works, but it’s very expensive. We are looking for organic elements that can be exchanged for gold in nanoparticles.” Chatterjee has received two SURF (Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship) grants and three Signature Experience Awards from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to fund her research. Her research project, “Tunable sized combination nanodrugs based on ionic materials,” has earned Chatterjee a second place award at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as well as an honorable mention for the INBRE (Idea Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) Conference this year. She was also named the 2020 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Student for the Department of Chemistry. Even though she has received many accolades for her research on how to treat cancer using nanotechnology, Chatterjee is planning to specialize in pediatrics. A native of India, Chatterjee moved to Arkansas with her family when she was just 10 years old. Her father had received a job offer in Arkansas, and the move also provided the opportunity for better medical treatment for her brother, Sanidhya. “My brother had a brain hemorrhage when he was a child,” she said. “My parents thought he would have a better chance for treatment in the U.S. That is another thing that made me want to go into medicine. It was a doctor’s mistake that caused his hemorrhage, but it was also a doctor that fixed it. I saw firsthand the damage it can cause, but I also saw how that medical knowledge can be used to help someone.” Chatterjee also thanked her parents, Monish and Atima Chatterjee, for being a huge source of support as she finished her bachelor’s degrees.�� “I want to include my parents as role models who helped me succeed in college,” she said. “They have supported me so much by calling me and bringing in food. They have made my life easier by helping me do what I need to do.” In the healthcare field, Chatterjee also works with Dr. Meghan Wilson, a rehabilitation medicine physician at ��Vlog��ýMS who has tetraplegia from a spinal cord injury. Chatterjee assists Dr. Wilson with daily activities as well as clinical work by writing notes, performing patient exams, and conducting rounds on patients. “Stuti is able to empathize and show compassion when needed but is also focused and gets things done in an efficient manner,” Wilson said. “She asks questions about different diagnoses and is genuinely interested in my approach throughout the day. Her compassion and curiosity are what make her stand out from her fellow coworkers. Whether our team has 12 or 5 patients, Stuti is able to work with the same enthusiasm. She has also been kind and supportive when I have gone through difficult times, and I believe she has a genuine passion for helping others.” A firm believer in empowering women in STEM, Chatterjee volunteered with Girls of Promise while at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, though she has been an advocate for much longer. “When I was in high school, there were no women in my robotics program,” she said. “I started my own all-girls robotics team. It seemed like a boys club, and I didn’t want that to deter the girls from participating. We ended up going to the world competition.” During her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Chatterjee has also served on the Student Government Association and learned Python to code a camera to monitor the Arkansas River for a professor’s research project. In healthcare, she worked as a research associate at ��Vlog��ýMS. Her supervisor, Dr. Michael Wilson, hired her to copy edit his book, “Behavioral Emergencies for the Healthcare Provider.”�� “Looking back at my achievements, I have been driven not only by my passion for science but by using that passion to give back to the community,” Chatterjee said. “Through my involvement within various organizations and performing well in academics, I hope to inspire and pave the way for the future classes of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.”

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock – Ronia Kattoum

John Hill — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 15:30:06 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and in the community.�� The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2021 is Ronia Kattoum, instructor of chemistry and the 2021 recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching for the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. She’s also earning her Ph.D. in applied sciences-chemistry at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and is a mother of four.�� Tell us about yourself and your background? I was born in the occupied territories of Palestine. I grew up there until third grade. We moved here with my family when I was 9 years old. Because I spoke Arabic, they had no place to put me so they put me in a normal classroom. I took some ESL classes with some of the Spanish-speaking students, but I didn’t speak Spanish. By fifth grade, I had learned the language well enough that I was back to making As in class. My family has been super supportive. I grew up in the Chicago area for most of my life. I went through high school there. I was accepted at an academy for STEM students, and I went to Loyola University in Chicago where I majored in chemistry. Early on, I was planning to go to dental school, and then I fell in love with chemistry. I was 19 when I got married, and I had my first child at 20. My kids are now 15, 13, 11, and 6.�� I initially made some compromises to take care of my family, but I was driven to continue my education. I knew I wanted to teach at the college level, so I pursued two master’s degrees in chemistry and higher education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. After seven years of teaching, I decided to get my Ph.D.�� What are your professional duties at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I teach 3-4 classes every semester in the Department of Chemistry. I’m also the freshman programs coordinator, so I oversee the freshman labs and all the graduate teaching assistants. I mentor them through the process of teaching, monitor their assessment, and I also train them on safety and how to run the lab and make sure students maintain best practices in safety protocols. I’m heavily involved in their pedagogical training, and I’m vested to increase success for all our students by empowering the people who teach those labs. That’s very important to me. I also helped start the undergraduate learning assistant program with one of my colleagues, Dr. Mark Baillie. That involves mentoring and training the undergraduate learning assistants who�� help facilitate learning in large enrollment classes. We wanted to see how we can help by giving students extra support systems. We are hoping to expand the program outside the chemistry department, and have recently hired a program coordinator, Dr. Michael Moore, to assist with this endeavor to increase student success across the college.�� I was also part of the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching that is led by Dr. Mark Baillie. I was a participant in 2019 and became a facilitator in 2020 to help train other faculty in evidence-based best teaching practices. I am dedicated to helping other faculty and graduate students and undergraduate learning assistants become better teachers. I am also the coordinator for the teacher licensure program for undergraduate chemistry students who want to teach K-12 as well as the concurrent enrollment coordinator for chemistry classes. Before COVID-19, I would visit the enrolled high schools in person. My service is heavily vested in the success of the department and the university. I am also in Faculty Senate. Most recently, I serve on the Chancellor’s Race and Ethnicity Advisory Committee. There is an alignment between my teaching, my service, and my research. The common denominator is student success while maintaining academic rigor and standards. I have a love and passion for education. I love my job. If you love your job, you never have to work a day in your life. I’m also a single parent now, so I split my time and am very efficient. Squeezing in a little bit of me time is important and helps keep me sane.�� What’s next in your professional career? Since I’ve been officially admitted into my Ph.D. program in the summer of 2020, my goal is to finish by 2024. Because I love being an instructor, I am hoping to use my Ph.D. to do research and maybe go after a tenure-track position in the future. I would love to have my research be an official part of my job description. I would also love to start a pedagogy course for graduate students. My Ph.D. research is heavily involved in chemical education research. My dissertation will involve improving student success in the chemical sciences. I recently received the Bridge Award from the American Chemical Society. It’s geared toward underrepresented groups in the sciences, and it provides funding for Ph.D. students to take professional development courses. I am using this award to take social network analysis courses to help with my dissertation research. Right now, I am looking at social network analysis and chemical education research. My Ph.D. will be focused on looking at the interactions between our graduate students and what kind of conversations they are having. If we are trying to increase student success, we need to have better teachers, not just better researchers. We want to teach our graduate students to follow evidence-based best teaching practices. I am using computer modeling and social network analysis to see how the networks of graduate students hinder or enhance their graduate student experience. What woman has inspired you the most and why? Marie Curie would be the No. 1 woman that comes to mind. Her work and perseverance was necessary for women in science. I watched her movie “Radioactive” and have read many books about her. She struggled to be heard among men at a time when women weren’t seen as serious scientists. We have made many huge strides since her time, but women are still underrepresented in science today, and it’s still a serious issue. There are only two women in our department. Noureen Siraj is also a mom of four. She has been an inspiration to me in that she is a mom and still has time for research. These women definitely give me the energy to keep working hard and moving forward. How do you encourage K-12 students to get excited about science education? I do volunteer with schools because I believe in outreach for the younger children. I have done science demonstrations for high school students and gone to elementary schools to complete experiments on Elephant Toothpaste. I’ve done Mom/Son Science Night at Bryant Elementary. We made slime with them, and the kids loved it. I also do a science trick where I can make colors appear and disappear with acids and bases. It gives students the idea that moms can be scientists too, and it inspires girls to be scientists at a young age. I’ve also volunteered with the Girl Scouts, and some of the girls said they’ve never thought about going into science before this. It warmed my heart to hear that because I’m very passionate about science and STEM education. How have you adapted to COVID? I was fortunate in that I’ve always experimented with technology and adapted technology in my classroom whether we were in COVID times or not. It hasn’t been as difficult to transition, but I miss my classroom. I hold synchronous classes online, and I can still engage my students while being online with ample opportunities to interact with one another in breakout rooms under the leadership of their Learning Assistants and live polling. I want the students involved with the material and with each other and build a sense of community during these isolating and difficult times. While I can’t wait to go back to the classroom, this experience has also given me plenty of bright ideas. Even though it was a horrible situation for humanity, I believe we can use this as an opportunity to learn and come out better on the other side.

DCSTEM recognizes Kattoum, Ruhl-Whittle, Agarwal as Faculty Excellence Winners

John Hill — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 17:50:17 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has selected its 2021 Faculty Excellence winners. “The committee would like to extend our deepest congratulations to the three DCSTEM Faculty Excellence Winners,” said Dr. Rene Shroat-Lewis, chair of the awards selection committee. “We were humbled reading each nominee packet that clearly showed their dedication and persistence in their respective category. This is certainly a reflection of not only hard work, but ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s strong commitment to providing an environment conducive to excellence in research, teaching, and service.” Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching – Ronia Kattoum, instructor of chemistry

Faculty Excellence nominee Ronia Kattoum. Photo by Ben Krain.

Kattoum is known as one of the most popular and effective teachers in the Department of Chemistry. She serves as the Freshman Programs coordinator, where she trains graduate teaching assistants, and the Education Minor coordinator, where she works with chemistry majors who are education minors on the path to teach grades 7-12. “Ms. Kattoum is one of the best-recognized instructors in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chemistry Department,” said Dr. Anindya Ghosh, chair of the Department of Chemistry. “Her outstanding teaching capabilities and contributions in the areas of fundamental, general, and organic chemistries have benefitted and shaped the future of our students tremendously.” Her efforts to introduce modern teaching tools in her classes include the use of clicker technology to promote active learning, an online homework platform to enhance student learning outside the classroom, and the creation of a series of tutoring videos to help nontraditional students who can’t normally make it to office hours and tutoring sessions. Kattoum said that one thing that has inspired her to be a good teacher is a card she received from one of her students that read: “The kindest of hearts expect no reward, but deserve it all the more.”�� “This statement continues to resonate with me. When I set my heart on teaching, it was for the sheer award of knowing that I can touch people’s lives and inspire them to be the best versions of themselves,” Kattoum said. “I love chemistry and just simply want to spread the joy of discovery to others. However, this award still means the world to me. Although we may never be able to measure the impact that we have on this world and we may never know what some of our students have accomplished because of our influence and effort, this award will always serve as a reminder to keep pushing forward, even on the most difficult days. To remember that one act of kindness or one word of encouragement could change the trajectory of one student’s life who could impact thousands of more lives for the better.” Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service – Dr. Laura Ruhl-Whittle, associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences

Faculty Excellence nominee Laura Ruhl. Photo by Ben Krain.

Ruhl-Whittle’s notable public service includes protecting Fourche Creek Watershed, which surrounds ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and most of the city of Little Rock. “While Dr. Ruhl serves by mentoring student researchers, leading field trips, and supporting and participating in volunteer clean-up efforts within the watershed, her major contribution to public service is aiding in the development of a watershed management plan,” said Dr. Beth McMillan, chair of the Department of Earth Sciences. The watershed plan will serve as a guide for resource managers, policy makers, and community organizations to restore and protect the quality of lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Ruhl-Whittle is using her research and expertise on the water quality to gather and supply data from Fourche Creek for the Water Management Plan.�� “I think service is a vital part of my role as a faculty member,” Ruhl-Whittle said. “I have performed service in my discipline, to the university, college, and departments, as well as applied my expertise to a community problem. It has been rewarding in every aspect from the human interactions to helping my community. I will continue my work to improve the Fourche Creek Watershed, which is a priceless resource to the community, University, and the State of Arkansas.” Faculty Excellence Award in Research – Dr. Nitin Agarwal, Maulden-Entergy Professor of Information Science

Faculty Excellence nominee Nitin Agarwal. Photo by Ben Krain.

Agarwal is an internationally renowned researcher whose pioneering work in the social computing discipline has significantly advanced this fledgling area and helped open many doors for innovation for the scientific community. His primary research interests are in social computing, (deviant) behavior modeling, studying group dynamics, influence, trust, collective action, social-cyber forensics, health informatics, data mining and privacy aims to be at the vanguard of the ever-evolving online behaviors. “STEM education needs to be research-driven so that we can expose our students to cutting-edge technologies to prepare them as the next generation workforce that is capable of developing innovative solutions to real-world problems,” Agarwal said. “Our students are the lifeblood of research projects at COSMOS. Our mission is to conduct competitive research, transition research from publications to practice, and inspire thought leaders that communicate science to society and contribute to the social good.” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, he created the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS), which was designated as a research center by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education in 2020. COSMOS has produced more than two dozen projects, published 10 books and more than 200 publications, and three important tools: Blogtrackers, YouTubeTracker and Focal Structure Analysis. In the past year, COSMOS has assisted the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office track scams and disinformation related to COVID-19 that led to the development of COVID-19 Misinformation Tracker. “Our research examines some of the very complex and interdisciplinary problems that challenge science and society alike,” Agarwal said. “For a meaningful impact, we partner with educators, researchers, businesses, practitioners, journalists, policymakers, defense and security agencies across our state, nation, and the world.” Since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2009, Agarwal has brought in more than $1o million in funding for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock from sponsors like the U.S. Army Research Office, U.S. Office of Naval Research, U.S. Air Force Research Lab, U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, U.S. National Science Foundation, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “Dr. Agarwal has identified key issues and approaches in understanding the interplay between what people write in blogs and what they do in real life that are critical to grasping the fundamentals of conflict in the new information environment,” said Dr. Rebecca Goolsby, program officer at the Office of Naval Research. “His work has clear implications for understanding crowd behaviors and the emergence of ‘crowdwar’ – phenomena that are now emerging in Ukraine and elsewhere.” The DCSTEM awards committee included Shroat-Lewis, Haydar Al-Shukri, Ivan Conde, Lakeshia Legette-Jones, Mamdouh Bakr, Scott Hearnsberger, Shanzhi Wang, Soheil Saedi, Xiaowei Xu, and David Manry. Kattoum, Ruhl-Whittle, and Agarwal will compete for the university-wide Faculty Excellence Awards, which will be announced April 15.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock