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

Zaire Husband: Future Cyber Activist

Janea Snyder — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 13:03:18 +0000

For Zaire Husband, choosing a college was about finding a place with a program that best fit her career interests. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was close to home, affordable, and had a Computer Science program that fit her needs. “I have always loved computers,” Zaire, 21, said. “Computer science to me is like learning a language, learning how to tell the computer what to do.” She’s an artist too, and carries a doodle pad around with her everywhere she goes. “Digital art is probably my favorite type of art because you can showcase your art across the world with a single click,” she said. Zaire will graduate in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in information assurance. She has the perfect career in cybersecurity all mapped out. “I want to be a hacker, security engineer, and architect. Essentially you’re working with networks and infrastructure to keep other hackers out – like a cyber vigilante. You try to get into the mind of a criminal and try to break into your own software. It’s like being the criminal, the detective, and the police all in one package.” She’s also passionate about sharing with other young women the possibilities of a STEM career. “I’m really passionate about women in computer science, especially women of color,” she said. “The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Computer Science division is pretty diverse. I have gained a diverse group of friends from all backgrounds and skin tones. However, the female to male ratio is still lacking, not just in Little Rock, but across the country.” When looking for a role model, Zaire had to look no further than to her parents. “My parents are big on education,” she said. “They know how hard it is for a young black female. I’m really blessed. I get help from school and my family, and it’s helped me be able to do things.” Husband hopes to herself be a mentor one day for young women. “I would like to inspire people the same way I’ve been inspired,” she said. “You need support from all directions. Many young people fear that they’re not good enough. Many younger people have a fear of math. It’s really hard for people in this country because we don’t put as much emphasis on it, and you need a strong foundation.” During Zaire’s freshman year, she lived on campus and joined the African American Female Initiative, which connected her with others and activities. She was actively involved with the Arkansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ARK-LSAMP) program, which strives to increase the number of minority students in STEM areas. She’s also gained hands-on skills and networked through internships. Dr. Jim Winter, director of the University Science Scholars and LSAMP, helped Husband get an internship with the Emerging Analytics Center during her freshman year, “He gave me a sense of direction, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.” In fall 2017, Husband interned at the Clinton Foundation where she worked in information technology and communications – and even met former President Bill Clinton. “My internships have helped me know what to expect and helped me network and meet contacts in the industry,” she said. Zaire also serves an EIT Ambassador, helping freshmen with homework and tutoring. She is involved with Society of Women Engineers, Cyber Security Club, ��Vlog��ýLR Alliance, and the Anime Club. Photos by Benjamin Krain

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students to showcase STEM research at state Capitol

Janea Snyder — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 17:59:00 +0000

On Valentine’s Day, six ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students will be at the state Capitol to show their love … for research. Each year, the Capitol hosts a day where undergraduate students showcase their research in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math. Posters will set up in the Rotunda from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, and the student researchers will be on hand to talk about their scientific work in layman’s terms. “The purpose of the event is to showcase undergraduate research at Arkansas universities to state representatives, senators, executive officers, public policy officials, Arkansas high school students, and the public,” said Dr. Jim Winter, director of the University Science Scholars, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and Arkansas STRIVE programs. Last year, more than 110 students from 15 Arkansas colleges and universities displayed posters. All student researchers were nominated by a faculty member to participate. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student presenters include the following:

Paloma Salazar, Chemistry Department: “Copper-based nanocatalyst for hydrogen production”
Shelby Wingate, Systems Engineering-Mechanical: “Characteristics of pattern recognition classifiers for EMG signal analysis”
Nathan Taylor, Chemistry Department: “Analysis of animal kidney stones through infrared spectroscopy”
Kristen Gregory, Department of Biology: “Investigations into the effects of caffeine on cell death in Dictyostelium discoideum”
Zaire Husband, Computer Science Department: “Adapting Snipe-It to manage an equipment inventory system”
Sylvia Szwedo, Chemistry Department: “Isolating Exosomes using tumor-specific antibodies in the serum and ascites of cancer patients”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students display research at the Capitol

Jenny Lambert — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 14:54:14 +0000

Six University of Arkansas at Little Rock students recently had the unique opportunity to present their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research to state legislators and about 100 high school students. The purpose of the 2017 STEM Posters at the Capitol event, held Feb. 15 at the Arkansas Capitol Rotunda in Little Rock, was to put the spotlight on undergraduate research at universities in Arkansas. “Our students did an excellent job representing the university and showcasing the outstanding research being conducted at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Dr. Jim Winter, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock director of Science Scholars and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation programs. Winter served as the university’s event coordinator. In all, there were 70 posters presented from 15 Arkansas colleges and universities. About the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student projects:

Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown, Hermitage, is a senior pursuing majors in biology and interdisciplinary studies. Brown presented research on the effects of anti-diabetic drug Metformin on biomarkers for cancer tumors. Kristen Gregory, Jacksonville, is a sophomore with a major in chemistry and minor in biology. Gregory demonstrated research on the effectiveness of three nanomaterials in killing breast cancer cells. Elizabeth Haralson, Little Rock, is a junior with a major in geology, with an emphasis on environmental geology, and a minor in biology. Haralson presented research on the variations in water quality in Fourche Creek before and after it flows through a wetlands area.

Zaire Husband

Zaire Husband, Monticello, is a sophomore computer science major. Husband’s presentation focused on programming used to manage inventory with the open-source database program “Snipe It.” Dave Soni, Blytheville, is a senior with a double major in chemistry and biology. Soni’s research presentation covered synthesized cellulose-based carbon nanocompounds and their effectiveness under light to remove organic dye pollutants from water. Neden Yacine, Fort Smith, is a senior chemistry major with a minor in biology. Yacine’s research presentation analyzed the antioxidant properties of the nanocompound tungsten disulfide.

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

Zaire Husband: Future Cyber Activist

����Vlog��ý Little Rock students to showcase STEM research at state Capitol

����Vlog��ý Little Rock students display research at the Capitol

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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students to showcase STEM research at state Capitol

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students display research at the Capitol