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

��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.

Donaghey College of STEM Selects Ruhl-Whittle, Siraj, Wallace as 2022 Faculty Excellence Winners

John Hill — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 12:47:13 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM) has chosen its top professors of the year. DCSTEM is honoring Dr. Laura Ruhl-Whittle, associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, for teaching, Dr. Noureen Siraj, assistant professor of chemistry, for research and creative endeavors, and Thomas Wallace, a senior instructor in the Department of Information Science, for public service. They will also be competing for the university-wide Faculty Excellence Awards that will be announced April 7. More information about the winners:

Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching

A popular teacher in the Department of Earth Sciences, Ruhl-Whittle is known as a creative and dedicated teacher who puts her career experience into action in the classroom with in-class activities, service learning, and scaffolded projects. She co-teaches two high-impact courses, Geology and Ecology of the Bahamas and Advanced Bahamian Research, that gives students the chance to learn about and conduct research in the Bahamas. Ruhl-Whittle has actively engaged high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in her research with projects ranging from hydrogeology to medical geology. In her hydrogeology and environmental geology courses, she works with local community partners to facilitate opportunities for students to become involved in solving Arkansas groundwater and environmental issues. Ruhl-Whittle is also an innovative thinker who is not afraid to take risks in her teaching. When the pandemic prevented the annual student research trip to the Bahamas, she developed a new assignment where students used Google Earth to create a virtual field trip of the island to share with their peers. “This exercise was interactive and engaging for the students and bridged the gap between visiting the island and learning about it from afar,” said Dr. René A. Shroat-Lewis, associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences. Ruhl-Whittle was one of the first volunteers to participate in the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching in 2019. The workshops are designed to immerse faculty in an experiential learning environment where they participate as students in a classroom for a week. She then went on to co-lead the workshop in 2021. In addition, she serves as a teaching fellow with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence and has taught webinars on teaching during the pandemic. One of her former students, Zach Smith, described Ruhl-Whittle as one of the most impactful scientists in his academic and scientific career. ‘I would not be the scientist I am today had it not been for Dr. Ruhl’s teaching and mentoring,” Smith said. “Dr. Ruhl is an educator and scientist to admire because she is brilliant, working not just to further science, but also further scientific literacy in her students. She provides experiences that make her students competitive, no matter what path they choose to take.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors

Dr. Noureen Siraj

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, Siraj 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, she 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.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service

Wallace has actively integrated his teaching to encourage his students to become involved with the community. Since 2017, he has supervised students who intern with local organizations like First Orion, Team SI, and Arkansas Times. In the annual capstone project for information technology students, he oversees student teams who develop websites and apps for state agencies, nonprofits, and local companies. Upon deployment of the projects, Wallace works with these organizations to create a long-term maintenance strategy.

Thomas Wallace

In addition, Wallace leads a week-long annual residential coding camp at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock called “GIRL Code.” This camp attracts 16 students every summer and encourages girls in 7th-9th grade to pursue careers in STEM. Now entering its sixth year, the program has attracted the support of large technology companies like Windstream and CJRW. “As I look to the future, I hope to continue to build these bridges between the university and the community and provide more opportunities for students to build their skill set while learning to support their community,” Wallace said. “I appreciate and value the chance to shape their careers and highlight the value of using one’s abilities to build a strong community around them.” He has also served as a front-end web developer for the Center for Arkansas History and Culture since 2019, developing interface elements for a mapping renewal project funded by a National Endowment of the Humanities grant.

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.

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

John Hill — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 15:31:06 +0000

In celebration of , ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has highlighted 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. Beth McMillan, Chair of the Department of Earth Sciences

I am a geologist who studies landscapes — their forms and the processes that shape them. I grew up in Neosho, MO, and attended Colorado College, earning a bachelor’s in Geology. I also attended Colorado School of Mines for a master’s in Environmental Science and Engineering. Finally, I graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Ph.D. in Geology.�� My husband and I have two children, both will be freshman in the fall 2021. My son will be attending Colorado College, and my daughter will be a freshman at Little Rock Central High School. My hobbies are mostly outdoor related. I love to hike, camp, ride my bike, and travel.�� What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?�� I am the chairperson of the Department of Earth Sciences, a position that I aspired to from the earliest days of my career and one that I am very proud to have attained. My role is to help remove obstacles and provide opportunities for our students and our faculty, ultimately in order to better understand how the Earth works and how we can live sustainably with our environment. As a female geoscientist, I want to demonstrate how women can be successful in balancing work and family even when pursuing careers that often take them to distant and remote field areas. What inspired you to pursue a STEM career?

Dr. Beth McMillan

I was drawn to science and math from an early age. I collected rocks as a very young child just because I liked their shapes. I never knew that you could pursue a career in studying how they formed and why they had those shapes. I was very fortunate to have parents who supported my interests and to have had teachers in middle school and high school who also fully encouraged my interests in the natural world.�� When I was a freshman in college, I took an Introductory Geology course. Other students told me it was a great field-trip class. That really appealed to me — to be able to go out to see and touch the things that were usually only seen as pictures in textbooks. My academic advisors were also very supportive of me, even when I had my first child during my Ph.D. studies. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? Diversity is of the utmost importance in STEM. We are all motivated by the accumulated experiences of our backgrounds. These experiences guide us to ask questions that are relevant to us as people. For me, I care very much about women’s health, my children’s future, and how the health of the Earth will impact these issues. What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? First of all, there is a place for you in STEM.�� Second, work with those people who see you and value you for who you are and who you want to be.

Sandra Leiterman, Managing Director of the Cyber Gym

Sandra Leiterman

I am originally from Wisconsin, but I moved to Little Rock in 2006. I attended ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and received my bachelor’s in Middle School Education (Math-Science) in 2010. I have a graduate certificate in Gifted and Talented Education also from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and a master’s degree in Digital Teaching and Online Learning from Kansas State. I am currently working on my Ph.D. in Urban Education with a specialization in Math Education.�� I have been married for 24 years. I have one son who will graduate in May from Oklahoma State University, and I have a dog named Humphrey. When I am not at work or working on schoolwork, you can find me at CycleBar, or on a run with my dog at one of the bridge parks such as the Two Rivers or Big Dam Bridge. I also find sewing very therapeutic and mind-calming.�� What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?�� I am currently the Managing Director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym. The Cyber Gym provides massively scalable cloud-based cybersecurity workouts (problems and threat exercises) appropriate for every level of the cybersecurity workforce pipeline. We provide realistic, hands-on activities in a variety of cybersecurity subject areas to reinforce security learning objectives and develop the skills needed to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure. I work with recruitment and outreach to bring people, especially women and other typically underrepresented students, to our program via workshops, summer camps, and, ultimately, our degree programs.�� I am also on the steering committee for the Annual I have hosted several women/girls in STEM workshops in the past five years, both on and off campus. Most recently was the Women in Cyber Security Summit on International Day of the Girl 2020.��

The Just a Prototype robotics team members include: Back row (L-R) Jamie Burrows, Rachel Smith, Shala Nail, and Donetha Groover. Front row (L-R) David Shurley , FLN the robot, and Faculty Advisor Sandra Leiterman.

What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? I have always enjoyed math and science. However, I did not enjoy the way it was taught. I became a STEM educator to have an impact on building competence and confidence for students in the math and science fields. In my first year teaching, I saw how inequitable opportunities were for the girls in my class, mostly because they had no one to encourage or believe in them. I began to encourage all of my girls to participate in extracurricular activities such as robotics, science fairs, and the science olympiad. I coached the first all-girls robotics team in the state of Arkansas.�� Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? I think everyone has something to offer as far as creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. Far too often, we see women’s ideas and approaches being dismissed or diminished. If women are not invited to participate, then the STEM fields are missing out on talent.�� What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? One of my favorite quotes is from : “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”�� Have the confidence in yourself to believe you belong there.

Khristina Huff, Junior Biology and Chemistry Student��

I was raised in the small, rural town of Cleveland, Arkansas by my parents Cary Huff and Carin Knopfer. It was a quiet area to say the least, but nonetheless taught me many valuable life lessons that I will always hold dear. I found a wide range of hobbies to keep me busy in such a small area, including martial arts, art classes, piano, video games, and poetry.

Khristina Huff

The area provided opportunities that others my age may not have been able to experience.�� My neighbors have a farm and for seven years, I worked as a farmhand and farmer’s market helper. The summer after my freshman year in college, I worked at the farm and interned at the local hospital to aid in my aspirations as a future orthopedic surgeon. It was here that I shadowed a variety of careers including orthopedics, wound care, radiology, emergency medicine, rehab and more. The summer after this, my study abroad trip was canceled due to COVID-19. I decided to pursue experience in home health and became a personal care aide to help patients in daily routines at their homes. What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?�� After graduating from Clinton High School and being accepted into the Donaghey Scholars Program, I began my journey at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on a pre-med track to gain my bachelor’s in biology and in chemistry. Since attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I have found some really amazing opportunities. I joined the VEX Robotics team during my freshman year and later shadowed research within our Nanotech department. In my second semester of freshman year, I was selected to be a learning assistant, leading a weekly chemistry workshop each semester. This semester, I have begun to work behind the scenes with the university’s Learning Assistant program, studying the impact of this program on increasing the success of diverse students, especially those from marginalized groups. Additionally, this semester I was selected to begin biomedical research at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, beginning in the next few weeks.�� What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? The many exciting experiences that I have had the chance to participate in all prepare me for my future career as a healthcare provider. I grew up with two disabled veterans as parents, and as someone who has witnessed their hardships, it has created a passion within me to care for patients like them. Watching members of underserved groups struggle for quality healthcare is heartbreaking to me.�� Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? With the increasing diversity of patients within medicine, it is imperative that providers are able to understand their concerns. The same goes for those working in STEM fields. By introducing this kind of diversity into the workplace, we are repaid with understanding, brilliant, and beyond capable physicians, engineers, teachers, and more.�� What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? By bringing diversity such as this into the workplace, young women are fully able to pursue any career that they desire. It is these women that will bring equity as well as equality to our society. It is these women that will open doors never seen before to those before them. It is these women who are the future of our ever-changing world. The first step for these girls is to see their potential and know that no career goal is ever too big for them to achieve. The second is to show others that they can do the same. With a mindset such as this, these young women will pave the way for others such as themselves, creating a future in which little girls can pursue their goals without a shadow of doubt.

Dr. Noureen Siraj, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry

Dr. Noureen Siraj

Born and raised in a middle class family, I started tutoring science and mathematics to my junior students when I was only in eighth grade. Since then, I have considered myself a part of the academic world and found a natural teacher inside me.�� I was raised in a family and a part of the world where girls do not get equal opportunities of higher and quality education compared to boys. My admission to university had several hurdles, including cultural resistance and financial expenses. However, I was able to overcome all these barriers with my severe persistence and father’s assistance. I am the first one in my family who was admitted to a university for higher education. Because of me, my younger sister found it easier to follow my route and complete her master’s in Chemistry. I graduated from the university as a top rank student not only in my class but also in the chemistry department. I was awarded with four gold medals at the same university where I was admitted on probation. After completing my master’s degree in chemistry, I started teaching in college and then joined the university as an instructor. I received a fully funded scholarship for my Ph.D. in Austria. This was the first time in my life to travel abroad, and it was a life changing experience for me. During my stay in Austria, I met and made friends from different countries, cultures, religions, and language. I learned a lot from my friends and class fellows of diverse backgrounds. I travelled to many European countries (Germany, Denmark, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Netherland, Slovakia, Slovenia, etc.) My hobby was to explore different places, cultures, and languages, as well as visit churches and mosques. This exposure made me flexible, adaptable, and respectful to people of different ethnicities and languages and enabled me to appreciate the importance of diversity. I came to the U.S. as a postdoctoral scholar in the Warner Research group at Louisiana State University. The research group was also very diverse. The contribution of Dr. Warner for African American students was tremendous. My goal is to develop a very strong research group of diverse people who thrive in research and innovation.�� What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?�� I am the only female research professor in the department. At present, I am running the largest research group in the department as well. Currently, there are six female graduate and seven undergraduate research students working in my laboratory. My research group includes first-generation college students, African American students, women, international students, and white students. These numbers corroborate that women can be good researchers and excel in STEM fields. My current research focuses on exploring the application of ionic nanomaterials in the arena of health, environment, and energy. I have published 18 manuscripts since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Research grants are critical to develop a strong and successful research group. In the last 4 years, I have secured funding from federal agencies (NSF and NASA), state (Arkansas Division of Higher Education, INBRE) and local grants (college and signature awards). I travelled to the Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT) with my graduate student via a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to perform superior research with well-known scientists. Learning there helped me to enhance the scope of research projects in my lab.�� My students have presented research in different conferences including ACS national and regional meetings, IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) conferences, at the Arkansas State Capitol, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock EXPO, and more. Many of my undergraduate and graduate students have received awards for their research oral and poster presentations. Last year, my undergraduate students received first position at an INBRE conference and first and third place at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Expo.

Dr. Noureen Siraj works in her chemistry lab. Photo by Ben Krain.

I mentor three to five K-12 school students every year who present their scientific findings and learnings in their school, regional, state, and international science fairs. Many high school students from my lab have received distinctions and cash prizes at regional, state and international competitions. In 2018, Meghana Bollimpali, a junior high school student who worked under me, won the 2nd place grand award of $50K at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). No other student from Arkansas has ever achieved such distinction. In 2019, another student from my lab, Amna Khan, won third place in the chemistry category at Intel ISEF. In 2020, two high school students secured first place in the regional science fair and were selected to participate at ISEF.�� I serve on many committees within the university that work to improve the diversity in STEM. I provide volunteer service to various journals. I serve on the review panel for proposals as a member of the editorial board and reviewer committee. I am also a member of the Donaghey Scholars Program Policy Council. I serve as a judge for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Poster Expo. I am also a member of the Mock PreMed Interview Committee. In the department, I am a chair of the Safety Committee, member of the Assessment Committee, and a part of the Awards and Recognition Committee. I am a Chemistry Olympiad Exam coordinator for the Central Arkansas region. I am also a member of the scientific review committee of ISEF. What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? I am a chemist today because a chemistry teacher in my undergrad inspired me to the extent that I fell in love with this subject and chose to become a researcher as well as a teacher in this amazing field. It is my turn now to inspire the next generation to do wonders and serve humanity by making new discoveries and inventions in this field.�� Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? Innovation in STEM comes from out-of-the-box thinking. People think differently because of their different backgrounds, experiences in their lives, and values. Diverse students in STEM innovate solutions that were not possible with people of the same experiences and backgrounds. Diversity allows students to share their unique experiences with the group and their unique approach to solving the problems. What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? Girls, you can excel in STEM fields. Initially, things look difficult but a little patience, hard work and perseverance make things easier. Once you develop interest, you will start enjoying it. Hands-on experience in the lab helps to develop interest and understand difficult concepts in classes.

Dr. Laura S. Ruhl-Whittle, Associate Professor in the Earth Science Department

Dr. Laura Ruhl-Whittle

I’m from Ft. Myers, FL, although I spent some of my childhood in Monroe, LA. I went to the University of Florida for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Although I began as a pre-med major, I found that I really enjoyed learning about the Earth processes and majored in Geology. I’ve combined my interest in Health with Geology and do research in the field of Medical Geology, specifically looking at the formation and mineralogy of kidney stones. I got my Ph.D. at Duke University in Earth and Ocean Sciences.�� In my spare time I enjoy reading, running, hiking with my family, playing with my 3-year -old, and baking.�� What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?�� I am a woman scientist at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in the Department of Earth Sciences. I teach many classes from introductory Physical Geology and Earth and the Environment to upper levels such as environmental geology, hydrogeology, Geology and Ecology of the Bahamas, and Geochemistry. My research consists of understanding the behavior of contaminants in the environment from mining activities, urban activities, and energy uses and resources. As I mentioned above, I am also pursuing research in the field of Medical Geology, looking at the impact of geological materials on human health (urban road dust or coal ash that one may breathe in) to how geological materials form in the human body (kidney stones).�� What inspired you to pursue a STEM career?��

Dr. Laura Ruhl-Whittle

I’ve always had an interest in science (biology, pre-med, etc). One of my favorite places in the world is the beach, so naturally geology was a good fit for me. I didn’t know about geology when I began my undergrad, but after taking one class I was hooked. I loved the way that science explained the happenings in the world around me from why we have mountains and volcanoes where we do to the reason we have ocean basins.�� Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? Diversity is essential in STEM fields. I’ve found that many scientists use their backgrounds and experiences to approach problems, therefore having a diverse STEM population brings many new and great ideas to STEM. I also think it is important to have diversity to show that anyone who wants to can be a scientist, engineer, or mathematician. What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? You can do it! If you have an interest in science, engineering, or math, check out the possibilities for careers. There are so many more than I ever thought possible, and you can have it all — a career in science, a life, and a family.

Iris Denmark, Ph.D. student in Applied Sciences specializing in Chemistry

I am from Jacksonville, Fl. I’m the youngest girl of five and the daughter of a nurse and a teacher. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in chemistry by day and work full-time as a supervisor at a local Marriott by night. My favorite pastimes are confiding in my siblings and making and selling personal care products for my Etsy business. Family is my priority and the main motivation for everything I do.

Iris Denmark

Being a woman in science has incited many opportunities for me such as having my undergraduate education funded by NASA, governmental and international research opportunities, jobs, and graduate education. I highly recommend it, and think others should definitely try it.�� What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am currently a third-year Applied Sciences Ph.D. student in the applied chemistry graduate program. My current research is in the sector of electrochemistry, in which I make and characterize supercapacitor materials from bioavailable resources under the mentorship of Dr. Noureen Siraj. During my time in the lab, I also serve as a mentor to undergraduates and high school students who have taken interest in electrochemistry and applications for renewable energy. What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? My father teaches math and science. Also, I attended high school at an engineering magnet academy in Florida, so my exposure to STEM has always been there, as well as my encouragement to pursue an education and career in STEM. I initially wanted to be a biomedical engineer, but my academic journey and experiences solidified my interests in analytical chemistry instead. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? I can attest firsthand that diversity in the STEM field is especially important. It is imperative to demonstrate to those from all walks of life that they can be successful in every endeavor, including STEM, despite their background, or circumstances. Michelle Obama says that if you are committed to doing what it takes, anything is possible. What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? I would say to them that there will absolutely be times of adversity and discomfort for women pursuing careers in STEM, a male-dominated field. The key to overcoming this adversity is to remain focused and humble and let your work speak for itself.

Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Information Science

Dr. Elizabeth Pierce

I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I was very fortunate to grow up in a community that employed a lot of engineers, teachers, scientists, and professional people who really valued hard work and education. I attended Penn State where I discovered the field of Management Science (an early version of the Management Information Systems).

This choice of major led me to a job as a Programmer Analyst at IBM where I later picked up a master’s in Computer Science. I then decided I would really like to teach at a university so I got my Ph.D. in Statistics and Management Science from the University of Michigan. This really helped me to achieve my career goal of becoming faculty, first at one of the state schools in Pennsylvania and then at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? My role is to provide educational services in information systems, technologies, and data sciences to undergraduate and graduate students. My research interests include data governance, data quality, and data analytics. Our department is now home to one of the top online Information Science and Information Quality graduate programs in the country. Plus, we have a very successful track record of training and placing our undergraduates in tech jobs in Arkansas and surrounding states. What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? I liked working with data and trying to figure out what you can do with data. There are lots of neat things you can do with data such as using it to describe the world around us, help diagnose issues, make predictions, and help us figure out the best course of action to take. But to make this happen, you need to have the systems and technologies in place to collect, store, manage, use, and protect the data as well as ensuring the quality of the data. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? Diversity brings thinking from lots of different perspectives. We need lots of different viewpoints to help make sure that our information systems, technologies, products and services help all people. What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? You can do this. You can make a difference. There are lots of different types of jobs in the IT Industry and lots of organizations that need people who can help them manage, protect, and make the most use of their data for solving tough problems and for helping to serve their customers better.

Julia Green, Senior Computer Science Major

Julia Green

I’m from Maumelle, AR, and I am a senior here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. Outside of school and work, you can often find me reading, drawing, or playing video games. After I finish my bachelor’s, I plan on pursuing a master’s and eventually a Ph.D. in Computer Science. I really enjoy research and want to pursue a full-time career in it. I am really curious about the applications of computer science in meteorology and would love to work for the National Weather Service one day! What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?�� My role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock currently consists of several endeavors. I have been working as an undergraduate research assistant in the Emerging Analytics Center since October 2019. I really enjoy getting to put my art and programming skills to the test on the various AR/VR research projects I work on.�� I also enjoy getting to help tutor other students in computer science courses through my position as a CSTEM Ambassador. In addition to my jobs, I am the president of the eSports Club as well as the treasurer and webmaster of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock ACM Student Chapter. Through my participation in these organizations, I get to work on many different projects that I am passionate about, further improve my abilities as a Computer Scientist, and (most importantly) have fun. What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? Several things inspired my pursuit of a STEM career, with the primary factor being my love for computers. I have loved working with computers since I was very young and have known that I wanted to work with them for much of my life. Another thing that inspired me was the abundance of need for people in Computer Science and STEM as a whole. This abundance of need, I hope, will provide job stability for me and many others in the future. The last thing that inspired me to join STEM is my own desire to provide for myself. I have always been a very independent individual and desired to be my own breadwinner from a young age. I felt that a STEM career was one of my best chances to achieve this. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? Diversity is an invaluable resource in any field as it provides different viewpoints and ways of thinking. STEM fields are notorious for being male-dominated. As their diversity increases, these different viewpoints and ways of thinking will allow for creativity and innovation to flourish even more so than is currently. This will lead to more creations and discoveries which, in turn, will be more inclusive of the population as a whole. Since STEM fields are what drive a lot of our development as a species, it is good that they are more representative of the population as a whole.�� What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? My first piece of advice I have for young girls wanting to pursue a career in STEM is to advocate for yourself. Your thoughts and ideas are important, but it is up to you to make sure they are heard. You can’t always depend on others, sadly, so don’t be afraid to speak your mind or stand up for yourself. My second piece of advice is to not be afraid of STEM just because of its notoriety for a lack of diversity. Despite this lack of diversity, I have met many good people and made many close friendships with my STEM colleagues. Moreover, STEM’s lack of diversity won’t be mended unless more people from different backgrounds decide to pursue a career in it. I am excited for more young girls to join STEM and see what all we are able to accomplish together in the future.

Mujeebat Bashiru, Doctorate Student in Applied Chemistry

Mujeebat Bashiru

I am Mujeebat Bashiru, a third-year student currently pursuing her Doctorate Degree in Applied Chemistry at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. As an international student who hailed from Nigeria, I am delighted to be among this great diverse community. I obtained my bachelor’s degree from University of Ilorin, Nigeria, but was passionate to seek more knowledge from a totally different environment abroad in a more diverse community with people from various backgrounds and cultures.�� What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I currently work as a teaching assistant in the department to impact knowledge to students. The Chemistry Department is a community of good people. To the best of my knowledge, they are willing to support and help achieve my career goal. As a researcher undergoing the learning process, meeting people, learning new ideas, sharing ideas, impacting lives, proffering solutions to problems, and sharing time with my family and friends are my interests. The department is occupied with various active research groups. Joining one of them known as the Siraj’s Lab (Analytical/Physical/Material Chemistry Laboratory) is indeed priceless with similar career goals and objectives. Briefly, Siraj’s lab is composed of 95% female chemists! Under the supervision of a female mentor, the group focuses on solving problems facing health, energy, and environment with the use of inexpensive materials that are environmentally friendly to greatly improve the living quality and prosperity of people. What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? Since I was little, I was faced with the thought of being a problem solver. And the various potentials of chemistry in terms of its versatility to almost all aspects that one can ever think of inspired me. With this, I must say it is a great field. Obtaining a doctorate degree in chemistry will develop me to conduct independent research at the highest academic level. With this, I can achieve my dream. Life will not only be impacted but it will also make me fulfilled. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? Since the STEM field is very broad, diversity is of great importance due to the unity involved. There is much more quality in coming together of great minds with a similar vision and mission. This will really help in achieving goals that seem impossible and�� should be encouraged.

Tina Hesabizadeh, Doctoral Student in Applied Biosciences

Tina Hesabizadeh

My name is Tina. I graduated with my B.S. in Biology in December 2020, and I am currently a Ph.D. student in the Applied Biosciences program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� I am Persian, originally from Iran, but I have called Little Rock my home for the past 12 years! I enjoy being outdoors, and I love looking at a clear sky at night and travel among the stars in my mind! I am very honored to be in the STEM field and to be able to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science!�� What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am currently conducting research with the Department of Physics and Astronomy, as well as the Biology department. I started my research when I joined the McNair Scholars Program as an undergraduate, and I have been working on Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles using Laser Ablation. I love teaching and informing others about my research, and I have hope to inspire other women to pursue their dreams in the STEM field.�� What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? From the first moment I was introduced to the laser lab by my mentor and advisor��Dr. Guisbiers, I knew that I was going to enjoy and love working in the lab, and I have always had hope that my research can one day leave an impact or change lives for the better. When I am working in the lab, I only think about the future of humankind and the positive impact our research can have. Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields? Each person brings a unique character and skill to the field. If we are not diverse, our research will be very limited, and our results and discoveries will decrease as the result of that. Diversity is the key importance for our future innovations, discoveries, and achievements.�� What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM? I would advise any young girl to know that you are the future, and you can change the world with your dedication and hard work. Remember that our future depends on you, so never give up on your dreams of changing our world for better because I know you can! Keep on inspiring!�� “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie

Ruby Trotter, Chemistry and Spanish Major

I am a premedical student majoring in Chemistry and Spanish, with a minor in Biology. My career aspirations are to become a physician (likely a pediatrician, internal medicine physician, or family physician) while also dipping my toes into public health so that I can address health disparities in the Black and Latino communities, as well as health policy.

I was born and raised in Arkansas, but went to high school in Houston, Texas, before making my way back to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in the Donaghey Scholars Program. Here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I’ve been blessed with countless opportunities to learn more about where I want to be in the near and distant future! Some hobbies include playing the violin, learning the guitar, visiting local coffee shops, and hiking Arkansas.

What is your role as a woman in science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?

At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I have been blessed to have many opportunities to explore the sciences. I am involved in research at the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences where I have been studying bone tissue regeneration technologies since Fall 2019 and will be starting a final project for the Donaghey Scholars Program surrounding how certain cells in our body interact with a material that we have functionalized in lab which supports bone growth. I have secured a Signature Experience Grant for this research project and am very excited about it!

Ruby Trotter

I have been a Learning Assistant in the Fundamental Chemistry classroom for three semesters, and plan to start again in the Fall 2021 semester. In this role, I have helped to lead students to understanding more about Chemistry through interactive workshop sessions. This experience has given me so much confidence in my ability to potentially teach others in the future (maybe I’ll come back and teach medical school after a few decades in the profession).

I am also a Chemistry Education Researcher on campus, where I am studying how students perceive Active Learning strategies employed in our Chemistry classrooms and how that impacts final course outcomes. I was rewarded a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant from ADHE for this research in Spring 2020. This research has opened my eyes and confirmed my interest in health disparities with the parallels that I have seen in education opportunities.

During the summer after my freshman year, I secured an internship at the Arkansas Department of Health, where I was able to do research surrounding the state’s hospitals and their efficiency in minimizing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). I began networking in the healthcare field, and learned so many skills in research, Excel, presentations, and a new knowledge of what all goes into caring for a patient. It was amazing to get this other perspective of it all.

The summer after my sophomore year, I was accepted into the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) – a highly selective program for aspiring medical, dental, and nursing professionals at universities around the country. Through the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, I learned a lot about different specialties in medicine, made incredible connections, and participated in a research project with a group of fellow scholars. At the end of the summer, we had developed a project proposal to address health disparities (specifically rate of prenatal care and preterm labor/maternal mortality rates) among African American women in Arkansas entitled, “The Prenatal Promise: Addressing Prenatal Care Disparities in Arkansas.” This experience was really exciting as I was able to introduce my group to an issue we had back here at home, and they latched onto it and helped me brainstorm ways to address it.

I have volunteered at Harmony Health Clinic and 12th Street Health & Wellness Center here in Little Rock, which were both recommended to me by former scholars.

I am also in the Louis Stokes’ Alliance for Minority Participation – an organization which desires to increase minority participation in the STEM majors and the field itself. Dr. Lakeshia Jones has encouraged me to attend several conferences to present my research and has found countless internships and opportunities for us to apply to.

What inspired you to pursue a STEM career?

I can’t say that there was ever one defining moment that made me want to go into medicine. I have always been interested in the world around me, how science affects it, and how cool the human body is (come on, it heals itself). I do think that I had very supportive parents who inspired me to pursue this career. My dad always encouraged me to learn more about what I was passionate about, and my mom being in public health herself and sharing her knowledge with me along the way.

Why do you think diversity is important, especially in STEM fields?

My Donaghey Scholars admission essay was actually about this exact topic. Diversity is incredibly important in general and especially in the STEM fields. As a Chemistry Education Researcher, I know that many students can feel uninspired or incapable of making it in a field where they are consistently told and shown that the best scientists do not look like them. They think, “Is this the field for me if I am not even represented in it?”

Not only that, but there are also perspectives that people of different races, genders, ages, and other backgrounds can bring to a problem in STEM that others may not have thought of. Certain barriers make it such that our nation is missing out on some of the brightest and most innovative minds in STEM. It is vital that we increase diversity in these disciplines to give hope to the next generation of STEM professionals, and to show them that they do belong in this field – no matter what they are hearing otherwise.

What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM?

The advice that I would give to a young girl pursuing a career is: Listen to your heart telling you what you are passionate about, the way in which you think you can make the most difference in this world, or even just what you are super drawn towards. You don’t have to know exactly what that is right now. But when you hear that voice in your head telling you that this seems exciting and you really want this, don’t let any barrier or any person tell you that you can’t. It will be incredibly difficult to make it all the way, but also incredibly rewarding.

As a piece of tangible advice: Take every advantage that you can of having a mentor figure in your life. There’s no way I would be where I am right now without mentors that I have made along the way who have believed in me and directed me to the right resources to find the opportunities that I have, and I am forever grateful for them.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock grad ready to take next step in research, community, and med school

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 12:41:57 +0000

With a father as a doctor and an older sister in medical school, being a doctor would seem the obvious choice for Arooba Ilyas, a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in biology.�� “Ever since I was little, just seeing how happy my dad, a pediatric nephrologist (kidney doctor for kids), is and how many people he gets to help is inspiring,” she said. “Ever since I was little, I thought I would be a doctor. When I get into high school, something about marine biology piqued my interest.” Choosing ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was an easy choice for Ilyas. She was familiar with campus since she conducted research with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors in high school. Her older sister graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and was a member of the Donaghey Scholars program. Ilyas was thrilled when she was also accepted to the program, which covers her tuition, fees, computer, housing, and study abroad experience. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock really stood out to me,” she said. “In high school, I worked with faculty from the Chemistry Department, and I got to see how willing ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is to promote research in youth. That is something I am very passionate about, since I think it is important to expand young minds. Since my sister was in the Donaghey Scholars program, I know that they really help students to become who they are during college.” Ilyas started at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in fall 2015 as a biology major with no plans to enter medicine, but those plans quickly changed. “I came into college saying I’m not pre-med, but I really gained a passion for medicine working as a volunteer in the ��Vlog��ýMS Emergency Department,” Ilyas said. “I realized that I didn’t want to be a doctor just because I wanted to be like my dad.” While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Ilyas has been passionate about educating the public about world cultures and developing services in the Muslim community. Ilyas’ parents are from Pakistan, and she is a first-generation American college student. As part of the Muslim Student Association, she helped organize the World Hijab Day celebration on campus as well as a multicultural fashion show. “World Hijab Day is Feb. 1, and we encourage people to wear scarves to step into the world of a hijabi woman. I put on the hijab in ninth grade, and I remember getting so many stares when I was walking down the hallway,” she said. “If people are looking at me, I realized I can be an example of what a Muslim is instead of what Muslims are perceived as. And the multicultural fashion show is a way for us to get in touch with different cultures on campus.” In the community, she volunteers with the Islamic Center of Little Rock as part of a team that is working to bring counseling and therapy to the mosque. “The Islamic Center of Little Rock want to start implanting counseling services and couples therapy. Muslim couples have been turned away from other places for counseling because they are Muslim,” Ilyas said. “My team is also trying to get counseling services for high school kids. I’ve become a mentor for a lot of the younger Muslims that I know. They often tell me that they feel like they don’t’ fit in or have to conform to things that don’t fit with their religion. Having a therapist who is Muslim or who understands the Muslim experience is helpful to these kids.” Now that she has graduated, Ilyas is taking a gap year to focus on her research and volunteer work with the Islamic Center of Little Rock as well as study and take the MCATs (Medical College Admission Test) and apply for medical school. At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she received a Signature Experience Award, which provides $1,000 for a student to conduct a research or creative project, to study how renewable resources can be used to purify water with Dr. Noureen Siraj, assistant professor of chemistry. “I’m using consumption waste materials, such as used tea leaves and cigarette buds, as a green chemistry source to purify water,” she said. “I walked around campus with little baggies and gloves and picked up the old cigarette buds. Why not use something that is littering the world and put it to better use?” She has even come full circle by mentoring high school students that work in Siraj’s lab during the school year, just like she did in high school. “I could have just done a baking soda volcano for a high school science fair project, but the fact that I got to work in a real lab was very cool,” Ilyas said. “I’ve got to help high school students in Dr. Siraj’s lab, since I want to encourage students to pursue their passions at a young age.”

Four ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students receive SURF research fellowships

Janea Snyder — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 17:05:26 +0000

Four ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students have received the prestigious Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to conduct research this spring with help from faculty mentors. The (SURF) program provides up to $2,750 to undergraduate students to conduct in-depth research projects in their specific fields of study with the assistance of faculty mentors. To be eligible, all fellowship recipients must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.25, at least 30 hours of credit toward a degree, and support of a faculty mentor. Funds also are provided for students to travel to conferences to present their accomplishments. The students will complete their research this spring semester and will exhibit their work at the Student Research and Creative Works Showcase on April 18 in the Jack Stephens Center. In addition to the SURF grants, the students receive some matching funds through ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock fellows include the following: Bonn Belingon – “Enzymatic Studies of BbI06 from Borrelia burgdorferi,” ($2,750 from SURF, $1,250 match to equal $4,000) Belingon, of Marion, Arkansas, is researching how to isolate and target specific enzymes that are found in ��B. burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Currently, drug resistance to B. burgdorferi has surged and new strategies are needed to combat the disease. Belington and his mentor, Dr. Shanzhi Wang, will purify and characterize the BbI06 enzyme and determine 10 inhibitors against the bacterium. Madeline Burke – “Duck and Cover: How the Outdated Maritime 1851 Limitation of Liability Act Shields Shipowners From Liability,” ($2,750 from SURF, $1,250 match to equal $4,000) Burke, of Little Rock, is investigating the legal and ethical considerations of the 1851 Limitation of Liability Act that protects shipowners from liability. This act was cited by Ride the Ducks, the company that owned the duck boat that sank and killed 17 people on Table Rock Lake in Missouri on July 19, 2018. Burke will use library and government databases to create a research presentation for a national conference and submit an article for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Casey Rockwell from the Department of Marketing and Advertising is Burke’s mentor. Caroline Kornelsen – “Understanding of ��ö��ٱ�� Resonance Energy Transfer in Ionic Materials,” ($2,750 from SURF, $1,250 match to equal $4,000) Kornelsen, of Fallbrook, California, and her faculty mentor, Dr. Noureen Siraj, are researching novel and inexpensive approaches to developing new materials that possess ��ö��ٱ�� Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) characteristics. FRET is a non-radiation energy transfer process between donor and acceptor moieties. Ionic material with FRET characteristics will be developed using a fluorescent organic ion as donor and counterion as acceptor. FRET characteristic in an ionic material will be understood by developing several derivatives of ionic materials using same cation but variable anion or vice versa. These materials are important in the arena of energy, healthcare, and the environment. This project will allow Kornelsen and Siraj to learn more about the parameters that depend on FRET efficiency in ionic material. Michael Meziere – “Examining the Relationships between Religiosity, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Sexual Misconduct,” ($2,125 from SURF, $625 match to equal $2,750) Meziere, of Little Rock, is examining if religiosity plays a factor in the misconceptions and myths surrounding sexual assaults on college campuses. To carry out this study, Meziere will conduct surveys to gather information on religious beliefs and sexual attitudes. The data gathered will be presented in a poster presentation at the Academy of Criminal Justice Studies annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, in March 2019 and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Undergraduate Research Expo in April 2019. Dr. Molly Smith from the Department of Criminal Justice is Meziere’s mentor. Madeline Burke is one of four ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students to receive a��Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship. She is researching an old maritime law which says the owner of a sunken vessel is not legally responsible for its cargo. Photo by Benjamin Krain

��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor receives 188k grant to research new methods to create optoelectronic materials

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 13:18:26 +0000

A chemistry professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received $188,863 from the National Science Foundation to study experimental methods of developing organic optoelectronic materials.�� Dr. Noureen Siraj, assistant professor of analytical and physical chemistry, will work with the Center of Organic Photonics and Electronics at the Georgia Institute of Technology to characterize new materials developed at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that possess ��ö��ٱ�� Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) characteristics. FRET is a radiation-free energy transfer process between chemical compounds. Optoelectronics is the study and application of electronic devices and systems that source, detect, and control light. Organic optoelectronic materials created and stabilized using the FRET method can create electronic devices that emit and detect light, such as X-ray machines, solar cells, light bulbs, LED lights, and even a photodynamic cancer therapy. “We are proposing a new strategy to develop FRET-based organic materials,” Siraj said. “These materials are sometimes very costly and involve multisteps synthesis. Our simple strategy can drop this cost significantly because we can prepare these materials in a single step. Additionally, our method will produce organic compounds with high thermal stability. To achieve high thermal stability in organic compounds was very challenging from previously reported approaches.” The grant, “RII Track-4: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of FRET based Ionic Materials,” runs from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2020. Siraj and her graduate assistant, Samantha Macchi, a doctoral student studying materials applications, will conduct research at the Georgia Institute of Technology during the summers of 2019 and 2020 to learn about modern thin film and device fabrication equipment. The Center of Organic Photonics and Electronics is a premier research center that specializes in electronic devices and flexible solar cells for information technology, telecommunications, and defense sectors. Siraj is excited to apply the knowledge she gains to her work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and teach students about these new methods. “This training will offer me an opportunity to establish an outstanding and first-of-its-kind research group at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and the state of Arkansas,” Siraj said. “Students and STEM faculty at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will receive tremendous benefits from these facilities, since most of the professors in chemistry, physics, and engineering departments at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock are involved in materials science research. It will also give a great opportunity to students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because they will be able to make optoelectronic materials.” Siraj, who also mentors high school students, plans to let her current high school researchers get some real-world experience by participating in the research by performing small tasks that will “give them an idea of natural materials around us that can be used for different applications.” Siraj joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016, after earning her Ph.D. in electrochemistry from Graz University of Technology. She teaches general chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry of life sciences. Siraj also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and Master of Science degree in physical chemistry from the University of Karachi. In the upper right photo, Noureen Siraj works in her chemistry lab to synthesize materials that can be used in optoelectronics research. Photo by Ben Krain. Project is sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Award Number 1833004. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Central High School student mentored by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors wins more than $60k for outstanding research

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:46:28 +0000

When most people think of tea and molasses, their thoughts don’t stray any further than the kitchen.�� Meghana Bollimpalli, a Central High School student who was mentored by two chemistry professors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, saw the potential to create a less-expensive renewable energy source that has earned her more than $60,000 in scholarships and prize money from science fair competitions. Meghana Bollimpalli, 17, of Little Rock, worked from October 2017 to March 2018 with chemistry professors Dr. Tito Viswanathan and Dr. Noureen Siraj on her high school research project to turn renewable waste materials like molasses and used tea leaves into electrodes for supercapacitors. Siraj, who mentored four high school students during the 2017-18 school year, said Bollimpalli was a talented and inquisitive student with a gift for chemistry. “The good thing about Meghana is she is always very interested,” Siraj said. “When a high school student comes in my lab, I want to make sure they don’t work as a technician without understanding the science behind the experiments. I push them to think creatively about the science. I push them to think a little bit deeper.” ��Ǳ��貹��’s novel, low-cost approach for synthesizing materials could greatly cut the production and energy costs of making electrodes for supercapacitors, which are used as energy sources in electronic devices including cars and medical equipment. She found that combining common substances like tea and molasses with nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing salts in a commercial microwave formed a powder that could be used as a coating for electrode-like materials, giving them similar properties of more expensive metals like platinum. “There is an increase in the demand for energy due to the alarming rate at which we are using our nonrenewable resources and the increase in population worldwide,” Bollimpalli said. “To address this demand, we need to find an environmentally and economically feasible way to store our energy. Supercapacitors are devices that address this demand due to their great properties such as portability, long cycle lifetime, and high energy density. But the problem is, in order for a supercapacitor to actually work, it needs a great electrode.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock chemistry professors Dr. Noureen Siraj (left) and Dr. Tito Viswanathan (right) mentored Central High School student Meghana Bollimpalli (center) on her project to create carbon-based electrodes for supercapacitors. Photo by Ben Krain/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Electrodes in today’s market are usually made from expensive metals like platinum, gold, and palladium and can cost thousands of dollars. To address this problem, Bollimpalli created carbon-based electrodes for under $1 using renewable waste products such as tea powder and ��molasses. She won a total of $58,000 in in May at the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was one of two Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award winners, taking home $50,000 as one of the top three presenters at the event, which attracted student researchers from 75 countries. She also won $5,000 for the Best of Category award in chemistry and $3,000 for a first-place finish in the chemistry category. So far, ��Ǳ��貹��’s project has won more than a dozen awards at six competitions in three states, winning about $61,000 in scholarship and prize money. She most recently was a Gold Medal recipient at the Genius Olympiad in Oswego, New York, in June. In March, she won a $1,500 scholarship as one of the top two award winners at the State Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Russellville. At the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair in Conway, she won four awards, including the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Quest Award, which landed her a summer internship with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. “I am very thankful for everyone who helped me with this project. Science is not an individual project. You have to have a collaboration and have the perspectives of many people,” Bollimpalli said. “Dr. Tito and Dr. Siraj were patient in answering all my questions and proofreading my paper and exploring ideas and concepts with me. Dr. Siraj has a way to telling you things that make it stick.”

The best place to do research

Bollimpalli has been conducting research at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with the help of mentors since she was a freshman. She first worked with Dr. Shawn Bourdo in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences to create bioplastic samples to address the amount of plastic waste in the ocean. She synthesized bioplastic materials that could be used to create fast-acting biodegradable plastic shopping bags. “Regular plastics take hundreds of years to degrade, but the bioplastic samples I synthesized biodegraded in a week after you threw them away,” she said. In 2017, Bollimpalli worked with Dr. Anindya Ghosh, professor of chemistry. They used waste carbon dioxide to produce an eco-friendly, less-expensive cyclic carbonates, which are used in lithium ion batteries and pharmaceutical products like lipstick. “I want to continue doing research at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because I have had great mentors and research opportunities here,” Bollimpalli said. “I love the professors and mentors and labs. I’d like to work again with Dr. Tito and Dr. Siraj, and I definitely want to stick within the chemistry department. I am lucky to be one of the few, the professors are willing to mentor. It was a great opportunity to learn so much and to meet all of the people at the international competitions. Getting all of this knowledge before I go to college is going to really give me a step up in college.” The Chemistry Department faculty at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is highly active in research as evidenced by funded research grants, publications, and patents. At the undergraduate level, faculty in the Chemistry Department mentored 15 Undergraduate Research Signature Experience awardees, all of whom presented at the 2018 Student Research and Creative Works Showcase and some at the Chemical Society National Meeting in New Orleans.

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

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