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

Faculty Emeritus Thomas Lynch joins Dean’s Science Council

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:33:52 +0000

In 1999, Dr. Thomas Lynch, faculty emeritus of biology, started donating a portion of every paycheck to create an endowed scholarship in his and his late wife Debbie’s name to benefit biology students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Lynch has watched the Tom and Debbie Lynch Biology Scholarship continue to grow over the past two decades. He has continued to donate to it every month even after retiring from the university in 2014. Lynch has made a lifelong commitment to helping the science and math students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and sees the value in long-term efforts to help them gain a college degree. “The university was very good to me. I worked hard the whole time I was there as did the university community and students, so the scholarship was a mutual benefit for everyone,” Lynch said. Now in retirement, where he spends a large amount of time as an “amateur chef,” Lynch is giving back by encouraging math and science education through his work on the Dean’s Science Council. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs. Their efforts include raising funds for faculty and undergraduate research, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. “I have always wanted to stay active in the university,” Lynch said. “I still have an office on campus that I visit often. The Dean’s Science Council is another great opportunity to stay involved. I want to promote science and math and be involved in raising money and awareness.” Lynch is especially looking forward to helping with the Fribourgh Award Reception, which is named in honor of Lynch’s friend and colleague, the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served the university for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. “He was a wonderful man,” Lynch said. Lynch joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1978. During his career, he also served as associate dean of the College of Science and Math and interim chair of the Department of Math. He has previously served as a board member and past president of the Arkansas AIDS Foundation. As a professor, he always encouraged his students to gain practice by giving research presentations at conferences. “I think one of the highlights of my career was having students make scientific research presentations,” he said. “Our college would always take a bunch of students to the Arkansas Academy of Science. It was really a fun time.” For today’s students, Lynch advises them to get into the lab and complete an undergraduate research experience with a faculty mentor if they want to be successful. “This is where students really learn if they want to be a research scientist or not,” he said. “The more experience you can get, the better biologist, physicist, or chemist that you are going to be. If you are going to apply to graduate school, research experience will be very important on your applications.”

Fribourgh Award Reception raises $60,000 for STEM scholarships at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 14:18:23 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock raised $60,000 for undergraduate mathematics and science students during the eighth annual Fribourgh Award Reception held Sept. 28 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The Fribourgh Award recognizes individuals who made considerable contributions to the state through the disciplines of mathematics and science. Jerry and Sherri Damerow, longtime supporters of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, were honored as this year’s recipients. The Damerows have been ardent supporters of the Fribourgh Award Reception since it began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served the university for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. Jerry Damerow, who serves on the Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is retired Ernst and Young partner and currently chief financial officer at LLC, a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures start-up company, while Sherri Damerow is an artist and retired kindergarten teacher. In 2009, the Damerows began funding an endowed scholarship for mathematics and statistics students that can be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and travel expenses. This year’s Fribourgh Award was created by Michael Warrick, professor of sculpture. Warrick designed a miniature version of his sculpture, �Ԩ�ǳܳٳ�,” which was recently delivered to officials in Hanam, South Korea, to honor the 25th anniversary of the Sister City partnership between Little Rock and Hanam that began in 1992. The 14-inch award is made of bronze, walnut, and gold leaf. Warrick designed the award using 3-D modeling software. The piece is made of bronze, walnut, and gold leaf.

Alfred Williams (left) presents the Fribourgh Award to Jerry Damerow (right) during the Sept. 28 award reception at Pleasant Valley Country Club. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Tom Clifton, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, was proud of the fine example of student support demonstrated by the Damerows and the event’s supporters. Thanks to their generosity, Clifton was proud to announce that the 2017 Fribourgh Award Reception was the highest-grossing fundraiser to support the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. So far, nine students have received scholarships from the fund. The most recent recipient, Lyle Arnette, has a 4.0 GPA and will graduate in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in mathematics. Meanwhile, the 2016 scholarship recipient, John Siratt, received a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and interned with the NASA Langley Research Center this summer. His research finds applications in autopilot and autonomous drone systems to help program computers to correctly navigate planes using spherical geometry. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson praised the event for putting the spotlight on supporting science and mathematics students through scholarships. “The biggest risk factor for students in higher education today is a shortage of money,” Rogerson said. “Often it’s not the lack of determination or intellectual ability that deters students from completing a degree—it’s financial constraints. So scholarship support is crucial to student success, and I thank each of you here tonight for your support and generosity.” There is a need for more students to major in STEM fields to fill gaps in the workforce and promote growth in the state and national economy, Rogerson said. The Center on Education and Workforce projects there will be a 19 percent increase in STEM careers by 2020. “Science is the engine of prosperity,” Rogerson said. “The United States has developed as a global leader, in large part, through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers, and innovators. The number of jobs available in the United States is directly related to advances made in science and engineering.”

Cheryl Avants joins Science Dean’s Council

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 17:12:49 +0000

In 2005, Cheryl Avants, clinical pharmacist for national accounts at, went to great heights to provide an education for African children left orphaned by AIDS. She and her husband, Bill Nowlins, a doctor at Arkansas Surgical Hospital, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, as a fundraiser for a program they helped run, Global Alliance for Africa’s Nurses for Africa program. The program provided scholarships for children in Tanzania who were left orphaned by AIDS to attend college and eventually go back to their homes to provide medical care as nurses. “This is where my interest in education stemmed,” Avants said. “This is when I realized that education was a vital concern for everyone, and that civilization does not advance if we don’t educate our members.” Avants has been active in the Little Rock community, volunteering at organizations like, American Cancer Society, and the Single Parent Scholarship Program. She now spends most of her time volunteering to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. Avants is giving back by serving on the newly formed Science Dean’s Council at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs. Their efforts include raising funds for faculty and undergraduate research, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. “I think that STEM education provides a lot of opportunities,” she said. “Having a science background opens the door to a lot of different careers, whether it’s agriculture or healthcare or technology.” In 2010, Avants started serving on the Dean’s Council for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Science and Math. She also serves on the Science Olympiad Committee, a nationwide organization dedicated to promoting science education through competitive science tournaments. Avants earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She started her career working in pharmaceutical sales and later worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she helped start pharmacy programs in oncology and neonatal healthcare. In 2002, Avants, then working as a Health Information Designs account manager, decided to go back to school to learn how she could incorporate business skills with her knowledge of pharmacy and healthcare. “This is where I first got interested in the data side of healthcare,” Avants said. “I realized I needed more skillsets to broaden my horizon. I wanted to pick up more business skills and learn about how to apply business skills to a healthcare setting.” So Avants joined the Executive Master of Business Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and took weekend classes to finish her degree. Not only did she learn the business skills needed to get ahead, she also started the next step in her career. “The CIO of ��Vlog��ýMS was in my MBA program, and she recruited me to ��Vlog��ýMS,” Avants said. “They brought together several software systems, and I was responsible for integrating the pharmacy software into the new system.” Now Avants is putting all the skills she learned throughout her career and education to work at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. In her current position, Avants is responsible for supporting care management nurses, helping them develop programs that improve patients’ lives, and providing expertise for patients in policy and insurance coverage decisions. “I came to Blue Cross Blue Shield because this position pulls together everything I have ever done in my career,” Avants said. “The education that I have related to biology and pharmacy and business lets me provide the clinical input to make good, effective policy decisions.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alum gives back by serving on newly formed council

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:05:28 +0000

Michael Bauer isn’t sure what direction his life might have taken if a University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor hadn’t taken a special interest in him while he was a graduate student. “I really liked my experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Bauer said. “I didn’t have the highest GPA coming out of my undergraduate education, but Dr. Steve Jennings (former director of the bioinformatics program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock) took a chance on me, accepted me into the program, and guided me through it.” After graduating from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock joint bioinformatics doctoral program with the, Bauer, now 36, is an assistant professor of biomedical informatics at the . Now, Bauer is giving back by serving on the newly formed Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs, including faculty and undergraduate research funding, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. “Dr. Jennings was of real help to me at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” he said. “Now I have a chance to give back and show my appreciation for this university. I want to give others the same opportunity I was given.”

Following a path to success

After completing his undergraduate education, Bauer finished a computer science internship in 2005 for minority students at the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. He collected elevation data and satellite imagery to help create a 3-D flight simulator. “This experience showed me that I wanted to attend graduate school, and that I wanted to do more research.” A native of Farmington, New Mexico, Bauer earned bachelor’s degrees in computer science and biology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, before leaving his desert homeland to pursue graduate degrees at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. As a graduate assistant at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Bauer worked on a National Science Foundation-funded project, WikiHyperGlossary, which served as an information literacy tool for chemistry education. “When I did my graduate research with Dr. Bob Belford, he had this idea to build a tool that would take a document and link it to images, glossaries, and videos, so you would be able to see and understand the concepts as you read them.” Bioinformatics is the science of collecting and analyzing complex biological data such as genetic codes. Bauer describes it as using the power of computers to get a handle on the unbelievably high amount of available biological data. “The human genome has over 3 billion base pairs, and you need supercomputers and that level of computational power to make sense of all that data,” he said. At the Myeloma Institute, Bauer’s work with advanced gene sequencing techniques allows him to develop personalized treatment plans for new myeloma patients. Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bauer’s work helps determine which treatment plan is best for each patient, helping them live longer and have a better quality of life. Bauer hopes bioinformatics will help him discover if there are genetic reasons why African Americans are as other races to be diagnosed with myeloma. “I’m interested in looking at African American health care,” he said. “They seem to be disproportionately diagnosed with myeloma. I want to know why African Americans get myeloma at higher rates than other races.” Bauer and his wife, Akemi, have four children, Kana, Sana, Mana, and Michihito, and reside in Little Rock.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni encourage students to pursue STEM careers

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:37:48 +0000

When Jamilyn Noble was in fourth grade, her brother found a unique way to keep her off his back. “My older brother didn’t want to play monopoly with me because it took so long,” she said. “So he would give me his math worksheets and send me away to solve them.” Jamilyn Noble developed a love for math at an early age and set on a course that would be heavily influenced in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Now Jamilyn Noble and her husband, Nate, both alumni of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who have successful careers in STEM fields, are encouraging students to pursue STEM education through community service. Jamilyn Noble, a test engineer for Northrop Grumman Information Systems, is a 2004 graduate of the Master in Business Administration program, the same program in which her husband is currently enrolled as a student. Nate Noble, an environmental manager with the Arkansas Department of Health, is a 1998 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology. His love for science began in sixth grade, when PBS premiered “3-2-1 Contact,” a children’s television show that explored science concepts. He also wanted to honor his father, who never got a chance to earn a college degree but always dreamed of becoming a math teacher.

Giving back to the community

Knowing the value of a college education, the Nobles volunteer with students and help them succeed in getting to college. For the past two years, they have spread the message of the importance of STEM education as classroom speakers during Career Week at Forest Heights STEM Academy. While attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Noble tutored five days a week. He remembers his first student, a young man who received a full ride to college through a baseball scholarship but struggled with physics. “I just wanted him to keep his scholarship and be able to go to college,” Noble recalled. “He ended up getting an A in physics. I want to make sure that kids stay focused and understand science and math is an option to them.” Noble said the victories he has seen are well worth the time spent volunteering the past 25 years. Those victories include a student who had trouble in math but is now graduating from an aeronautics program in Florida, and a group of four women who were not interested in math and science in high school but are now pursuing math and science majors in college. “Seeing the light turn on with a child is what makes it worth it,” he said. “It’s worth it to take someone who didn’t think they have an aptitude in math and science and show them how to maximize that potential.” Noble was recently named to the newly created Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs, including faculty and undergraduate research funding, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. Noble has seen far too many students, especially young women, avoid math and science classes by the time they get to high school and is saddened by the career options they give up by that decision. Jamilyn, too, is focused on helping girls pursue education and careers focused on STEM. She volunteers with, a University of Central Arkansas event that shows eighth-grade girls what careers they can have in STEM fields. She volunteered as a speaker during the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’s annual program, a two-day conference that encourages eighth-grade girls to pursue STEM courses in high school. She also worked on the foundation’s Central Arkansas Grants Committee, which allocates funds for STEM projects. “What really inspires me is the fact that I am the result of somebody else’s sacrifice,” Jamilyn said. “There are so many that sacrificed so that I could get an education. I spend my life trying to pay them back.”

Building successful careers in STEM

Near the end of the cold war, Noble spent five years (three stationed in West Germany) working in U.S. Army Intelligence as a Russian linguist who intercepted and translated Soviet communications from 1987 to 1992.

Jamilyn and Nate Noble. Photo by Angie Faller/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Nate Noble got a job as a quality control laboratory technician at Coca-Cola Inc. while a senior at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The job opening was advertised in the science building where he took classes. Later on, he spent six years working with the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where he examined physical evidence for DNA and analyzed samples for controlled substances. As a forensic scientist, he served as an expert witness in criminal trials and was certified in the dismantling and destruction of methamphetamine labs. In 2004, Noble transferred to the Arkansas Department of Health, where he analyzed drinking water for contamination. As the interim environmental manager for the central region of Arkansas, Noble is responsible for directing operations of the public health program for two offices and conducting environmental health inspections. After Jamilyn earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Hendrix College, she spent more than 20 years working in software technology. She worked for Acxiom Corporation as a senior database project leader, senior data administrator, and delivery process architect. In 2006, she moved to Northrop Grumman Information Systems, where she is a test engineer. The Nobles’ love for STEM was passed to the next generation. Their 8-year-old son, Cohen, has participated in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s SLUFY summer camp for the past three years. “He loves it,” Jamilyn said. “In our house, STEM education is a must.”

Jerry and Sherri Damerow to receive ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fribourgh Award

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:12:03 +0000

Jerry and Sherri Damerow, longtime supporters of STEM education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will be honored during the eighth annual Fribourgh Award Reception. The Fribourgh Award recognizes individuals who made considerable contributions to the state through the disciplines of mathematics and science. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Pleasant Valley Country Club. Proceeds benefit the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate students. Jerry Damerow, a retired Ernst & Young partner, is on the board of Southern Bancorp and is chief financial officer of InterveXion Therapeutics LLC. He and his wife, Sherri, a retired kindergarten teacher, said the award presents a great opportunity to highlight the importance of STEM education. “Math, chemistry, physics, biology, and many more classes are the core STEM education classes we are supporting,” he said. “If students have a weak foundation in these core classes, it prevents us from preparing students for the jobs of the future.” The Damerows believe helping students earn a college degree in a STEM area represents a “commitment to lifelong learning,” a goal the couple has supported for many years. In 2009, the Damerows began funding an endowed scholarship for mathematics and statistics students that can be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and travel expenses. Jerry Damerow recently was named chair of the newly created Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs, including faculty and undergraduate research funding, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. Jerry Damerow works at LLC, a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures start-up company that has a drug candidate for the treatment of methamphetamine in clinical trials. His previous experience includes serving as associate director of ��Vlog��ýMS BioVentures; as a managing partner for Ernst & Young operations in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Southeast Asia; and as a management consultant for early stage businesses. His civic and professional involvement includes serving as a member and past director of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, as past board chair of the EAST Initiative, as chair of board of directors, as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Business Advisory Council member, and as a former chair of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Council. Sherri Damerow is a retired kindergarten teacher and artist. She has been involved in numerous charitable causes, including teaching computer skills to seniors at the ��Vlog��ýMS and volunteering with and the Humane Society of Pulaski County. The Damerows have been ardent supporters of the Fribourgh Award Reception since it began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served the university for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. Jerry Damerow, who knew Dr. Fribourgh through their mutual membership in the Rotary Club of Little Rock, said he and his wife were honored to receive the award named after someone who made so many contributions to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Dr. Fribourgh was a great guy,” he said. “To receive an award with his name on it is extra special.” Past recipients of the award include Jerry B. Adams, president and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance; H. Watt Gregory III, partner at Kutak Rock LLP; Dr. Charles E. Hathaway, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chancellor emeritus and Donaghey distinguished professor; Peter Banko, president and CEO of St. Vincent Health System; Dr. James Hendren, former CEO and chairman of Arkansas Systems Inc., and Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology. Tickets are on sale for $75 per person ($50 is tax deductible). Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000. Tickets and sponsorships are available online or by contacting Derek Boyce at dcboyce@ualr.edu or 501.416.0611.

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

Faculty Emeritus Thomas Lynch joins Dean’s Science Council

Fribourgh Award Reception raises $60,000 for STEM scholarships at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Cheryl Avants joins Science Dean’s Council

����Vlog��ý Little Rock alum gives back by serving on newly formed council

����Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni encourage students to pursue STEM careers

Jerry and Sherri Damerow to receive ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Fribourgh Award

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

Fribourgh Award Reception raises $60,000 for STEM scholarships at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alum gives back by serving on newly formed council

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni encourage students to pursue STEM careers

Jerry and Sherri Damerow to receive ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fribourgh Award