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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces Winners of 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Expo Winners

John Hill — Thu, 19 May 2022 18:16:07 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the winners of the 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Expo. This year’s event took place outside between the Ottenheimer Library and the Cooper Fountain on April 8. It was the first in-person student expo that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has hosted in three years. More than 90 undergraduate and graduate students showcased their academic and creative work and community projects at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo. The winners and their awards include:

Computer Science/Information Science

First Place, Graduate Student, Dayo Banjo and Connice Trimmingham, ImageToon
Second Place, Graduate Student, Carlos Ochoa, Smartphone-based AR/MR video passthrough headset prototype
First Place, Undergraduate Student, Danica Mobley, Immersive VR Application for the Performing Arts

Creative Work

First Place, Undergraduate Student, Emma Chambers, Sourcing from Nature: Making and Using Paint from Locally Sources Pigments Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Kevin Davidson, Restoration of Fluid Circuit Apparatus Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Julia McPeake, Modern Life, A Satire of Modern Life

Economics

First Place, Undergraduate Student, Caleb Boutin, Destroying Ships or the Industry: Legal and Economic Consequences of Not Defining a Ship in the Shipbreaking Industry a Vessel

Education

First Place, Undergraduate Student, Samantha Cougill, Touching History
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, David Caldwell, Peer Engagement: In-person vs. Online using Learning Assistants

Engineering/Engineering Technology/Construction Management

First Place, Graduate Student, Phillip Bryan, Engineering Consistency in Large 3D Prints
Second Place, Graduate Student, Nilesh Chaudhari, Study of fluidization behavior of solid waste materials for sustainable production of carbon neutral/negative green fuels
Third Place, Graduate Student, Hatim Raji, Effect of Composition on Damping Characteristics of NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students showcase their research and creative work during the 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Expo. Photos by Ben Krain.

First Place, Undergraduate Student, Michael Frey, Modernizing Motorcycle Instrumentation and Display
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Noah French, EZ-Transport Folding Canoe
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Michael Flowers, Cost-Benefit of Adding Wind-turbine Generator
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Nuh Jakoet, Drowsy driving detection with EEG signals and sensor fusion.
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Ibrahim Suid, Reinforced Shape Memory Polymer Composites Actuator for Surgical Devices

Health Science

First Place, Undergraduate Student, Anabelen Rodriguez
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Cecile Barnes
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Khristina Huff

Humanities

First Place, Undergraduate Student, Jordan Hancock, Masculinity and Felinity in William Blake’s Fallen World as Told through Large Colored Prints
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Aiyana Burgess, Talking Knots – Quipu Theories and Narratives throughout the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Carmen Ramirez, Influences of Native Guatemalan Music on the compositions of Jesus Castillo (1877-1946)

Interdisciplinary

First Place, Undergraduate Student, Ahad Nadeem, Student-created H5P Practice Questions for Biology Students
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Nicholas Jaeger, Analyzing the Constitutionality of Blue Laws through the Scope of the Commerce Clause
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Mataya Duncan, The effects of different trellising systems on blackberries

Life Science

First Place, Graduate Student, Samantha Macchi, Investigation of cytotoxicity mechanism of porphyrin-based nanomedicine
Second Place, Graduate Student, Nazneen Begum, Osh6 down-regulates pro-aging TORC1 via Gga2
Third Place, Graduate Student, Andrew Ramirez, Elucidate the function of vacuolar-ATPase B subunit 1 gene on root structure and development
First Place, Undergraduate Student, Sadie Goss, Tunable filtration systems for pollutant removal
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Amie Brint, A Continuation of GSDMD’s Function in Multiple Sclerosis
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Gabrielle Roberts, The Study of Gasdermin D Mutation in Cancer Research
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Ibraheem Abbood, Mutagenesis of Staphylococcus epidermidis to inhibit Biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces

Dr. Kirk Leach listens to Samantha Cougill present her project, Touching History, during the 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Expo. Photo by Ben Krain.

Physical Science

First Place, Graduate Student, Ghusoon Al Bazzar, Synthesis and characterization of Low- cost, High-performance Cu2O – ZnO Core-Shell nanorods
Second Place, Graduate Student, Mavis Forson, Photophysical Characterization of Porphyrin-Fullerene Dyads
Third Place, Graduate Student, Karie Sanford, Catalytic degradation of macromolecules using benign method
First Place, Undergraduate Student, Meagan Herbold, Applied Physics for the Design and Construction of Articulated, Electronic Wings
First Place, Undergraduate Student, Ruby Trotter, Nanomaterial Effects on Degradation of Polymer Biomaterials
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Lauv Patel, MTA nucleosidase inhibition through mutant kinetic characterization
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Tayler Gamble, Studies in the hydridic reduction reactions of alkynyl hydrazones via sigmatropic rearrangement to form allenes

Service Work/Professional Application

First Place, Tyler Riley and Angelita Faller, Student Perceptions of Textbooks and Course Material: Program Assessment for Ottenheimer Library

Social Science

First Place, Graduate Student, Ronia Kattoum, Factors that Determine if Students See Themselves as Future Chemistry Learning Assistants
Second Place, Graduate Student, Trye Price, A Qualitative Examination of Victimization among LGBTQIA+ Adults in Arkansas
Third Place, Graduate Student, Lacey Roughton, Non-Religious Identity and Experiences of Crime
First Place, Undergraduate Student, Ahad Nadeem, Food Deserts in Little Rock
Second Place, Undergraduate Student, Cameron Russell, Examining the Evolution of ICC Funding
Third Place, Undergraduate Student, Anthony Best, Building a tool for measuring the Decibel Analysis for Research in Teaching

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Faculty Excellence and Student Research Expo

John Hill — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:59:28 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock will host two important university events this week to showcase faculty and student work at its best. First is the 33rd annual Faculty Excellence Awards, which recognizes, encourages, and rewards outstanding work in teaching, research, and public service. The Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence will also be presenting their spring and fall 2021 ATLE Awards. The 2022 Faculty Excellence Awards will be held at 5:30 p.m. April 7 in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Auditorium. The event can be viewed online as well. The link to the livestream will be sent out on April 7. Each year, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock showcases the work of undergraduate and graduate students with the Student Research and Creative Works Expo. It is also an opportunity for Signature Experience awardees to feature their completed research projects. This year’s expo will be held from 2-4 p.m. April 8. Students will be presenting their work outside from the Chi Omega Courtyard to Cooper Fountain. The event will be the first in-person expo since Spring 2019 and is free and open to the public.

Applications for Signature Experience Grants Open Until Oct. 15

John Hill — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 16:47:05 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is accepting applications for the university’s Signature Experience Program until Oct. 15. The program encourages and supports students in developing strong research or creative projects mentored by faculty members during the 2021-22 academic year. The Signature Experience Program was established in 2017 to provide students with up to $1,000 in funding to complete a research project, creative activity, service work, or professional application project that will deepen their ��Vlog��ý Little Rock experience. In the fall of 2021, faculty mentors will assist students in applying for this grant. Students will present their finished project in the spring semester at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo. To receive a Signature Experience grant, students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and have a faculty member to mentor the project. “In the fall, you will articulate your research project and methodologies; hopefully getting supplies, and beginning to carry out your research in the spring semester,” said Dr. Jeremy Ecke, director of undergraduate research. “Think about it as a year-long opportunity to link yourself with mentors and gain experience in your major. We are interested in providing opportunities for students in creative work and disciplines that support service work and professional development.” A portion of awards is reserved for freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students of the 2021-22 academic year. Another subset of awards is reserved for graduate students who do not have access to adequate funding. Prior awards and projects, incomplete prior projects, and equity in colleges, departments, and mentors will all be taken into account by Student Research and Creative Works Committee members in their review and awarding of grants to encourage new research projects and broad participation in the Signature Experience Program. Applications can be filled out at this link. Examples of abstracts, budgets, biographies, and past Research Expo programs are also available on the Signature Experience website. For more information, please email or call Dr. Jeremy Ecke at 501-297-3925 or jsecke@ualr.edu.

Johnson Explores Economic Impact on Towns Featured in ‘Small Business Revolution’

John Hill — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 21:34:23 +0000

Josiah Johnson, a senior finance and economics major from Sherwood, is researching the impact on small towns that have been nominated for and featured on the TV show “Small Business Revolution.” In the TV show, an ultimate prize of $500,000 is awarded to a small town for revitalization efforts. The prize is allocated primarily to six business ventures in each winning town to renovate stores and storefronts, improve marketing strategies, and establish a brand for each small business and town. “Small Business Revolution” became well known in Arkansas when Searcy was selected as the season four winner of the Small Business Revolution Main Street Competition and the recipient of $500,000 for revitalization for six small businesses and the downtown area.�� Johnson is analyzing data from 59 towns that were nominated for or appeared on the show. He is utilizing the contest among small towns for a large revitalization award to study the spillover effects and general efficacy of small business initiatives in small towns. The project compares and quantifies the impact of the award on various economic outcomes of winning towns relative to non-winning nominees. Johnson was awarded first place in the Economics Division for his project, “Estimating the Impact of Small Businesses on Crime in the Local Community,” at the 2021 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Research and Creative Works Expo. Johnson received a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Signature Experience Award to help fund his research. Johnson also received the 2021 Karen M. Russ Memorial Award for Excellence in Research and a $500 scholarship. The award is named in honor of Karen Russ, who worked as the research and community engagement librarian in Ottenheimer Library when she passed away in 2017. “I knew I wanted to look at small businesses and how to improve them,” Johnson said. “My mentor, Dr. Rhet Smith, and I came up with the idea of studying the impact of being on the show. Being on ‘Small Business Revolution’ has a distinct, instant impact for the towns. We wanted to know what happened to towns that win compared to towns that don’t.” Johnson is examining data that includes but is not limited to sales tax receipts from the Internal Revenue Service, gross domestic product from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and local employment and wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the second phase of research, Johnson collected crime data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program to explore the second-order effect of the investment on crime. “If there is economic growth, is there an effect on crime?” Johnson said. “For example, if there are more people on Main Street, there could be an increase in pickpocketing. However, perhaps more eyes on the street or more employment opportunities would deter and prevent criminal activity. Preliminary results suggest that winning towns experience relatively fewer property crimes suggesting that investments in small businesses and main street revitalization initiatives can have larger impacts than strictly economic ones. They can potentially be a creative method of crime reduction. ” Johnson, who is also a market research assistant in the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, is expanding his research as part of his final project for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. After he graduates in December, Johnson plans to work in economic research and publish the results of his research in an academic journal next year. He said the results of his project will be of interest to investors and policy makers looking into developing small business initiatives and programs in the future.

DeKay examines factors that affect how Little Rock congregation members prioritize community issues

John Hill — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:00:31 +0000

One University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is diving deeper into the results from the 2020 Little Rock Congregations Study (LRCS) to investigate the influence of income, politics, and religion on how people prioritize important community issues. Landon DeKay, a senior graduate with a degree in political science, received a Signature Research Grant from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to examine how LRCS study participants prioritize healthcare, race relations, and income equality. “The data from the 2020 Little Rock Congregations Study presents a unique opportunity to examine the interplay of religion, politics, and income,” DeKay said. “The extensive survey contains variables that enable me to test hypotheses regarding the influence of income, politics, and religion on the community issues that congregants prioritize.” DeKay recently won first place in the Social Sciences Division in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Research and Creative Works Expo for his presentation, “Community Issues in Little Rock: The Interplay Between Religion, Politics, and Income.” “This spring, I worked with Landon on an independent study where he is digging deeper into the data, learning more sophisticated statistical analysis techniques, and seeking to better understand these complex social phenomena,” said Dr. Rebecca Glazier, DeKay’s faculty mentor and head of the LRCS. “Landon is an excellent student, and this grant allowed him to have an educational experience that pushes his learning beyond what he would have received in a traditional classroom. I am really excited for him and proud of what he has accomplished.” The 2020 LRCS contains survey results from 2,293 people from 35 congregations in Little Rock. Additional factors such as age, income, tithing, political activity, and race were also explored as factors that affect issue prioritization. His findings include:

Community engagement is the factor that has the greatest impact on whether people prioritize healthcare

Ideology is the factor that has the greatest impact on whether people prioritize income inequality

Community engagement is the factor that has the greatest impact on whether people prioritize race relations

While past explanations of issue prioritization focus on ideology and income, DeKay did not find the same findings for income among the LRCS participants. Income didn’t have a significant impact on the prioritization of healthcare and income inequality. Although income is a significant factor to determine how people prioritize race relations, it’s not the most important factor, falling behind community engagement, ideology, political activity and tithing. “Income was not as significant as other factors,” DeKay said. “Community engagement and ideology are the factors that are the most important when people look at which community issues to prioritize.”

Graduate Chance Melby Has Provided Cybersecurity Education for Hundreds of Arkansas Students

John Hill — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:17:49 +0000

Chance Melby, a Donaghey Scholar from Cabot, first got hooked on cybersecurity when he interned with the Cabot Public School District Technology Department during high school.�� “Originally, I was accepted into the Donaghey Scholars Program and that solidified my choice into going to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Melby said. “I also heard the Computer Science Program was one of the best in the state. I saw the opportunities that computer science and the City of Little Rock could give me. I wanted to get my foot in the door and learn new things. I knew ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was a place where I could excel.” He graduated this semester with a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a focus on cybersecurity and is looking forward to a future career in cybersecurity. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is starting its first bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity this fall. Melby has been instrumental in the development of the Cyber Arena, which provides cloud-based cybersecurity education for K-12 students in Arkansas. “I discovered that Arkansas has too many unfilled cybersecurity positions and not enough skilled professionals,” Melby said. “To address this issue, I dedicated myself to ensuring that each Arkansas student has the opportunity to learn about cybersecurity so that our communities may use their future expertise to protect everyone’s data and privacy.” As a hands-on learner, Melby dedicated himself to studying and participating in competitions that would propel his skills in cybersecurity. He served as president of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Cybersecurity Club and participated in events like the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, Jolt Hackathon, United States Cyber Challenge, and Walmart’s Sp4rckCon 2.0. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Arena hosts educational materials and threat exercises on cybersecurity for students and teachers on the Google Cloud platform. Melby has created nine out of the 24 labs available on the cloud. These labs have been used by more than 450 K-12 students across 80 Arkansas schools. “Chance has worked on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Arena since the beginning and has seen it reach schools all across Arkansas,” said Philip Huff, assistant professor of computer science at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “The workouts he develops are always popular among students. He has a gift for communicating the complexities of cybersecurity in a way students connect with and enjoy.” Melby recently won second place in the university’s Student Research and Creative Works Expo for one of the educational projects he’s developed for the Cyber Arena, “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Classified: An Intentionally Vulnerable Web Application Focused on Teaching K-12 and Undergraduate Students about Web Application Security.” “The web application is called ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Classified because it has a story element attached to it in which fictional Cyber Arena employees try to secure classified flags,” Melby said. “They do a horrible job at it, hence the vulnerable web application. The student is tasked with finding those flags. By providing fun, engaging scenarios about ‘secret classified documents’ and challenging yet straightforward exercises to retrieve these ‘documents,’ more students could excel and learn about web application security.” As he became more adept in web application development and cybersecurity, Melby used his skills to work with Cyber Arena partners.�� “The first partnership I worked with was the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) for a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification assessment hosted as a Google Cloud container web application,” he said. “After that project, I took up my current project with the NSA on threat exercises to teach about protecting private healthcare information from IoT attacks.” Melby counts Dr. Simon Hawkins and Dr. Jessica Scott from the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program as mentors who “gave me an opportunity that changed my life.” “Chance is going to go do great things in cybersecurity. He has an evangelical zeal on the topic,” said Hawkins, director of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. “He explains the complexity of the field so well that he can make even the most befuddled liberal arts professor feel that they understand the ideas. He is committed to working with the growing cybersecurity industry in Central Arkansas.” Chance is also thankful to Philip Huff for always making his life interesting in college. “He is my primary advisor, professor, my mentor, and boss,” Melby said. “He gave me the opportunity to work with Arkansas students through the Cyber Arena, and taught me so many technical skills. He’s taught me so much. If Philip Huff wasn’t at this university, I believe we’d be having a different conversation. My story might not even have been interesting enough to tell.” Melby also volunteers with Girls of Promise as part of a virtual program to educate and encourage young women interested in STEM about career opportunities in cybersecurity through the Cyber Arena. “There are not enough skilled cybersecurity professionals out there,” Melby said. “Women are underrepresented in the STEM area. With this program and my volunteering, I was hoping to encourage these young women to get interested in a STEM career, hopefully cybersecurity.” Following his graduation, Melby will start an internship at Arkansas Electric Cooperative, begin testing for more certifications, and look for a permanent position in cybersecurity. “What’s next is to get my foot in the door to find a career in cybersecurity in Arkansas,” Melby said. “Even though I’ve graduated, I’ll still be a student at heart going for these certifications in computer science and cybersecurity. Now that I’ve graduated, it’s surreal to think how four years went by so fast. Now I’m ready to get out there and put what I learned to the test.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Research and Creative Works Expo Begins April 16

John Hill — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 17:29:25 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s 2021 Student Research and Creative Works Expo will debut to the public Friday, April 16, featuring the latest research and innovations of student researchers at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� The event will be hosted virtually through Whova, a free event app. The expo will be open to the public through July 12, allowing members of the Little Rock and campus community to attend the presentation of students’ projects. Judging will take place from April 16-19.�� Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to present their ongoing research projects, service or professional work, and creative projects. Student researchers are exploring everything from using combination therapy to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria to the creation of micro droids inspired by the “Star Wars” universe to an assessment of the university’s graduate student orientation program. The expo will feature presentations by the 2021 winners of the Signature Experience Awards, which provides students with grants to fund a signature experience, such as a research project, creative activity, or community project, to enrich the students’ academic experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� “In its fourth year, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Signature Experience has matured into a foundational pillar of undergraduate and graduate student research and creative work with the generous support of the Donaghey Foundation,” said Dr. Jeremy Ecke, director of undergraduate research at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “As we look forward to our second virtual expo and celebrate the adaptivity and endurance of our students, we have made several important changes. Shifting to a mainly web-based platform will allow attendees and judges to experience enhanced portfolios with handouts, pictures, asynchronous videos, and even live-streaming presentations.” Some of the projects at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo include: In a project entitled, “Wireless Charging with Magnetic Resonance,” students Christa Hindman, Joshua Maxwell, Alexandria Smith, Samuel Zargari, and Hirak Patangia are exploring a more efficient method to charge electric vehicles. In “Detecting Plant Diseases with AI,” Maximilian Holzmueller plans to build and train a machine learning model to identify common plant diseases in hydroponic produce. The goal of the project is to develop a plant disease detection application and a business case with a local startup (Agrowponics). If the business model is feasible and Agrowponics is satisfied with the final concept and the analysis, it will be rolled out as a complementary service for the company’s customers. In “Estimating the Impact of Small Businesses on Crime in the Local Community,” Josiah Johnson is utilizing a contest among small towns for a $500,000 revitalization award to study the spillover effects and general efficacy of small business initiatives in small towns. By surveying towns nominated for the TV show “Small Business Revolution,” the project compares and quantifies the impact of the award on various economic outcomes of winning towns relative to non-winning nominees. The results of this project will be of interest to investors and policy makers for future small business initiatives and programs in the U.S. “As we have come to expect with the Student Research and Creative Works Expo, this year’s projects highlight the innovation and diversity of student research at its best,” Ecke said. “Please join us on April 16 to learn more about the many exciting projects at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” To register for the event, you can sign up . Once you have been registered, participants will receive notification from an expo committee member and can sign in or create an account to join the event . A brief video outlining the registration process and Whova event platform is available .��

2020 Student Research and Creative Works Expo moves online

John Hill — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 16:39:59 +0000

The 2020 Student Research and Creative Works Expo launches April 17 and will be conducted through the free event app Whova. “We are excited to be able to continue the 2020 Expo as a virtual venue and hope you can join us to celebrate the hard work of our students, faculty, and the members of the Student Research and Creative Works Committee,” said Dr. Jeremy Ecke, director of undergraduate research and chair of the Department of English. Whova can host more than 700 free attendees. Members of the university community and the public are invited to attend this year’s expo to have the chance to check out the university’s student research. Those who would like to attend the expo can fill out this brief . ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will share the app download so attendees can start exploring the amazing work of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s student mentees and faculty mentors. During April 20-24, workshops will be held to orient presenters and judges who are new to Whova. Judging will begin April 27 and end May 1.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock announces 2019-20 Signature Experience Awards

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:16:50 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has selected nearly 125 students as recipients of 2019-20 Signature Experience grants.�� Since 2017, the program has provided ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students with a grant of up to $1,000 to fund a signature experience, such as a research project, creative activity, or community project, to enrich the students’ academic experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� This year’s 124 awards include projects that range from the delivery of drugs for bone tissue disease and cancer using nanotechnology and the creation of a voice-controlled drone to assist people with disabilities to the design and optimization of a portable medical scooter. For the first time, a subset of grants were awarded to freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students to encourage research projects by new college students. Also for the first time, Signature Experience grants were awarded to graduate students to encourage advanced research projects.�� “In support of retention efforts aimed at getting students involved in research so they identify with their majors or programs early in their academic careers, 19 percent of our grants went to support projects undertaken by freshmen, sophomores, or students in their first year as a transfer student,” said Dr. Ecke, director of the Signature Experience Program. “At the other end of the spectrum, for the first year since its inception, the Signature Experience Program funded 29 graduate student projects.” Recipients of the Signature Experience grants will exhibit their work at the 2020 Student Research and Creative Works Showcase on April 17, 2020.�� The Signature Experience grant winners and their respective colleges are as follows:

College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Zayna Abdulla, a junior studying English and biology, mentored by Anindya Gosh – “A Novel, Injectable Hydrogel Based on Guar Gum for Anti-cancer Drug Delivery” Reem Adai, a sophomore studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles By Laser Ablation” Anthony Aloi, a junior studying chemistry and biology – “Laser-induced Graphene Nanofiltration Membranes for Water Purification” Nabeel Alwan, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “The Role of Functional Groups of Porphyrin as a Photodynamic Therapy Nanodrug” Emily Anderson, a senior studying biology, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Silver Nanoparticle Conjugated Glucose Oxidase for Prevention and Growth of Bacteria” Michael Appiah-Kubi, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Controlling the Pore Sizes of Graphene Oxide Nanostructures through Hydrothermal Reactions for Efficient Water Purification” Mujeebat Bashiru, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Room Temperature Phosphorescent Materials for Use in Optoelectronic Application” Assem Basurrah, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia Using MoS2-based Nanocatalysts” Alexis Boling, a freshman mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “Mom and Me STEM” Marvin Bonney, a graduate student studying applied physics, mentored by John Nichols – “Investigation of Strain Effects in Superconducting Magnesium Diboride Thin Films” Jess Brasher, a senior studying theatre arts, mentored by Lawrence Smith – “1,000 Cranes 10,000 Thoughts: Trans Narrative in Performance” Stuti Chatterjee, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Effect of Nanoparticle’s Morphology towards the Cellular Uptake, Toxicity and Selectivity to Cancer Cells” Meghan Clark, a senior studying biology, mentored by Nawab Ali – “Effect of Oxidative Stress on Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) Mediated via Endoplasmic Reticulum Multiple Inositol Polyphosphate Phosphatase 1 (Minpp1)” Sarah Coffman, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Esterification of Aromatic Aldehyde using Nickel” Thomas Coleman, a graduate student studying interdisciplinary studies, mentored by Heather Hummel – “Intersections of Poetry and Music” Ivy Crowe, a junior studying English, mentored by Jeffrey Condran – “Braddock Avenue Books Spring Catalogue at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference, San Antonio, Texas, March 2020” Iris Denmark, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – Synthesis of Conductive Materials from Chemically Treated Renewable Carbon Precursors for Use in Energy Applications Kajal Desai, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Graphene Oxide-MoS2 Composite Membranes for Arsenic and Lead Polluted Water Purification” LaDarius Doaks, a senior studying dance and psychology, mentored by Robin Neveu Brown – “WithIN MOTION: BFA senior Dance Project Film” Yousef Elbalawy, a sophomore studying biology, mentored by Nawab Ali – “Effect of Microgravity on the Expression of Multiple Inositol Polyphosphate Phosphatase” Rad Elsaidi, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Anti-Microbial Effects of GSDMD” Sakr Elsaidi, a post baccalaureate student studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Topological Nanomaterials” Taiwo Famuyiwa, a graduate student studying applied mathematics and statistics, mentored by Wei Zhang – “Develop New Machine Learning Methods for Integrative Analysis” Ashi Franke, a senior studying graphic design/web design and development, mentored by Lynne Ellsworth Larsen – “Bauhaus’ Renaissance and the Future of UI/UX Design” Luke Geoffrion, a graduate student studying applied physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Colloidal Topological Insulators” Cordell Gilreath, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Examination of the Enzymatic Characteristics of Borrelia Burgdorferi” Taylor Green, a senior studying theatre arts, mentored by Lawrence Smith – “Uncovering Elaine: The Story of the Elaine Massacre of 1919” Carmen Gutierrez, a junior studying dance, mentored by Stephanie Thibeault – “Nature vs. Nurture: The Roots of Movement Preferences Amongst Dancers” Yanping Harville, a senior studying biology and geology, mentored by Scott Woolbright – “Toxic Effects of Acetaminophen on Bacteria from a Probiotic Supplement Utilized as a Surrogate for the Human Gastrointestinal Microbiome” Tina Hesabizadeh, a junior studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Quantum Structructure of Selenium Nanoparticles” Evan Hicks, a senior studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Tellurium Quantum Wires” Amanda Jalihal, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Near Infrared Ionic Dye Pairs for Optimization of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells” Travis Jumper, a transfer student studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Polyamide Formation via a Nickel Pincer Catalyst” Rawan Kattom, a junior studying biology, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Cellulose-based Doped Carbon Materials for the Efficient Degradation of NPs Under Visible Light” Caroline Kornelsen, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Investigation of Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in Ionic Materials” Hannah Krehbiel, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Application of Ionic Materials in Organic Solar Cells” Thuy Le, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Understanding of Stretchability and Conductivity Characterization of PEDOT:PSS/ionic Liquid for Flexible Electronics” Samantha Macchi, a doctoral student studying applied science, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Molasses-derived Nitrogen and Silicon Co-doped Carbon Material for Use as Electrocatalyst in ORR for Fuel Cell Application” Mary Melissa Miller, a graduate student studying History of art, mentored by Floyd Martin – “Titian’s Venus of Urbino: A New Interpretation” Brandon Moore, a senior studying biology, mentored by John Bush – “The Use of a Dominant-negative Rab32c Protein from Slime Mold, Dictyostelium Discoideum, for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Humans” Gary Morris, a graduate student studying biology, mentored by Scott Woolbright – “Urban Ecology of Pearl Crescent Butterflies in the Little Rock Metropolitan Region” Daniel Nde, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Investigating Algae-derived Reduced Graphene Oxide Membranes for Ionic and Molecular Nanofiltration” Thao Nguyen, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Hong Li Wang – “Enzymatic Characterization of Bgp from B. Burgdorferi, the Main Causative Agent in Lyme Disease in the United States” Anil Parameswaran-Thankam, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Guar Plant Based Injectable, Thermoresponsive Hydrogel for Bone Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery” Lauv Patel, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Enzymatic Characterization of E11Q Mutant of Methylthioadenosine Nucleosidase from S. Aureus” Chandrasimha Penthala, a junior studying biology, mentored by John Bush – “The Synthesis and Testing of Nanostructured Stainless Steel Wires by In Vitro Antibacterial Studies for Dental Application” Humendra Poudel, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Synthesis of Nanomaterials and Its Application in the Biomedical Field” Atikur Rahman, a graduate student studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis and Characterization of Core Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles” Olgaaurora Rodriguez, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Biomass-derived Nanofiltration Membranes for Drinking Water Purification” Taylor Scifres, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Soy Meal as Supercapacitor” Logan Sellen, a senior studying physics, mentored by Yslan Hicks – “Shelter We Seek: An Examination of the Cyclical Patterns of Abuse through Playwriting and Production” Tripti Shukla, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Enzymatic Studies of a Triple Mutant of MTA Nucleosidase from S. Aureus” Kaitlin Simmons, a senior studying molecular biotechnology, mentored by Qingfang He – “Effects of Phosphate Limitation on Contamination of Synechocystis sp. PCCC 6803 and a Histidine Kinase Deletion Mutant” Damanpreet Singh, a senior studying biology, mentored by Qingfang He – “Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria for Sustainable Production of Cinnamic Acid” Peter Szwedo, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Small Molecule Activation Using a Nickel (II) Pincer Complex” Patrick Taylor, a junior studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers Jose Vivanco, a freshman studying physics, mentored by Tansel Karabacak – “Superhydrophobic Nanostructured Surfaces for Atmospheric Water Generator Application” Rebekah White, a graduate student studying applied bioscience, mentored by Qingfang He – “Functions of DspA in Photosynthesis and Cellular Fitness”

College of Education and Health Professions

Sedre’Auna Griddine, a graduate student studying health education and promotion, mentored by Katie Helms – “Exercise Incentive Programs: Motivation and Longitudinal Effectiveness” Eric Nix, a senior nursing major, mentored by Jennifer Bridges – “Nursing Students’ Knowledge of the Morse Fall Scale and the STRATIFY Tool” Kaylin Orrell, a senior studying communication sciences and disorders, mentored by Donna Kelly –” An Investigation of Evidenced-Based Treatments for Children and Adults who Present with an Acquired Language, Language-related and/or Cognitive Impairment”

College of Social Sciences and Communication

Mariam Bouzihay, a senior studying psychology and information technology, mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “Drone Rural: Classroom Exploration” Jacob Chisom, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Avinash Thombre – “Diffusion of Climate Change Reducing Strategies in Farmers of Southeast Arkansas” Brandy Dailey, a graduate student studying public administration, mentored by Kirk Leach – “Evaluation of Batterer Intervention Programs as a Tool to Enhance Offender Accountability” Solomon Davis, a senior studying philosophy and interdisciplinary studies, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Working Better Together: How Material and Symbolic Transitional Justice Affect Post-Civil War Peace” Desiree Doyle, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Avinash Thombre – “Arrival of Hybrid K-Pop culture in Arkansas: An Examination of BlackPink Adoption Among Young Adults” Sadie Goss, a junior studying criminal justice and chemistry, mentored by Robert Lytle – “Paying for Past Crimes: Employment and Prisoner Re-entry amongst Former Serious and Violent Offenders” Zachary Jones, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Louise Lowe – “Ottenheimer Library Space and Perception Study: Evidence-based Inquiry Using Student-Led Focus Groups” Tiffany Meeks, a junior studying applied communication, mentored by April Chatham-Carpenter – “Growth, Maturity, and Stress: Study of Identity Changes through Early Management” Madison Rodgers, a junior studying political science, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Women in Government and the Relationship Between the State and Women’s Rights NGOs” Taylor Toombs, a junior studying political science, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Transitional Justice and Gender” Marisha Twillie, a senior studying applied communication, mentored by Kristen McIntyre – “The Power of Biracial Women’s Code-switching” Ashley Walker, a junior studying criminal justice, mentored by James Golden – “Evaluating Domestic Violence Batterer’s Intervention Programs and their Potential to Reduce Recidivism for Domestic Abusers” Joshua Williams, a sophomore studying international studies, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Arab-Israelis in Evolving Israeli Politics”

George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology

Alejandro (Alex) Alvarez-Barreiro, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering technology and Spanish, mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “BB-8 Continued” Andrew Bomberger, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Philip Huff – “Cyber Security Cloud Competition Controller” Jannice Bonilla, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Multi-Configuration Tower Building Robot: An ASME Student Design Competition Contender” Justin Bullard, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Mamdouh Bakr – “Portable Folding Laptop Stand” Josh Carlat, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Sean Orme – “A Look into the Feasibility of Teaching Game Engine Design at the Undergraduate Level” Gabriel Castro, a transfer student studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Measurement of In-plane Surface Deformations of Planar Solids using the Method of Digital Image Correlation” Trey Chancellor, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Mo Bakr – “Development, Design, and Testing of Folding, Mobile Carpentry Work Bench” John Clements, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “HMD-based Teleoperation of Wheeled Mobile Robots” Jamison Conatser, a senior studying electronics and computer engineering technology, mentored by Steve Menhart – “Voice Controlled Drone with Camera for Disabled Persons” Brandon Crawford, a junior studying e-commerce, mentored by Thomas Wallace – “Optimizing Workflow with Modern Technology and Ergonomics: A STEAM Project” Michael Davis, a junior studying information science, mentored by Philip Williams – “Heifer International Aquaponics Project” Merak Dyer, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu – “Kitchen Appliance Automatic Storage and Retrieval System” Jacob Earley, a junior studying geology, mentored by Margaret (Beth) McMillan – “Using Short-range Photogrammetry for 3D Digital Reconstruction of Arkansaurus Fridayi Fossil Bones” Gaige Ehrenworth, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Consumer Ray-Tracing in Real Time” Denver Ellis, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Student Exploration in Computer Graphics Through the Creation of a Rasterization Pipeline” Brandon Norman, a freshman studying computer science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “Web System for the Visualization and Dissemination of Three-dimensional Content in the Field of Paleontology” Jack Gaston, a freshman studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Influence of Layer Thickness and Interface Bonding Strength on Energy Absorption Response of Polyurea Coated Glass Plates” John Graham, a junior studying engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Strengthening Behavior of 7075 Al Alloy After Strain Hardening Versus that of Precipitation Hardening” Anna Gayle Griffiths, a senior studying geology, mentored by Michael DeAngelis – “Improving ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Recycling Program” David Hough, a graduate student studying applied science, mentored by Michael DeAngelis – “Synthesis of Targeted Composition Nanoscale Olivine” Jacob Jackson, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Removal of Water Turbidity Using Natural Coagulants” Matthew James, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Albert Baker – “Financial Literacy for Adolescents through Technology” Marcus Johnson, a transfer student studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Playlistify: Multi-User Application Interfacing with the Music Streaming Service Spotify” Michael (Tyler) Kee, a senior studying geological sciences, mentored by Laura Ruhl-Whittle – “Strontium Isotopic Ratios in Central Arkansas: Insight into Rock Formation and Water Quality” Nigel Kelly, a junior studying mechanical systems engineering, mentored by Jin Wook Lee – “Design and Fabrication of a Novel Flight Saucer” Joseph Kready, a junior studying computer science, mentored by Xiaowei Xu – “Neural Code Search” Trigun Maroo, a graduate student studying engineering science and systems, mentored by Andrew Wright – “Design of a Microphone Array to Facilitate Acoustic Localization” Amanda Martin, a senior studying Geology, mentored by Rene Shroat-Lewis – “Digitization of Economic Mineral Resources of Arkansas” Noah Mejia, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu and Ashokkumar Sharma – “Semi-Autonomous Multi-System Integration Tower Robot” Daniel Myers, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Chia-Chu Chiang – “Study of Open Source Operating System for Use as Instructional Aid” Uche Nwali, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Design Modification of an Existing Hydraulic Ram Pump System to Improve Its Overall Performance” Brenda Nyangweso, a junior studying information science, mentored by Ningning Wu – “Application and Benefits of Cloud Development in the College of Engineering and Information Technology” Tarang Parikh, a senior studying electronics and computer engineering technology, mentored by Steve Menhart – “Solar Powered Raspberry Pi Car Audio-video and Camera System” Garrett Phelps, a transfer student studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Synthesis and Characterization of Epoxy Composites Modified with Micron-size Stiff and Compliant Fillers” Ryan Ronquillo, a junior studying information science, mentored by Philip Huff – “Reversus: Education in Reverse Engineering Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities” Shadrach Rubio-Pelayo, a freshman studying civil engineering and construction management, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu and Ashokkumar Sharma – “Unmanned Aerial Racing Cargo Vehicle: An ASME IAM3D Competition Contender” Sherif Selim, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Processing and Mechanical Characterization of Aluminum Foam Based Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPC) Infiltrated with Solid and Hollow Glass Microspheres” Ramiro Serrano-Vergel, a graduate student studying information science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “Enhancing User Experience in Custom Closets Prototyping Using Handheld-based Mobile Augmented Reality” Zachary Smith, a graduate student studying applied geology, mentored by Laura Ruhl-Whittle – “Quantifying the Impact of Urbanization on the Fourche Creek Watershed, Little Rock, Arkansas” Tiwari Snehil, a senior studying information science, mentored by Elizabeth Pierce – “Furrow Irrigation Web Application” Eric Sutherland, a junior studying mechanical systems engineering, mentored by Soheil Saedi – “Damping Capacity of Additively Manufactured (AM) NiTi Alloy” James Teem, a freshman studying computer science, mentored by Chia-Chu Chiang – “Integrating Voice Commands into Web Pages for Accessible Interactions” Stephen Vang, a senior studying mechanical engineering, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu – “Design and Optimization of a Portable Medical Scooter” Xingqiao Wang, a graduate student studying computer and information sciences, mentored by Xiaowei Xu – “Hierarchical Neural Language Model for Question Answering” Hunter Wright, a senior studying information science, mentored by Thomas Wallace – “MAACS: Multipurpose All-around Awesome Clustered Server”

College of Business

John Fetherston, a freshman studying business information systems, mentored by Kent Layton – “Water Purification for Maroa, Venezuela” Claire Herman, a junior studying economics, mentored by Casey Rockwell – “Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Ethical Concerns in the Supply Chain of a Consumer’s Raw Material through DNA Testing” Snehil Tiwari, a junior studying economics, mentored by Moiz Bhai – “A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Implementing Riparian Buffers in the Buffalo River Watershed”

Expo showcases student research and creative works

Janea Snyder — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:41:30 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock students showcased their academic work this semester at the recent Student Research and Creative Works Expo held April 18 in the Jack Stephens Center. More than 200 students representing every college within the university participated this year, with projects spanning research in computer science/information science, creative work, economics, education, engineering/engineering technology/construction management, health science, humanities, interdisciplinary, life science, physical science, service work/professional application, social science, and social work. More than 100 of the participating students received Signature Experience Awards of up to $1,000 to fund their research this semester. Kajal Shukla, a senior computer science major, used machine learning to predict coronary heart disease. Shukla, who was mentored by Dr. Mariofannia Milanova in the Department of Computer Science, chose to investigate heart disease because a data set was already available for heart disease that allowed her to experiment with three different machine learning models to determine which was the most useful. Shukla will graduate May 11 with a Bachelor of Science in computer science and plans to start a master’s degree program in June. More than a dozen entries in this year’s expo were creative works. Aaron Prosser earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic art in December but returned to campus to exhibit his “Organo Guys,” a series of action figures that combine his love of toys and his graphic design talent. Inspired by Captain Planet, Swamp Thing, and the Ninja Turtles, Prosser’s action figures were sent by Mother Earth to enforce the preservation of the environment. Prosser was mentored by Kevin Cates. Kat Hall, who will graduate May 11 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre arts, explored the process and conventions used during the 16th century in England under strict sumptuary laws to transform male players into female characters on stage. Her project, “Cross Dressing: The Transformative Power of Costumes on Shakespeare’s Stage,” used contemporary flat pattern and draping methods to create costumes. “The Student Research and Creative Works Expo really captures the diversity, breadth, and calibre of our students, and is a testament to the expertise and engagement of their faculty mentors,” said Lawrence Smith, assistant professor in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Theatre Arts and Dance Department and co-chair of the Student Research and Creative Works Committee. “It gives you a great insight to the creativity and intellectual rigor that is the heart of our work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” In addition to the expo, individual colleges at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock showcased their programs, research, and resources as part of a larger Research and Creativity in the Rock event. The College of Social Sciences and Communication hosted a two-day mini-conference featuring interdisciplinary panels with faculty, staff, and students. The College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences gave tours of its science laboratories to visiting high school students who were also treated to music and dance and music performances in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, a majors fair, and tour of the Windgate Center of Art and Design. The Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology also gave tours of its engineering, engineering technology, and earth science laboratories to visiting high school students who also toured the Emerging Analytics Center. The College of Education and Health Professions hosted an open house in the Bailey Alumni Center to showcase faculty and student research and information about the STEM Education Center, and the George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology hosted an open house with student poster presentations and demonstrations. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students discuss their research with visitors at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo held April 18 in the Jack Stephens Center. Photo by Benjamin Krain

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces Winners of 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Expo Winners