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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Prepares for Future as Surgeon

John Hill — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:58:29 +0000

A graduating ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student is thankful to the university for helping her prepare for a future career helping people as a medical surgeon. Taylor Arnold, a senior biology major from Hot Springs, said she was inspired to follow in her father’s footsteps to the medical field. “It helps in the fact that my dad was a surgeon,” she said. “I grew up in that environment and got to see the ins and outs of the career. Being able to have the opportunity to take human anatomy, it solidified that goal for me. I love that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers that course. It definitely helped me a lot.” After graduating from Sheridan High School, Arnold joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock after taking a semester off to care for a sick relative. “My aunt got really sick, and I ended up applying to go to school here so I could continue living with her,” she said. “It was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has helped me grow as a person because we have a really diverse community, and it’s helped me figure out who I am.” While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Arnold has served as president of the Campus Garden Alliance, vice president of the Biology Club, and a student ambassador for the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Out of all her activities, Arnold found participating in the Learning Assistant Program to be the most rewarding. Learning assistants take a course on the science of learning. Then they work with faculty to design and implement active learning instruction in the classroom. “The most meaningful will always be the LA program because we get to work with students and help tutor them,” she said. “It’s the best feeling ever when you can connect with another student, and they come up later and tell you that you made a difference for them.” She is especially grateful to Ronia Kattoum, an instructor of chemistry, for serving as an inspirational mentor in her life. “In high school, I’ve always been seen as the dumb blonde stereotype by people who don’t know me,” she said. “Ms. Kattoum took a specific interest in me and asked me to join the Learning Assistant Program. She is the first professor that made me feel like I am important and that I could do whatever I put my mind to. Having that mentor in my life that sees the best in me really inspired me and helped me through my college career.” While Arnold will start medical school in the fall, she’ll be working as a patient care technician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences next year. With graduation fast approaching, Arnold finds the end of her undergraduate career to be “bittersweet,” but is looking forward to starting the next step toward medical school. “I am very excited to move forward in my life, but I am also sad that I won’t be in the same environment that I have been for the past four years,” she said. “I walk around campus, and I think this is one of the last times I will be here as a student. I’m just thankful for the opportunities and the kind of environment ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers to their students. That’s really what helped me here.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Researcher Studying How to Combat Diseases by Identifying Therapeutic Vulnerabilities

John Hill — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 13:15:18 +0000

A joint ��Vlog��ý Little Rock/��Vlog��ýMS doctoral student has been recognized for his research to create a custom protein database to combat complex diseases like melanoma by identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities. Kanishka Manna, a Ph.D. student in the joint bioinformatics program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and ��Vlog��ýMS, presented his research at the Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology Conference held July 10-14 in Madison, Wisconsin. Manna, who will graduate in 2023, first became interested in bioinformatics after taking a course on the subject while earning his Master of Science in microbiology at University of Calcutta, India. “The course in bioinformatics interested me to further get into this field,” Manna said. “It’s a niche field between statistics, computer science, and biology. You can explore all three fields at once with this program. The current trend in the field of biology is to be a jack of all trades. This interested me much more, as there is a very scarce number of biologists who venture into this field with the knowledge of statistics, computational algorithms and coding, so as to analyze, interpret and visualize the biological data.” As part of his dissertation research, Manna is building a pipeline that will help researchers detect therapeutic vulnerabilities in complex diseases by combining information from multi-omics data. This pipeline will help researchers find specific mutational proteins (mostly isoforms) that are not found in normal reference databases�� and help them determine how to treat patients with those mutations who may also be resistant to known drug therapies which inhibits the oncogenic effects of those mutated proteins or the pathway associated with it. He is working with his mentor, Dr. Stephanie Byrum, an associate professor at ��Vlog��ýMS and associate member with the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. For this research project, Manna studied therapeutic approaches to treat melanoma that include small molecule drugs that target activating protein mutations, which is beneficial to about 50 percent of patients with the activating BRAFV600 mutation. Those who are resistant to the treatment may develop tumors following the treatment. Identifying which mutations patients have that make them resistant to specific treatments can help doctors come up with a customized therapy plan for each patient. In addition to presenting his research, Manna found the conference an inspiration for his research and future career. “For a budding researcher like me, meeting and listening to some of the best scientific minds in the world at this conference was an excellent opportunity to get inspired, expand new networks, and broaden my scientific ability and knowledge,” he said. “The conference provided enough exposure to develop/exchange ideas and establish collaborations. I believe this experience contributed to my graduate research at and and uplifted my research career.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Nursing Professor Honored for Excellence in Teaching and Research

John Hill — Fri, 06 May 2022 13:00:31 +0000

Dr. Josy Nduku, an assistant professor of nursing at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has been honored for outstanding teaching and research skills this spring. In her first award, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business, Health, and Human Services awarded Nduku the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching. Nduku serves as the RN-BSN online program coordinator, where she helps hundreds of working registered nurses complete their bachelor’s degrees. Colleagues describe Nduku’s leadership and teaching style as empowering and supportive. She inspires others to reach their full potential through setting clear goals and expectations. Aaron Baxter, a 2021 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, said that Nduku exemplified superior leadership and professionalism in and out of the classroom. “Whether it was behind the podium or at the bedside, she invited her students to engage in the process of learning; promoting and encouraging critical-thinking skills that would later be the fundamental principle which separates good nurses from exceptional ones,” Baxter said. “As her student, I could always count on Dr. Nduku to maintain high expectations of her students, understanding that we would one day require high expectations of ourselves to provide the safest and best of care for our patients.” Nduku believes that her passion to impart knowledge to students is what makes her a good teacher. “I want to produce students who are better than me and can practice at a higher level,” she said. “I want to inspire them to be their best selves. I also have to take into accounts the standards of practice and make sure that my teaching aligns with those in accordance with my philosophy for education.” In her second award of the spring, Nduku received the Outstanding Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Research Award for her presentation at the 2022 Arkansas Nursing Research Conference held at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (��Vlog��ýMS). Her presentation was on the “Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Course Performance of Registered Nurses Enrolled in an Online RN-BSN Program at a Metropolitan University” with collaborators Carolyn Hunter Layne and Dr. Lakeisha Falls. The research project investigated the challenges online nursing students faced while completing their bachelor’s degrees during the pandemic. “I wanted to understand how the pandemic impacted our nursing students and what else we needed to do to help our students,” Nduku said. “We found that students were having a hard time implementing projects at a place of employment because they had so many COVID restrictions in the hospitals. Students also found it difficult to meet in person and implement the projects.” A native of Cameroon, Africa, Nduku received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Central Arkansas.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Honor Alum Dr. Sara Tariq at 2022 Taste of Little Rock

John Hill — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 14:23:05 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s highly anticipated culinary and social event, Taste of Little Rock, will return March 29. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will honor alumna Dr. Sara Tariq, associate dean for student affairs in the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (��Vlog��ýMS), as the 2022 Taste of Little Rock honoree. “I am deeply honored to be a part of Taste of Little Rock,” Tariq said. “As a child of immigrant parents from India, I have a first-hand understanding of the economic and social challenges that some students face. Getting a scholarship to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock allowed me to focus solely on my studies. The faculty at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock provided me with the mentorship and knowledge to take the next steps in my career, which included getting admitted to medical school at ��Vlog��ýMS.” The event is set for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Jack Stephens Center. Taste of Little Rock raises funds to help students through the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association Scholarship Fund while introducing guests to some of the best food in the city from the finest restaurants in Little Rock. During the past 16 years, Taste of Little Rock has raised more than $682,000 for student scholarships. “We are excited to honor Dr. Tariq for her passion to impact the lives of Arkansans through education,” said Kristi Smith, senior director of development. “During her time as a student, she was enrolled in the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, which presented her with foundational tools of research and writing that she has used for the betterment of society. She is an outstanding example of the best and brightest from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock who have graduated and enjoyed success in their chosen fields. ” Tariq, who is well-known among ��Vlog��ýMS medical students as a compassionate educator and mentor, is a nationally recognized leader in medical education and an exceptional physician who teaches by example. She is a 1993 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock who holds�� a bachelor’s degree in biology. In 2018, Tariq was named Outstanding Alumni of the Year for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. This year, Hendrix College will award her the Ethel K. Millar Award for Religion and Social Awareness. Tariq received her medical degree from ��Vlog��ýMS in 1998 and completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She joined the ��Vlog��ýMS faculty in 2002 after serving as chief resident at Brown University. She is a professor of internal medicine and serves as medical director of the Center for Clinical Skills Education. A firm believer in giving back to the community, Tariq’s philanthropic efforts in the Little Rock community are immense. She has served as president of the board of the Harmony Health Clinic, which serves the uninsured and underserved population in Pulaski County, for the past decade, and has co-chaired the annual Bollywood Nights gala for many years. “I strongly believe in lifting others up so we can all be successful in this state,” Tariq said. “Delivering primary care to the uninsured people of Little Rock at Harmony Clinic, promoting social justice by serving on the board of Just Communities of Arkansas, and serving on Mayor Frank Scott’s transition team have helped me continue to serve the people of this state, but also helped me grow as an individual. I want future ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduates to have the same opportunities for growth and leadership as I have had. I am ecstatic to support ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students by raising money for scholarships.” In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tariq started a community mask campaign with two ��Vlog��ýMS physicians to financially support women who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. The women are given sewing machines to help stitch face masks and donate masks to those in need. So far, the campaign has raised more than $16,000 and distributed more than 4,000 face masks. “When the pandemic hit, so many people felt helpless,” Tariq said. “While small at first, now we are not only helping Muslims and immigrant communities, but we are also providing face masks to several faith communities, nursing homes, and churches whose congregations primarily consist of colored, marginalized, or low-income communities in central Arkansas.” Stephanie Caruthers, a managing partner at Trio’s restaurant and co-chair of Taste of Little Rock, emphasized the importance of raising scholarship funds for college students. Loris Fullerton, a member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, is also serving as co-chair of Taste of Little Rock. “The Alumni Association scholarships are an important part of our support and advocacy for the university and, as an Alumni Association Board member, I am able to experience first-hand the impact of Taste of Little Rock scholarships,” Caruthers said. “I have had the privilege of interviewing scholarship applicants, and that process has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my board service. I am so excited about what we have in store for Taste of Little Rock this year!” Dozens of restaurants from across the capital city will serve a “taste” of one of their most popular, or new, offerings. From small bites, to drinks, to desserts – there will be a wide variety of delicious “tastes” to enjoy! General admission tickets are $75. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni who have graduated within the last five years can purchase tickets for just $35. Learn about sponsorship opportunities and purchase tickets to Taste of Little Rock at . For more information, contact Derrick Newby, associate director of membership and engagement at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, at dxnewby@ualr.edu or 501-916-3208.

Join Us for Taste of Little Rock 2022!

John Hill — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:39:13 +0000

Bring your appetite, bring your friends, and be ready to taste some of the best culinary creations Little Rock restaurants have to offer!�� Vlog��ý Little Rock’s highly anticipated culinary and social event, Taste of Little Rock 2022, is set for Tuesday, March 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus! Dozens of restaurants from across the capital city will serve a “taste” of one of their most popular, or new, offerings. From small bites, to drinks, to desserts – there will be a wide variety of delicious “tastes” to enjoy! This year, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association recognizes alumna Dr. Sara Tariq, associate dean for student affairs in the College of Medicine at ��Vlog��ýMS, as our Taste of Little Rock honoree. We are grateful for Dr. Tariq’s long-time support of her alma mater and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students! Proceeds from Taste of Little Rock benefit the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Fund. During the past 16 years, Taste of Little Rock has raised more than $682,000 for student scholarships. General admission tickets are $75. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni who have graduated within the last five years can purchase tickets for just $35. This year, we will celebrate the success of Giving Day 2022 at Taste of Little Rock! Learn about sponsorship opportunities and purchase tickets to Taste of Little Rock at .��Contact Derrick Newby in Alumni and Development with questions at dxnewby@ualr.edu or 501-916-3208.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Honors Safe Foods Co-Founder Carl Rosenbaum, Raises Record-Breaking Amount for STEM Student Scholarships

John Hill — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:20:47 +0000

A visionary entrepreneur and businessman who recognized the potential of a revolutionary new product developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences was honored with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s 2021 Fribourgh Award. More than 250 people celebrated Carl Rosenbaum, co-founder of Safe Foods, as he received the award during an Oct. 21 reception at Chenal Country Club. The James H. Fribourgh Award honors individuals who have made considerable contributions to the state of Arkansas through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It was a record-breaking night as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock raised more than $206,000 for student scholarships, which is the highest amount ever raised during a Fribourgh Award Ceremony. Proceeds will be used to create the Carl Rosenbaum Endowed Scholarship Fund that will help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock attract and retain high-achieving, full-time undergraduate students majoring in science and mathematics. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale declared Rosebaum as a shining example of someone who has dedicated his life to using science for good. “As a pioneer in the food safety industry, Carl Rosenbaum shows us the power of science to serve humanity, and he shows us what it means to choose our aspirations well,” Drale said. The event’s presenting sponsors include Jerry and Sherri Damerow, 2017 recipients of the Fribourgh Award, the Board of Safe Foods Corporation, and Arkansas Glass Container Corporation. Jason Curry, pastor at The Church at Rock Creek and founder of Finish Empty®, served as the emcee for the ceremony. Jerry Damerow, a close friend of Rosenbaum, said he had the good fortune to see the story of Safe Foods unfold when he served as associate director of the medical technology accelerator, ��Vlog��ýMS BioVentures. “Carl became intrigued with a technology that researchers at ��Vlog��ýMS had come up with, the use of cetylpyridinium chloride, to eliminate harmful food pathogens,” Damerow said. “These previous meat recalls were expensive, both in terms of money and reputation for the companies. Carl set up a new company, Safe Foods, to hold that license. Safe Foods is just a wonderful addition to our community. I think this illustrates the importance of research coming out of our universities. Safe Foods is now the premier food safety company in the country. What Carl did with his patience, persistence, and prayer getting Safe Foods through those early years and getting the product to the market is incredible and one of many reasons he is being honored.” Chris Coleman, president and CEO of Safe Foods and Rosenbaum’s grandson, said his grandfather is a strong leader who he admires greatly. “I was 22 when I started working at Safe Foods, and I’ve been here for 21 years now,” Coleman said. “My grandfather has been the strong leader that has brought us through the hard years of starting a new company to the fun years of celebration and success. The culmination of where we are right now is a product that protects over 300 million servings of food every day. We are looking forward to another 20 years of success and growth.” While accepting his award, Rosenbaum spoke about how many people are responsible for making Safe Foods a success. He invited three of his friends, co-workers, and family members to stage: Rush Deacon, former CEO of Safe Foods, Curtis Coleman, founding president and CEO of Safe Foods, and Chris Coleman, current CEO and president of Safe Foods. He presented each of them with a gavel and thanked them for their hard work and service.

Carl Rosenbaum, 2021 Fribourgh Award recipient, thanks three of his friends, co-workers, and family members for their hard work and dedication to Safe Foods: Rush Deacon, former CEO of Safe Foods, Curtis Coleman, founding president and CEO of Safe Foods, and Chris Coleman, current CEO and president of Safe Foods. Photo by Jen Missouri Photography.

“It’s interesting how God works in your life,” Rosenbaum said. “Years ago, God gave me the ability to sell. I found out that in life you come across friends, and friends are what help you. This day, Safe Foods touched 300 million meals in the world. One out of 10 venture capital companies doesn’t make it, and I know why. It’s pretty tough. At age 86, you think about a lot of things. One of the things you think about is that you aren’t much longer on this Earth. You also think about your friends, and you also think about how God has led you in your life. God has always been faithful to Safe Foods.” Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, said that Fribourgh events have raised more than half a million dollars for scholarships since they started in 2010 and that 30 students have received scholarships from the proceeds. “These scholarships are providing our students with the opportunity to get a great education and make a positive impact in the community,” Whitman said. “One of our scholarship recipients is a nontraditional student who has chosen to become an educator and will soon start teaching physics at a community college in Arkansas. This is just one example of the impact of your generous gifts at work. Your support of our students impacts their lives, impacts your lives, and impacts our community. Another Fribourgh scholarship recipient, Nabeel Alwan, graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in May with two bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology. He is now applying to medical schools and plans to practice internal medicine or general surgery. “This scholarship has meant a lot to me,” Alwan said. “It gave me a push forward and the motivation to pursue my goals. It also gave me time to focus on research, and I was able to get published as an undergrad student for my research on combination therapies for cancer treatment. Growing up, my community was underdeveloped in having access to medicine care, and I want to help change that as a doctor.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor Golzar, Williams as 2021 Distinguished Alumni

John Hill — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:28:27 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor outstanding graduates Dr. Jaafer Golzar and Helaine Williams with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Distinguished Alumni awards during a Nov. 4 ceremony at the Clinton Presidential Center. Dr. Jaafer Golzar, a cardiologist and chief medical officer for ., will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Helaine Williams, Sunday Style editor at the , will receive the Presidents Award. “Dr. Golzar and Mrs. Williams are examples of the very best of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Kristi Smith, senior director of alumni and development at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “He was a traditional student from the Historic Little Rock Central High School, educated at ��Vlog��ýMS, and has made an indelible mark in interventional cardiology, while she returned to complete her education while creating a name for herself in journalism. As a graduate of the university myself, it is my pleasure to showcase these outstanding alumni to Little Rock, the state, and beyond.” The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association annually awards the Distinguished Alumnus Award to a Little Rock Junior College, Little Rock University, or ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus. The award is reserved for individuals who have achieved extraordinary distinction in their chosen field and made special contributions to the community. “My experiences at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and with the Donaghey Scholars program were paramount to the trajectory of my career, allowing me to succeed in my career,” Golzar said. “I am forever grateful for and will always treasure the relationships and opportunities this special place afforded me. I will continue to strive for excellence and to make a difference in the world, carrying this honor with me.” In addition to his position at Avinger, Golzar is an interventional cardiologist with Advocate Medical Group, the director of Limb Salvage and Endovascular Intervention at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago, and a key opinion leader in the treatment of peripheral artery disease. A native of India, Golzar moved to Little Rock with his family at age five. He is a 1991 graduate of Central High School, a 1995 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and a 1999 graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. An interventional cardiovascular specialist with 15 years of experience, Golzar is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and interventional cardiology. He is also a leading educator on interventional techniques and technologies and the founder of the Chicago Endovascular Conference, the first large-scale medical educational conference in the Midwest. As a recognized leader in the endovascular community, Golzar has received multiple accolades including the prestigious Pioneers in Performance – North America Award in 2014. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. “As a physician, clinical thought leader, and innovator, Dr. Golzar has been a critical contributor to all of the advancements we have made at Avinger,” said Jeff Soinski, Avinger’s president and CEO. “More than that, in his leadership role as our chief medical officer, Dr. Golzar inspires each of us to do our best to achieve our mission of radically improving the way vascular disease is treated; a mission he personifies in the work he does every day.” Golzar has also spent time volunteering in acute medical disaster relief efforts around the world, including serving as a consultant for Nigeria’s efforts to reform the medical infrastructure of Ogun State. The Presidents Award was established to recognize ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduates who achieved success in their career, donated time and talents to their community, and remained in touch with their alma mater as a volunteer and resource person. Helaine Williams is an icon in the Little Rock journalism industry with more than four decades of experience. She started her career as a city desk news assistant at the Arkansas Democrat in 1981. Williams is a 1980 graduate of Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2000. “I may be a so-called wordsmith. But to go from being a 1984 college dropout to finally finishing my degree in 2000 – and, 21 years after that, being chosen for the Presidents Award – evokes emotions I can’t adequately describe,” Williams said. “I can only hope that I inspire someone who thinks it’s too late for second chances, especially at a university I most heartily thank for giving me one.” In 1989, Williams became the principal writer of “Let’s Talk,” a column she has called her own for the last 32 years. She has also written for the Active Style, Family, High Profile, Weekend and Style sections of the Democrat-Gazette, drawing numerous honors along the way. Williams was inducted into the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame this year. She and her husband, Renarda “Dre” Williams, are 2019 recipients of a John H. Johnson Journalism & Media Award by the Arkansas-based Friends of John H. Johnson Museum. Williams has also received honors from the National Association of Black Journalists and the Central Arkansas Association of Black Journalists for advocating and elevating the work of Black journalists. In addition to her work with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Williams is the president of The Umoja Network and founder of its subsidiary, Make it Plain Ministries. Through these organizations, she is able to share her skills and knowledge with others by providing invaluable assistance to new writers and authors working to get published, public relations-related consultations with organizations seeking to make positive impressions with their audiences, and guiding the content creation process for print materials. An active member of the community, Williams is a lifetime member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association and served on its Board of Directors from 2013-2019. She is a member of “That.Church” in Sherwood and a past chairwoman of the Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas, where she currently serves as secretary. This year, Williams will participate in the “Dancing With Our Stars” event with Stephen Stone, associate professor of dance at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, to raise funds for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Golzar and Williams will be honored at the university’s annual Distinguished Alumni Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Clinton Presidential Center. For more information, contact Smith at klsmith4@ualr.edu.

Wallace to Lead Business Systems and Strategies Series for Entrepreneurs of Color

John Hill — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 13:46:47 +0000

Dr. Mario Wallace will lead “Small Business Strategies for Success,” a new online series hosted by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center in partnership with Remix Ideas and Hope Credit Union. The three-part series starts Aug. 2. This virtual course is designed for prospective and current entrepreneurs of color, whether you are looking to start a business on a strong foundation or seeking to improve systems in an existing business. Wallace will discuss key business systems, the roles the systems play in day-to-day operations, and methods for using systems to create consistency, efficiency, and stellar customer service. The online sessions are on Monday evenings, Aug, 2, 9, and 16, from 6-8. Topics for each session: Aug. 2 –��Industry framework and marketing systems for acquiring and retaining customers, building a culture of trust, and upselling Aug. 9 – Value-driven operations Aug. 16 – A budgeting system for optimal business decisions During each class, an attendee will receive a $25 gift card sponsored by Hope Credit Union. There is no fee to participate, but pre-registration is required.��Register now for Small Business Strategies for Success. Wallace is founder and president of��All Things Strategic. His expertise is in process improvement, change management, leadership development, and strategic management.��Prior to starting his own consulting company, he was director of the Office of Strategy Management at ��Vlog��ýMS. For more information, contact ASBTDC Inclusion and Diversity Specialist Pamela Reed at��pmreed@ualr.edu��or (501) 804-6771.

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.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock celebrates National Nurses Week: Jade Jones

John Hill — Wed, 05 May 2021 16:41:07 +0000

In celebration of May 6-12, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is recognizing outstanding nursing students and upcoming graduates. For Jade Jones, the journey to a nursing career began with a front row seat in the world of nursing. She will graduate this month with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree, leading her one step closer to her career as an ICU nurse. Tell us about yourself.�� I am from Little Rock, Arkansas. I started working in healthcare as a cardiac monitor technician when I was 19. My journey as a nursing student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock started May of 2019.�� Why did you decide to become a nurse? I believe nursing chose me. My interest in nursing started when I accepted my first job in the hospital. It gave me a front row seat of where I would eventually be. I worked closely with nurses, and in my heart I knew I would become a nurse. Nursing to me means to be compassionate, an advocate, a listener, and a caregiver. It also means that no matter who you are, I will take care of you.�� What is your most memorable experience as a nursing student? When I had my first patient, introducing myself as a nursing student for the first time made me emotional. It was official that my journey had begun.�� honors the birthday of , the founder of modern nursing. Who are some of the nurses who have mentored you throughout your time in the nursing program? My obstetrics clinical instructor Suzanne Branton helped me to build confidence in my skills. My critical care clinical instructor Carrie Wiles gave me interview tips and advice on what to do as a new nurse. I am grateful for their guidance.�� What advice would you give to others hoping to become nurses? First, be sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Study hard from the beginning. Do your very best in your nursing classes early on to set a strong foundation. You are not only studying to pass the test, you are studying because one day patients’ lives will be in your hands. Learn all you can, develop relationships with your classmates, and find a mentor that you can go to for help. What are your plans after graduating from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? My main goal is to pass the NCLEX. I will then start my career at ��Vlog��ýMS as an ICU nurse. Another one of my goals is to continue my education in nursing. I also plan to volunteer at community healthcare events.��

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

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