Research - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Exploring the Human Mind: Inside ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Innovative Psychology Labs

Molly Coleman — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

What happens when people don’t get enough sleep? How does financial stress change the way we think? And what does it mean to interact with a system that can think back?

At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, psychology researchers are exploring these questions through a growing network of labs focused on sleep, cognition, and human-AI interaction.

Across three specialized lab spaces, faculty and students are examining how biological, cognitive, and technological forces intersect to shape human behavior. From tracking brain activity during sleep to modeling how stress affects memory and studying how people interact with AI systems, their work is helping answer questions that are increasingly relevant in everyday life.

Measuring Sleep and Its Consequences

In the department’s Biobehavioral Laboratory, often referred to simply as the sleep lab, Dr. David Mastin studies how sleep and sleepiness affect everyday life.

Sleep affects nearly every aspect of daily functioning, from reaction time and memory to mood and overall health. According to Mastin, many people operate at a deficit without realizing it.

“Almost everyone carries a sleep debt,” he said. “It’s like being overdrawn in your checking account. You owe your body sleep.”

He also notes that modern life makes that debt difficult to avoid, as artificial light, technology, and constant stimulation can disrupt natural sleep patterns and keep people from getting the rest they need.

That deficit can have serious consequences. Even one night without sleep can significantly impair performance.

“If you pull an all-nighter and we put you on a driving simulator, you would make as many mistakes as someone who is legally drunk,” Mastin said.

The space is equipped with tools designed to measure brain activity, including electroencephalography (EEG), which tracks brain waves during different stages of sleep. A nap bed and observation room allow researchers to monitor eye and body movement without disturbing participants, while biofeedback equipment measures the body’s physiological responses to different stimuli.

Beyond these tools, the lab also relies on controlled sleep tests that measure alertness and fatigue, providing objective data that can be compared with how participants report feeling.

Much of the lab’s research extends beyond campus. Mastin and his students frequently work in the community. Right now, for instance, they are studying firefighters to better understand how sleep impacts performance in high-stakes environments.

As part of this research, Mastin and his students attended a firefighter convention in Hot Springs to interview participants about their sleep habits. The next step is to digitize the survey to reach firefighters across different regions and cultures, with the goal of improving both their well-being and performance.

Students play an active role in the research process, contributing to ongoing studies and developing their own projects under faculty guidance. Through this work, the lab connects physiological measurement with real-world behavior, bridging psychology with biological and health sciences to show how sleep quietly shapes nearly every part of daily life.

Understanding How We Think Under Stress

Just down the hall, Dr. Colton Hunter’s cognitive psychology lab focuses on how stress shapes the way people process and remember information.

Hunter’s research centers on working memory, the short-term ability to hold and manipulate information. Specifically, he studies how socioeconomic status influences cognition, examining how stress from factors such as income, education, and environment contribute to changes in how people process and recall information — highlighting how psychological processes are shaped by broader economic and social forces.. His primary research examines the effects of financial worry on working memory.

“The idea is that your financial problems might be occupying mental resources,” Hunter said. “It’s like the equivalent of having too many tabs open on your computer. It’s going to slow down performance.”

In one common task used in his lab, participants are briefly shown a set of colored squares before the image disappears and reappears. They are then asked to determine whether anything has changed. While the task appears simple, it allows researchers to measure how much information a person can hold in mind, how accurately they respond, and how quickly they process what they see.

These tasks are paired with socioeconomic survey data and written responses in which participants reflect on financial stressors, personal challenges, and neutral daily experiences. Hunter’s research explores whether financial stress uniquely impairs cognitive performance compared to other types of stress.

“The idea is that for participants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, writing about financial worries would potentially take away from their working memory performance more than a neutral event, but also more than any other type of stressor,” Hunter said. “There’s something special about financial stress.”

A key feature of the lab is a high-powered computing system that allows Hunter to run complex statistical models and analyze large amounts of data quickly — work that would otherwise take days or even weeks.

The lab integrates students into every stage of the research process. Undergraduate participants contribute to ongoing studies as participants, while others serve as research assistants through independent study, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis. This approach also allows Hunter to examine how financial worry affects cognition specifically within the student population.

Studying the Future of Human-AI Interaction

In the department’s newest lab, Dr. Mohsen Rafiei is exploring one of psychology’s quickest evolving frontiers — how humans interact with artificial intelligence.

Rafiei’s lab focuses on human-AI interaction, examining how people use, interpret, and trust increasingly sophisticated systems.

“We are trying to understand how people interact with AI,” Rafiei said. “We want to understand how you as a human being interact with a smart system so we can learn to optimize that system for you.”

One current project looks at how students use AI in their daily lives, including whether they trust the results from their questions — and whether or not that trust is warranted.

“AI systems are probabilistic, which means there is always a good chance they are wrong,” he said. “Many students don’t know this and trust whatever answer they are given. Our goal is to learn how to optimize this so we can address this problem.”

To study these interactions, Rafiei’s lab is equipped with advanced tools that allow researchers to observe both behavior and brain activity in real time. Eye-tracking technology reveals where users focus their attention on a screen, while EEG and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems measure which areas of the brain are active during interaction. Virtual reality headsets allow researchers to build immersive environments — such as a classroom with an AI assistant — and study how people respond in more lifelike scenarios.

The lab also houses an incredibly powerful computer, known as an AI cluster, that allows researchers to run and customize AI models locally. By operating outside of internet-based systems, the lab can test models in a controlled environment without privacy concerns, giving researchers the ability to study how people interact with AI systems specifically designed for the experiment.

Together, these tools allow Rafiei and his students to examine not only what people do when interacting with AI, but also what is happening in their minds as they do it.

The work is inherently interdisciplinary, combining psychology with neuroscience, computer science, and physiology to better understand how humans engage with increasingly intelligent systems.

Students play a key role in that process, gaining hands-on experience working with AI models and advanced research tools. Skills gained in this lab prepare them for emerging careers in human-AI interaction.

“This is a new field,” Rafiei said. “We know about human cognition and perception, but how do we interact with another intelligent system? We don’t even know all the questions we need to ask yet.”

As AI systems become more advanced and increasingly human-like, the challenge becomes even more complex.

“It’s not like interacting with a tool,” he said. “It’s more like interacting with another intelligent being. And there are still so many open questions we need to answer.”

Looking Ahead: Expanding Innovation in Psychology

Across all three labs, a common thread is clear: the future of psychology at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is increasingly hands-on, interdisciplinary, and grounded in real-world impact.

For Dr. Sherwin, chair of the Department of Psychology, the new labs mark a turning point in the department’s identity.

“Research has clearly become more prominent,” she said. “We’re intentionally building a department that is more uniformly engaged in research.”

That shift is being driven in large part by new faculty hires, whose work is expanding both the scope and scale of research opportunities available to students. In the past, demand for research experience often outpaced availability. Now, that dynamic is reversing.

“We went from having more students than research opportunities to suddenly being in the opposite situation,” she said.

As the department grows, so does its emphasis on preparing students for careers beyond the classroom. Through lab work, students gain practical experience in skills Sherwin says are valuable across industries such as data analysis, problem-solving, and communication.

To support that growth, the department is also introducing a new “Research Experience” course this fall, designed to give students earlier and more accessible entry into lab work. The course allows students to begin developing research skills before moving into more independent, advanced projects.

“People don’t always realize how marketable research skills are,” Sherwin said. “That’s really where our discipline shines at the undergraduate level — teaching students how to manage and present data, think critically and analytically, and answer questions effectively.”

As psychology continues to intersect with fields like artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and data science, the work happening at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is positioned at the forefront of that shift.

With new labs, advanced technology, and a growing emphasis on student-driven research, the department is not only keeping pace with the future of the discipline — it is helping define it.

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Student Combines Chemistry and Technology to Shape Future of Research

Justin Bates — Fri, 08 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Growth has defined Stephen Afolabi’s journey. From his early studies in Nigeria to his research in the United States, he has moved from traditional chemistry into emerging work in machine learning. As he prepares to graduate with a master’s degree in chemistry from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Afolabi looks back on how much he’s grown.

Originally from Nigeria, he began his academic career at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he built a strong foundation in chemistry. At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, his work began to shift, and he developed his skill in multiple scientific disciplines.

“Completing my master’s degree in chemistry means a lot to me, both academically and personally,” Afolabi said. “It shows how far I’ve come, from building my foundation in Nigeria to developing my research interests at a more advanced level.”

He found a new direction combining chemistry with technology after seeing the limits of more traditional approaches.

“I saw how time consuming, and sometimes subjective, those methods could be,” he said. “That’s what pushed me to explore more data-driven approaches.”

That shift became central to his work in the lab.

“Stephen has been in my research group for about two years,” said Dr. Jerry Darsey, professor in the School of Physical Sciences–Chemistry and director of the Center for Molecular Design and Development at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Although he chose to pursue a master’s degree rather than a Ph.D., he accomplished some very interesting and useful work for our center.”

Darsey said Afolabi developed a software program that allows the lab’s spectral data to be used in its artificial intelligence research. The spectrometer produces data in one format, and before it can be used in AI models, it has to be converted into another.

“Stephen wrote a program to make that conversion possible,” Darsey said. “He also built a bridge between our quantum simulation program and the data processing system. That kind of work makes our research more efficient and more connected.”

The program was written in Python, making it compatible with many of the lab’s existing research tools.

He also started working on ways to make it easier and faster to identify compounds using infrared (IR) data.

“For me, it wasn’t just about learning new tools,” he said. “It was about finding better ways to understand the data and make the process more efficient.”

Afolabi sees this work as part of a broader shift in how science is done.

“They can help us test ideas faster, handle large amounts of data, and find patterns we might miss otherwise,” he said. “They don’t replace chemistry, they make it stronger.”

That sense of growth hasn’t just happened in the lab. Moving to the United States meant adjusting to a new culture and academic system.

“That experience pushed me to become more independent and more confident in myself,” he said. “It wasn’t always easy, but it helped me grow.”

He also found value in working with students from different backgrounds, which helped him see problems from new angles.

His academic path has also shaped that perspective. Along with chemistry, he holds a Certificate of Achievement in Geology, which has influenced how he approaches scientific problems.

“It helps me look at problems in a more complete way,” he said. “Not just at the molecular level, but also how those ideas connect to real-world systems.”

Graduate school helped him grow into a steady, collaborative and persistent leader.

“Leadership isn’t always about being in charge,” he said. “Sometimes it’s about staying committed, helping others, and working through challenges together.”

He said studying in both Nigeria and the United States shaped how he understands science and the way he approaches problems. His early education focused on theory, while his graduate studies emphasized research and application.

“Both experiences shaped me in different ways,” he said. “Now I feel more prepared to approach problems from different angles.”

After graduation, Afolabi plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry and continue working in computational chemistry and machine learning, with the goal of using his research to solve real-world problems in the environment and industry.

“I want my work to make things more efficient and more accessible — to help turn complex data into something useful,” he said.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock has been part of that same progression.

“I’m ready to keep growing and take on new challenges,” he said.

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A Family Affair: Mother and Daughters Graduate Together

Samantha Koros — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Walking across a graduation stage brings pride, relief, and sometimes a spark of disbelief. For one Little Rock family, that moment will carry a rare sense of unity and accomplishment: three women — two daughters and their mother — each in different fields, each carving her own path, but all reaching the finish line together.

Grace Shelton, a biology major with pre-med dreams, Faith Shelton, determined to make her mark in civil engineering, and their mother Aaronda Williams, building her future in construction management, all share the same graduation date.

Across the three women, there are 16 organizational involvements, 13 scholarships, three majors, and one shared journey.

“It’s crazy to think about,” Grace says, reflecting on the idea of all graduating together. “I don’t think we ever would have thought it would happen, but here we are.”

It wasn’t exactly planned, but maybe it was always meant to be. Aaronda remembers conversations from when her daughters were young, when she would ask them about their dreams and talk through the steps they’d need to take.

“They would ask me, ‘Mom, what do you want to be?’ And I’d tell them. They’d say, ‘You can still do that!’ I always said, ‘Maybe when y’all go back, I’ll go back too,” Aaronda recalls.

Aaronda was always grateful for the small moments.

“It’s so amazing having them on campus. We have lunch together, go to events, and cheer each other on. It means the world,” Aaronda says.

But it’s not always easy. Burnout, doubt, and exhaustion are familiar hurdles.

“Sometimes it’s hard to keep going,” Grace admits. “But we always remind each other of our goals. When I felt unsure if I belonged, I could come home, talk it out, and get my motivation back.”

For Aaronda, her daughters are more than just support — they’re inspiration.

“They’re working, going to school, having a social life, and still showing up for me. I can’t complain about working and going to school when I see them doing it all.”

That mutual inspiration is rooted in the example Aaronda set.

“Seeing our mom balance everything, that’s what shaped our mindset,” Grace reflects. “Her strength influenced us a lot.”

Still, the women have built their own campus families, branching out into leadership programs, sororities, and student organizations.

“We’ve found mentors and friends at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” says Faith, “but our family bond is always there, too.”

Each woman can pinpoint moments that will stick with her forever. For Aaronda, it’s lunch together at The WOW Cafe with all her daughters. For Faith, it’s the quiet joy of everyone gathered in her dorm, just talking, just being together. For Grace it is the memory of all of them realizing they would be graduating together after all.

As graduation nears, emotions run high.

“I’ll be grateful and at peace,” Aaronda says. “I can finally breathe.”

Grace knows she’ll be emotional, thinking of how much she’s grown since her shy, uncertain middle school days. Faith, too, feels the weight of her family’s achievement, coming from a background without many degrees, and now adding three new ones at once.

Looking to the future, they look to the legacy they hope to leave.

For Grace, representation in medicine is key.

“There aren’t enough Black women physicians. I want to open a practice for underserved communities and be someone people can see themselves in,” Grace says.

Aaronda dreams of creating a nonprofit to help women enter construction, opening doors that have too often been closed.

“We need more women in construction, and I want to show them the way—give them a clear pathway to a career,” Aaronda says.

Faith is focused on civil engineering and preparing for a career in roadway and infrastructure design.

“I want to create infrastructure that strengthens and connects communities,” Faith says.

What’s next? More giving back, more mentorship, more dreams. Maybe even graduate school, Aaronda jokes — though with two more daughters still in high school, she might have company again.

For now, the focus is on celebrating, on capturing a family photo in cap and gown, on reflecting on just how far they’ve come — together.

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy

Samantha Koros — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Dr. Mohsen Rafiei, a faculty member at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the , a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the role of design science in legal and public policy discussions.

When asked about the initial reaction to joining the board, Rafiei described it as both an honor and a responsibility.

“It’s not just a title,” he explained. “IDSPP is doing important work that bridges research and public policy. The invitation represents an opportunity to contribute in ways that go well beyond traditional academic work.”

IDSPP is an organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between design research, legal reasoning, and public impact. Its broader aim is to support applied design research and ensure that legal and policy discussions are informed by strong evidence. The organization contributes to public discourse through research initiatives, amicus briefs and working papers – all aimed at integrating scientific understanding of design into real-world contexts.

“The invitation felt like a natural fit because my work consistently explores the ways research can connect human behavior, design and decision making in practical settings. IDSPP’s commitment to bringing rigorous design-related research into public and legal contexts is deeply meaningful to me,” said Rafiei.

Design science plays an important role in public policy. Design shapes how people interact with products, systems, and institutions, affecting usability, access, behavior, and decision-making. This means design is not just a creative issue – it is also a public one. By bringing evidence-based approaches to design-related policy questions, organizations like IDSPP help ensure that legal and policy decisions are informed by scientific understanding.

Serving on the IDSPP board has already begun to challenge and expand Rafiei’s perspective as a researcher.

“It expands my thinking by pushing me to consider how research can function outside academic settings,” said Rafiei. “In research, we often focus on theory, methods and findings, but in a role like this, you also have to think about how evidence is interpreted in broader public, legal and institutional contexts. That is valuable because it pushes me to think more carefully about how research can be communicated, applied and made useful in higher-stakes environments.”

Rafiei also sees the opportunity as one that extends beyond his own work, with benefits for the university community.

He hopes to bring back stronger models for how academic research can translate into real-world impact, particularly in public conversations, policy decisions and interdisciplinary collaboration. For Rafiei, seeing how research is applied in legal and policy contexts reinforces the importance of scholarship that contributes to broader societal discussions.

Personally and professionally, the appointment represents a meaningful milestone for Rafiei, reflecting his commitment to research that extends beyond academia.

“It reflects the work I care about most – research that matters beyond academia,” Rafiei said. “It’s also a chance to work alongside experts from different fields, contribute my perspective, and continue growing as a scholar. It’s about connecting strong research with real-world application – that’s the kind of work I’m most passionate about.”

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Angel Cano Turned Opportunity into a College Degree at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Justin Bates — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

As Angel Cano prepares to walk across the commencement stage at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, he thinks back to a decision he made as a teenager in Cartagena, Colombia.

He was 16 when he left home, recruited to the United States to play baseball and pursue an education. It meant leaving behind family, familiarity and everything he had ever known.

In a new country, baseball was his one constant.

It became his balance, carrying him through the early years of adjustment — learning a new environment, building a new routine and figuring out life away from home. But Cano understood this was more than a chance to play college baseball in the United States. It was an opportunity to earn a degree.

Cano is graduating with a degree in criminal justice, a career path he plans to pursue when his playing days are over.

“I know there will be life after baseball,” he said. “The reason I chose criminal justice is I’ve always been fascinated with how law and the process of law works. And I have a lot of respect for law enforcement and what they do.”

Baseball opened the door for Cano, but his education will carry him forward long after his playing days.

“I always know baseball isn’t going to be everything,” Cano said. “I came to the United States when I was 16 because of baseball, and I’m still doing what I love. But the reality is, if I would’ve stayed in Colombia, this probably wouldn’t have happened.”

Cano came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a transfer student-athlete from Western Oklahoma State University. As a Trojan, he’s continuing to build on the foundation he laid for himself since he began playing the sport. Since his arrival in the U.S., he’s spent time learning how to adjust to the changes. But baseball was familiar and kept him focused. Over the past two seasons, he has become a steady presence for the Trojans, taking on a larger role in 2025 despite missing time due to injury. This season, he’s playing a major role, hitting .321 with 52 hits and seven home runs across 42 games, providing a reliable, steady presence in the middle of the lineup while anchoring first base with a .985 fielding percentage.

That steadiness, he said, didn’t come from avoiding challenges, but from learning how to move through them. Moving away from his native country at 16 forced him to grow up quickly.

“The biggest challenge was being away from home,” he said. “I had to grow up real fast. Colombia is a developing country, so coming here and seeing all of this — it’s a dream for a lot of people. As long as you put in the work, it’s a dream that could last forever.”

Over time, that perspective shaped how he approaches everything around him. Baseball, school, and daily life all require the same mindset: adjust, reset, and keep moving forward.

“I’m a baseball player, and that’s my mindset in class,” Cano said. “I view everything as a challenge that I have to solve.”

Baseball, he said, has shaped how he handles challenges when they come.

“Baseball taught me endurance and patience with challenges,” Cano said. “If I’m struggling with an assignment, I have to figure out the best way to get out of it. It made me a critical thinker.”

That’s also how Cano views leadership: not in speeches or titles, but in how a team responds when things don’t go perfectly.

“Everyone will have a bad day, and it’s up to your team to pick you up when you do,” he said. “The team is most successful when everyone can step up for each other.”

During the thrilling 2025 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, Cano put together the best stretch of his college career. Over five games, he had 10 hits, four home runs, and drove in 15 runs, earning Most Valuable Player honors. He homered in three straight games, including a two-run shot in the second inning against host and top-ranked LSU that helped spark Little Rock’s regional semifinal win. That swing later earned Play of the Year at the Trojan TOP Awards, where Cano was also named Baseball MVP.

As graduation approaches, Cano said he is aware of how far he has come — and how many people back home are part of that journey with him.

“This is the dream,” he said. “No matter why you’re here, this is the dream — to do it in the United States.”

For him, that dream has meant responsibility, change, and growth, but also gratitude.

“It’s cool for the experience of another country and the environment,” Cano said. “But you still have to take care of school. It’s why you’re here. For my family and friends back home, this is everything to them for me to be doing this, and I don’t take it for granted.”

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From Connection to Opportunity: Spencer Knight Finds His Path at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

When Spencer Knight first chose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, his decision was grounded in practicality. The Donaghey Scholars Program offered him a path to graduate debt-free, an opportunity that allowed him to focus fully on his future.

What he found went far beyond financial support.

Knight, a double major in electrical and computer engineering, and physics, said he initially struggled to connect socially after arriving on campus.. Living in the residence halls, especially his time in North Hall, became a turning point. Surrounded by peers and immersed in new experiences, he gradually grew into someone confident, curious, and eager to engage with others.

“��Vlog��ý Little Rock fostered an environment where I was able to learn to engage with my community,” Knight said. “Through that, I was able to find a great number of opportunities.”

That growth proved transformative. Through connections he built on campus, Knight secured internships, including a NASA internship through the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium experience that helped define his career path.

Rather than pointing to a single breakthrough moment, Knight credits his success to steady, incremental growth.

“My growth comes in small steps,” he said. “A lot of small things have clicked over time.”

A key influence throughout that journey was the Donaghey Scholars community. Being surrounded by driven, like-minded students helped normalize ambition and reinforced his own goals.

“It’s a struggle to aim high when you feel like you’re the only one on that path,” Knight said. “But when your closest friends are passionate about their fields, it feels almost natural.”

Knight also found hands-on learning to be essential. Lab-based and project-focused courses gave him the ability to engage deeply with material and strengthen his academic foundation. Combined with internships earned through campus connections, these experiences prepared him for life beyond graduation.

Outside the classroom, Knight believes his greatest impact came through supporting others.

“College has been the toughest time of my life filled with adversity, and I know I’m not alone in that,” he said. “Being there for others…when done consistently over time can have a profound impact.”

Like many students, Knight faced challenges, especially staying motivated with coursework. But being surrounded by peers working through the same struggles made a difference.

“Struggling can be tough, but it’s a lot easier when you’re doing it with others,” he said.

Through study abroad experiences and conversations with a diverse campus community, Knight broadened his perspective and strengthened his sense of purpose. Now, as he prepares to graduate, he sees the future as wide open.

“Graduating means I finally have the freedom to find my path in the world,” he said. “And that is extremely exciting.”

As he graduates, Knight plans to pursue a career in engineering, building on the hands-on experience, technical skills, and professional network he developed at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

His advice to future Trojans reflects the mindset that guided his own journey: stay open, step outside your comfort zone, and invest in personal growth.

“When you do those things,” he said, “you’ll find yourself in places and situations you would never expect, and that’s where life-changing opportunities happen.”

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Find Your Funding: ASBTDC’s ‘Lender Quick Connect’ at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Samantha Koros — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host an exciting opportunity for local entrepreneurs and small business owners to fast-track their funding search at the upcoming Lender Quick-Connect event.

Organized by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), this event connects current and prospective business owners directly with local lenders in a dynamic environment. The event will take place May 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Reynolds Business Center.

Lender Quick-Connect will bring together 14 banks, credit unions, and alternative lenders.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversations with lending professionals, gaining valuable insights into funding options, application requirements and what lenders look for in loan applications.

“Lender Quick-Connect is an excellent opportunity to pitch a project to several potential local funding partners in a short period of time and explore financing options available through banks, credit unions, microlenders, and Community Development Financial Institutions,”said ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine.

The event aims to empower entrepreneurs to confidently pursue the capital they need to launch or expand their ventures. Whether you’re a startup seeking seed money or an established business looking to grow, Lender Quick-Connect offers a unique platform to learn about financial resources and make meaningful connections.

There is no cost to attend. Pre-registration is required. , or contact ASBTDC’s Laterika Tooks-Staton at 501-804-4530 or lstooks@ualr.edu. For more information, visit the .

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Launches Statewide Cybersecurity Clinic Network with $1 Million Google.org Funding

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:07:11 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received $1 million in funding from , the company’s philanthropy, to establish a statewide Cybersecurity Clinic Network, expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students while delivering critical cybersecurity support to organizations across Arkansas.

The new initiative builds on the university’s leadership in the Cyber Learning Network, a collaborative effort that brings together colleges and universities across the state to strengthen cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.

“This is an important step forward for our students, our partners, and communities across Arkansas,” said ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale. “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, we are committed not only to preparing students for the future, but to applying what we do in ways that directly strengthen our communities. This initiative does both.”

The Cybersecurity Clinic Network will connect students, faculty, and partner institutions to provide real-world cybersecurity services to underserved organizations, including small utilities, municipalities, rural healthcare providers, K–12 schools, nonprofits, and small businesses.

Support from Google.org makes it possible to scale this work statewide, expanding access to hands-on learning while strengthening cybersecurity capacity for organizations across Arkansas. In addition, prior funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), secured through Senator John Boozman’s office, supported the development of key technologies that enable the clinic’s cybersecurity assessment and remediation services.

“Navigating the recent increase in disruptive cyber attacks on essential services—from local power grids to hospitals — will rely on a strong cyber workforce capable of defending against everyday threats,” said Maab Ibrahim, Head of Knowledge, Skills, and Learning for the Americas, Google.org. “Cyber clinics are a crucial part of this effort: it gives students the hands-on experience they need to start careers, while at the same time providing vital, no-cost security services to local organizations that need them most. It’s a smart investment in both our workforce and the critical infrastructure that communities depend on.”

Students participating in the clinics will work under faculty supervision to conduct cybersecurity assessments, recommend secure systems, deploy monitoring tools, and assist with remediation planning using industry best practices.

“Our goal is to ensure students have meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare them to succeed in critical fields like cybersecurity,” said Provost Ann Bain. “This model connects classroom learning with real-world challenges, giving students the opportunity to build practical skills while making a meaningful impact across our state.”

The program is expected to train more than 500 students and support more than 150 organizations statewide over the next six years. It will also be part of the , providing students with access to expanded training, collaboration, and career pathways.

Dr. Philip Huff, director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Center for Research in Cybersecurity Engineering (CORE), said the initiative reflects years of collaboration across Arkansas.

“We’ve seen the tremendous potential of connecting education directly with service,” Huff said. “This investment allows us to expand a proven model that strengthens our workforce pipeline while improving the resilience of critical infrastructure across the state.”

The Cybersecurity Clinic Network is a systemwide effort involving institutions across the University of Arkansas System, community colleges, and private partners, ensuring access and impact in communities across Arkansas.

“This effort brings together higher education institutions across the state to expand opportunity and strengthen our economy,” said ��Vlog��ý System President Jay B. Silveria. “By building a skilled cybersecurity workforce and supporting critical infrastructure, this initiative will benefit every corner of Arkansas.”

By strengthening the state’s cybersecurity workforce pipeline while supporting critical infrastructure, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is leading a model that delivers real results for Arkansas communities.

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Whitbeck Award Winner: Nistha Neupane Focuses on Advocacy in Medicine

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:46:50 +0000

Nistha Neupane was in the middle of presenting her research at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Research Expo when she got the news.

“Honestly, pure shock,” she said. “Within a matter of two minutes, I was surrounded by my closest friends hugging me.”

The moment quickly turned into something else. Her first thought was to call her parents.

“As first-generation immigrants who built our lives from the ground up, they have sacrificed the world for me,” she said.

Neupane is the winner of the Whitbeck Memorial Award. Established in memory of Edward Lynn Whitbeck, a senior at Little Rock University who passed away in 1965, the award was created by Frank L. and Beverly Whitbeck to recognize exceptional academic achievement and leadership. Recipients receive a plaque, a monetary award, and deliver a speech at the spring commencement ceremony. She is completing degrees in biology and chemistry while spending more than three years conducting research in Dr. Noureen Siraj’s lab. Neupane’s work focused on developing gold nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapies, and she presented her research at national conferences, including the American Chemical Society. Neupane was recently selected as a semifinalist in America’s Startup, an official program of America250 that highlights emerging innovators from across the country.

Her research and entrepreneurial vision have also earned national recognition.

Born in Nepal, Neupane moved to the United States as a child and grew up relocating as her father pursued his Ph.D. She said those early experiences shaped her ability to adapt and build community, something that carried into her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

She chose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, which offered the kind of interdisciplinary education she was looking for. Its proximity to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences provided the research and clinical opportunities to match.

At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she did both.

Her interest in medicine started long before college.

As a child, she dealt with years of chronic, undiagnosed pain while her family navigated the healthcare system without insurance. She said many doctors dismissed her symptoms until one physician took the time to listen and advocate for her, leading to the diagnosis of a tumor that was later removed.

“That experience changed how I see medicine,” she said. “I want to be someone who listens and advocates for patients who feel overlooked.”

Her perspective is also shaped by her family’s experiences. She recalls stories about her grandfather, who died in a rural village in Nepal where access to medical care was limited. During an internship in Kathmandu, she saw similar challenges firsthand while working in a hospital with limited resources.

That focus on access and advocacy has guided her work on campus.

Neupane served as president of the Pre-Health Club and co-president of the American Chemical Society student organization, helping students prepare for careers in healthcare and STEM. She also worked with the Committee on Racial Equity for Students to support her peers.

“To me, impact is about making the path clearer for the students coming after me,” she said.

Balancing research, leadership, and service required discipline. Neupane said she relied on the values her family instilled in her, along with a strong sense of purpose.

“There were times I questioned myself,” she said. “But I kept coming back to why I started.”

She credits faculty mentors across campus for helping her navigate challenges and grow as a student and leader, along with a close group of peers who supported her throughout her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

Looking back, she said those challenges helped her better understand the importance of community.

“They showed me that I was never doing it alone,” she said.

Receiving the Whitbeck Award, she said, is a reflection of that journey and the broader impact of her work.

“It means the world to know that the energy I poured into this campus was seen,” she said.

After graduation, Neupane will attend the University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine as part of the Class of 2030. She plans to pursue a career that combines clinical care, research, and community advocacy.

“I want to be a physician who takes the time to listen,” she said. “That’s what made the difference for me.”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Student Helps Identify Cold Case Victim After More Than 30 Years

Molly Coleman — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

What began as a quest to learn more about her family’s heritage has led one University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate student to help identify more than 60 previously unknown victims and perpetrators in cold cases across the United States and Canada.

One of those cases hit especially close to home. Stephanie Wyatt, an investigative genetic genealogist and a graduate student in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Applied Communication program, recently played a key role in identifying the woman long known as the Conway County Jane Doe — a victim whose identity remained a mystery for more than three decades.

In February 2026, the 32-year-old woman was identified as Jamie Ann Moore, bringing long-awaited answers to a case that had remained unsolved since 1994.

Wyatt’s interest in communication is rooted in her professional background. She holds an undergraduate degree in public relations and previously worked in human resources before transitioning into genetic genealogy. She currently works for the Arkansas Department of Transportation while pursuing her graduate degree.

Returning to school was not always something Wyatt saw as attainable. She said her mother is the only person in her family with a college degree, and she will be the first to earn her master’s degree. “There was a lot of self-doubt at first,” Wyatt said. “But the support I found at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock gave me the confidence to believe I could be successful.”

Wyatt’s path into genetic genealogy began as a personal project. Her father’s adoption sparked her interest in the field of genealogy as she searched for answers about her family’s medical history. However, this search quickly expanded beyond her own story.

Wyatt turned her self-taught skills toward helping others who were searching for similar answers about their history. For nearly a decade, she volunteered to assist individuals searching for biological family members, including adoptees and those with unknown parentage. Over time, that work evolved into something more complex: helping identify individuals who could not identify themselves, such as those with amnesia or medical conditions preventing speech, and eventually, victims in cold cases.

In 2019, Wyatt joined a team of investigative genetic genealogists at Parabon NanoLabs, where she began applying her skills to criminal investigations and unidentified remains cases across the country.

Wyatt later volunteered with the Arkansas State Police after the case of Conway County Jane Doe stalled despite earlier DNA testing efforts. Drawing on her experience, she said she believed there were still leads worth pursuing and a path toward identification.

“I reached out because I felt like there was still progress to be made, even if it was slow,” Wyatt said. “When you’ve been in this field long enough, the DNA starts to act like a roadmap. The matches and the amount of shared DNA can tell you where to look, and I had a feeling about where to start.”

Wyatt said the work begins with a DNA profile, which is then compared to distant relatives in public databases. By grouping shared matches and tracing common ancestors, she and other investigators are able to reconstruct fragmented family trees and narrow down an unidentified person’s identity.

“It’s like putting together a puzzle without knowing what the final picture looks like,” she said. “You group pieces together, find patterns, and eventually, something connects.”

Even a single distant match can be enough to move a case forward.

“In this case, there was one match in the DNA database that helped push us forward toward identification,” Wyatt said. “Just one person made that possible, and they probably don’t even know. They’re not closely related, and it’s possible they never even knew Jamie existed.”

This, she said, is why it is so important for people who have had their DNA tested to upload their results to the databases that make this kind of work possible. There are three databases used for this sort of research: GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA, and DNA Justice. Anyone who wants to participate can help investigators by uploading their results and opting in to law enforcement matching.

“Especially with unidentified human remains, people don’t realize how many have been separated from their family but aren’t on any list as reported missing,” Wyatt said. “This was the case with Conway County Jane Doe.”

Wyatt said she hopes more people understand both the role the public can play and the realities of the process. Even small contributions, like uploading DNA data to public databases, can make a difference — often without people even realizing it.

“In most cases, if you choose to assist, you probably won’t even realize you’re helping,” she said. “But those small pieces can be what allow us to move a case forward.”

She added that investigative genetic genealogy is a careful, step-by-step process.

“It’s not an instant answer,” she said. “Sometimes we’re narrowing it down from hundreds of people to a much smaller group, and it takes time and additional information to get to one name.”

Beyond science, Wyatt’s work also depends heavily on communication — a skill she continues to develop through her studies at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

Her role involves translating complex genetic findings into clear, actionable information for investigators, many of whom are not specialists in DNA analysis. She said her studies in applied communication have helped her navigate relationships with law enforcement while working on sensitive, often emotional cases.

“You’re working with people who may have been on these cases for decades,” she said. “There’s a lot of emotion tied to that, so how you communicate matters.”

For Wyatt, identifying Moore was both a breakthrough and a reminder of the weight of the work.

“It’s very bittersweet,” she said. “There is that celebratory moment that you finally found the connection, but it’s very fleeting because you realize there are painful implications as well. Jamie got her name back, and Jamie’s family is now processing that loss.”

Wyatt said she is grateful for the opportunity to play a role in helping family members find not only answers, but peace.

As investigators continue working the case, Wyatt hopes her efforts highlight the potential of investigative genetic genealogy and the need for more resources to support it in Arkansas.

For Wyatt, the goal remains simple — to help give people their names back and bring a measure of peace to the families still searching for answers.

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