鈥淚 had heard about COSMOS, and it was such a great opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ocial computing was a new perspective on an application of computer science. COSMOS research focuses on misinformation, toxicity, and the social media space. I knew I could apply that knowledge to make sure the lives of people on social media are protected. On the other hand, I also heard about the bioinformatics program, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with the amazing people in the field.鈥�

In 2022, Nwashili moved to the United States to pursue a Master of Science in Bioinformatics. She graduated during the spring semester with a perfect 4.o GPA at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, where she has experienced much personal growth during her graduate school experience.

鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed meeting with other international students and people from other parts of the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen it comes to merging schoolwork and research, this has been such a growth process for me. I never thought that I would research these areas. I have grown in terms of work and research and school and building core principles like hard work and resilience.鈥�

As a data research analyst at COSMOS, she has investigated the impact of bots on toxicity in X discussions about the South China Sea as well as analyzed COVID-19 discussions about Uyghur women on X, which led to new insights into the spread of misinformation and hate speech.

As a student researcher in the Center for Molecular Design and Development, Nwashili has been researching novel drug treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Her research aims to develop more effective ALS drugs by modifying existing drug molecules that have proven to be effective in previous research.

Nwashili presented this research at three conferences this spring, and she received the People鈥檚 Choice Poster Award after presenting her research at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Technical Research Exhibition in Atlanta.

鈥淚 had a really great experience presenting my research at NSBE,鈥� Nwashili said. 鈥淚t was my second time presenting at a conference, and it was fun to communicate with different people and share my research in a positive way. We received the People鈥檚 Choice Award, which is a huge highlight for me and puts our chapter on the map.鈥�

She credits Dr. Nitin Agarwal, director of COSMOS, Dr. Mary Yang, director of the Bioinformatics program, Dr. Jerry Darsey, director of the Center for Molecular Design and Development, and her fellow students in COSMOS for helping her be successful in obtaining her graduate degree. Now she is excited about taking the next step in her future.

鈥淚t feels good to come this far and see this as a milestone,鈥� Nwashili said. 鈥淭he entire journey of two years here is where the beauty lies. I am so grateful for the journey and how far I鈥檝e come. Graduation is a testament to that journey and everyone who helped me along the way. I am so excited about what the future holds. I know for a fact there are greater things to come, and it can only get better.鈥�

After graduation, Nwashili is looking forward to a career in biotechnology and pharmaceutics.

鈥淚 definitely want to contribute to a pharmaceutical company,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y research in drug discovery is dear to me, and being able to get that industry experience would be great for me.鈥�

The post Graduate Discovers New Calling at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock appeared first on News.

ARA Project Scope, a monthly webinar sponsored by ARA, invites members of the ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows to share their latest research with the public. The one-hour webinar is free and open to everyone with a curiosity for science and discovery.

Yang will discuss both her research insights and her efforts to provide more qualified scientists to meet the growing need for bioinformatics expertise in Arkansas. The talk will begin at 11 a.m. April 24, via Zoom. Those who would like to attend can register .

鈥淭hanks to advanced sequencing technologies that quite literally map the entire genome, the amount of biological and clinical data generated in the past decade is overwhelming,鈥� Yang said. 鈥淥btaining and collecting data isn鈥檛 the limiting factor anymore; extrapolating meaningful, useful information from the data is the challenge the scientific community faces. We need individuals with the skills necessary to parse and interpret this growing mountain of data. Bioinformatics not only grants us a far better understanding of the world, it has become a major industry 鈥� one that Arkansas is poised to lead.鈥�

Yang was named a fellow of the Arkansas Research Alliance Academy in 2023. ARA fellowships recognize scientists and engineers who reside at a university or institution in Arkansas for their ongoing, exemplary contributions to the state鈥檚 core research focus areas. Each fellow receives a $75,000 grant to advance their research vision.

Also serving as director of MidSouth Bioinformatics Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Yang received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in engineering and physics from Hunan University, followed by a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a Master of Science in Experimental Solid State Physics, and a Ph.D. in Computational Science and Physics from Purdue University. She completed her postdoctoral training in human genomics and bioinformatics at the National Human Genome Research Institute and conducted research as a research fellow at the same institution from 2008 to 2012.

Yang has also worked as a professional engineer in software engineering at Shenzhen Electronic Industry and Trade Co. from 1992 to 1995. She has certifications in NIH Post Doctor Completion, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Graduate Studies and Research from John Hopkins University. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, and MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society.

She has received numerous awards for her academic and research achievements, including NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards, the Engineering and Information Technology Faculty Excellence Award in Research, Innovative Research-Education Integration Award from the American Council on Science and Education, Best Research Paper Awards, and Outstanding Tutorial Education Awards from various conferences and societies.

The post Yang Will Highlight Research During Arkansas Research Alliance Talk appeared first on News.

鈥淚 am very excited to join the ARA Academy and deeply grateful for this opportunity,鈥� Yang said. 鈥淚 look forward to collaborating with ARA on research initiatives that benefit Arkansas and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.鈥�

Highlighted by a special welcome and recognition from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the ARA welcomed Yang and six new members to the ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows, the largest class in ARA鈥檚 15-year history, during a ceremony in the Governor鈥檚 Conference Room in the Arkansas State Capitol Building. The ceremony expanded the membership to 34 research scientists and engineers working across six institutions in Arkansas, which include the five research universities and the state鈥檚 largest federal lab.

鈥淭his is a very exciting day in our state to have the opportunity to recognize some of the best and brightest in research, not just in Arkansas but in the country,鈥� Gov. Huckabee Sanders said. 鈥淲e are so excited about what this organization does, and we have the opportunity to highlight these individuals. Not only do each of these individuals contribute a significant amount when it comes to research in the state, but most of them are also professors in the classroom. I know first-hand what a difference a quality, top notch professor can make.鈥�

ARA fellowships recognize scientists and engineers who reside at a university or institution in Arkansas for their ongoing, exemplary contributions to the state鈥檚 core research focus areas. Each fellow receives a $75,000 grant to advance their research vision.

鈥淎rkansas鈥檚 opportunities in the knowledge economy depend on a talented research workforce,鈥� said Bryan Barnhouse, president and CEO of ARA. 鈥淭he ARA Academy represents the vanguard of intellectual capital that helps the entire state be more globally competitive. The seven new members added today help our state reach its fullest potential through their creativity, vision, and collaboration.鈥�

Also serving as director of MidSouth Bioinformatics Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Yang received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in engineering and physics from Hunan University, followed by a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a Master of Science in Experimental Solid State Physics, and a Ph.D. in Computational Science and Physics from Purdue University. She completed her postdoctoral training in human genomics and bioinformatics at the National Human Genome Research Institute and conducted research as a research fellow at the same institution from 2008 to 2012.

Yang has also worked as a professional engineer in software engineering at Shenzhen Electronic Industry and Trade Co. from 1992 to 1995. She has certifications in NIH Post Doctor Completion, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Graduate Studies and Research from John Hopkins University. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, and MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society.

She has received numerous awards for her academic and research achievements, including NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards, the Engineering and Information Technology Faculty Excellence Award in Research, Innovative Research-Education Integration Award from the American Council on Science and Education, Best Research Paper Awards, and Outstanding Tutorial Education Awards from various conferences and societies.

Yang was among a cohort of seven new academics to join the ARA Academy, including John Imig of 糖心Vlog传媒MS, Antino Allen of 糖心Vlog传媒MS, Heather Nachtmann of the University of Arkansas, Igor Pogribny of U.S. FDA National Center for Toxicological Research, Grace Ramena of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Jianfeng Xu of Arkansas State University.

The post Yang Inducted into Arkansas Research Alliance Academy appeared first on News.

ARA fellowships recognize scientists and engineers who reside at a university or institution in Arkansas for their ongoing, exemplary contributions to the state鈥檚 core research focus areas. Each fellow receives a $75,000 grant to advance their research vision.

鈥淚 am very excited to join the ARA Academy and deeply grateful for this opportunity,鈥� Yang said. 鈥淚 look forward to collaborating with ARA on research initiatives that benefit Arkansas and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.鈥�

The ARA Academy was founded in 2016 to facilitate meaningful collaboration among some of the most prolific research leaders in Arkansas. The ARA Academy meets each year for face-to- face interaction, often leading to partnerships beneficial to the fields of science critical to the advancement.

鈥淓ach ARA Scholar and Fellow is a research powerhouse in their own right,鈥� said Bryan Barnhouse, president and CEO of ARA. 鈥淐ombined in partnership with the state and the researchers鈥� host institutions, the ARA Academy represents a collaborative juggernaut of research talent pursuing bold, interdisciplinary ideas to support statewide economic development.鈥�

Also serving as director of MidSouth Bioinformatics Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Yang received her bachelor’s degree in engineering and physics from Hunan University, followed by a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a Master of Science in Experimental Solid State Physics, and a Ph.D. in Computational Science and Physics from Purdue University. She completed her postdoctoral training in human genomics and bioinformatics at the National Human Genome Research Institute and conducted research as a Research Fellow at the same institution from 2008 to 2012.

Yang has also worked as a professional engineer in software engineering at Shenzhen Electronic Industry and Trade Co. from 1992 to 1995. She has certifications in NIH Post Doctor Completion, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Graduate Studies and Research from John Hopkins University. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, and MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society.

She has received numerous awards for her academic and research achievements, including NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards, the Engineering and Information Technology Faculty Excellence Award in Research, Innovative Research-Education Integration Award from the American Council on Science and Education, Best Research Paper Awards, and Outstanding Tutorial Education Awards from various conferences and societies.

Yang was among a cohort of seven new academics to join the ARA Academy, including John Imig of 糖心Vlog传媒MS, Antino Allen of 糖心Vlog传媒MS, Heather Nachtmann of the University of Arkansas, Igor Pogribny of U.S. FDA National Center for Toxicological Research, Grace Ramena of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Jianfeng Xu of Arkansas State University.

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