Growth has defined Stephen Afolabi鈥檚 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鈥檚 degree in chemistry from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Afolabi looks back on how much he鈥檚 grown.

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

鈥淐ompleting my master鈥檚 degree in chemistry means a lot to me, both academically and personally,鈥� Afolabi said. 鈥淚t shows how far I鈥檝e come, from building my foundation in Nigeria to developing my research interests at a more advanced level.鈥�

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

鈥淚 saw how time consuming, and sometimes subjective, those methods could be,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what pushed me to explore more data-driven approaches.鈥�

That shift became central to his work in the lab.

鈥淪tephen has been in my research group for about two years,鈥� said Dr. Jerry Darsey, professor in the School of Physical Sciences鈥揅hemistry and director of the Center for Molecular Design and Development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淎lthough he chose to pursue a master鈥檚 degree rather than a Ph.D., he accomplished some very interesting and useful work for our center.鈥�

Darsey said Afolabi developed a software program that allows the lab鈥檚 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.

鈥淪tephen wrote a program to make that conversion possible,鈥� Darsey said. 鈥淗e 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.鈥�

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

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

鈥淔or me, it wasn鈥檛 just about learning new tools,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was about finding better ways to understand the data and make the process more efficient.鈥�

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

鈥淭hey can help us test ideas faster, handle large amounts of data, and find patterns we might miss otherwise,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 replace chemistry, they make it stronger.鈥�

That sense of growth hasn鈥檛 just happened in the lab. Moving to the United States meant adjusting to a new culture and academic system.

鈥淭hat experience pushed me to become more independent and more confident in myself,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 always easy, but it helped me grow.鈥�

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.

鈥淚t helps me look at problems in a more complete way,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot just at the molecular level, but also how those ideas connect to real-world systems.鈥�

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

鈥淟eadership isn鈥檛 always about being in charge,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 about staying committed, helping others, and working through challenges together.鈥�

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.

鈥淏oth experiences shaped me in different ways,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow I feel more prepared to approach problems from different angles.鈥�

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.

鈥淚 want my work to make things more efficient and more accessible 鈥� to help turn complex data into something useful,鈥� he said.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has been part of that same progression.

鈥淚鈥檓 ready to keep growing and take on new challenges,鈥� he said.

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STEM Posters at the Capitol provides students with the opportunity to share original research with state lawmakers and fellow researchers while demonstrating the impact of STEM innovation happening across Arkansas.

Representing 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, the nine graduate and undergraduate students presented projects addressing real-world challenges in fields ranging from medical data analysis and data science to energy resources, biology, and chemistry.

Undergraduate student Kolton Claybrook, a senior double major in chemistry and business administration with a focus in entrepreneurship, presented research focused on developing cost-effective methods for concentrating lithium from brine water found in the Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas. The research addresses the growing demand for lithium, a critical element used in batteries and energy storage technologies.

鈥淧resenting at the Capitol was a very fun and rewarding experience,鈥� Claybrook said. 鈥淪peaking with peers and faculty across the state created great dialogue about the innovations happening right here in Arkansas.鈥�

Claybrook added that the event also provided valuable networking and presentation experience as he prepares for his future career.

Ammar Ahmed Taha Mohammed, a graduate student in information science, presented research on entity resolution, a process used to determine when different records refer to the same person or household despite inconsistencies or incomplete information. Mohammed said this work is particularly important for fields such as healthcare and government, where inaccuracies in data can have serious consequences.

鈥淧resenting my work at the Arkansas State Capitol was surreal and deeply inspiring,鈥� Mohammed said. 鈥淲hat stood out most were the thoughtful and engaging conversations. It was exciting to see people from diverse backgrounds connect with the broader significance and real-world applications of my research.鈥�

For Joie Lea Murorunkwere, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in applied science with a concentration in applied mathematics and statistics, the event offered a chance to highlight how advanced statistical techniques can improve medical research. Murorunkwere鈥檚 project examined melanoma treatment outcomes from different therapies using resampling-enhanced survival analysis.

鈥淧resenting at the Arkansas State Capitol was both exciting and meaningful,鈥� Murorunkwere said. 鈥淚t gave me the chance to share why rigorous, data-driven methods matter for real health decisions. As a student researcher, this experience strengthened my confidence and reinforced my commitment to research that can make a practical difference.鈥�

Events like STEM Posters at the Capitol allow students to share their work beyond the classroom while highlighting innovative research happening at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. By connecting students with policymakers, faculty, and researchers from across the state, the event demonstrates how student-led research contributes to solving real-world challenges in Arkansas and beyond.

Presenters included: 

• Kolton Claybrook, Computer Science, 鈥淐oncentrating Lithium Brine Using Reduced Graphene Oxide Forward Osmosis Membranes鈥�
• Ammar Ahmed Taha Mohammed, Information Science, 鈥淎 Hybrid Entity Resolution Pipeline Integrating LLM Intelligence, Semantic Clustering, and Household Movement Analysis鈥�
• Hannah Jones, Engineering, 鈥淒etecting the Undetectable: Methods to Detect BVID in Wind Turbine Blade Samples鈥�
• Ruby Bagchi, Biology, 鈥淐innamic Acid Modulates Iron Deficiency Responses in Soybean Through Improved Phenotypic Performance and Regulation of Iron Homeostasis-Related Genes鈥�
• Mohammed Naif, Chemistry, 鈥淚mproved Electrode for Lithium-Sulphur Battery鈥�
• Eshaal Nadeem, Chemistry, 鈥淓merging Ionic Nanomedicines: Synthesis, Characterization to In Vitro and In Vivo Performance鈥�
• Joie Lea Murorunkwere, Mathematics, 鈥淩esampling-Enhanced Survival Analysis of Adjuvant Versus Neoadjuvant Therapies in Melanoma Using Kaplan-Meier Estimation, Weighted Log-Rank Tests, and Time-Dependent Cox Models鈥�
• Meherun Nesa Shraboni, Computer Science, 鈥淎 Gaze-Aware XR Framework for Synchronizing Head-Based Interaction and Eye-Movement Analysis鈥�
• Kalyn You, Chemistry, 鈥淎dvanced Material Platforms for Stretchable Bioelectronics and Flexible Circuitry鈥�

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Hosted by the Central Arkansas Local Section of the American Chemical Society and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock assistant professor of chemistry, Dr. Brian L. Walker. The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Room SCLB 458 on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus. The event is open to registered students and faculty interested in chemistry, art, and other interdisciplinary fields.

The workshop will be led by Dr. Gregory D. Smith, senior conservation scientist at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Participants will get the chance to analyze artwork up close, learn about the scientific techniques used to study and preserve cultural objects, and talk directly with a professional conservation scientist about the field.

The session will include hands-on activities and informal discussion, giving attendees a chance to see how chemistry plays a role in understanding and protecting historical and artistic materials. Lunch will be provided at the end of the  workshop.

Later that evening, Dr. Smith will give a public lecture from 6:30鈥�7:30 p.m. in EIT Auditorium 142, where he will share more about the role science plays in art conservation and cultural heritage research.

Supported by the American Chemical Society, the workshop is designed to introduce students to the growing field of conservation science and highlight how chemistry can be applied beyond the traditional laboratory.

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Siraj鈥檚 research focuses on three key components of the battery: the anode, the cathode, and the separator. Together, these parts determine how much power a battery can store, how long it lasts, and how safely it operates. Her lab is developing a new type of high energy density battery to increase performance and longevity. Specifically, she looks to improve the life cycle, energy density, voltage capacity, and thermal stability of batteries. 

Siraj鈥檚 work on developing the separator 鈥� which prevents the two electrodes in the battery from connecting and short-circuiting 鈥� has gained recognition from prominent players in energy development. This work specifically has gained funding from the NASA Arkansas Space Grant Consortium.

By developing safer and more durable batteries, Siraj is not only increasing efficiency but also reducing waste and cost for everyday consumers. She said her research has potential developments for electric vehicles. 鈥淲e want to improve the life cycle of batteries. If we are able to reach 10,000 hour cycles, they could last up to 25 years, meaning you wouldn鈥檛 have to replace the battery in your car within your lifetime,鈥� Siraj said.

Her lab collaborates with U.S. Vanadium and Standard Lithium, two major companies advancing energy innovation in Arkansas. These partnerships connect university research with industrial development, creating opportunities for students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom and presenting unique opportunities for internships. 

Inside the lab, students gain extensive hands-on experience with material synthesis, characterization, and advanced instrumentation. They also learn valuable skills for communicating about their research to both technical and public audiences. Senior students participate in proposal writing and learn how to secure research funding 鈥� training that, Siraj said, helps them 鈥渂ecome independent researchers by the time they graduate.鈥�

Siraj鈥檚 passion for her project goes far beyond science, however. Mentorship is as central to her mission as scientific discovery. As an instructor and researcher, Siraj takes joy in producing students with critical thinking skills and independence. 鈥淚 will see that as the greatest success of my life,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y greatest joy comes from seeing my students succeed. It fills me with pride and purpose. When they struggle, I can鈥檛 help but feel like I am falling short somehow. I feel incredibly proud and fulfilled because of everything they鈥檝e achieved. Their growth is my biggest reward.鈥� Her PhD students have gone on to careers in prominent national laboratories such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Energy, and the Arkansas State Crime Lab. She also serves as a Chemistry Olympiad coordinator, going beyond the collegiate setting to directly engage with the local community. Students as young as fifth and sixth grade have worked on projects with Dr. Siraj, who seeks to spark a love for STEM research in all she teaches. 

Siraj views her research as a way to cement Arkansas鈥檚 status as a leader in energy production and innovation. The development of longer life cycle batteries would be a complete game changer for human energy use. With the discovery of lithium reserves in southern Arkansas, she sees an opportunity to connect local resources with cutting edge research, positioning Arkansas at the forefront of these technological developments. Siraj said, 鈥淚f we are able to go all the way from the extraction of lithium to the utilization of that lithium in the batteries, then Arkansas will stand out in the whole United States.鈥� In order to continue meeting our energy demands, she said we must seek out alternatives to our dwindling energy sources 鈥� and perhaps the future of energy is right in our backyard.

By connecting research and real-world application, Siraj鈥檚 battery research laboratory is helping position 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 鈥� and the state of Arkansas 鈥� as a rising leader in energy independence and innovation.

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The grant will fund Dr. Siraj鈥檚 research project titled, 鈥�Nano V鈧侽鈧�-PNDC Composite Cathode for High-Energy-Density Lithium-Ion Batteries.鈥� The work focuses on improving the performance, safety, and durability of lithium-ion batteries through the development of a new composite cathode that combines vanadium pentoxide (V鈧侽鈧�) with phosphorus and nitrogen-doped carbon (PNDC).

鈥淚 am very excited to receive this grant,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淭his funding will help us advance our battery research and bring new energy technology to Arkansas industries. I鈥檓 also thrilled to involve an undergraduate and graduate student in this project. They鈥檒l gain valuable skills in nanomaterial synthesis, battery fabrication, and performance testing.鈥�

Siraj has partnered with , an Arkansas-based supplier of vanadium oxides, to support the research. The partnership will allow for real-world application and testing of the composite materials and may lead to broader collaborations with industry partners across the state.聽

The project addresses a growing global need for sustainable, high-performance energy storage as demand increases in electronics, transportation, and renewable energy. By enhancing the structural integrity and conductivity of V鈧侽鈧�-based cathodes, Siraj hopes to overcome common issues like poor cycling performance, vanadium dissolution, and structural degradation.

鈥淭his new battery design could offer much higher energy density and better long-term performance,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚t also has the potential to be adapted to other battery systems like zinc-ion and calcium-ion batteries.鈥�

This research aligns closely with Arkansas鈥檚 strategic innovation goals outlined in the state鈥檚 2024 Science & Technology Plan, which identifies 鈥渁dvanced energy鈥� and 鈥渓ithium鈥� technologies as key areas for economic growth.

Siraj鈥檚 project is one of four new ARA Impact Grant recipients selected from research institutions across the state. The grants fund 12-month scientific and engineering projects that partner Arkansas universities with industry collaborators. Other awardees include researchers at the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

鈥淎RA is deeply committed to providing assistance to science that makes a significant contribution to industries essential to Arkansas,鈥� ARA President and CEO Bryan Barnhouse said. 鈥淲hen we saw an opportunity to extend the grants program to additional competitive projects, we were delighted to take it.鈥�

Dr. Siraj, who joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2016, is known for her work in nanomaterials and renewable energy applications. Her team will conduct the research at the university鈥檚 newly developed battery laboratory, where students will gain experience in material synthesis, battery design, and electrochemical analysis.

鈥淥ur team is touching every part of this project to build highly efficient batteries,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting step forward not only for us but for the state鈥檚 energy innovation goals.鈥�

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The investment supports student learning and faculty research in the School of Physical Sciences while helping prepare students for careers in science and industry. The mass spectrometer, which was installed in the Department of Chemistry during the spring semester, is the first of its kind at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and places the university among a small number of institutions in Arkansas with this advanced technology.

鈥淭his instrument gives our students hands-on experience with a sophisticated tool that鈥檚 used widely in industry,鈥� said Dr. Brian Walker, assistant professor of chemistry and principal investigator on the grant. 鈥淚t connects what students learn in the classroom to real-world applications and gives them a competitive edge in the job market.鈥�

Walker co-authored the grant with co-principal investigators Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry, and Dr. Juliette Rivero Walker, instructor of chemistry. The purchase was also made possible through the support of the Graduate School and the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Mass spectrometry is a critical tool in modern chemistry that allows researchers to analyze the chemical composition of substances by measuring the mass of molecules. The new instrument offers expanded capabilities, including multiple sampling methods and a broad mass detection range of up to 2,000 mass units, which far surpasses the university鈥檚 previous limitations.

鈥淭he versatility of this machine is what makes it especially valuable,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淚t can analyze samples directly from a crude reaction mixture, even from a TLC plate, without having to purify the compound first. That saves researchers significant time and opens the door for more exploratory work.鈥�

In addition to its research applications in small molecule synthesis, pharmaceutical analysis, and material identification, the mass spectrometer will be integrated into undergraduate teaching labs beginning this fall. Faculty plan to use it for exercises such as identifying medicine tablets by mass or analyzing trace compounds on common surfaces, such as testing dollar bills for chemical residues.

鈥淭his will give students the opportunity to run their own samples and immediately see the data generated,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to talk about a technique in a lecture; it鈥檚 another to use it yourself and interpret the results. That level of engagement deepens their learning.鈥�

The mass spectrometer will also be available for use by faculty across the School of Physical Sciences. Walker said students and researchers interested in using the machine will be required to complete a brief training with him, Siraj, or Rivero. Walker said the instrument also represents a strategic investment in workforce training.

鈥淣ot every student will go to graduate school,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淢any want to go straight into the workforce after graduating with their bachelor鈥檚 degree. Having experience with high-end instrumentation like this gives these students a real advantage when it comes to finding a job and lets faculty pivot toward building skills that are in high demand.鈥�

Walker expressed gratitude to the university for its support.

鈥淚 want to thank the university leadership for putting up the additional funding and making this purchase possible,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an investment in both our students and our faculty, and it shows 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 commitment to excellence in STEM education.鈥�

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