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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The Advancement of Materials to Sustainable & Green World award highlights the university鈥檚 , where Darsey and his team are developing cutting-edge methods to design high-tech materials and drugs using artificial intelligence and quantum calculations.

In addition to receiving the award, Darsey, a professor of chemistry and applied science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the director of the Center for Molecular Design and Development, recently served as keynote speaker at the International Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Separation Techniques in Paris, France. These invitations reflect the global impact of his work and that of the university.

鈥淚t is more recognition for the university and what we are doing at our center,鈥� Darsey said. 鈥淭hey said that our work is 鈥榩ioneering.鈥� We are using a combination of quantum calculations and AI to develop advanced materials. I didn鈥檛 realize how unique our practices were until I started getting invitations to speak.鈥�

Since founding the center in 1995, Darsey has been invited to present his research around the world, including Australia, Scotland, England, Poland, France, and Sweden.

What is applied science? It means translating complex theory into practical solutions that benefit industry, medicine, and the community. Darsey鈥檚 team specializes in computer modeling to design new materials and drugs with specific properties. The work done in his lab could revolutionize medicine and other initiatives on a global scale.

Pioneering Research in Applied Science

鈥淲hat we do is we put a molecule into the computer,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭hen, through the combination of AI and the most powerful quantum calculations, we can design new molecules with any properties desired. If you wanted steel alloy that has twice the strength of any material currently known, we should be able to design that.鈥�

Their methods have already produced promising results in both drug discovery and materials development:

• Medical Advancements: Darsey鈥檚 lab has designed potential drugs for treating Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, Parkinson鈥檚 disease, and other conditions, supported by funding from organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
  
• Agricultural Impact: Darsey鈥檚 team is also developing herbicides to combat weeds in rice crops, aiming for formulas that are 10 times more potent yet require significantly lower dosages, reducing harmful side effects.
  
• Stronger, Smarter Materials: From lightweight plastics with the strength of steel to alternatives stronger than Kevlar, Darsey envisions a future for the lab where advanced materials transform industries from automobiles to defense.

Students at the Center of Discovery

One of the most distinctive aspects of Darsey鈥檚 work is how central his students are to the process.

鈥淭hey do the work,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 take six months teaching them how to do it, and once trained, they do all of the research. My best student, Micah Shaver, knows how to do everything. I come up with the ideas and they execute.鈥�

This hands-on approach not only trains students in advanced techniques but also gives them opportunities to present research internationally. Shaver, the project director at Darsey鈥檚 center who is studying for her master鈥檚 degree in chemistry, will present her migraine drug research at a conference this October. She said working with Darsey has empowered her research and opened up doors to collaboration.

鈥淎ll the projects I鈥檝e done are molecular modeling combined with AI,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eacuse of Dr. Darsey, I鈥檝e been able to present my work nationally and work with other chemists across the world because of his connections.鈥�

Shaver said in addition to her drug research work, she is also working to improve how we fertilize crops by creating herbicides and fungicides to be 鈥渕ore potent and less environmentally impactful.鈥� She said Darsey鈥檚 connections have allowed her to collaborate with other scientists to provide a broader scope of research and knowledge to her work. 

The international exposure has also attracted students to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Darsey recalls a student from Barcelona, Spain, who heard of his research abroad and later sought out opportunities in his lab.

What鈥檚 Next?

Darsey has ambitious goals for the next decade, including designing high-temperature superconductors that could revolutionize medical equipment like MRI machines and enable faster, more efficient transportation.

Despite these global ambitions, he emphasizes that recognition ultimately benefits the university and its community.

鈥淲e鈥檝e never attacked a problem that we haven鈥檛 been able to find a solution to,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not as important to get my name out there, but our center. We have faculty on our campus that can design superior properties than what is currently being used. That recognition helps us attract funding, students, and opportunities.鈥�

As awareness of the pioneering work continues to rise, Darsey is planning a fundraising event for early next year to support future research and student engagement.

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Joshua Pack, a senior double majoring in chemistry and biology, completed the Snyder Scholars Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The research program supports undergraduate students with an interest in organic chemistry. Pack, a Donaghey Scholar from Fort Smith, is the first 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student to be accepted to the Snyder Scholars.

鈥淚t was an amazing experience that I wouldn鈥檛 trade for any other summer internship,鈥� Pack said. 鈥淚 am incredibly grateful to Dr. Brian Walker and Dr. Juliette Rivero for preparing me for an experience like this as well as to my mentor Jonny for making my stay as worthwhile as possible.鈥�

Over the course of 10 weeks, Pack worked under the mentorship of Dr. Jonny Quirke, a postdoctoral research associate, in the lab of Dr. Paul Hergenrother, who researches solutions to complex disease-driven problems. Pack worked on making derivatives of an experimental antibiotic to increase its efficacy against some of the deadliest bacterial pathogens.

鈥淎 recent report by the World Health Organization outlined a selection of ‘critical’ priority pathogens in urgent need of new treatment options, and all of them were Gram-negative bacteria in urgent need of new treatment options,鈥� Pack said. 鈥淭he architecture of Gram-negative bacteria makes them especially challenging to treat, and one reason are the various efflux pumps embedded throughout their cell membranes. These pumps have broad substrate specificity and therefore expel most foreign matter from the bacteria.

This often includes antibiotics. The Hergenrother group is investigating how to circumvent this potent biological defense mechanism to more effectively treat bacterial infections.鈥�

At the end of the summer, Pack had the opportunity to present his research alongside his fellow Snyder Scholars.

鈥淚t was an incredible experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he audience was primarily organic chemistry graduate students, so I not only gained useful feedback about the chemistry I was doing, but I also got to experience giving a presentation exclusively in front of experts in my field. A few faculty also stopped by, so I had the opportunity to talk with them about my research and goals.鈥�

The skills Pack gained from his summer research program will come in handy in the future. Once Pack graduates in the spring 2025 semester, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry, specializing in organic chemistry.

鈥淚t was an eye-opening experience, to say the least,鈥� Pack recalled. 鈥淣ot only did it hone my skills as a synthetic chemist, but it also introduced me to new dimensions of the theory behind organic chemistry that I hadn鈥檛 previously been exposed much to. Similarly, I gained a new perspective on graduate school and feel much more confident in applying to top programs across the country.鈥�

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The professors have used the grant to acquire an ultra-speed centrifuge for biomedical research. This instrument will augment a wide array of chemistry research and teaching applications, such as drug development, proteomics, and metabolomics research. They will be able to use the centrifuge for many experiments, including drug design, nanomaterials preparation, cell culture, molecular biology, and biochemical analyses.

鈥淚 think having such high-end equipment at the university is unbelievable, and I am so thankful to INBRE because they gave us this opportunity,鈥� said Dr. Mohammad Goodarzi, assistant professor of biochemistry. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 have an ultra-speed centrifuge for our students and for our research. This is a boost for us and working with Dr. Noureen Siraj on this project has been an amazing experience for me. I am also thankful to Dean Brian Berry and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for all their help with this grant.鈥�

Goodarzi鈥檚 research team investigates the intersection of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and immunology, working to craft pharmaceuticals that respond to infection and cancer. His group is dedicated to the advancement of novel drug development that addresses pathogenic infection scenarios.

The new ultra-speed centrifuge is located in the Department of Chemistry in the Science Laboratory Building. Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry, said that having the equipment will also help students have opportunities to conduct more research.

鈥淭his equipment will offer both undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experience as well as enhance scientific research and collaboration among different departments at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淯ndergraduate students gain practical experience in using various instruments to reinforce the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom. Our students will get hands-on experience using the ultra-speed centrifuge, and these skills will be in high demand when they graduate.鈥�

Additionally, the ultra-speed centrifuge is essential for the synthesis of gold nanomaterials. Siraj鈥檚 research group is developing different shapes of gold nanomaterials that will be used as a photothermal therapy drug and is also planning to incorporate other chemotherapeutic drugs in gold nanoparticles.

The INBRE grant will also help 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock form collaborations with other universities. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as well as Philander Smith University both wrote letters of support for the grant.

鈥淯nfortunately, not many higher education institutions in Arkansas have an ultra-speed centrifuge,鈥� Goodarzi said. 鈥淲e are happy to partner with institutions that do not have access to such equipment who want to use it for research and education. This will lead to multiple cross-institutional research collaborations.鈥�

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Dr. Jerry Darsey, director of the Center for Molecular Design and Development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, has completed his new book, 鈥�,鈥� published by Newman Springs Publishing.

The new book is a helpful and educational guide based on Darsey鈥檚 years of experience camping in the swamps of southern Louisiana around his hometown of Houma. The book will help readers understand the skills they鈥檒l need to survive a primitive camping trip with minimal equipment.

鈥淭he primary audience of this book is those who would go on a primitive campout. However, many of the camping tips discussed in this book can be useful for any type of camping, from the one- to two-night camping trip to the enthusiast going on a one, two, or multiple-week primitive camping experience.鈥�

While Darsey has authored nearly 200 academic manuscripts in numerous journals, this book is his first non-academic writing venture that is based on his long history with the Boy Scouts of America. During all these years involved in the Boy Scouts, he has gone on hundreds of camping trips, including many survival camping trips.

Darsey participated in the Boy Scouts from 11-18 and served as a counselor for four years at the New Orleans area council Boy Scout camp in Slidell, Louisiana. When Darsey鈥檚 son turned 11, he also joined the Boy Scouts, and Darsey became the assistant scoutmaster for Troop 12 in Little Rock that meets at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.

鈥淚 learned a lot of useful things when I was a Boy Scout growing up literally in the swamps of Louisiana,鈥� Darsey said. 鈥淭he Boy Scouts is a fantastic moral-, skill-, and character-building organization. We used to go camping often, and we had to hike 10-20 miles. We learned many methods to reduce how much you had to carry on your back.鈥�

Darsey was inspired to write the book after watching people struggle to make it during outdoor survival reality shows on television.

鈥淭his book is primarily inspired by the TV show, 鈥楴aked and Afraid,鈥欌�� Darsey said. 鈥淭here were many instances where the participants did not seem to know many survival techniques. I learned how to build a shelter as a child, and I was amazed at how many people did not know how to build a shelter. The contestants would build one trap and wonder why they can鈥檛 catch any animals. We used to build 5-10 traps and maybe one of them would catch something. At first, I thought everyone knew these things. After watching shows like this, I learned that very few people knew these skills.鈥�

The book covers topics such as how to build a good shelter, starting a campfire, catching food, cooking food and boiling water without pots and pans, reducing mosquito bites, keeping insects out of your shelter, and how to safely catch snakes.

Darsey said the response to his book has been quite positive, with readers eager to learn the secrets of how to conquer the dangers of the outdoors.

鈥淲hen people read the book and see some of the tips, they will find ways to make camping more fun and less stressful and will learn some interesting things they hadn鈥檛 thought of before,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he survival nature of the book is meant for people who camp for more than a couple of nights. Another Boy Scout told me I need to write a book for the weekend camper. Maybe it鈥檚 something I鈥檒l put on my list to do when I retire.鈥�

Readers can find 鈥淎 Guide to Primitive Camping: Tips for Any Type of Outdoor Camping鈥� at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iBooks Store, , or Barnes and Noble.

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Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry, received the Central Arkansas Professor of the Year Award as well as the Volunteer of the Year Award during an April 18 awards ceremony at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2016, Siraj regularly teaches General Chemistry 2, Analytical Chemistry I, Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences, and a special topic graduate course in analytical chemistry.

鈥淲hen they announced my name, it was very surprising,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淣o one had given me any clue that I had been nominated to be professor of the year. I am glad they recognize my efforts regarding helping students, improving my teaching, and connecting students with research opportunities.鈥�

In 2022, Siraj received the Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Endeavors from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, noting that her research has been cited more than 700 times since 2016, and she has received more than $1 million in funding from federal, state, and local agencies.

For the Volunteer of the Year Award, Siraj was recognized for her efforts in coordinating the Central Arkansas Chemistry Olympiad. About 200 high school chemistry students in Arkansas regularly take the annual Chemistry Olympiad exam. The top 10 students selected take the national exam to qualify for the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad team, which competes in the International Chemistry Olympiad.

As part of her service activities, Siraj has also mentored more than two dozen middle and high school students who conduct research projects under her supervision. In 2018, Meghana Bollimpalli, one of Siraj鈥檚 mentees from Central High School, earned more than $58,000 in scholarships for her science fair project at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The high school student became the first student in the history of Arkansas to attain this level of distinction.

鈥淭he Central Arkansas Chemistry Olympiad presents a good opportunity to meet highly talented chemistry students in Arkansas,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚 always invite them to come and do research with me. I like giving students the opportunity to participate in research. I give the students a tour of campus and show them the research we are doing in the Department of Chemistry. They can also reach out to any other research groups if they are interested.鈥�

She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree and master鈥檚 degree in chemistry from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. Siraj earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Graz University of Technology in Austria and completed postdoctoral research at Louisiana State University.

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