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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As part of the America 250 celebration, the 鈥�Our American Story鈥� project aims to create the largest audiovisual archive of American stories ever assembled. The archive will be preserved in the Library of Congress as a living time capsule for future generations. Each participant shares their journey, values, and vision for America鈥檚 future, contributing to a collective portrait of innovation and perseverance across all 50 states.

Dr. Basu was the only researcher from Arkansas interviewed for the project and the only 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock professor featured. The interview took place at the Old State House Museum in downtown Little Rock on Oct. 6, a setting Basu described as 鈥渁ptly chosen and soaked in history.鈥�

鈥淚 was speechless and spellbound,鈥� Basu said. 鈥淓ven now, I can鈥檛 believe they found my story. Being part of America鈥檚 250th celebration is an honor I never imagined.鈥�

A computational scientist specializing in human-computer interaction and , Basu鈥檚 recent research explores cardiac visualization technologies inspired by deeply personal experiences. His mother鈥檚 difficult heart surgery and the passing of his uncle, an applied physicist who inspired Basu鈥檚 early interest in science, motivated him to pursue research that bridges technology and human health.

鈥淢y uncle had a huge impact on who I am as a scientist,鈥� Basu said. 鈥淭hose experiences with my family taught me that science, like life, is about compassion and persistence.鈥�

During his interview, Basu reflected on his journey from India to Arkansas and how the state鈥檚 natural beauty and pace of life have shaped his work and mindset.

鈥淲hen I first crossed the Mississippi River into Arkansas, I was struck by the abundance of trees and the sense of peace,鈥� he said. 鈥淪cience, like good soul food, comes from a soul that is at peace with its environment. The South is known for its warmth and music, but it鈥檚 also a place where good science happens.鈥�

When asked what message he hoped to leave for America鈥檚 250th birthday, Basu emphasized the value of perseverance in science and in nation-building.

鈥淧ersistence is what keeps this nation moving forward,鈥� Basu said. 鈥淏uilding a nation is not easy, and maintaining one is even harder. For the next 250 years, I hope we never lose sight of the need to stay persistent in pursuing what our collective hearts know is right and important.鈥�

Looking ahead, Basu鈥檚 next line of research centers on human decision making and spatial reasoning, including studies of maze navigation and the use of eye gaze signals to improve artificial intelligence for Air Force mission needs.

Basu said being featured in 鈥�Our American Story鈥� is both humbling and deeply meaningful. His family, he added, was thrilled to learn that his story would be preserved in the Library of Congress.

鈥淢y family is over the moon,鈥� Basu said. 鈥淪ome of them joked that I must be going into politics. But truly, they鈥檙e proud that something from our story is now a part of American history.鈥�

For Basu, the experience reaffirmed his belief that science, compassion, and creativity are threads that unite all Americans.

鈥淪cience has no borders,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just where you are that matters. It鈥檚 what you strive to contribute to the world. Being part of this project reminds me that every story, no matter where it begins, can inspire something greater.鈥�

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Abu Halimeh visited some of the computer science classes to greet students personally, share a few words of encouragement鈥攁nd a few jokes鈥攁nd hand out goodie bags filled with candy, frisbees, magnets, pens, pencils, and information cards. He will visit each class throughout the semester. 

鈥淚 wanted to create a culture of welcoming in our department,鈥� Abu Halimeh said. 鈥淭his is a small event with a very big impact. I was once a student here myself, and I know how important it is to feel connected. Since I became chair, I鈥檝e made it my mission to make sure students know they are valued and always welcome in my office. If they forget where my office is, just ask for the office with the candy jar.

The event was the department鈥檚 first of its kind and comes at a time of growth for the program. Enrollment in undergraduate computer science classes has increased to more than 400 students this year, an increase of 17 percent over last year. About 150 students are enrolled in a cybersecurity certificate or degree program. The department includes 16 full-time faculty members with expertise spanning computer science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.

Faculty and students alike said the welcome made a difference.

鈥淚 think the students in the Software Engineering class were pleasantly surprised by the visit and genuinely appreciated his comments about the Computer Science Program,鈥� said Brian Keltch, a computer science lecturer. 鈥淢ost of the students in this class are seniors, and so they are ready for graduation and the next steps in their careers.鈥�

Abdelrahman Elkarkooly, a computer science major, agreed. 鈥淔rom my perspective, the visit by the Computer Science department chair added real value to the Mobile Application Development class,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t created a moment where we felt connected to the larger goals of the program. His remarks gave us a stronger sense of belonging and reminded us that our hard work is recognized and supported.鈥�

Abu Halimeh said he hopes other departments will consider hosting similar events.

鈥淚t builds a spirit of community across campus and encourages more students to join us,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Computer Science Department is a diamond in the rough, and I want to show its true value to the campus and the community.鈥�

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