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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Dr. Jeremy Ecke has been appointed interim dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE) following the departure of Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, who has accepted a deanship at Wichita State University.聽

He previously served as associate dean for college operations and chair of the Department of English and will lead the college while a national search for the next dean takes place.  

鈥淐HASSE is home to a vibrant group of faculty and students doing meaningful work in the classroom, on stage, in studios, and in the community,鈥� said Ecke. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege to support that work and help ensure a smooth transition during the upcoming academic year.鈥�

Additionally, Joli Livaudais has been named the director of the School of Art and Design. Livaudais has worked to leverage the university鈥檚 world-class Windgate Center of Art and Design to enhance student experiences, support faculty practice, and expand public programming.

鈥淥ur students and faculty bring such creativity and passion to their work,鈥� Livaudais said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to continue supporting their efforts and building momentum for the school鈥檚 future.鈥�

In the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM), Dr. Annie Childers has been named chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. 

A longtime faculty member, Childers has served in a variety of leadership roles, including interim associate dean of the college and graduate coordinator for all applied mathematics and statistics programs. 

鈥淢athematics and statistics are essential to a wide range of disciplines,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to serve the department in this new role and to continue supporting our students and faculty.鈥�

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain said the appointments reflect the university鈥檚 strong momentum and the caliber of leadership rising across campus. 

鈥淭hese leaders represent the best of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 鈥� dedicated scholars and collaborative professionals who care deeply about our students and the future of their fields,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淭heir leadership will help us continue building momentum across campus, and I鈥檓 excited to work alongside them.鈥�

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